3. Translating the Bible: An Ongoing Process
Bruce Metzger discusses difficulties in translating the Bible and expresses prayers for wisdom on the subject.
Introduction
- Topic: Persistent problems in translating scriptures
- Various circumstances causing problems: different wordings and readings, rare words
Punctuation and Word Arrangement Issues
- Need for proper punctuation and arrangement for clarity
- Example: Lord’s Prayer for illustrations
Determining the Correct Text
- Choice of text to translate: printed text and manuscripts
- Example: John Bunyan’s "Pilgrim’s Progress"
- Rule: Reading that best explains the origin of other readings is preferred
Translation Examples
- Example: Variations in Pilgrim’s Progress
- Importance of manuscript dates in determining original text
Translator's Decisions on Text Readings
- Example: Stephen in Acts
- Example: The Lord’s Prayer in Matthew
Meaning of Words
- Importance of understanding Hebrew and Greek words
- Examples: Rare words in Old and New Testaments
- Example: Hebrew word “Pym” and its translation
Alternative Renderings
- Example: The word "Epi" in the Lord’s Prayer
- Importance of footnotes in translations
Punctuation in Manuscripts
- Lack of punctuation in early manuscripts
- Example: British Parliament debate on comma placement in the Lord’s Prayer
Translation vs. Transliteration
- Deciding when to translate or transliterate words
- Examples: Adam, Christ, Baptism
Translation Style
- Importance of sentence structure for clarity
- Example: Zechariah 3, Psalm 50:9, Genesis 35:7, Luke 23 (punctuation)
Gender-Neutral Language
- Addressing masculine bias in translations
- Examples: John 12, Paul’s admonitions, inner man
Pronoun Use
- English language deficiency in gender-neutral pronouns
- Example: Letter from a speech therapist
Unsolved Translation Problems
- Challenges in translating Hebrew poetry and acrostics
- Example: Psalm 119, Matthew 16:18 wordplay
Conclusion
- Mention of upcoming discussion on contemporary English versions
- Concluding prayer
*The above summary is AI-generated, so discrepancies may exist. Please refer to the audio or video file to verify accuracy.