Pastor Steve's thoughts

This is a follow up to my last blog. Frequently, I’m asked questions about which translation is best. A frequent question concerning bible translations is the use of paraphrases. Ken Taylor’s Living Bible became popular a generation ago. It was easy to read because it used everyday language to communicate God’s word. The Message is another popular paraphrase written by Dr. Eugene Peterson which came out a few years ago.

A paraphrase is different than a translation in several ways. For instance, a paraphrase will interpret metaphors and figures of speech in order to help the reader understand the biblical text. The vocabulary will not be as complicated and sentences will be short. English slang expressions might be used to help the reader. Is it okay to use a paraphrase? Yes. In fact, you might find it a refreshing change of pace.

I think it’s good to own several translations and one paraphrase. This enables you to compare and hopefully better understand the biblical text. Having multiple translations is a good way to study the bible. The New English Translation is available online and has study notes, which explains the translators thought process.

Which translation is best? That’s a very complicated question. I was going to write a lengthy explanation but I changed my mind. I’ve been around people, who translated the New International Version, New Living Translation, New King James, New English Translation, and so on. I only mention this for a simple reason. I’ve heard first hand the process they use and how serious they take their work. Here are some of the considerations for translators

1. Target Audience: The New Century Version was originally produced for children. It became so popular an adult version was published. Most translators aim for a 7th grade reading level. This is the level of most newspapers. By comparison the King James Version is at a 12th grade reading level.

2. Dynamic equivalence and formal equivalence are two different approaches to translating the bible. The formal equivalence tends to be a word for word approach. A dynamic equivalence translation tends to smooth the English so a reader has a better understanding. Here’s an example (I heard this one from a former professor of mine) that shows the difficulty of translating poetry.

Literal: Psalm 73:9,10 they set in the heavens their mouth and their tongue walks in the earth, and therefore he will return his people here and waters of fullness will be sucked up by them

Notice the figurative language of walking tongues. A translator will painfully consider how to communicate this expression. Notice that the NIV and the NASB translates the term.

NIV: Psalm 73:9 9 Their mouths lay claim to heaven, and their tongues take possession of the earth. 10 Therefore their people turn to them and drink up waters in abundance.

NASB: Psalm 73:9 They have set their mouth against the heavens, And their tongue parades through the earth. Therefore his people return to this place, And waters of abundance are drunk by them.

Let me get to the point. No translation is 100% literal. There are 40 English translations available today. Perhaps a hundred scholars will work on a translation project to check each others work. The bottom line is that your English translation is very reliable. You can trust your bible.