No Originals

Emmanuel

True, there are no extant origionals, But the debate has yet to be settled concerning the New testament as to whether all of it was originally written in Greek or Aramaic. Aramic was the "lingua franca" of the Semitic Peoples from about 2000 BC until the times of Christ. Greek became the "lingua franca" for internationa trade etc. Josepheus wrote something to the effect that the Hebrews would rather die than to have a son learn to speak Greek.

It does not seem likely that Paul would have written to Ephesus or Corrinth in Aramaic as they were Greek speaking peoples. Likewise it doe not seem likely that the writer of Hebrews (generally atributed to Paul) would have written to the Hebrews in Greek. Likewise, writing an epistle to Rome in Greek or Aramaic does not make sense. Latin would be a more likely choice however I do understand that the many Romans understood both Greek ans Aramaic as well.

The debate here (which will probably never be universally settled) among those more learned than myself is which books were written in which language.

Nontheless, we do have extant papyri in Greek, Aramaic, Latin and Hebrew. A comparison of these texts shows some varriance but for the most part they are in fairly good harmony.

As far as the "New Living Translation" goes. It came out in 1996 by Tyndale House Publishers as a remake of Kenneth Taylor's Living Bible, which first appeared in a complete Bible in 1971.

It is paraphrase, like the Living Bible, and not true to the original texts. Not only is it a paraphrse is is also an interpretation as well. The "translators" took much liberty in trying to decide the "meaning" of the verses and then put them into English.

For Example Compare Romans 13:1-2

King James Version

1 Let every soul be subject unto the higher powers. For there is no power but of God: the powers that be are ordained of God.

2 Whosoever therefore resisteth the power, resisteth the ordinance of God: and they that resist shall receive to themselves damnation.

3 For rulers are not a terror to good works, but to the evil. Wilt thou then not be afraid of the power? do that which is good, and thou shalt have praise of the same:

Now look at the New Living Translation.

1 Obey the government, for God is the one who put it there. All governments have been placed in

power by God.

2 So those who refuse to obey the laws of the land are refusing to obey God, and punishment will

follow.

3 For the authorities do not frighten people who are doing right, but they frighten those who do wrong.

So do what they say, and you will get along well.

4 The authorities are sent by God to help you. But if you are doing something wrong, of course you

should be afraid, for you will be punished. The authorities are established by God for that very

purpose, to punish those who do wrong..

Now look at the Greek ( WH Transliterated) Click on each word to see the definitation and grammar.

1 Pasa psuchê exousiais huperechousais hupotassesthô, ou gar estin exousia ei mê hupo theou, hai de ousai

hupo theou tetagmenai

2 eisin: hôste ho antitassomenos têi exousiai têi tou theou diatagêi anthestêken, hoi de anthestêkotes heautois

krima lêmpsontai.

3 hoi gar archontes ouk eisin phobos tôi agathôi ergôi alla tôi kakôi. theleis de mê phobeisthai tên exousian;

to agathon poiei,

4 kai hexeis epainon ex autês: theou gar diakonos estin soi eis to agathon. ean de to kakon poiêis, phobou: ou

gar eikêi tên machairan phorei: theou gar diakonos estin, ekdikos eis orgên tôi to kakon prassonti. dio

anankê hupotassesthai

What if a person in a third world country under an opressive dictator or if someone in Communist China or someone in Nazi Germany (going back ) had this "translaton." What does this seem to say to them ?

Did God establish the Third Reicht, Communist China, or Opressive Corrupt Governments. ?

The translators took this whole section out of context and gave this eroneous rendering on Romans.

The NLT is riddled with stuff like this.

The appeal of this translation is apparent. For the unlearned Christian it seems easy to read and is in plain English ---- At the expense of the Truth.

Does this make any sense to you. ?

God Bless

Bill

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