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Bible 101: Bible Translations

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Introduction
  • There are over 100 English translations of the Bible!
  • God intended for us to read and understand His word.
    • Matthew 24:15 – “let the reader understand”
    • Luke 10:26 – “how does it read”
    • Ephesians 3:4
      • Translating isn’t as simple as it sounds
      • No translation is inspired or perfect.
        • Example: Exodus 20:14 typo in “The Wicked Bible”, 1631 – “thou shalt commit adultery”
        • Languages change over time.
          • When the King James Version first became available, some criticized it for being too easy to understand!
          • There is usually no word-for-word correspondence.
            • Example: “Como se llama?” in Spanish:
              • “How yourself call?”
              • “How do you call yourself?” (Translation philosophy similar to the NASB.)
              • “What’s your name?” (Translation philosophy similar to the NIV.)
              • Grammar and word order are different.
                • Example: John 3:16
                  • Word-for-word
                  Thought-for-thought
                  KJV
                  CSB
                  NLT
                  NASB
                  NIV
                  NCV
                  NKJV
                  NET
                  GNT
                  ASV
                  NAB
                  CEV
                  ESV
                  NRSV
                  NIrV
                  Word-for-word translations aim to closely reflect the original.
                  • Preserve the Holy Spirit’s phrasing
                    • I Kings 2:10 – ASV vs. NLT
                    • I Thessalonians 2:12 – NKJV vs. NLT
                    • Make it easier to notice repetition
                      • “immediately” in Mark
                      • “abide” in I John (Compare I John 2:24 in NASB vs. NLT)
                      • Let readers interpret for themselves
                        • I Thessalonians 4:3
                          • Thought-for-thought translations aim to interpret the meaning of the original.
                          • These translations are generally more readable and natural.
                          • Acts 27:17 – Compare ESV vs NIV vs NLT.
                          • Matthew 23:5 – Compare NASB vs NIV vs NLT.
                          • Psalms 23:5 – Compare ESV vs. GNB.
                            • My recommendation: Use several word-for-word translations as your main Bibles
                            • KJV, NASB, NKJV, ASV, ESV
                              • Compare some thought-for-thought translations to prompt deeper looks … just know what you’re reading!
                              • I Timothy 5:22
                                • ...more
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                                ScriptureStreamBy Mark Watson
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