Box 702107 Each year, millions of copies of the ESV are distributed worldwide through partnerships with hundreds of churches, ministries, and Bible societies around the worldwith many of those distribution projects supported by Crossways Global Ministry Fund. handy-dandy Bible App that I use, I discovered "The Message", so I tried it out, and really liked it, and have used it ever since. In our view thebook The Messageis not a validtranslation of the Bible. To this end, each word and phrase in the ESV was carefully weighed against the original Hebrew, Aramaic, and Greek, to ensure the fullest accuracy and clarity and to avoid under-translating or overlooking any nuance of the original text. 1Cor. This blog explores principles of success in light of my life experiences, the words of great minds and thinkers, and the scriptures and prophetic teachings of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. It needs to be avoided. If youve grown up reading traditional translations like King James or New American Standard, or even some of the newer ones like the New International Version or New Living Translation, The Message can come in like a breath of fresh air. is that inestimable treasure that excelleth all the riches of the earth. This assessment of the Bible was the motivating force behind the publication of the English Standard Version in 2001. What are its advantages? The Message has found a ready audience among "evangelicals" who are bored with the Bible, and who wanted a jazzy and fun paraphrase to take its place. (You can see why I, with my consuming passion for Living the Story of the gospel, love this, right?). According to Bible Research, this version was written by someone named Eugene Peterson. 210.319.5055 Make a decision based on your pros and cons, and input gained. Not sure if this makes sense. Let's look first at the structure of The Message 100, then at the pros and cons. */
. Not all pros and cons are equal so we need to identify the ones that carry greater consequence. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Lets look first at the structure of The Message 100, then at the pros and cons. He who believes in Him is not condemned; but he who does not believe is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only-begotten Son of God. As is common among English translations today, the ESV usually renders the personal name of God (YHWH) by the word LORD (printed in small capitals). Acts 17:11 commends the Bereans "in that they received the word in all readiness, and searched the Scriptures daily to find out whether these things were so." However, I have graduated from Bible college, and I have been to seminary. If youre reading this post, Im guessing youve heard of The Message Bible and youre in one of three camps: If youre in camp #3, I cant promise that this will qualify as solid academic research. Lessons from the Biblical Story of Noah: A Righteous Man Its popularity is just one more example of the levity of the contemporary church, and of its unhealthy taste for novelties and fads, which have become so much a part of ministry in evangelical churches in the past thirty years. Youve heard it can be a good paraphrase and youre curious what makes it different, fresh, etc. Im a liberal Episcopalian who loves language. Translating from one language to another is never a simple process of finding one-to-one correspondence in vocabulary (as much as Google Translate thinks otherwise). We've broken that big tale down into three parts, all 3.5minuteslong. KJV - is still by far the most popular Bible translation. How to Choose a Translation for All Its Worth: A Guide to Understanding and Using Bible Versions by Gordon D. Fee & Mark L. Strauss. pros and cons of the message bible. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Throughout, the translation team has benefited greatly from the massive textual resources that have become readily available recently, from new insights into biblical laws and culture, and from current advances in Hebrew and Greek lexicography and grammatical understanding. I like how they use themodern wording pit of hell, and like I said, it makes me enjoy the Bible more. But first, we need to explore two concepts at the heart of biblical translation issues: No original or perfect manuscript survives of any biblical book. Get notified whenever I release a new article (12 emails a month): #mc_embed_signup{background:#fff; clear:left; font:14px Helvetica,Arial,sans-serif; }
