DOCSLIB.ORG

The Inclusive-Language Debate: a Plea for Realism I D.A

Total Page：16

File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb

Download full-text PDF Read full-text
The Inclusive-Language Debate: a Plea for Realism I D.A "Don Carson has given us a much-needed book that is both provoca­ tive and timely .... He observes that inclusive-language translations are not only inevitable but also necessary, and that current translations that refuse to update themselves gender-inclusively will quite likely end up in the dustbin of history.... I heartily and enthusiastically rec­ ommend Carson's latest effort, and I do so without reservation." Ronald Youngblood THE member of NIV Committee on Bible Translation INCLUSIVE­ "Carson's study of inclusive language is an excellent plea for san­ ity in a discussion that has had its share of hysteria and lack of balance. Bringing the history of translation, exegetical skill, an awareness of LANGUAGE how different languages work, an appreciation of the cultural dimen­ sions of the question, numerous specific examples, and just sheer calm DEBATE to the table, Carson's work deserves a careful reading by all in the debate and a hearty word of thanks from the Christian community." PLEA FOR REALISM A .- -,------,- Darrell L. Bock research professor of New Testament studies, Dallas Theological Seminary "Wise and scholarly, D. A. Carson brings judicious insight to the heated debate regarding inclusive language in Bible translations. This D. A. CARSON profound volume demonstrates the complexity of translation decisions and heightens sensitivity to the task of careful Biblical interpretation." Luder G. Whitlock, Ir. president, Reformed Theological Seminary "Based on masterful linguistic scholarship, this book is a model of fair-minded wisdom on Bible translation." I. 1. Packer professor of theology, Regent College "From a surprising source comes an able defense for inclusive lan­ guage, because of a desire to have integrity in Bible translation." Aida Besan,on Spencer professor of New Testament BakerBooks - Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary A Division of Baker .!:SOaK House \,..;0 IYp Grand Rapids, Michigan 49516 ~ © 1998 by D. A. Carson Published by Baker Books a division of Baker Book House Company P.O. Box 6287, Grand Rapids,:MI 49516-6287 and Inter-Varsity Press 38 De Montford Street Leicester LEI 7GP England This book is gratefully dedicated to the many Bible translators I have known Printed in the United States of America and sometimes had the privilege of working with All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval sys­ in places as varied as tem, or transmitted in any fonn or by any means-for example, electronic, photocopy, recording-without the prior written pennission of the publisher. The only exception is Nairobi, Philadelphia, and Ukarumpa brief quotations in printed reviews. Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data Carson, D. A. The inclusive-language debate: a plea for realism I D.A. Carson. p. em. Includes bibliographical references and indexes. ISBN 0-80IO-5835-X (pbk.) 1. Bible--Translating. 2. Nonsexist language-Religious aspects-Christian­ ity. 3. Bible. English-Versions. L Title. BS449.C37 1998 220S2'OOI-dc21 98-23473 British Library Cataloguing in Publication Data A catalogue record for this book is available from the British Library. ISBN 0-85111-584-5 Scripture quotations marked NIV are taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version. Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984 by International Bible Society. Used by permission ofZon­ dervan Bible Publishers. Scripture quotations marked NIvr are taken from the Holy Bible, New International Ver­ sion: Inclusive Language Edition. Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984 by International Bible Society. This edition 1995. Used by permission of Hodder & Stoughton Ltd. Scripture quotations marked NRSV are taken from the New Revised Standard Version of the Bible, copyright © 1989 by the Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. Scripture quotations marked RSV are taken from the Revised Standard Version of the Bible, copyright © 1946,1952, 1971, and 1973 by the Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. For information about academic books, resources for Christian leaders, and all new releases available from Baker Book House, visit our web site: http://www.bakerbooks.com CONTENTS Preface 9 List of Abbreviations 13 1. The Making of a Crisis: Bible Translation and Bible Rage 15 2. Conflicting Principles: The CBT and CSG on Inclusive Language 39 3. Translation and Treason: An Inevitable and Impossible Task 47 4. Gender and Sex around the World: A Translator's Nightmare 77 5. A Brief Evaluation of the CBT and CS Principles 99 6. Some Old Testament Passages 135 7. Some New Testament Passages 147 8. Some Critical Passages with Important Doctrinal Issues at Stake 165 9. But Is the English Language Changing? 