A Living Translation of God's Word

CLEAR, ACCURATE TRANSLATION

The process of rendering the sacred text into scores of languages presented many translation problems.  For example, in the past,the English New World Translation followed the pattern of some other English Bibles that use the Hebrew expression "Sheol" in verses such as Ecclesiastes  9:10. That verse use to read:  "There is no work nor devising nor knowledge nor wisdom in She'0l the place that you are going."  Translators of many non-English editions faced this problem:  The term "Sheol" is unknown to most of their readers, it is not found in their dictionaries, and it sounds like some geographical location. Accordingly, approval was given to make the meaning of  "Sheol" and the Corresponding Greek term "Hades" clear by translating them accurately as "the Grave." 

In some languages, translating the Hebrew word ne'phesh and the Greek psy-khe' consistently with a term similar to the English "soul" created some confusion. Why? Because the equivalent terms could give the impression that the "soul" is an immaterial part of man. That could reflect the mistaken view that it is something like a ghost and not man himself.  Hence, approval was given to render "soul" as indicated by the context,in line with the meanings  already provided in the appendixes of the New World Translation of the Holy Scriptures-With References. Yes, priority was given to making the text immediately understood, and helpful renderings were often put in footnotes.

Questions from translators raised awareness that similar misunderstandings were possible.  So in September 2007, the Governing Body gave approval to revise  the English text. Thousands of questions from the Bible translators were reviewed during the revision process. Obsolete English expressions were replaced , and a concerted effort was put forth to make the text clear and easy to understand without sacrificing accuracy.  Applying what had been done in other languages sharpened the English text. -Proverbs 27:17. 

Next time:  A Living Translation of God's Word/GREAT APPRECIATION

From The Watchtower magazine