» ' TRAN S LAT IONS • TRANSLAT IONS •TR4 W i t h i n t h e p a s t year or two, a surprising number of translations of the Scriptures have been pub
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lished, and more are in preparation. It is still more astonishing how many versions are still in print. The Biola Librarian seeks to keep abreast of all these publi cations, and information can always be obtained by writing the Library. Information that we have at hand is shared with our readers for purposes of information only — we do not specifically recommend or condemn any version in this survey. No version is perfect. Only those with the ability to handle the original languages can judge adequately the translation at any particular point, and as Dr. Pettingill used to say, every translation is in a measure a commentary. Biola believes that the original autograph copies of the Scriptures were inerrant. Anyone who has studied the question at all recognizes that these do not exist now, but that the best original texts available to translators today faithfully convey the Word of the living God to man as He wants it conveyed. Zondervan is releasing this fall The Marked Chain Reference Bible, edited by J. Gilchrist Lawson (imitation leather at $14.95 and genuine leather at $19.95). From (continued on page 16)
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We have observed so far that much variety will be found among modem versions of the New Testament in basic text used, in conception of what faithfulness to the basic text requires, and in language and style. One further example of diversity will have to suffice. There are important variations among the translators themselves in theological viewpoint, and these variations have left some marks in the versions produced. It is to be regretted that not all who have undertaken to translate the Scrip tures into English have held a right view of Scripture. The work of a translator is very demanding. It requires much learning and much skill. It also calls for devotion to God and His Holy Word. It calls for prayer that the Spirit of God will bless the undertaking. Among modem translations of the Bible there is, then, much variety and in that variety much will be found that is fascinating and profitable. Some versions are valuable in one respect, some in others. The American Revised Version has generally been adjudged stylistically inferior to the King James Version, but it is quite useful for study purposes. The Letchworth Version appears to follow an inferior type of basic text, but it is written in a very pleasing style. Goodspeed uses in the main a good text, but his method of translation and his style are disappointing. The discriminating reader will find much that is of service in modem versions, but he should, of course, never cease to be discriminating. In his recent book on The English Bible (Oxford, 1961) Professor Bruce tells the story of a pastoral call which a young minister in Scotland made on an elderly woman. The minister read to her a chapter from Moffatt’s translation of the Bible. She listened to him and said, “Well, that was very nice; but won’t you just read a bittie of the Word of God before you go?” For her Moffatt’s version was one thing; the Word of God was something else. Probably neither Moffatt’s version nor any other modem version or revision could displace the King James Version from her affections, and there is no need to try to displace that cherished and distinguished version from the affections of those who use it and justly admire it. Modem versions, however, in their fascinating diversity, may profitably at times be used along with it.
New Bible Translations (continued) Letchworth Version of the New Testament. Among the points of stylistic variation in modem versions, mention might be made of the differences in the number of words employed by them. In fifteen pas sages of varying length selected from different parts of the New Testament, passages in which there are few substantial variants in the Greek and Latin texts fol lowed, modem versions collated by the present writer used a total of 4,950 words. It may be of interest to note the rank of the translations studied (including some older versions) in total number of words employed in the fif teen passages collectively, from highest to lowest, and to give the number of words found in them: 1. Basic English ........................... 4,950 2. Williams, C. B..................................................4,693 3. Knox ...................................................................4,666 4. Weymouth (1st ed.) .... ,................................ 4,662 5. Twentieth Century ........................................ 4,459 6. Weymouth (5th ed.) ...................................... 4,459 7. ARV 4,412 8. ERV ...................................................................4,405 9. Goodspeed .........................................................4,404 10. Letchworth ......... 4,397 11. AV ..... ..................................... I ......... ..............4,380 12. Centenary (Montgomery) ............................ 4,354 13. Spencer.................................................................4,351 14. Confraternity .................................................... 4,326 15. Rheims-Challoner ............................................ 4,291 (Benziger edition, 1931) 16. Westminster .................................................... 4,277 17. Riversde (Ballantine) .................................... 4,241 18. Berkeley .................................... 4,221 19.5 Moffatt ........................................:........4,208 19.5 RSV .....................................................................4,208 21. Fenton .......... ,.....1.......'..................................... 4,203 It will be noticed that there is a difference of 747 words between the first and the last versions on this list and that significant differences (as well as resemblances) exist among other versions.
NOVEMBER, 1963
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