Saturday, November 26, 2011

A Little Experiment with TWO translations!

I thought it would be interesting (and fun!!!) to compare one of the oldest translations with one of the newest translations. The Wycliffe New Testament is the one I chose to represent the oldest translation in English. It is from 1388! (I used this edition with modern spelling.) The Common English Bible is the one I chose to represent the newest translation. (I'm not sure if it is *really* the very, very newest translation. But it certainly is close. 2011 saw the publication of the whole Bible in this translation.)

I began this little 'experiment' by reading Matthew in the Wycliffe New Testament. I took notes--lots of notes!!!--as I read. I highlighted the phrases that I loved, the phrases that sounded unique, different, quirky.

Matthew 1:18

"having of the Holy Ghost in the womb" (Wycliffe)
"she became pregnant by the Holy Spirit" (Common English Bible

Matthew 1:21

"because he will save his people from their sins" (Common English Bible)
"for He shall make the people safe from their sins" (Wycliffe)

Matthew 2:12

"And when they had taken an answer in sleep that they should not turn again to Herod..." (Wycliffe)
"Because they were warned in a dream not to return to Herod, they went back to their own country by another route." (Common English Bible)

Matthew 4:8

"Eftsoon the fiend took Him into a full high hill, and showed to Him all the realms of the world and the joy of them..." (Wycliffe)
"Then the devil brought him to a very high mountain and showed him all the kingdoms of the world and their glory. (Common English Bible)

Matthew 6:2-4

"Therefore when thou does alms nil ye trump tofore thee as hypocrites do in synagogues and streets, that they may be worshipped of men. Soothly I say to you, they have received their meed. But when thou do alms, know not thy left hand why thy right hand does, that thine alms may be in hidles. And thy Father that sees in hidles, shall quite thee." (Wycliffe)
"Whenever you give to the poor, don't blow your trumpet as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets so that they may get praise from people. I assure you, that's the only reward they'll get. But when you give to the poor, don't let your left hand know what your right hand is doing so that you may give to the poor in secret. Your Father who sees what you do in secret will reward you. (Common English Bible)

Matthew 6:6

"But when thou shall pray, enter into thy couch, and when the door is shut, pray thy Father in hidles. And thy Father that sees in hidles, shall yield to thee." (Wycliffe)
"But when you pray, go to your room, shut the door, and pray to your Father who is present in that secret place. Your Father who sees what you do in secret will reward you. (Common English Bible)

The Lord's Prayer Matthew 6:9-13

"Our Father that are in heavens, hallowed be Thy name. Thy kingdom come to. Be Thy will done in earth as in heaven. Give to us this day our bread over other substance, and forgive to us our debts as we forgive to our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. Amen" (Wycliffe)
"Our Father who is in heaven, uphold the holiness of your name. Bring in your kingdom so that your will is done on earth as it's done in heaven. Give us the bread we need for today. Forgive us for the ways we have wronged you, just as we also forgive those who have wronged us. And don't lead us into temptation, but rescue us from the evil one. (Common English Bible)

Matthew 6:34

"nil ye be busy to the morrow" (Wycliffe)
"stop worrying about tomorrow" (Common English Bible)

And that's just the start of my notes!!! If/when I have time, I'll be back to share more with you.


© Becky Laney of Operation Actually Read Bible

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