183 10. Pastoral Considerations: How to Avoid Bible Rage 193 Notes 199 General Index 213 Scripture Index 219 7 r'" PREFACE Let me De frank: this is not the sort of book I like to write. By inclination there are other things I would much rather do. Moreover, experience has taught me that sometimes the effort to pour oil on boiling waters, far from calming the heavy seas, ends up with a conflagration: various parties can hardly wait to touch a match to the oil. Still, on balance it seemed better to say something than to say nothing. I was exposed to the challenges of translation from my earliest days: I was born in Montreal and reared in French Canada. My father was pastor of a bilingual church, and all of us grew up with both English and French. Of my first two expe­ riences as a pastoral intern, one was in a French church, the other in an English church; of my first two attempts at church planting, one was in an English-speaking suburb, the other in a French-speaking city. I grew up memorizing the King James Version in English and the Louis Segond in French. Later on I learned other languages, but those early experi­ ences of ministry convinced me of one thing. This was at a time when my knowledge of the biblical languages was still rudimentary, so I was largely dependent on the English and French versions. I discovered that sometimes a sermon I pre­ pared for an English congregation, grounded in the English text, could not easily be preached in French, and vice versa- 9 '" 10 PREFACE PREFACE 11 unless I spent quite a bit of time trying to explain how the two Second, in the debate between "egalitarians" and "comple­ versions had handled the underlying Greek and Hebrew in mentarians" I side with the latter, and have sometimes rather different ways. From the preacher's perspective, it addressed such questions publicly, both orally and in written struck me that if too much of my emphasis depended on pecu­ form.' In other words, whatever my errors and blind spots, I liarities of translations, I was probably in danger of missing cannot fairly be accused of adopting the stances I do in trans­ the forest for the trees. So from then on I tried to produce ser­ lation because I am driven by some feminist agenda or other. mons that so focused on what was clear in both translations At the same time, I naturally wish not to adopt a position incon­ that I could preach them in either language. sistent with my larger theological convictions in this respect. Several decades and languages later, I still think that was Thitd, this little book does not properly address the serious a good choice at the time. It is not that careful study cannot critique offered by the more radical feminists, who because God properly evaluate translations or offer a reasoned judgment is not properly "male" in any sexual or human sense, think that as to which one is better, for what audience, and why. But the the ancient language of trinitarian confessionalism should be simple resolution I adopted as a young man did help me to changed from "Father, Son, and Holy Spirit" to "Creator, Child focus at the time on what was central, and I have never regret­ (or Redeemer), and Sustainer" or the like. The questions they raise are important, increasingly sophisticated, and deserve seri­ ted the decision. ous evaluation and response. I venture a few remarks here and In the current debate over inclusive language, all sides have there. But by and large this book restricts itself to an in-house raised important and delicate issues. Part of my task in this discussion within the framework of evangelicalism. little book is to utter a plea for realism-to try to make clear, Finally, I want to record my thanks to several people who from my perspective, what we can and cannot expect from steered me toward important resources. Professor John Stek translations, and how easy it is to miss some of the big issues sent me some of his unpublished papers, and they proved to while focusing on the narrower and more technical ones. be brimful of salient observations. Dr. Norman Fraser not only This book is not for experts: linguists will learn nothing e-mailed me some useful notes on gender systems in various from it, and Bible translators very little. As is frequently the languages around the world but provided me with bibliogra­ case, some of the most strident voices have been raised, on phy that anchored me in some serious research on such mat­ all sides, by concerned Christians who know little of the chal­ ters. Dr. Richard Schultz sent me tapes and notes of the pub­ lenges of translation, and still less of linguistic theory. I have lic Wheaton College forum, "The Current Inclusive Language tried to write for people with little or no Greek and Hebrew.
