From: 	 heb_roots_chr@mail.geocities.com
Sent: 	 Wednesday, November 19, 1997 11:20 PM
To: 	 Hebraic Heritage Newsgroup
Subject: Bible Versions Comments 
From:          Levi Avriel ben Avram
Subject:       Bible Versions Comments - Part I
To:            heb_roots_chr@mail.geocities.com

Bruce,

Eddie is absolutely correct that in the real world there is NO perfect
translation that we can rely on. You literally could take the argument to the
extreme and suggest that even though the original manuscripts were divinely
written by the leading of the Holy Spirit, man did the transcribing and
therefore is subject to incorrectness. I do NOT hold to that extreme argument
because it is an exercise in futility. Here is my guide and thus far has not
failed me:

Ps. 32:8  I will instruct thee and teach thee in the way which thou shalt go: I
will guide thee with mine eye. (KJV)

Phil. 3:15  "...... And if on some point you think differently, that too God
will make clear to you." (NIV)

It's by HaShem's grace, love, and mercy that He will, through the outpouring of
the Holy Spirit, lead men to all truth and reveal His Word (living waters) to
all. His Word will be written upon our hearts NOT our intellect.

Hold onto 2 Timothy 2:15 and the Holy Spirit and you can't go wrong. 

Levi Avriel ben Avram

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From:          Jo-Ann Dalton 
Subject:       Bible Versions Comments - Part II
To:            "heb_roots_chr@geocities.com"<heb_roots_chr@geocities.com>


Shalom to all fellow students of the Word of the Living G-d

I have read all the comments [part one and two] on the different
versions of the Holy Scriptures.  It was interesting to read the
comments on why individuals chose to study a particular version.   I
have literally dozens of versions of the Holy Scriptures and basically
study the KJV.  I refer to many others as I go along.   One of the
ones mentioned was the 'Exegeses' Bible which I find useful.  One not 
mention and is excellent is the '26 Translation Bible'.  It has the
full KJV in bold; then any of 25 different version are listed under a
particular verse only if it varies from the KJV.

Excellent resource in one volume.  Spurell's Tanach is also very good. 
Except for the Ryrie Bible, I have all the books mentioned, and  I
agree with all the reasons why each individual chooses a particular
book.

Whatever version of the Holy Scriptures we decide to study from, first
and formost, we MUST enlist the Ruach HaKodesh, who was sent to guide,
teach and reveal the Living Word to us.  Before I begin to read/study
I pray the following verses and acknowledge that I enter in to this
time of study with no perconceived opinions or conclusions.  I ask for
a fresh anointing for the Heart and Soul of our Abba  Father.  I
desire to see and know things from His view not mine.

Ps 119:18       Open thou mine eyes, that I may behold wondrous things
out of thy law.(KJV)

Ps 119:33-40
33   Teach me, O LORD, the way of thy statutes; and I shall keep it
unto the end. 34   Give me understanding, and I shall keep thy law;
yea, I shall observe it with my whole heart. 35   Make me to go in the
path of thy commandments; for therein do I delight. 36   Incline my
heart unto thy testimonies, and not to covetousness. 37   Turn away
mine eyes from beholding vanity; & quicken thou me in thy way. 38  
Stablish thy word unto thy servant, who is devoted to thy fear. 39  
Turn away my reproach which I fear: for thy judgments are good. 40  
Behold, I have longed after thy precepts: quicken me in thy
righteousness. (KJV)

I pray for all who dilgently meditate on the Word, for you  will be
like a tree planted by a river of living water, and your fruit will be
bountiful. OUR G-d rewards those who diligently meditate on His Word. 
I desire to be a Psalm 1 child of G-d.

Eddie--

I am richly blessed by your postings. Blessed are you for your
servanthood. Father is well pleased!
I admire your always telling individuals that it's the "Relationship
with the Lord that counts"!! Thats an true and awesome statement 

Shalom
Jo-Ann

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From:          Gary Simpson 
To:            heb_roots_chr@geocities.com
Subject:       Re: Bible Versions Comments - Part I

Somebody reflected on the various versions of the Bible as follows . .


>My growing awareness of the Judaic roots of Christianity and
>continual study has resulted in a scary side effect.  I have begun to
>doubt the correctness of many of the Bible versions I have
>historically held dear.  My personal preference has always been KJV. 
>After reading the book, NEW AGE BIBLE VERSIONS, I stopped utilizing
>the NIV, NASV, and others which are built upon the work of Wescott
>and Hort; however, I drew closer to the KJV.

People have preferences for different versions of the Bible.  There is
nothing wrong with that.  I prefer the NASB, because of it is a fairly
accurate word-for-word translation.  But it is not the easiest
translation to read, nor is it the best translation of all texts.  I
like the fresh insights provided by the James Moffatt translation, but
it also has weaknesses.  The KJV is good, but it is a difficult Bible
to read.  Some people do not have the reading skills needed to easily
understand the KJV.

I can respect people with diffenent preferences.  It is, however,
difficult for me to respect the authors of books that classify some
versions of the Bible as New Age.  I have heard people who were giving
workshops on the New Age Movement.  By the time they were done,
anybody who drinks H20 (water) or breathes air was considered to be
part of the New Age Movement.  The version of the Bible you read does
not make you any more or less Messianic.

>Now, the realization that the translators of the KJV probably
>sufferred from an anti-Judaic bias (as well as possibly
>pro-Augustinian /Calvinistic) has me wondering when the words I read
>may be tainted to reflect their bias . . . <snip> . . .  I read the
>Jewish Publication Society's most recent TANAKH, but I am haunted by
>the fear they bias their translations in the opposite direction
>(against Yeshua's Messiahship), resulting in a watering down of
>messianic references.  
> . . . <snip> . . .

Every Bible has some theological bias.  That is to be expected.  That
bias is not just limited to Christian translations.  It is even seen
in Jewish translations.

The Bible is a spiritual document.  As such, we do not need to spend a
lot of time worrying about how accurately and correctly each word is
translated.  All that does is take our eyes off the important things
in the Bible.

We need to focus on what is important, Yeshua the Messiah, and the
principles of the Bible.  The Lord uses the principles of the Bible,
regardless of the translation or paraphrase, to change our lives and
to save us.

-Gary Simpson

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