The results of a (very ad hoc) study I conducted on how often Latter-day Saints use non-KJV translations of the Bible, and the main reasons they do or do not. 1. This changes the meaning entirely especially the theological intent. Now that you know the background and history, what are the pros and cons of using The Message? We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. This means more of the biblical text can be placed on the page, creating a Bible with fewer pages. On the site Bible Gateway, they give a testimonial from Petersonabout why he wrote this version. The only other downside is judgmental people look down on you if they see you reading it or hear you mention that you read it. Crossway is a not-for-profit Christian ministry that exists solely for Red letter Bibles a) can cause confusion about what is authoritative in Scripture, b) inconsistently color words spoken by Jesus and the Son of God, and c) tend to function as commentaries. Let me just give you a few examples. Check out her blog and website atelizabethturnage.com. Is the King James Version the only Bible we should use? Ive found The Message can shed new light on familiar passages, just by tweaking a turn of phrase. The currently renewed respect among Old Testament scholars for the Masoretic text is reflected in the ESVs attempt, wherever possible, to translate difficult Hebrew passages as they stand in the Masoretic text rather than resorting to emendations or to finding an alternative reading in the ancient versions. 22 On that day many will say to me, 'Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and cast out demons in your name, and do many mighty works in your name?' 23 And then will I profess unto them, 'I never knew you; depart from me, you . Yes, the Message Bible is as bad as they say. What is the Contemporary English Version (CEV). In thinking about diving into this, I dont want to get things into my mind that might get in my way later when Im doing serious study. The Message was born out of that work. By clicking Accept, you consent to the use of ALL the cookies. In our view the book The Message is not a valid translation of the Bible. . For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast. British and Foreign Bible Society operates in England, Wales, the Channel Islands and the Isle of Man.We also work with a network of local Bible Societies around the world. This is not a study Bible, but rather ""a reading Bible."". The purpose of the dams is to reserve water for the time of need and to . 01793 418222. You'll notice that some of the same comments appearunder pros and cons this is because some people regard something as a positive, while others regardexactly the same thing as a negative. The fourteen-member Translation Oversight Committee benefited from the work of more than fifty biblical experts serving as Translation Review Scholars and from the comments of the more than fifty members of the Advisory Council, all of which was carried out under the auspices of the Crossway Board of Directors. If you also want a moderntranslation thats easier to understand, I highly recommend it. First, some background. Within this framework the translation committee sought to be as literal as possible while maintaining clarity of expression and literary excellence. Change). You can keep track of your daily reading within the app. New King James Version (NKJV) - 1982. Its so unique because Peterson started at the ground level. The Illustrated Faith pens were made for Bible journaling and we are excited they come in many different sized nibs as well as now coming in several fun colors too. Then Jesus was led up by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil. grave pleasures bandcamp For example, at theend of James 3:6 NIV, it says It corrupts the whole body, sets the whole course of oneslife on fire by hell, while in the Message it says By our speech we can ruin the world,send harmony into chaos, throw mud on a reputation, send the whole world up in smoke,and go up in smoke with it, smoke right from the pit of hell. Peterson was motivatedto make a Bible translation that was morereadable (presumably for himself),but trying to makescripture more accessible by modifying its meaning isan attempt to solve a problem that doesn't actually exist. The methodology of translation also can affect doctrinal meaning. First, some background. Ill answer based on that vantage point. Well, this plan might be great for you. Fits in Bag or Purse. In addition, the English word sons (translating the Greek word huioi) is retained in specific instances because the underlying Greek term usually includes a male meaning component and it was used as a legal term in the adoption and inheritance laws of first-century Rome. This video discusses the pros and cons and errors of 7 English Bible Translations. He goes on to say that people should get a study Bible to help with further study. First, before The Message, the world already had access to many, good English translations of the Bible that are easy to read and usemodern vernacularwithout distorting themeaning of scripture. Peterson was persuaded to do the OldT estament, and, over a nine year period, he gradually completed the entire Bible. . Check our glossary of terms. A translation that focuses more on dynamic equivalence**. This is why we have been given the Spirit, as Jesus said: We can't "dumb down" the text of scripture hoping to take a shortcut to anunderstanding of things that only God can reveal according to His sovereign will and timing. The prayers, fellowship and encouragement of an older saint means a lot to a younger worker perhaps struggling with difficulties, isolated for long periods from home or