Throughout the Year of the Bible, Wycliffe Bible Translators have been running a series of evening classes. It's all part of Biblefresh, a movement of individuals and organisations helping people to get back into the Bible. In May, John Macaulay looked at how we go about choosing from the vast array of Bibles and study resources available in English. John and his wife have worked with Wycliffe Bible Translators for more than 25 years.

1. So Many Versions to choose from:English Bibles and Study Resources

2. How many English versions have you ever read? How many English versions do you use regularly? How many versions do you think there are, roughly?!

3. Outline Translation in 16th Century and 20th Century Overview of different modern versions Some special English versions Base and model – making use of many versions Some computer resources available

4. Translation in 16th Century

7. Great Bible (Cranmer’s Bible) 1539

8. Geneva Bible 1560 “household Bible of 16th Century”

9. Bishops’ Bible 1572

12. Translation in 20th Century

14. ASV – American Standard Version 1901

15. Good News Bible (TEV)

16. ESV (English Stand. Version)

17. Weymouth

18. J.B. Phillips

19. CEV (Contemporary English)

20. NIV

21. Living Bible

22. Jerusalem Bible (JB)

23. New Jerusalem Bible (NJB)

24. NLT (New Living Translation)

25. NEB (New English Bible)

26. REB

27. Young’s

28. Moffatt

29. NASB (New American Standard Bible) 1971

30. NKJV (New King James)

31. RSV

32. NRSV

33. NET (New English Translation)

34. Message

35. New Century Version (NCV)

36. International Standard Version

38. English Bible History web site For more detail, go to…. http://www.greatsite.com/timeline-english-bible-history/

39. Overview of different modern translations

40. Two main categories of translation PRIMACY OF FORM PRIMACY OF MEANING

41. Explanation of two main categories Form based translators tend tofollowthe words and idioms of the original Greek or Hebrew. Meaning based translators tend to make whatever changes are necessary for the effective communication of MEANING.

42. Greek Interlinear of Phillipians 4:6

43. Examples of FORM versions (Phil 4:6) Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. (KJV, 1611) FORM …do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. (ESV, 2001) FORM

44. MEANING versions (Phil 4:6) Don't worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done. (NLT, 2004) MEANING Don't worry about anything, but in all your prayers ask God for what you need, always asking him with a thankful heart. (TEV) MEANING

45. Explanation of two main categories Form based translators tend tofollowthe forms of the original Greek or Hebrew. Meaning based translators tend to make whatever changes are necessary for the effective communication of MEANING

46. N.B. Note the ‘tend to’ Form based versions can be freer “…shall their unbelief make the faith of God without effect? 4 God forbid: ….” (KJV) Meaning based versions can be close to the form of the original In the beginning the Word already existed. The Word was with God, and the Word was God. (TEV 1992)

47. Which categories are main versions? FORM BASED NASB, NRSV, NKJV, ESV MODERATELY FORM BASED NIV, TNIV, NET, NJB, REB MODERATELY MEANING BASED NLT, God’s Word HIGHLY MEANING BASED TEV, NCV, CEV

48. Dangers of these versions FORM BASED - Obscurity, no meaning MEANING BASED - inaccuracy, expansion

49. Examples of Dangers 1. (Psalm 139:16 KJV) Thine eyes did see my substance, yet being unperfect; and in thy book all my members were written, which in continuance were fashioned, when as yet there was none of them. 2. (Romans 13:12 Phillips) let us therefore fling away the things that men do in the dark (KJV ‘the works of darkness’)

50. So Many Versions – good or bad? Some lament the loss of the dominance of the KJV Major problem with KJV was absence of revision over its history Need to foster positive attitudes to many versions We will only experience the richness when we use more than one version regularly!

51. Which is the best translation? BEST FOR WHOM? Every translation is a communication of God’s Word mediated through the translators to a particular audience. Who the audience is shapes the translation. Do read the translators’ introduction to any version.

52. Some special versions

53. Dr Nick Lunn recommends NJB (New Jerusalem Bible), ESV “It's difficult to find an OT translation that is both accurate and yet employs natural English idiom. ESV can be a little uneven, depending on who the translators were. The JPS Tanakh can be good on narrative, but quite idiosyncratic on poetry.” WHEN READING OLD TESTAMENT

54. NET BIBLE (1) Title play on InterNET New English Translation HARD COPY AVAILABLE only from http://store.bible.org/ Produced because needed for bible studies Word of God free to all who want it

55. NET BIBLE (2) For free download, go to http://bible.org/article/net-bible-download MAIN ADVANTAGES Thousands of translators’ notes Translators free to write what they thought it meant

56. NET BIBLE – Translators’ Notes Ps 23:4 Even when I must walk through the darkest valley, I fear no danger, for you are with me; your rod and your staff reassure (Tr note) me.

57. NET BIBLE – Translators’ Notes Ps 23:4 Translator's Note: The Piel ofנָחַם (nakham), when used with a human object, means “comfort, console.” But here, within the metaphorical framework, it refers to the way in which a shepherd uses his implements to assure the sheep of his presence and calm their nerves. The underlying reality is the emotional stability God provides the psalmist during life threatening situations.

58. NET BIBLE – Freedom from constraints And we have come to believe in Christ Jesus, so that we may be justified by the faithfulness of Christ and not by the works of the law, because by the works of the law no one will be justified. (Galatians 2:16) Virtually all other versions – faith in Christ

59. The Translator’s New Testament 1973, published by British and Foreign Bible Society Designed to help Mother Tongue Translators translating into their own language When everything began the Word already existed. The Word was with God and shared his nature. (John 1:1)

60. Making use of Many Versions Base and Model – study using more than one version

61. Base version - as literal as possible (so choose NASB or RSV) Model version - a highly meaning based translation like CEV or TEV

62. The base version puts you in touch with the form of the Greek or Hebrew. It is Hebrew or Greek “in English dress”. The model version shows you how the translators have chosen to state the meaning in clear and natural English.

63. Example Passage – 2 Thess 3:5 (FORM) And the Lord direct your hearts into the love of God, and into the patience of Christ. (ASV) MEANING (a) I pray that the Lord will guide you to be as loving as God and as patient as Christ. (CEV-06) (b) May the Lord lead you into a greater understanding of God’s love and the endurance that is given by Christ. (TEV 92)

64. Example Passage – 2 Thess 3:5 (FORM) And the Lord direct your hearts into the love of God, and into the patient waiting for* Christ. (footnote: or steadfastness of) KJV (MEANING) May the Lord lead your hearts into a full understanding and expression of the love of God and the patient endurance that comes from Christ. (NLT 2004)

65. Electronic Study Resources Online NET Bible Study Tool http://net.bible.org/ Features: Access to 10 versions in parallel NET Bible with all its notes (some 60,000) Daily reading plans already selected Powerful search capabilities Greek and Hebrew with excellent dictionaries (example Luke 24:2, stone being rolled away)

66. Great and Manifold Blessings All English speakers are those “to whom much has been given.” 300 million people worldwide do not have ANY of the Bible in their languages. (Many millions more have only a part, that is New Testament or books). HIGH TIME for other peoples to hear God speaking to them in their languages

67. Vision 2025 By 2025, together with partners worldwide, we aim to see a Bible translation programme begun in all the remaining languages that need one.