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By Jim Coggins
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| Author and scholar James I. Packer |
A BIBLE translation overseen by a widely respected Canadian author and scholar is making serious inroads in the international Christian marketplace.
The English Standard Version (ESV), released in 2001 with very little fanfare, has quietly been gaining readers. Sales quadrupled in 2003 - 2005 over sales the first two years, and quadrupled again in 2005 - 2007. In June 2007 the ESV was in third place in sales in the US, behind only the New International Version (NIV) and the King James Version (KJV).
More than four million copies have now been distributed. Ninety percent of sales have been in North America, but overseas distribution is growing rapidly through partnerships with more than 130 Bible societies around the world.
James I. Packer of Regent College in Vancouver served as general editor and chair of the 12-member Translation Oversight Committee. He recently told CC.com the translation grew out of discontent with other modern translations -- which, he asserted, tend to "deviate from what was said in several thousand places," in the interests of lucidity or easy readability.
In particular, he said, there was discontent with translations such as the New Revised Standard Version (NRSV) and Today's New International Version (TNIV) which make such deviations to achieve gender-neutral renderings.
Packer said these translations may have presented "what was meant but not what was said. The reader should know what Paul or Isaiah said."
Packer said some other translations are particularly frustrating for expositors who, in explaining what the text means, have to pause and first explain that what was translated is not actually what the text originally said.
In contrast, said Packer, the ESV tries to be a "transparent" translation -- in that the reader can see through it to what was originally written. Another word Packer used repeatedly was "precision." He said: "We think we have produced a version more precise than any of the alternatives."
The ESV is a word-for-word rather than a 'thought-for-thought' translation. The ESV website states that the latter translations are "of necessity more inclined to reflect the interpretive opinions of the translator and the influences of contemporary culture."
Packer said the ESV is also in a 500-year tradition of Bible translation -- from William Tyndale's Bible through the KJV to the Revised Standard Version.
The translation was carried out by 60 scholars who were expert in individual books, often having written commentaries on them. They started with the Revised Standard Version and were told to make the revisions they thought necessary and give reasons for the changes. The changes then went through another editing process to standardize them -- and finally to the oversight committee for final decisions.
There was also a 60-member advisory committee made up of pastors and other ministry leaders. Packer said this collaborative approach, also used by many other translations, is "the only rational way to do it."
Packer said all of those involved were also "evangelicals, Bible believers. . . . A Bible translator needs to be a believing Christian and draw on the help of the Holy Spirit. There is a spiritual side to Bible translation." Most were from the U.S.; some were from Britain and elsewhere.
Packer said the leading of the Holy Spirit was evident in the way "the good Lord brought us to a real consensus" on almost every point.
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Packer said the intent was to produce a "general purpose" Bible, suitable for preaching and exposition, reading in churches, memorization, lay Bible study, and personal Bible reading by people of all ages. A deliberate attempt was made to use simple words when possible, and to make the text "dance along," or read easily.
Packer said the producers were very careful to not make extravagant claims or get into a competition with other translations. The ESV was not launched with the "trumpets and drums" of some other translations launched about the same time, he said.
Rather, the ESV was released quietly and soberly and allowed to "find its own level." ESV's natural audience is "serious evangelicals who want a translation they can trust to be transparent to the original."
Packer said this appears to be what is behind the growing sales. Pastors are examining the translation, finding they can trust it and then recommending it to their congregations -- and in some cases "retooling" their churches by using ESV as a pew Bible.
The ESV is published by Crossway Books of Wheaton, Illinois. ESV sales have now reached the point that Crossway has had to set up a separate Crossway Bibles division. An entity called the Standard Bible Society has also been established to promote use of the ESV and to use it in ministry.
Comparing translation samples
Genesis 5:2 - ESV: Male and female he created them, and he blessed them and named them Man when they were created.
- KJV: Male and female created he them; and blessed them, and called their name Adam, in the day when they were created.
- NIV: He created them male and female and blessed them. And when they were created, he called them "man."
- NLT: He created them male and female, and he blessed them and called them "human."
- NASB: He created them male and female, and He blessed them and named them Man in the day when they were created.