the company of others in his missionary group. The Message can help you capture the tone, the emotion, the thrust of it. As an illustration, compare these three translations of Isaiah 49:23: Surely to a child or to someone unversed in biblical language, the phrase humbly show their respect for you is much more understandable than the phrase lick up the dust of thy feet. But it is also less vivid, and it severely waters down the dramatic imagery that Isaiah is crafting. He actually knew the original Bible languages, he knew other languages, and he knew them so well that he was paid to teach them in universities. The introductions help set the stage for the book and help you understand each book's unique message. There are many pros including the impact a large membership can have on community efforts for poor, abused, addictions etc. I had never thought about the advantages of supplementing the King James Bible. Due to the large number of translations available online for free it is very easy to have access to a wide range of different translations. These facts are important because he wasnt just some random dude making up a new paraphrase of the Bible with his own thoughts. 1:18 For the word of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God. Click on the title to find out more about each translation. The Message can be very useful for a variety of reasons. Second, Eugene Peterson also served as a pastor for almost three decades. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Find value in my content? And kings shall be thy nursing fathers, and their queens thy nursing mothers: they shall bow down to thee with their face toward the earth, and lick up the dust of thy feet. The value of a more dynamically equivalent translation is its more coherent and understandable in the target language. Required fields are marked *. You can also use another translation to see the passage from another angle. Change), You are commenting using your Facebook account. It records the life and teachings of Jesus -Christ and his disciples. But opting out of some of these cookies may have an effect on your browsing experience. Jesus came into the world as the incarnate Son of God to accomplish more than one thing and defeating the devil by tasting death was among them. Whether you're well versed in Scripture or just starting out on the journey, The Bible Course offers a superb overview of the worlds best-selling book. But I think I could read The Message 100 in less than a year, if I add it to my stack of currently-reading books (I usually have 3 going at a time, plus one fiction for bedtimeJ). Pros. Pros. Good on him for all of those efforts! ), published by the United Bible Societies (UBS), and Novum Testamentum Graece (28th ed., 2012), edited by Nestle and Aland. A reading Bible in contemporary language, The Message//REMIX also has a unique verse-numbering system, charts and maps, and a topical guide for students. Designed to be accessible to (and is very popular among) non-native English speakers, especially in Africa and the Far East. An interesting essay on how Peterson has brought the occult and New Age thought into the bible: It aims to be a literal translation. Secondly, the Bible itself says that if scripture is too difficult for someone to understand, it isn't . The ESV lets the stylistic variety of the biblical writers fully express itselffrom the exalted prose that opens Genesis, to the flowing narratives of the historical books, to the rich metaphors and dramatic imagery of the poetic books, to the ringing rhetoric in the prophetic books, to the smooth elegance of Luke, to the profound simplicities of John, and the closely reasoned logic of Paul. It is a one-year plan that breaks the Bible into several different Genres: Epistles, The Law, History, Psalms, Poetry, Prophecy, and Gospels. The New English Translation (NET) has its own dedicated website. Translations fall on a spectrum from being formally equivalent (trying to render the literal word-to-word meaning as faithfully as possible) to dynamically equivalent (trying to render the overall sense as coherently as possible). Throughout. But instead of writing most of the New Testament like Paul, he translated the New and Old Testaments. These are copies of copies dating centuries or even millennia after the originals were written. Each reading took me about 30 minutes. But he answered, "It is written, "'Man shall not live by bread alone, but . This issue will be discussing why I use it versus the NIV, as well as some pros and cons. One site is:< http://www.biblegateway.com/> (Accessed 6th December 2008), David & Judith SimonEdited 5 December 2008Corrections\Why the Messege bible should be used, Copyright David L Simon 2007 - 2023 This material may be freely distributed provided acknowledgement of the author is made www.life-everlasting.net, This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 4.0 International License. I am a fantasy novelist and copyeditor with a degree in Ancient Near Eastern Studies from Brigham Young University. Proverbs 30:5 states "Every word of