Sunday, August 28, 2011

Back to the NASB

I hate that I repeatedly find myself cheating off the NASB when I don't have time to linger with the Greek.  ESV, NIV sometimes or often grind theological axes respectively.  NRSV uses inclusive language, which is fine by me, but sometimes deceives me as far as the original.  NLT, CEB are dynamic so don't help me cheat.

Oh that there were a more or less scholarly formal equivalence translation on the market.  I bounce between NASB, NRSV, and ESV when I'm trying to cheat.

12 comments:

Angie Van De Merwe said...

I thought ministers were to be upstandng and honest citizens that wouldn't cheat for the sake of integrity!!!

The truth is the truth, so wouldn't scholarship be embraced by those that want to live their lives with integrity?!

Ken Schenck said...

"Context is everything."

Angie Van De Merwe said...

unless one values personal liberty, as a mutual right as an ultimate value....

Ken Schenck said...

The meaning of words is always a function of the way they are used in a particular context. No exceptions. "Cheat" in this context is hyperbole. There is no moral issue in whether I look at the Greek or an English translation in this instance. ;-)

Angie Van De Merwe said...

"Moral" is also defined within a particular frame....not just context!

You are dong your job! That is a particular moral value in providing for your family.

clayknick said...

I have friend who still uses the ASV. Another who uses the RV.
My formal equivalent translation continues to be the RSV, but I make use of the NASB, too.

Ken Schenck said...

I would use the RSV if they would just reprint it without the thees and thous. I wonder if they'd let me ;-)

clayknick said...

There is a Roman Catholic edition of the RSV that does not have the thees and thous.

Ken Schenck said...

Hmmm. Good to know. Thanks! How is the NEB? I've never used it.

clayknick said...

The NEB is, in my opinion, "literary" rather than "formal." I like its revision, the REB. Elegant British English. But it is not "literal" or formal.

FrGregACCA said...

The "thees and thous" in the RSV are extremely limited. I for one continue to use the old RSV (the New Oxford Edition which includes the deutero-canonical material, even if under the title "Apocrypha".)

I use the Orthodox Study Bible for its translation of the LXX as well.

Robert said...

What about the Lexham Bible, recently published by SBL and Logos? Have you had and chance to review that one? They also published the SBL Greek New Testament, that is the basis form the Lexham bible.