Lesson #14--English Translations of the Bible (Part 5)
L. The Living Bible (1974). This version is primarily the work of one man, Kenneth N. Taylor. He set out to paraphrase the ASV in words that his children could understand. It is not a translation in the true sense of the word. The current Bible entitled The Book is essentially the Living Bible.
M. Today's English Version (1976). Primarily the work of Mr. Robert G. Bratcher, this version was originally intended to meet the needs of people whose primary language was not English. It uses very up-to-date language and often includes modern pop art illustrations. It is often referred to as The Good News Bible. Accuracy is often sacrificed for readability in this translation, and it often departs radically from the precise meaning of the Hebrew and Greek texts.
N.New International Version (1978). The New York Bible Society sponsored this translation. Its use of modern English makes it very easy to read. The NIV by most accounts is now the most widely purchased version, but it is not the most accurate. Like many of the more modern translations, it is primarily the work of those who have attempted to determine the meaning of the text and then present that meaning in modern English rather than seeking a basic translation of the original words and phrases. As a result, the translators' theology has crept into the NIV and has marred what would otherwise be an excellent work.
O. New King James Version (`1982). Thomas Nelson Bible Publishers and the International Trust for Bible Studies co-sponsored this update of the King James Version. The publishers assembled 119 scholars to work on the project with the objective of making the KJV more accurate and readable and yet maintaining the grace and beauty of the original language. Today the NKJV remains in the top 5 best selling Bible translations in the United States.
P. This summary of English translations is by no means exhaustive. Other versions include The New Testament in Modern Speech (1905), Moffatt's Version (1919 and 1926), The Complete Bible: An American Translation (1999), the New English Bible (1970), the New American Bible (1970--a Roman Catholic Bible), and the New Revised Standard Version (1990) .
NOTE: Much of the above information is quoted directly or paraphrased from The Preceptor, Sept.'99-Jan.'94 issues. These articles, written by Danny Brown, do an excellent job of tracing the history of English translations. The Preceptor is published monthly--P.O. Box 187, Beaumont, TX 77704.
