Psalm 145:8-9
The LORD is gracious and full of compassion,
Slow to anger and great in mercy.
The LORD is good to all,
And His tender mercies are over all His works.
Psalm 145:8-9
Have a rich Tuesday
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Tags: compassion, grace, mercies, merciful, tender
May 27th, 2008 at 12:06 pm
Question: Why do you use New King james Version….
The Most appropriate translation should be KJV, that’s it…
All other versions only water down, the original meaning
of this sacred text….
Stick to KJV you can always elaborate on what the text means
but any attempts to take something from the original text
and make a (New Version) is playing with Fire !
May 28th, 2008 at 9:58 am
…couple of things If I may respectfully respond:
1. I have 3 prefered translations – in order: KJV, NKJV, NIV. These are my preferences, I dont assert that these are what everyone should use.
NIV I love because it makes reading for comprehension a breeze. I love it when curling up in a chair with a cup of tea and a bible and just reading – Especially when in the Old Testament.
NKJV I teach from (and use for the VOTD Verse of the Day) because in a large group with many different translations and paraphrases in use it seems to be more (but not totally) compatible with what everyone reads. In my opinion it almost expands the KJV only folks a little and elevates all the others!
I find the KJV more accurate than certain others. I use it most for deep study and reference, even though my sermons and writings almost always end up referencing NKJV. If there ever is a translation issue that I cant resolve I generally roll with what the KJV says. I have both a KJV/NKJV parallel bible and a KJV/NIV parallel bible which I use a lot in study as well.
2. Having said all that, I find that you can take any translation and even some of the paraphrased works and clearly see in it God’s nature, His plan for mankind, and His criteria for being in that plan. All Bibles have the ability to relay the important info about God, adversely all Bibles arent perfect. Translation is subject to the skills, intentions and available knowledge of the translators, if you do a little research you’d find that even the KJV has its share of translation/translator related issues.
3. I have lexicons, dictionaries, interlinear bibles, and such. I also love the Hebrew/Greek tools my computer program offers (blueletterbible.org has a great selection as well). Word studies often transcend what any Bible translation shows and are indispensible if one is concerned about the way a verse may be rendered. In this day and age its wonderful to have so much available to us to reference. Nearly everything is easily researchable.
4. Between giving attention to detail and context, and the Holy Spirit illuminating us, translation choice may in some cases be an overblown issue. Amazing how just a simple bible in the hands of a believing Christian can be so rewarding!
Also if I may, I’d like to offer a few specific comments on what you wrote:
1. Most of the differences between KJV and NKJV are the re-rendering of words like thee, thou, verily, etc… words that are peculiar to the creative shakespearian english of the 1600’s… since NKJV otherwise seems to track the KJV very closely, it would be a stretch to call it “watered down”. Other translations differ in purpose, source and phrasing. Though they are clearly different, watered down may be unfair… there are paraphrases that would rightly be called watered down…
2. The King James is NOT the original text. It too is a translation – or as you phrased it “an attempt to make a new version from the original text”. I imagine there were folks upset over it’s introduction in 1611!
I dont mean any of this in a mean spirited or vindictive way, I pray its not taken at all that way. Since you raised the question of why I use NKJV on this site I felt compelled to answer as best I can. I dont use any translation “just because” or out of ignorance, there is a definate reason. Your opinion is always welcome here (as long as it isnt inflamed or defamatory), if you are in fact a part of the Verse of the Day (VOTD) family (those subscribed via email or RSS) I pray that we can continue to encourage you through God’s Word.
Also note that I always provide a link for users to view the daily Verse of the Day passage in any translation they prefer.
Blessings!
Pastor George