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seanbam
03-02-2006, 07:07 AM
I have often wondered why they can't combine/superimpose encyclopedias together or dictionaries together or bible translations together. With todays technology it should be even easier to do. Just think how much progress this one thing would make!
It is also annoying when preachers keep saying "the English says this but it really says this ....", well why don't they all get together and collate a translation (ie each inputing/submiting/contributing their own discoveries) with all those better readings in then!
Here are some examples of what a combined translations might read like which I have done with the help of bible soft-ware and do call the "United Version" 1st edition (provisional):

John 1:1:- In the beginning of Time there was the Word already existing, and the Word was in fellowship with the God the Father, God present to the Word, and the Word was as to His essence (like) (a) Absolute God.
Notes: * or: and God had the Word abiding with Him; * or: and God was the Word; * in fellowship with/present to;

Genesis 1:1:- In the beginning when the God(s) began to create (and/with) the Heaven(s) and with the Earth - all you see, all you don't see.
* or: In the beginning of the God's/s' beginning to create....; * or: In the beginning when created the God(s)/Angels and/with the Heaven(s) and with the Earth....; 'gap' in text somewhere betw 1:1 (God created) and 1:3, or prior or 1:1.

John 3:16:- (Thus) for (this) is how (much) God did (so) love the World (so much), (insomuch) (that) He gave up His Son, His one and only begotten Son; (And this is why: in order) that every one who is believing into Him shall not be lost, but can be having a whole and ever-lasting life.
* everyone who/whosoever. * is believing/exercising faith/places his trust. * everlasting/age-during. * or: For in such a manner (did) God ((did) so) love the World (so much). * or: (insomuch) that His Son, the (one and) only begotten (One), He gave up. * or: (And this is why: in order) that no one need be destroyed; by believing in Him, anyone can be having a whole and ever-lasting life.

Mt 11:28:- Then Jesus said, "come here unto me, all of you who are growing weary to the point of exhaustion, and are carrying heavy burdens, and I alone will give you rest.
* give you rest/refresh you, * weary to the point of exhaustion and are carrying heavy burdens/tired from carrying heavy loads, * give you/show you how to take a real/cause you to cease from your labour and take away your burdens and thus refresh you with, * (are) (carrying heavy) burdens/loaded down (with burdens)/(are) heavy-laden/have heavy loads/burdened ones/who have been loaded with burdens and are bending beneath their weight. I left-off trying to incorporate the more divergent Message version.

Prov 22:6:- Train up your children in the way they should go, and even when they grow older they will not turn aside from it.
* give instruction to/train up, * be lost/turn aside from it, * way they should go/right direction, * or: and they will remember it all their lives, * remain upon/not turn aside from, * according to the tenor of his way/in the way he should go/how they should live/how to live right/in the right way/about his way/to choose the right path/according to the way for him. Note this verse has a two-fold meaning: teach child what is right/wrong, and to custom-teach them acc to their unique nature/talents/strong points.

Psalms 23:1:- A psalm of David. The Lord God is my shepherd, I shall not (be in) want (a thing).
*and not I want, or: I have everything I need.

Luke 12:31:- But rather, seek you continually the kingdom of God, and all these other things you need will be (added unto) you(rs) as well.
*as well/without the asking; *added unto/provided for; *or: and he will provide you with these things; *the/his/God's; *be concerned with/strive for/you be continually seeking/seek you continually/seek you first/make it your first care to find; Message & NLT not incorporated because too different structures.

John 14:6:- Jesus said unto him, "I alone, in contradistinction to all others, Am the way, and the truth, and the life; no one can get unto the Father, if not through me...."
* also the/and the/I Am; * nobody/no one; * does/can; * apart from/except through/if not through; * or: the only way to the Father is through me.

