Are All Bible Versions "Created" Equal?
The scripture of Deuteronomy 4:2 records that God warned, "Ye shall not add unto the word which I command you, neither shall ye diminish aught from it, that ye may keep the commandments of the Lord your God which I command you." Some people believe that the translators of the versions of the Bible that have appeared roughly within the past couple of decades have disregarded the warning of Deuteronomy 4:2. According to those who support the many different Bible versions available today, the King James Bible is simply too difficult to understand. Therefore, new translations that are easier to read and comprehend are needed and should be welcomed by Christian believers. Is there evidence that this is truly the reason for re-translating biblical scripture?
Examining Different Versions of the Bible
It isn't at all necessary for one to be a Bible "scholar" to examine various Bible versions to see if they all really say the same thing and if the modern ones say those same things in much easier to understand language. Typically, comparison of only a few scriptures is sufficient to unmask the subtle and crafty disobedience to the scripture of Deuteronomy 4:2 and others like it. The scripture of 2nd Timothy 3:16-17 in the King James Bible reads, "All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness that the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works."
The same scripture in the New English Bible reads, "Every inspired scripture has its use for teaching the truth and refuting error, or for reformation of manners and discipline in right living, so that the man who belongs to God may be efficient and equipped for good work of every kind." The words "every inspired scripture" don't have the same meaning as "all scripture is given by inspiration of God." "Every inspired scripture" could cause someone to think that some scripture is not inspired, while "all scripture is given by inspiration of God" clearly states that there is no scripture of the Bible that is not inspired specifically of the Lord. Also, how could the words, "all scripture is given by inspiration of God" be difficult to understand for anyone who speaks English? Focus is now on the words, "has its use for teaching the truth and refuting error, or for reformation of manners and discipline in right living."
Truth and doctrine are not the same things. Two people can tell the truth about a matter, yet hold two different doctrines about that matter. The doctrine of Christ is emphasized repeatedly in both the Old and New Testaments, why was the important word "doctrine" removed, particularly since its meaning isn't at all difficult to grasp? The words, "refuting error, or reformation of manners, and discipline in right living" are also justifiably considered suspicious. Many Bible versions omit the word "reproof" used in the King James Bible because it means to rebuke, reprimand, reproach, and even to scold. How is "reproof" any more difficult to understand than "reformation of manners?" Finally, the words "the man who belongs to God may be efficient and equipped for good work of every kind" replaced the words, "that the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works." To be efficient and equipped does not mean to be perfect. The word perfect is neither an archaic word nor is it hard to understand, so why was it replaced?
There is more argument and confusion within the church since the release of different Bible versions. What most people don't realize is that even the translators of the King James Bible used an English that was no longer spoken in their times in order to preserve the message of the original scriptures in obedience to Deuteronomy 4:2. A comparison of the book of Isaiah in a modern King James Bible reads the same as the dead sea scroll containing the ancient writings of Isaiah with the exception of only two words. It should be emphasized that the "New" King James Bible is not a mere King James Bible from which words such as "thee" and "thou" have been removed; it is one of the many Bible versions that, according to many, has changed the word of God as much as any of the others.
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