Load more

Recommended publications
  • Various Translations of Psalm 23A
    Various Translations of Psalm 23a Jeffrey D. Oldham 2006 Feb 17 Contents 1 Introduction 3 1.1 List of Abbreviations . 4 I Translations in the Tyndale-King James Tradition 5 2 The King James Version (1611) 5 3 The Revised Version (1885) 6 4 American Standard Version (1901) 7 5 Revised Standard Version (1952) 8 6 New Revised Standard Version (1989) 9 7 New American Standard (1971) 10 8 New King James Version (1982) 11 II Catholic Translations 12 9 Rheims-Douay (1610) 12 10 Knox (1950) 13 11 The Jerusalem Bible (1966) 14 12 The New Jerusalem Bible (1985) 15 13 The New American Bible (1970) 16 III Jewish Translations 17 a c 2005 Jeffrey D. Oldham ([email protected]). All rights reserved. This document may not be distributed in any form without the express permission of the author. 14 The JPS’s Masoretic Translation (1917) 17 15 The Tanakh (1985) 18 IV British Translations 19 16 The New English Bible (1970) 19 17 Revised English Bible (1989) 20 V Conservative Protestant Translations 21 18 Amplified Bible (1965) 21 19 New International Version (1978) 22 20 English Standard Version (2001) 23 21 The New Living Translation (1996) 24 VI Modern Language and Easy-to-Read Translations 25 22 Moffatt (1926) 25 23 Smith-Goodspeed (1927) 26 24 Basic English Bible (1949) 27 25 New Berkeley Version (1969) 28 26 Today’s English Version (1976) 29 27 Contemporary English Version (1995) 30 28 New Century Version (1991) 31 VII Paraphrases 32 29 The Living Bible (1971) 32 30 The Message (2002) 33 VIII Other 34 31 Septuagint Bible by Charles Thomson (1808) 34 2 1 Introduction There are about two dozen English-language Bibles currently in circulation in the States and about as many have previously been in circulation, but few of us ever examine more the our favorite translation.
    [Show full text]
  • The Message Bible”
    “THE MESSAGE BIBLE”: PERVERSION OF GOD’S HOLY WORD “. but when your eye is evil, your body also is full of darkness. Take heed therefore that the light which is in you be not darkness” (Lk. 11:34-35). It is impossible to separate Jesus the Living Word from Jesus the Written Word. Therefore, one can easily see why Jesus, the Light of the World, cannot be portrayed with a false light, a false Bible. You will, in effect, be presenting “another Jesus,” “another spirit,” and “another Gospel” (II Cor.11:4). “The Message Bible” is just such a false light. It is actually not a Bible. It is a message from the enemy specially crafted to filter through a veil of Scripture so as to “deceive even the elect” (Mk. 13:22). Supposedly, The Message is harmless, just another translation in contemporary style, but one quick look should show anyone that it is a questionable paraphrase at best. However, even this is a stretch because The Message contains consistent error, which constantly misses the heart of what the Holy Spirit intended to express. It is nowhere close to a true word-for-word translation of the original Greek and Hebrew text. To put it another way, its author is not the Holy Spirit at all, but a man named Eugene Peterson. And, as if this weren’t sinful enough, The Message also delves into the occult. The phraseology used in The Message demonstrates thorough knowledge of esoteric and New Age philosophy. Peterson himself is a proponent of contemplative/mystical spirituality as evidenced in his writings and endorsements of other contemplative authors, not to mention their endorsements of his work.
    [Show full text]
  • Footnotes for Meaningful Translations of the New Testament
    Journal of Translation, Volume 1, Number 1 (2005) 7 Footnotes for Meaningful Translations of the New Testament Richard C. Blight Richard Blight has served as a translation consultant with SIL since 1960. He completed the translation of the New Testament for the Tenango Otomi people of Mexico in 1975. In addition to authoring numerous articles and books, he is the senior editor of the Exegetical Summary series. Abstract Although background information is not communicated by the source text itself, some of this information is needed by the readers of a translation so that they can adequately understand the text. When the readers do not know this information, it needs to be provided by a judicious use of footnotes. The difference between implied linguistic information and assumed background information is described. Then various categories of background information are considered in regard to their relevance in supplying footnotes. The ways in which footnotes can be included in a translation are also described. In an appendix, a minimum list of footnotes for the New Testament is suggested. 1. Introduction Translators of Scripture want their translations to communicate the same message that the biblical authors intended the original readers to understand. In order to do this, they know they need to provide background information that the authors counted on the original readers to have in mind as they read the text. Assuming that footnotes are too sophisticated for their readers, some translators have attempted to include all of the needed background information within the text of the translation itself. But when the readers of such an expanded translation compare it with a version in the national language, they spot the differences between the two and are apt to criticize the expanded translation as being unfaithful to the text of the original.
    [Show full text]
  • Translation Frustration?