- Message: He created both male and female and blessed them, the whole human race.
- TNIV: He created them male and female and blessed them. And when they were created, he called them "human beings."
2 Corinthians 5:7- ESV: For we walk by faith, not by sight.
- KJV: For we walk by faith, not by sight.
- NIV: We live by faith, not by sight.
- NLT: That is why we live by believing and not by seeing.
- NASB: For we walk by faith, not by sight.
- Message: It's what we trust in but don't yet see that keeps us going.
- TNIV: We live by faith, not by sight.
Matthew 6:28- ESV: And why are you anxious about clothing? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow: they neither toil nor spin.
- KJV: And why take ye thought for raiment? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow; they toil not, neither do they spin.
- NIV: And why do you worry about clothes? See how the lilies of the field grow. They do not labor or spin.
- NLT: And why worry about your clothes? Look at the lilies and how they grow. They don't work or make their clothing.
- NASB: And why are you worried about clothing? Observe how the lilies of the field grow; they do not toil nor do they spin.
- Message: All this time and money wasted on fashion-do you think it makes that much difference? Instead of looking at the fashions, walk out into the fields and look at the wildflowers. They never primp or shop.
July 19/2007
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I have no interest in an 'evangelical' translation whose general editor has compromised the Gospel by signing the nefarious ECT accords, declaring missions to Roman Catholic peoples in Latin America and elsewhere redundant. When I see children and young people managing to get along nicely with the KJV -- and I notice that the KJV, despite all the screaming against it, without any 'trumpets and drums' or marketing organizations pushing it, sits second in the 'ratings'after the much-flogged NIV -- I have to wonder why the bother.
Greetings in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ!
I have been going through the studies at your web site, and I am deeply inspired with all of the teachings and studies thereon. This is such a wonderful studies and sermons you have arranged for all the nations, in the long run of your service for the nations of the all the world.
I am from Islamic Republic of Pakistan where it is difficult to have Radio and TV channel for preaching purposes. They would not allow us to do that here; the Satan has real strong hold over everything. I often say that we are living in the land of the enemy.
Brother, we humbly request you to expand your outreach your program in Urdu and Punjabi language. Urdu is the language spoken and understood by more than one sixth of the total population of the world. Urdu is spoken in Pakistan, India, Nepal, Afghanistan and also in Indonesia, Malaysia, Iran and others.
I would ask you to pray and share it among the brethrens at your ministry. I am a professional translator. I would offer my services for being translator, recorder and distribution/sales. I pray that your consideration will have His mark over your decision.
May God bless you abundantly! May His perfect will be done!
Grace and Peace be with you, all brethrens.
Yours brother in Christ,
Nadeem Masih
Pakistan.
Cell No: +92-301-6514281
Email: nlrm84@yahoo.com
Greetings in Jesus name,
Faith cometh by hearing and hearing from the Word of God”(Romans, 10:17)
"Heaven and earth shall pass away: but my words shall not pass away"
It is really privileged for me to write to your ministry and I pray may Lord bless you abundantly.I visit your website and its really wonderful and amaizing work which you are doing .I desire that I become the pat of your Ministry and your stuff is really very good and kindly start work with us we will translate this . I am Seraphine Shahbaz from Pakistan . Five years before I accepted Jesus Christ as my personal Savior and I trust in Him as my rock and try to walk in Him, as the Word of God says don’t be lazy in struggle.
As I was visiting your site I found that you are doing the work of translation into native languages. I am able to translate the good stuff of you into my native language Punjabi and national language Urdu. There are two purposes to request you the first one are to know the Word of God more deeply and second one to be supportive my family and to run.our Ministry. We will also teach your stuff in our working areas with our people .
. I have studied your web site, and I found it the most wonderful site to get right to the True Word of God. I found that all your material is full of knowledge concerning development of religious faith. Living in Pakistan we Christians is to face many obstacles to get the access to the Word of God. Most of the people in Pakistan are not capable to understand the English language. It’s because our national language is Urdu. My suggestion for you is to create your material in my language of Urdu and Punjabi also. It will bring lots of blessings of the Word of God for the Pakistani and Indian Urdu and Punjabi speaking people. For that purpose I as a translator will bring your material into Urdu languages and into Punjabi language as well. Although it will take your low expenses as well, as fund for the Word of God to reach out to the deserving people. As a translator I will take the expenses that will be spending just for the Word. I will be looking for your kind words on this my humble request as soon as possible.