God is pure" but this is altered to "Every promise of God" in, Luke 4:4 misquotes Deuteronomy by leaving out the command to live "by every word of God" and in Psalm 138:2 the word of God is no longer "magnified above Gods name.". This is especially so as the day of the Lord draws ever nearer and we know "false Christs and false prophets will rise and show great signs and wonders to deceive, if possible, even the elect" (Matthew 24:24). For example, anyone replaces any man where there is no word corresponding to man in the original languages, and people rather than men is regularly used where the original languages refer to both men and women. Because of this I think it's important that we consider the pros as well as the cons when a group uses these. And heres the problem: no two surviving manuscripts are identical. You can enlarge font as needed. There are four main qualities that distinguish modern translations from each other: Below is a quick guide to the most widely used translations. Im not sure if youre a pastor / teacher, but based on how your thoughts and implicit question are arranged, I would guess you are. The words and phrases themselves grow out of the TyndaleKing James legacy, and most recently out of the RSV, with the 1971 RSV text providing the starting point for the translation work. All Rights Reserved. It is easy to understand, flows nicely, and is good for study. There is only one way to the Father and that is through Jesus: "I am the way the truth and the life, no man comes to the Father except through me" (John 14:6). There is a difference between good and righteous: good people are never good enough to gain access to the Father. IsThe Message a good Bible translation for personal study? All rights reserved. A translation trying to straddle the middle is called an optimally equivalent translation. Each reading briefly introduced by Eugene Peterson. Reason no. Now, The Message 100 Devotional Bible, The Message structured in 100 Bible readings makes it easy to read the whole Story. Every translation is at many points a trade-off between literal precision and readability, between formal equivalence in expression and functional equivalence in communication, and the ESV is no exception. Besides all the data on the MAN network has been managed very efficiently in a centralized way. The author of the Message Bible, Eugene Peterson, said it should not be used in the pulpit. There are many issues I have with the Message translation, but for the sake of space I am only listing three of them. The translation was motivated by a belief that Scripture is sacred and that the words of the Bible are the very words of God. If you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. Uninterrupted by a sectional heading, the two sentences convey more fully the tragic loss of Adam and Eves sin. 9.5. It adds someone named "Syzygus" to Philippians 4:3 not found in true translations. May you dive in, enjoy, and be reinvigorated yourself! Cancun Mexico Time Zone Map, 2012 - Based on Dollar Sales New International Version King James Version New Living Translation New King James Version English Standard Version Love books? Clichd symbols are the ones that we all associate the same message with. With this background, lets explore the principle reasons the King James Version continues to be (in both my opinion and the opinion of Church leaders) the best translation for general Latter-day Saint use: That said, the King James Version is by no means a perfect translation.
. Not all pros and cons are equal so we need to identify the ones that carry greater consequence. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Lets look first at the structure of The Message 100, then at the pros and cons. He who believes in Him is not condemned; but he who does not believe is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only-begotten Son of God. As is common among English translations today, the ESV usually renders the personal name of God (YHWH) by the word LORD (printed in small capitals). Acts 17:11 commends the Bereans "in that they received the word in all readiness, and searched the Scriptures daily to find out whether these things were so." However, I have graduated from Bible college, and I have been to seminary. If youre reading this post, Im guessing youve heard of The Message Bible and youre in one of three camps: If youre in camp #3, I cant promise that this will qualify as solid academic research. Lessons from the Biblical Story of Noah: A Righteous Man Its popularity is just one more example of the levity of the contemporary church, and of its unhealthy taste for novelties and fads, which have become so much a part of ministry in evangelical churches in the past thirty years. Youve heard it can be a good paraphrase and youre curious what makes it different, fresh, etc. Im a liberal Episcopalian who loves language. Translating from one language to another is never a simple process of finding one-to-one correspondence in vocabulary (as much as Google Translate thinks otherwise). We've broken that big tale down into three parts, all 3.5minuteslong. KJV - is still by far the most popular Bible translation. How to Choose a Translation for All Its Worth: A Guide to Understanding and Using Bible Versions by Gordon D. Fee & Mark L. Strauss. pros and cons of the message bible. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Throughout, the translation team has benefited greatly from the massive textual resources that have become readily available recently, from new insights into biblical laws and culture, and from current advances in Hebrew and Greek lexicography and grammatical understanding. I like how they use themodern wording pit of hell, and like I said, it makes me enjoy the Bible more. But first, we need to explore two concepts at the heart of biblical translation issues: No original or perfect manuscript survives of any biblical book. Get notified whenever I release a new article (12 emails a month): #mc_embed_signup{background:#fff; clear:left; font:14px Helvetica,Arial,sans-serif; }
The results of a (very ad hoc) study I conducted on how often Latter-day Saints use non-KJV translations of the Bible, and the main reasons they do or do not. 1. This changes the meaning entirely especially the theological intent. Now that you know the background and history, what are the pros and cons of using The Message? We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. This means more of the biblical text can be placed on the page, creating a Bible with fewer pages. On the site Bible Gateway, they give a testimonial from Petersonabout why he wrote this version. The only other downside is judgmental people look down on you if they see you reading it or hear you mention that you read it. Crossway is a not-for-profit Christian ministry that exists solely for Red letter Bibles a) can cause confusion about what is authoritative in Scripture, b) inconsistently color words spoken by Jesus and the Son of God, and c) tend to function as commentaries. Let me just give you a few examples. Check out her blog and website atelizabethturnage.com. Is the King James Version the only Bible we should use? Ive found The Message can shed new light on familiar passages, just by tweaking a turn of phrase. The currently renewed respect among Old Testament scholars for the Masoretic text is reflected in the ESVs attempt, wherever possible, to translate difficult Hebrew passages as they stand in the Masoretic text rather than resorting to emendations or to finding an alternative reading in the ancient versions. 22 On that day many will say to me, 'Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and cast out demons in your name, and do many mighty works in your name?' 23 And then will I profess unto them, 'I never knew you; depart from me, you . Yes, the Message Bible is as bad as they say. What is the Contemporary English Version (CEV). In thinking about diving into this, I dont want to get things into my mind that might get in my way later when Im doing serious study. The Message was born out of that work. By clicking Accept, you consent to the use of ALL the cookies. In our view the book The Message is not a valid translation of the Bible. . For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast. British and Foreign Bible Society operates in England, Wales, the Channel Islands and the Isle of Man.We also work with a network of local Bible Societies around the world. This is not a study Bible, but rather ""a reading Bible."". The purpose of the dams is to reserve water for the time of need and to . 01793 418222. You'll notice that some of the same comments appearunder pros and cons this is because some people regard something as a positive, while others regardexactly the same thing as a negative. The fourteen-member Translation Oversight Committee benefited from the work of more than fifty biblical experts serving as Translation Review Scholars and from the comments of the more than fifty members of the Advisory Council, all of which was carried out under the auspices of the Crossway Board of Directors. If you also want a moderntranslation thats easier to understand, I highly recommend it. First, some background. Within this framework the translation committee sought to be as literal as possible while maintaining clarity of expression and literary excellence. Change). You can keep track of your daily reading within the app. New King James Version (NKJV) - 1982. Its so unique because Peterson started at the ground level. The Illustrated Faith pens were made for Bible journaling and we are excited they come in many different sized nibs as well as now coming in several fun colors too. Then Jesus was led up by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil. grave pleasures bandcamp For example, at theend of James 3:6 NIV, it says It corrupts the whole body, sets the whole course of oneslife on fire by hell, while in the Message it says By our speech we can ruin the world,send harmony into chaos, throw mud on a reputation, send the whole world up in smoke,and go up in smoke with it, smoke right from the pit of hell. Peterson was motivatedto make a Bible translation that