    Translation Frustration? With so many translations of the Bible, how do I know which one is the best? Communication Card • ―I love it that you take us to the original languages to get the exact meaning of what God was saying! … But which translation is most exact? I want to read a translation that stays with the true intent of God’s original word! No transliteration (or do I mean paraphrase?)—just exactly what God truly said. I guess what I’m trying to say is that I would love to know which translation is the closest to the original languages …‖ “Translation Frustration” So Many Translations “Translation Frustration” Why Is Translation Necessary? To Make God’s Word Understandable! The Original Languages • The Bible is primarily written in two languages: Hebrew (O.T.) Greek (N.T.) “Translation Frustration” Why Do We Need Updated Translations? To Make God’s Word Understandable Today Some Early English Bibles • Wycliffe Bible—1382 • Tyndale Bible—1526 • Coverdale Bible—1535 • *The Geneva Bible—1557 • The Bishops’ Bible—1568 • The King James Version—1611 – Over 20 different King James translations: 1611 (2x), 1612, 1613, 1616, 1629, 1638, 1650 (6x), 1660, 1683, 1727, 1762, 1769, 1873, 1888. – Took 50 years to gain acceptance “Translation Frustration” Why Update? • Words change meaning – ―Prevent‖ used to mean ―to come before‖ or ―precede‖ and not in a hindering way. • “We which are alive and remain unto the coming of the Lord shall not prevent them which are asleep.” (1 Thes 4:15, KJV) • “We who are still alive, who are left till the coming
    [Show full text]
  • Bible Translation Chart
    BIBLE TRANSLATION CHART CHOOSING A BIBLE TRANSLATION The original documents When the documents that make up the Bible were first written, they captured exactly what God wanted to say in the languages that ordinary people spoke. There was no friction between perceiving the form or structure of the text and perceiving the meaning of the text. The original audience experienced a unique combination of both ingredients—represented by the red dot in the top right corner of the of the original reflecting the diagram. original form formal But Bible readers today can’t experience this combination any more. The Greek, Hebrew and Aramaic texts still show us the form and reading structure of the original but most of us can’t understand what they mean. As English speakers, we need translations, and we’re privileged to equivalence experience have access to a wide variety of options that fall into three broad groups. Tending to the upper left corner of the diagram, the first group—represented by the green oval and known to scholars as formal equivalence translations—places a particularly high priority on reproducing the form and structure of the original. This approach allows modern Bible readers to perceive many of the important details and subtleties in the text. Ease of understanding varies from verse to verse and from book to book, but all verses and all books achieve a high standard of transparency to the original languages. effectively conveys the conveys effectively Tending to the lower right corner of the diagram, the second group—represented by the brown oval and known to scholars as functional or ‘dynamic’ equivalence translations—place a particularly high priority on reproducing the meaning of the original.
    [Show full text]
  • No. 1. Message for To-Day Series Our English Bible Pacific Press
    No. 1. Message for To-Day Series Our English Bible Pacific Press Publishing Association,. Mountain View, California THE TITLE-PAGE OF THE "GREAT BIBLE IN THE ORIGINAL 9x14 INCHES The following paragraphs describe an engraving believed to be by Hans Holbein, which occupied the title-page of the so-called "Great Bible," a revision of Coverdale's Bible, which came out In 1539 ® OUND this Title, in a Border, is the fol- Priest with his square Cap on in a Pulpit, preach- We close the interesting record of the Kings lowing Representation finely cut in ing to a pretty large Auditory of Persons of all this week. After leaving the northern kingdom Wood, and designed, it's said, by Hans Ranks and Qualities, Orders, Sexes and Ages, of Samaria with its utter breaking up in the •Holben. On the Top of it is a Repre- Men, Women, Children, Nobles, Priests, Soldiers, seventeenth chapter, the record hastens to the sentation of the Almighty in the Clouds Tradesmen and Countrymen, who are represented Babylonian captivity of Judah. This record of of Heaven, with both his Hands stretched out, some standing and others sitting on Forms, and eight chapters covers the reign of seven kings, from his Mouth. On that and two Labels going expressing themselves very thankful. Out of the Hezekiah, Manasseh, Amon, Josiah, Jehoahaz, going towards his right Hand are the following Preacher's Mouth goes a Label with these Words, Jehoiakim, Jehoiachin (Jeconiah, Coniah), and Words, Verbum quod egredietur de me non re- Obsecro letter prime= (minium alert obseeratlonets Zedekiah (Mattaniah).
