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.

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