“There is nothing more precious than to read and listen the Word of God into your own language.”
Here is the Importance of Urdu Langauge :
Urdu is Languages which is :
Urdu is considered one of the sweetest language of the world. It is the National Language of Pakistan and one of the Official Language of India. According to conservative estimates Urdu has 104 million speakers all over the world.
Countries :
IN these countries people can understand , speak , Listen and write the " URDU "
Countries with large numbers of native Urdu speakers:
· India (48.1 million [1997])[8]
· Pakistan (10.7 million [1993])[9]
· Bangladesh (650,000)[10]
· United Arab Emirates (600,000)
· United Kingdom (400,000 [1990])
· Saudi Arabia (382,000)[11]
· Nepal (375,000)
· United States (350,000)
· South Africa (170,000 South Asian Muslims, some of which may speak Urdu)[12]
· Oman (90,000)
· Canada (80,895 [2001])[13]
· Bahrain (80,000)
· Mauritius (74,000)
· Qatar (70,000)
· Germany (40,000)
· Norway (26,950 [2005])[14]
· France (20,000)
· Spain (18,000 [2004])[15]
· Sweden (10,000 [2001])[16]
· World Total: 60,503,578[17]
ntries with large numbers of native Urdu speakers:
and other some Asian Countries.
" Punjabi is another language .It speak in the Province Punjab of Pakistan and the Province of Punjab in India .
I am from Islamic Republic of Pakistan where it is difficult to have Radio and TV channel for preaching purposes. They would not allow us to do that here; the Satan has real strong hold over everything. I often say that we are living in the land of the enemy.
Friend, I humbly request you to expand your outreach your program in Urdu and Punjabi language. Urdu is the language spoken and understood by more than one sixth of the total population of the world. Urdu is spoken in Pakistan, India, Nepal, Afghanistan and also in Indonesia, Malaysia, Iran and others.
I would ask you to pray and share it among the brethren. I would offer my services for being translator, recorder and distribution/sales. I pray that your consideration will have His mark over your decision.
Hope you will contact us soon.
I hope you will consider me regarding this request.
Here is all information about my Minstries,
We started these services for the Glory of our Lord Jesus and the main purpose of this work is to stare the word of God through preaching and through upliftment of Christian who is persecuted church here in Pakistan .
Pakistan is Islamic country we are living here in minority .We have 2nd number citizenship . Christians people are living here tough life not have much resources .Now we discovered the major reason of this miserable situation is the high illiteracy rate and poor living conditions in these areas. After knowing this reality we decided a group should be formed, which would perform its role to improve the lives of the people.
Christ Apostolic Fellowship Organization {CAFO} is a cluster of Saints to who are serving the God and sharing the word of God among the people as written in Matthew
28:19 “ Go to all the Nations and make Disciples ………………” CAFO has been working in 2 big regions of Punjab Province, Faisalabad and Multan. These regions consist on 8 cities and 17 villages. The Saints are going to share the word of God in these areas. District Toba Tek Singh is the center of CAFO and its office situated in District Toba Tek Singh.
CAFO has been serving for the glory of God for last tree years. CAFO is serving in the following fields.
Our organization seeks to spread the word of God among all nations as it is written, “Go ye therefore, and teach all nations,….”(St. Mathew)
We seek to transform the lives of people towards God, and His son Jesus.
The main purpose is to share the gospel of Jesus with the people of God. We pray that many souls will come into His kingdom.
HOME CHURCHES,
Our first and foremost work is to share the word of God through Sunday Services, Home Churches Street Churches, Conventions and through Bible College.
YOUTH MINISTRY,
We are running a Bible College to train the young boys and girls to fight the good fight of their faith in an Islamic society.
These students in this college are doing one year Diploma in Theology. They are studying Bible KJV and church history. Bible teachers are working voluntarily.
