Hi there Carol,

What you do think of the ESV? Our Pastor uses it in his sermons and, 
I love the wording in it.  Are you familiar with it? Thoughts? 
Opinions? Please share them.

Luv in HIM,

Mari, who dearly hopes I may continue to close like that.  It really 
spoke to my heart the first time I read it.



At 03:54 AM 7/6/2006, you wrote:
>Hi there Sharon, and all,
>
>Hmmm!  I have been thinking over the past hour or two, since seeing 
>your message . . ..  (I've taken the liberty of changing the subject 
>header here because some may find that "upgrading" thought a little tackey.
>
>First, in full defence of the AV, I am very prepared to agree its 
>outstanding accuracy and truthfulness and the need for this in the 
>Church. I know and respect those who feel so passionately they 
>wouldn't use anything else!  (I even know some on this list and I 
>reckon they won't keep quiet for too long <SMILE>!)
>
>For me, I grew up with the AV and learned and got to know its 
>wording so well that, if I am imprisoned or without a Bible in later 
>years, I know these are the words I will be crying out!  Therefore, 
>there is something very special for me about the AV.
>
>However, alongside this, I do find its archaic, old English language 
>both a bit sweet and treakley and certainly it's something which I 
>do not fully understand or identify with.  For example, I even find 
>1 Corinthians 13 causes me to feel I'm being called (though not 
>drawn) to the litergy of the church and not the real meaning of the 
>passage on occasions, especially when this is delivered in a large 
>church with a lot of echo, and for me there are far better, more 
>modern, translations of that lovely passage.  It is for this reason 
>that I still read the old but also more modern translations and 
>allow God to speak with me and refresh me as I do so!
>
>Your example in Luke 7 is so right, to my mind.  "Cry" and "weep" 
>are words I understand and appreciate, and even think there is a 
>difference between them, and that comment is based on my own 
>experience.  Why say something more when these words are adequate!
>
>I don't want to say too much about individual versions, but I do 
>keep a copy of the NIV around on my BrailleNote because it sort of 
>is the general version I can keep with me.  I love, love the 
>Amplified, when I want to think some more about words!  There are 
>some very refreshing things about The Message Bible also.  In some 
>ways its language gets me a bit hot under the collar (perhaps it's a 
>little over the top in some of its "American expression" for us 
>Britts) but in others I find it refreshing.  It seems to move on a 
>pace that cannot be conveyed to me as I read the AV.  I think you 
>would like to read the Message and maybe you already have it.  (The 
>Message also uses the word "cry" in that passage, by the way, Sharon.)
>
>Finally, here's one further thought which I want to convey and it's 
>meant by no means to take away any of the truth and reverence of the 
>older versions of the Bible.  My thinking goes something like 
>this:  "Well, Jesus expresses Himself to us in ways we can 
>understand.  He meets us where we are.  He speaks words in the 
>church which often are brought by younger, enthusiastic ones whose 
>language understanding and presentation is more like the Message 
>than the AV.  So be it!  God will still speak His truth into hungry 
>hearts! God will still make His ways known!  I personally don't want 
>to examine every word etc for its accuracy either, because I'm not 
>that kind of scholar, but I do want to be blessed inside as I read His word!
>
>Anyway, I'm off my soap box now.  Have been up many hours so guess 
>it's brunchtime for me!
>
>--
>Carol
>[log in to unmask]
>
>
>
>----- Original Message ----- From: "Sharon Hooley" <[log in to unmask]>
>To: <[log in to unmask]>
>Sent: Thursday, July 06, 2006 7:27 AM
>Subject: Upgrading Versions of the bible?
>
>
>>Well Julie, of course the Bible doesn't change, but our 
>>understanding of some things in the bible can change as we grow in 
>>the Lord, and maybe it's possible to "upgrade" as far as 
>>contemporary language is concerned, not to change the meaning of 
>>what the Bible says, but to speak our everyday 
>>language.  Unfortunately, many of those who create a new 
>>translation tend to try to make the bible say what they want it to 
>>say, instead of what it's really saying.  Personally, I want my 
>>bible to speak the language I use, not the ancient language of the 
>>KJV, as long as the modern translation is accurate.  From the 
>>bible, I wish I could hear things like, "Serving God is so much 
>>fun!  So cool!"  But I need to remind myself that, even if I read 
>>it in an ancient language, it can be just as expressive as we are 
>>today.  For example, there's the story about when Jesus approached 
>>a funeral procession. His hart went out to the widow who had just 
>>lost her son.  In the KJV, we read, "Weep not."  But in the NIV, 
>>(which may not be a perfectly accurate translation), we hear Him 
>>simply saying, "Don't cry." I would rather hear the latter, but 
>>maybe, just maybe, Jesus is depicted just as strongly 
>>compassionate, affectionate and comforting, in the KJV. What are your thoughts?
>>
>>Sharon
>