    [Show full text]
  • Bible Chart with Grade Levels
    Bible Chart with Grade Levels Preface: I have been meaning to do a chart like this for some time; the problem being is, I don’t really know how to judge reading levels. However, I have thought about subdividing the translations for the exegetical study of each chapter of the Bible and adding in another category of easy-to-read translations. In order to do that, I needed to know which translations were easy-to-read. This resulted in the following chart, culled mostly from elsewhere, with the credit given at the bottom of the chart. Reading Level by Description/ Bible/ Published/ Grade/ Target Translation Commentary Distinctives Examples Abbreviation translators Audience Philosophy This translation is really a Dynamic 11th Grade mini-commentary which A popular translation used features a system of to understand the New Testament Amplified Bible Word-for-word Those looking for verse-end alternate hidden meaning of Greek 1958; Old plus additional more detailed translations and comments and Hebrew words. Break Testament 1964; AMP amplification of shades of meaning on different shades of through the language Revised 1987 word meanings in in Scripture meaning in the original barrier. brackets languages. Common English Bible 7th grade CBS, BY CEB This version seeks to be readable, yet faithful to the meaning of the original texts. Nouns describing God's actions (righteousness, Written at an 4th Grade Contemporary Paraphrase salvation, etc.) are rendered elementary-school 5.4 grade level New Testament English Version in varying ways. This version reading level, the CEV is 5th BY 1991; Old Thought-for- avoids complicated readable and Testament 1995 CEV thought language, obscure understandable for the Unchurched vocabulary and difficult modern reader.
    [Show full text]
  • FOUR SKILLS YOU NEED to SUCCEED TOOLBOX for LIFE: FOUR SKILLS YOU NEED to SUCCEED Copyright © 2017 Rick Warren
    FOUR SKILLS YOU NEED TO SUCCEED TOOLBOX FOR LIFE: FOUR SKILLS YOU NEED TO SUCCEED Copyright © 2017 Rick Warren All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form, without the written permission of Daily Hope and Pastors.com. 30021 Comercio, Rancho Santa Margarita, CA 92688 - PastorRick.com Scripture quotations noted BSB are from The Holy Bible, Berean Study Bible, BSB. Copyright ©2016 by Bible Hub. Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide. Scripture quotations noted CEV are from the Contemporary English Version Copyright © 1991, 1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission. Scripture quotations noted ESV are from the ESV ® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®) copyright © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. ESV ® Text Edition: 2011. The ESV ® text has been reproduced in cooperation with and by permission of Good News Publishers. Unauthorized reproduction of this publication is prohibited. All rights reserved. Scripture quotations noted GNT are from the Good News Translation® (Today’s English Version, Second Edition) Copyright © 1992 American Bible Society. All rights reserved. Scripture quotations noted GW are from the GOD’S WORD translation. Copyright © 1995 by God’s Word to the Nations. Used by permission of Baker Publishing Group. Scripture quotations noted ICB are from the The Holy Bible, International Children’s Bible® Copyright© 1986, 1988, 1999, 2015 by Tommy Nelson™, a division of Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. Scripture quotations noted KNOX are taken from the KNOX BIBLE, The Holy Bible: A Translation From the Latin Vulgate in the Light of the Hebrew and Greek Originals by Monsignor Ronald Knox.
    [Show full text]
  • Overview of English Bible Translations
    Overview of English Bible translations Amplified Bible The Amplified Bible showed the verbal equivalence and amplification of word meanings in the text. It started in 1965 and is revised in 1987. Mostly used in charismatic circles, because of the lack of greek and Hebrew teachings from the pastors. Common English Bible (CEB) The Common English Bible is not simply a revision or update of an existing translation. It is a bold new translation designed to meet the needs of Christians as they work to build a strong and meaningful relationship with God through Jesus Christ. A key goal of the translation team was to make the Bible accessible to a broad range of people; it’s written at a comfortable level for over half of all English readers. As the translators did their work, reading specialists working with seventy-seven reading groups from more than a dozen denominations review the texts to ensure a smooth and natural reading experience. Easy readability can enhance church worship and participation, and personal Bible study. It also encourages children and youth to discover the Bible for themselves, perhaps for the very first time. CONTEMPORARY ENGLISH BIBLE (CEV) A rendering of the intent of the Hebrew and Greek text published in 1995 by the American Bible Society. It uses inclusive gender language and is sensitive to concerns over Jewish sensitivities. There is some controversy over this version's claim to contain no anti-Judaism since there are biblical texts which seem, in the original, to express such sentiments. The interpretive translation strategy eliminates these and sometimes masks the language of the original writer.