Evening Home Schools:-
we started this work with home evening schools for deserving Christian children .These children are working in different field like in small hotel , cleaning home and hospitals ,. And also with farmers So the education is the first step of the Development of Nation .So that is necessary for Christian people to know their religion Christianity and also know about basic education of this world .Now we started evening home schools in our working areas .Now this time we have 8 Evening home schools .
Formal Education School :-
In this world the formal education is very necessary for the children .Because Education is the first step of the Development of the Nations .Now in Pakistan English Medium good education is very expensives .so poor people cannot afford to get it .In 2003 we start our CAC School with Oxford Syllabus in Toba Tek Singh for poor and orphan children. In this field the volunteer pastors, assistant pastors and college students are struggling to find funds to support Christian students for their educational needs.
CHILDREN MINISTRIES,
In this Ministry our volunteer pastors and assistant pastors are taking Sunday schools for more or less 100 Children in different areas of Punjab. We believe that the children must know Jesus from their childhood.
ORPHAN CHILDREN
We are struggling to find funds to provide some orphan children their basic needs of life like education, food, clothes, medicines and other needs of life. We have an orphanage building and funds to run it in our prayers for these Christian children. We have 42 orphans children to Support ( We are supporting them )
Women Ministry :-
We have 8 women group in our working areas .We are working with poor , old and widow women .Women activities
1-. women prayer groups .
2-Adult Literacy centers.
3-Health care center .
4- sewing Center.
For Future :-
1- To reach millions of lost souls .
2- Much more home churches to share the word of God with families .Pakistan is Islamic country mijority of people are Muslems so Christians are living here in minority .Most of people are not educated and they follow Islamic customs and habits and many things . Now Muslem s motivate them and they accept Islam .
3- An orphanage to get all the orphan together and provide them a family atmosphere .
4- To develop the Elmentary school into High School .
Head Office Mailing add:-
Pastor Shahbaz and Seraphine Shahbaz
Christ Apostolic Fellowship Organization
Christian Colony Boarding Road
Toba Tek Singh 36050 Punjab Pakistan
May God Bless you.
In Jesus,
Seraphine Shahbaz
Pakistan .
Dear Friend in Christ,
Greetings in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ!
I have been going through the studies at your web site, and I am deeply inspired with all of the teachings and studies thereon like Bible studies and other teaching materials on our Web site. This is such a wonderful studies you have arranged for all the nations, in the long run of your service for the nations of the all the world.
I am from Islamic Republic of Pakistan where it is difficult to have Radio and TV channel for preaching purposes. They would not allow us to do that here; the Satan has real strong hold over everything. I often say that we are living in the land of the enemy.
Friend, we humbly request you to expand your outreach your program in Urdu and Punjabi language. Urdu is the language spoken and understood by more than one sixth of the total population of the world. Urdu is spoken in Pakistan, India, Nepal, Afghanistan and also in Indonesia, Malaysia, Iran and others.
I would ask you to pray and share it among the brethren. I would offer my services for being translator, recorder and distribution/sales. I pray that your consideration will have His mark over your decision.
May God bless you abundantly! May His perfect will be done!
Grace and Peace be with you, all brethrens.
Yours brother in Christ,
Mehboob Alam
Pakistan
Email: mehboob40@yahoo.com
Greetings in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ!
I have been going through the studies at your web site, and I am deeply inspired with all of the teachings and studies thereon. This is such a wonderful studies and sermons you have arranged for all the nations, in the long run of your service for the nations of the all the world.
I am from Islamic Republic of Pakistan where it is difficult to have Radio and TV channel for preaching purposes. They would not allow us to do that here; the Satan has real strong hold over everything. I often say that we are living in the land of the enemy.
Brother, we humbly request you to expand your outreach your program in Urdu and Punjabi language. Urdu is the language spoken and understood by more than one sixth of the total population of the world. Urdu is spoken in Pakistan, India, Nepal, Afghanistan and also in Indonesia, Malaysia, Iran and others.
I would ask you to pray and share it among the brethrens at your ministry. I am a professional translator. I would offer my services for being translator, recorder and distribution/sales. I pray that your consideration will have His mark over your decision.