Romans 8:28:- That's why we know with an absolute assurance that in all things God works together for the good of those who love God; even (to those whom) (are the) people (He (has)) called, in accordance with His purpose (for them).
* with/for/of/to; * He has/are the (people He)/have been/are the ones; * because that was/according to/in fulfilment of/in accodance with; * and/even; * His/their purpose/plan/design/wills; * can be so sure/know with an absolute knowledge/are well assured; * for the/resulting in; * Divinely-summoned ones/the people he has called; * makes all His works co-operate/causes all things to work; * God works together for/helps to secure; * that God helps in every way to secure the/that He works all things together for the/that God causes all things to work together for the/that in all things God works together for the; * or: that for them who are loving God, all things do work together for the good; * or: that every detail in our lives of love for God is worked into something good.

Rev 3:20:- Look at me, I (Am) standing at the door, and (am) politely knocking, if any one may listen to my voice, and may open the door, I will come right in (unto) visit his [house], and (sit down to) supper with them, and he himself will eat with me.
* (I) will/sit down to/take my/take the evening; * and (am)/and I; * look at me/look here I Am/consider this/see where; * they/he himself; * (Am)/have taken my; * or: and we will share a meal as friends.

Matt 6:9-13:- In this manner, therefore, pray you: Our Father who is in the heavens, may your holy name always be kept honoured; may your kingdom[, cause that it should] come soon; may your will be done, here upon the earth, just as it is in heaven; [keep] give us to-day our needed bread; and forgive us for our sins, even as we [ourselves] also have forgiv [to] those who have [done] sin against us; and may you (never/) lead us (/not) into be tempt, but [do you] deliver us (safe) from the evil one; for yours is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever [and ever], may it be fulfilled.
*In/after/like, this/thus, manner/way, therefore/then; *or: holy be your name/reveal who you are; *Msg: set the world right; *or: do what's best, just as it is in heaven, also upon the earth; *Msg: keep us forgiven with you and forgiving others; *or: keep us safe from ourselves and [all] evil; *or: you're in chge, you can do anything you want, you're ablaze in beauty, yes, yes, yes. *for ever/to the ages.

John 15:5:- Yes, I Am the vine, and, you are the branches; he who is abiding in communion with me, and I abide in union with him, the relation intimate and organic, he it is that brings forth much fruit; because separated from me, you can do nothing at all.
*yes/as for myself, *and/as for you; *can do nothing at all/have no power to do anything/are not able to be doing anything/can't produce a thing; *or: the harvest is sure to be abundant, *he it is that/then he will/this one (does/is)/the same/they; *he who is/the one who/those who/he that/whoever/if any, *or: when you're joined with me, *abiding in/maintains a living.

Gen 24:4:- but you shall go back unto my homeland and unto the land of my own kindred, and hast taken a wife there for my son, for Isaac
*or: but you shall go back unto the land where I was born, and hast taken a wife there for my son, for Isaac from amoung my kindred. *but you shall (go back)/(Go) instead. *but you shall go back unto my homeland and unto the land of my own kindred/but unto my homeland and unto my kindred shall you go. *the land where I was born/the land of my birth. *Greek: but unto land where become/(come into being/take place)/favourable go unto tribe/race taken wife son Isaac there. *Hebrew: shall unto land unto kindred/birth/offspring go taken wife son Isaac

Disclaimer: this "verson" is not necessarily to be taken as wholly retaining the exact, accurate divine inspiration of the original language MSs (Rev 22:18-19) though there are no omissions or additions originating on my part alone.

Donny the Punk
03-02-2006, 07:14 AM
While pursuing a worthy goal, your renditions of those passages are blunt and inelegant to the extreme. A great deal of the Bible's power is its ability to inspire, especially with aphorisms that have lasted two millennia simply because they are so acute. In this case, as with all great literature, the form ennobles the content.

Translation isn't a process of conversion, like changing money. The nuances of a language can usually only be understood within its particular context, and have no meaning beyond it; idiom, for example. Translators are not simply scribes, they are required to be writers, and writing is always an intensely subjective thing. Try translating something sometime, if you know another language, and see just how hard it is to convey a perfectly identical meaning.