    [Show full text]
  • English Bible Translations: Making Some Sense of the Possibilities by Bob Young
    English Bible Translations: Making Some Sense of the Possibilities By Bob Young Recently, I was asked to write something about available English Bible translations. It is not possible to say something about every available English translation, so I will comment on the most popular translations. Because I recently received a question about the Lexham English Bible (LEB), I will also comment briefly on that work. Today a vast number of different translations (versions) of the Bible are available, many electronically. One who is serious about reading and studying the Bible has more resources available than ever to make a good, informed decision about what translations to use. While it may be true that one can read almost any translation to learn what to do to go to heaven, that does not mean that all translations are created equal or are of equal value or accuracy. I recognize that one may wish to read from different versions to grow in one’s knowledge of the Word. I try to read the Bible—at least the New Testament—from a different version each year. Nevertheless, it is generally best to choose one Bible for serious Bible reading and study. What Bible should that be? For preachers, the ideal is to work with the original language texts. That means Hebrew for the Old Testament and Greek for the New Testament. I am increasingly concerned about the number of quotations I hear in sermons from various English versions. I am concerned because in some cases the quotation from a popular version does not reflect the true teaching of the passage cited.
    [Show full text]
  • The Pragmatics of Prophecy in John Knox's the First Blast of The
    Th e Pragmatics of Prophecy in John Knox’s Th e First Blast of the Trumpet Against the Monstrous Regiment of Women Chad Schrock Th e Pennsylvania State University Bien que le Th e First Blast of the Trumpet Against the Monstrous Regiment of Women de John Knox ait été écrit pour nuire au règne catholique de Mary Tudor, cet ouvrage a plutôt provoqué l’hostilité de son successeur au trône, Élisabeth. Si l’image prophétique que projett e Knox volontairement a survécu à ce manque de prévoyance, c’est uniquement en raison de ses pratiques en matière prophétiques et des modèles vétérotestamentaires qu’il a choisis d’imiter. Dans Th e First Blast, sa prophétie est principalement de nature interprétative plutôt que prédictive, alors que les prophètes d’après lesquels il a façonné son image ont surtout vécu durant le déclin d’Israël et que leurs durs avertissements étaient voués à l’échec. D’après l’image que Knox s’est construite, le prophète divinement inspiré peut dans tous les cas ne pas se soucier des conséquences de cett e sorte. ohn Knox’s Th e First Blast of the Trumpet Against the Monstrous Regiment of Women Jwas disastrously, embarrassingly, comically ill-timed, notorious as one of the least contextually appropriate publications in history. When Knox wrote Th e First Blast in the city of Dieppe during the winter of 1557–58, Mary Tudor was Queen of England and an implacable foe to Protestants like himself; she killed them and, worse, disempowered them. If she were to remain on the throne, all that John Knox hoped for England came under tremendous threat; he aimed Th e First Blast directly at her.
    [Show full text]
  • Four Versions of the Lord's Prayer (Matthew 6:9-13) the Message Our
    Four Versions of the Lord’s Prayer (Matthew 6:9-13) The Message Our Father in heaven, Reveal who you are. Set the world right; Do what’s best— as above, so below. Keep us alive with three square meals. Keep us forgiven with you and forgiving others. Keep us safe from ourselves and the Devil. You’re in charge! You can do anything you want! You’re ablaze in beauty! Yes. Yes. Yes. The New English Translation Our Father in heaven, may your name be honored, may your kingdom come, may your will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us today our daily bread, and forgive us our debts, as we ourselves have forgiven our debtors. And do not lead us into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one. The Jerusalem Bible Our Father in heaven, may your name be held holy, May your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as in heaven. Give us today our daily bread, And forgive us our debts, as we have forgiven those who are in debt to us. And do not put us to the test, but save us from the evil one. The Jewish New Testament Our Father in heaven! May your Name be kept holy. May your Kingdom come, your will be done on earth as in heaven. Give us the food we need today. Forgive us what we have done wrong, as we too have forgiven those who have wronged us. And do not lead us into hard testing, but keep us safe from the Evil One.
    [Show full text]