May God bless you abundantly! May His perfect will be done!
Grace and Peace be with you, all brethrens.
Yours brother in Christ
Evanglist Asif Mubrak
Christan Colony Gojra Punjab Pakistan zip code 36120.
Email.god_servant_asif@yahoo.com
“Faith cometh by hearing and hearing from the Word of God”(Romans, 10:17)
It is really privileged for me to write to your ministry and I pray may Lord bless you abundantly. I am Miss Aliza from Pakistan . Five years before I accepted Jesus Christ as my personal Savior and I trust in Him as my rock and try to walk in Him, as the Word of God says don’t be lazy in struggle.
As I was visiting your site I found that you are doing the work of translation into native languages. I am able to translate the good stuff of you into my native language Punjabi and national language Urdu. There are two purposes to request you the first one are to know the Word of God more deeply and second one to be supportive my family and to run. our Ministry. We will also teach your stuff in our working areas with our people .
My suggestion for you is to create your material in my language of Urdu and Punjabi also. It will bring lots of blessings of the Word of God for the Pakistani and Indian Urdu and Punjabi speaking people. For that purpose I as a translator will bring your material into Urdu languages and into Punjabi language as well. Although it will take your low expenses as well, as fund for the Word of God to reach out to the deserving people. As a translator I will take the expenses that will be spending just for the Word. I will be looking for your kind words on this my humble request as soon as possible.
“There is nothing more precious than to read and listen the Word of God into your own language.”
I hope you will consider me regarding this request.
In Jesus,
Miss Aliza
Pakistan
I greet you in the name of our lord who died for us and paid fine for our sins. God bless ur ministry . well my name is Mohsin and i am in Pakistan and i am a christian. i visited ur site and i really Appricaited it. and i am proud of ur ministry . i hopefull ur ministry members are very fine in the name of Jesus Amen. well there are 800 christian People here in our village we are living in village.and all the People are in christ Jesus here and they love Jesus and Jesus love them. and u can understand how it is difficult here in Pakistan for christians Peoples.
but With Jesus Christ Blessing they all are in christ Jesus and They want to Know about Jesus Christ More.and they Requested us; we want to See the Jesus Movie .passion of the christ Jesus movie name and they want to See it and We want to Fill Their That Wish Because they Want to Know about Lord Jesus More. and we Want to Give them knowledge More about Lord Jesus. and in this Lord Jesus Work it Cost is very big. We need Big TV, Electriccity , Place where they will sit, and we need Chairs, and we Want to Give them Rice To Eat too.and They will be Very happy if we give them Rice to eat Too. and in this Situation We need ur Some Help and ur Ministry Some Support and i Want to Contact with u on this Lord Jesus Work. i Hope u Want to Fellowship with us in this lord Jesus work.
We need ur Support.and with the Permision of lord jesus we will show them jesus movie soon. with ur help. and if u want to support us u can contact with us I found that all your material is full of knowledge concerning development of religious faith. . Most of the people in Pakistan are not capable to understand the English language. It’s because our national language is Urdu. My suggestion for you is to create your material in my language of Urdu and Punjabi also. It will bring lots of blessings of the Word of God for the Pakistani and Indian Urdu and Punjabi speaking people. For that purpose I as a translator will bring your material into Urdu languages and into Punjabi language as well.if u want to give us ur translation work. u can conatact with us . can send us ur back Email. we are waiting for ur back Emal. May God Bless ur ministry .
Mohsin Saleem.
From (Pakistan)
I visited your Church site, it is really privilege for me to write you with the Will of God. I found that you have awesome and precious work of Lord Jesus Christ, May God bless your Church staff and all precious work. I belong the Christian family. I am able to do work of translation into Urdu and Punjabi, if you have any translation work so please consider for the translation work, i would love to give my service to you church as a translator. Your Church material and Word of God must be reached to unreached people who didn't understand the English, those people can study and blessed through the Word of God. I hope that Lord Jesus will give the vision of Translation work and all funds. I will do pray to Jesus for this precious work. I will wait your reply.
In Jesus name
Suzina Abida
Pakistan
I will wait your reply.
In Jesus name
Qaiser Anwar
Pakistan