was morereadable (presumably for himself),but trying to makescripture more accessible by modifying its meaning isan attempt to solve a problem that doesn't actually exist. The methodology of translation also can affect doctrinal meaning. First, some background. Ill answer based on that vantage point. Well, this plan might be great for you. Fits in Bag or Purse. In addition, the English word sons (translating the Greek word huioi) is retained in specific instances because the underlying Greek term usually includes a male meaning component and it was used as a legal term in the adoption and inheritance laws of first-century Rome. This video discusses the pros and cons and errors of 7 English Bible Translations. He goes on to say that people should get a study Bible to help with further study. First, before The Message, the world already had access to many, good English translations of the Bible that are easy to read and usemodern vernacularwithout distorting themeaning of scripture. Peterson was persuaded to do the OldT estament, and, over a nine year period, he gradually completed the entire Bible. . Check our glossary of terms. A translation that focuses more on dynamic equivalence**. This is why we have been given the Spirit, as Jesus said: We can't "dumb down" the text of scripture hoping to take a shortcut to anunderstanding of things that only God can reveal according to His sovereign will and timing. The prayers, fellowship and encouragement of an older saint means a lot to a younger worker perhaps struggling with difficulties, isolated for long periods from home or the company of others in his missionary group. The Message can help you capture the tone, the emotion, the thrust of it. As an illustration, compare these three translations of Isaiah 49:23: Surely to a child or to someone unversed in biblical language, the phrase humbly show their respect for you is much more understandable than the phrase lick up the dust of thy feet. But it is also less vivid, and it severely waters down the dramatic imagery that Isaiah is crafting. He actually knew the original Bible languages, he knew other languages, and he knew them so well that he was paid to teach them in universities. The introductions help set the stage for the book and help you understand each book's unique message. There are many pros including the impact a large membership can have on community efforts for poor, abused, addictions etc. I had never thought about the advantages of supplementing the King James Bible. Due to the large number of translations available online for free it is very easy to have access to a wide range of different translations. These facts are important because he wasnt just some random dude making up a new paraphrase of the Bible with his own thoughts. 1:18 For the word of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God. Click on the title to find out more about each translation. The Message can be very useful for a variety of reasons. Second, Eugene Peterson also served as a pastor for almost three decades. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Find value in my content? And kings shall be thy nursing fathers, and their queens thy nursing mothers: they shall bow down to thee with their face toward the earth, and lick up the dust of thy feet. The value of a more dynamically equivalent translation is its more coherent and understandable in the target language. Required fields are marked *. You can also use another translation to see the passage from another angle. Change), You are commenting using your Facebook account. It records the life and teachings of Jesus -Christ and his disciples. But opting out of some of these cookies may have an effect on your browsing experience. Jesus came into the world as the incarnate Son of God to accomplish more than one thing and defeating the devil by tasting death was among them. Whether you're well versed in Scripture or just starting out on the journey, The Bible Course offers a superb overview of the worlds best-selling book. But I think I could read The Message 100 in less than a year, if I add it to my stack of currently-reading books (I usually have 3 going at a time, plus one fiction for bedtimeJ). Pros. Pros. Good on him for all of those efforts! ), published by the United Bible Societies (UBS), and Novum Testamentum Graece (28th ed., 2012), edited by Nestle and Aland. A reading Bible in contemporary language, The Message//REMIX also has a unique verse-numbering system, charts and maps, and a topical guide for students. Designed to be accessible to (and is very popular among) non-native English speakers, especially in Africa and the Far East. An interesting essay on how Peterson has brought the occult and New Age thought into the bible: It aims to be a literal translation. Secondly, the Bible itself says that if scripture is too difficult for someone to understand, it isn't . The ESV lets the stylistic variety of the biblical writers fully express itselffrom the exalted prose that opens Genesis, to the flowing narratives of the historical books, to the rich metaphors and dramatic imagery of the poetic books, to the ringing rhetoric in the prophetic books, to the smooth elegance of Luke, to the profound simplicities of John, and the closely reasoned logic of Paul. It is a one-year plan that breaks the Bible into several different Genres: Epistles, The Law, History, Psalms, Poetry, Prophecy, and Gospels. The New English Translation (NET) has its own dedicated website. Translations fall on a spectrum from being formally equivalent (trying to render the literal word-to-word meaning as faithfully as possible) to dynamically equivalent (trying to render the overall sense as coherently as possible). Throughout. But instead of writing most of the New Testament like Paul, he translated the New and Old Testaments. These are copies of copies dating centuries or even millennia after the originals were written. Each reading took me about 30 minutes. But he answered, "It is written, "'Man shall not live by bread alone, but . This issue will be discussing why I use it versus the NIV, as well as some pros and cons. One site is:< http://www.biblegateway.com/> (Accessed 6th December 2008), David & Judith SimonEdited 5 December 2008Corrections\Why the Messege bible should be used, Copyright David L Simon 2007 - 2023 This material may be freely distributed provided acknowledgement of the author is made www.life-everlasting.net, This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 4.0 International License. I am a fantasy novelist and copyeditor with a degree in Ancient Near Eastern Studies from Brigham Young University. Proverbs 30:5 states "Every word of God is pure" but this is altered to "Every promise of God" in, Luke 4:4 misquotes Deuteronomy by leaving out the command to live "by every word of God" and in Psalm 138:2 the word of God is no longer "magnified above Gods name.". This is especially so as the day of the Lord draws ever nearer and we know "false Christs and false prophets will rise and show great signs and wonders to deceive, if possible, even the elect" (Matthew 24:24). For example, anyone replaces any man where there is no word corresponding to man in the original languages, and people rather than men is regularly used where the original languages refer to both men and women. Because of this I think it's important that we consider the pros as well as the cons when a group uses these. And heres the problem: no two surviving manuscripts are identical. You can enlarge font as needed. There are four main qualities that distinguish modern translations from each other: Below is a quick guide to the most widely used translations. Im not sure if youre a pastor / teacher, but based on how your thoughts and implicit question are arranged, I would guess you are. The words and phrases themselves grow out of the TyndaleKing James legacy, and most recently out of the RSV, with the 1971 RSV text providing the starting point for the translation work. All Rights Reserved. It is easy to understand, flows nicely, and is good for study. There is only one way to the Father and that is through Jesus: "I am the way the truth and the life, no man comes to the Father except through me" (John 14:6). There is a difference between good and righteous: good people are never good enough to gain access to the Father. IsThe Message a good Bible translation for personal study? All rights reserved. A translation trying to straddle the middle is called an optimally equivalent translation. Each reading briefly introduced by Eugene Peterson. Reason no. Now, The Message 100 Devotional Bible, The Message structured in 100 Bible readings makes it easy to read the whole Story. Every translation is at many points a trade-off between literal precision and readability, between formal equivalence in expression and functional equivalence in communication, and the ESV is no exception. Besides all the data on the MAN network has been managed very efficiently in a centralized way. The author of the Message Bible, Eugene Peterson, said it should not be used in the pulpit. There are many issues I have with the Message translation, but for the sake of space I am only listing three of them. The translation was motivated by a belief that Scripture is sacred and that the words of the Bible are the very words of God. If you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. Uninterrupted by a sectional heading, the two sentences convey more fully the tragic loss of Adam and Eves sin. 9.5. It adds someone named "Syzygus" to Philippians 4:3 not found in true translations. May you dive in, enjoy, and be reinvigorated yourself! Cancun Mexico Time Zone Map, 2012 - Based on Dollar Sales New International Version King James Version New Living Translation New King James Version English Standard Version Love books? Clichd symbols are the ones that we all associate the same message with. With this background, lets explore the principle reasons the King James Version continues to be (in both my opinion and the opinion of Church leaders) the best translation for general Latter-day Saint use: That said, the King James Version is by no means a perfect translation.