ferent character*, that, from the sense of the passages, the reader may judge whether they are rightly supplied.-On this head, it is proper to mention, that by a close attention to St. Paul's style, the author hath discovered that the words wanting to complete his sentences are commonly found, either in the clause which precedes, or which follows the elliptical expression. He hath, therefore, in his translation, for the most part, supplied the words that are wanting, from the context itself†. In translating the apostolical epistles, the author having carefully observed the four rules above mentioned, he hopes his translation hath thereby become, not only more accurate, but more intelligible, than the common version, and that the unlearned, who read the epistles in his translation, will understand them better, than by reading them in their ordinary bible. Farther, though he hath often deviated from the beaten road, the diversity of his translation will not be offensive, because, throughout the whole, he hath endeavoured to preserve that beautiful simplicity of style for which the scriptures are so justly admired, together with those allusions to ancient manners and historical facts, implied in the phraseology, by which the age and nation of the authors of these writings are known. In short, by observing the rules mentioned, the author hath endeavoured to make his translation as exact an image of the original as he could; not only because, in that method, it acquires the authority which a translation of writings divinely inspired ought to have, but because, by a faithful exhibition of the scriptures in their original Concerning the manner of printing the words that are supplied, to complete the sentences, the reader is desired to take notice, that the words supplied by our translators are, in this, printed in Roman capitals, to shew that they belong to the version in common use. But if the words supphed belong to the new translation, they are printed in capitals of the Italic form.-Farther, it is to be observed, that all the words and clauses of the new translation, which are different from the common English version, are printed in Italic characters, that the reader may at once see in what particulars the two translations agree, and in what they differ. + Of the author's method of supplying the elliptical sentences in St. Paul's epistles, the following are a few examples, by which the reader may judge of the rest-Rom. ii. 27. By supply. ing the words, though a few, from the beginning of ver. 28. the translation will run thus: Judge thee a transgressor of the law, though a Jew by the literal circumcision. 28. For he is not a Jew, who, etc.-Rom. iv. 13. By supplying the word righteousness, from the end of the verse, the translation will be, Now not through a righteousness of law, was the promise to Abraham and to his seed.-Rom. v. 16. By supplying the word sentence, from the second clause of the verse, the translation of the first clause will be, Also, not as the sentence, through the one who sinned, is the free gift: for verily the sentence, etc.---Rom. vii 24. O wretched man that I am, who shall deliver me from the body of this death? 25. I thank God, who delivers me, through Jesus Christ our Lord.-James . 13. Judgment, without mercy, will be to him who shewed no mercy: but mercy will exult over judgment. This latter clause is evidently incomplete, and must be supplied from the former, thus: But mercy will exult over judgment, to him who shewed mercy. In completing inconsequent sentences, the sense likewise directs a translator. See examples, Rom. v. 12. 2 Pet. ii. 4.-5. dress, there arises such a strong internal proof of their antiquity and authenticity, as far overbalances any inconveniences resulting from a few pleonasms, uncouth expressions, and grammatical anomalies, all common in ancient writings, and retained in this translation of the apostolical epistles, for the purpose of shewing the scriptures in their unadorned simplicity. Yet many modern translators, disregarding that advantage, and aiming at an imaginary elegance of style, have departed from the words and phrases of the original, in such a manner, as to convert their translations of particular passages into paraphrases, which exhibit a meaning often different from that of the inspired writers; a fault from which our translators of the bible are not altogether free. It must be acknowledged, however, that there are some sentences in these invaluable writings which cannot be literally translated; and therefore, to represent their true meaning, recourse must be had to the paraphrastic method. But these are the only passages, in books divinely inspired, which should be paraphrased in the translation. Among the free translators of the scripture, Sebastian Castalio, some time professor of the Greek language at Basil, is the most eminent. But whatever praise he may deserve for the general propriety and conciseness of his translation of the new testament, and for the purity of his Latin, it is certain that, by aiming at a classical and polished style, he hath often lost sight of the original, and hath given what he imagined to be its meaning, in words not at all corresponding to the Greek text; so that his translation of a number of passages hath little relation to the original, consequently is often erroneous. Wherefore, neither his, * Of Castalio's free translation of the scriptures, wherein he hath misrepresented their meaning, all those passages are examples, in which he hath translated the word aggros by genii, and the word βαπτίζω by lave, and βαπτισμα by lotio, and εκκλησία by respublica, and ovvazwzas by collegia, and ☞, Heb. i. 8. applied to the Son, by Divus, and goqated, Rom. xii. 6. by Divinatio, and ɛidaλa by Deastros.--Other examples of more importance are, Luke vii. 35. Και εδικαιωθη ἡ σοφια απο των τέκνων αύτης ; Ita suis omnibus aliena est sapientia.--Rom. i. 17. Aixaicovvn jag des sy duty atOXAXUMTETAI EX τις έως εις πίςιν. Nam per id divina justitia exeritur perpetuanda fide.~Rom. vii. 5. Ta παθήματα των αμαρτιων, τα δια το νομ8. Peccatorum perturbationes a lege orientes ---Rom. xiv. 1, τον δε ασθενοντα τη πιςει προσλαμβάνεσθε, μη εις διακρίσεις διαλο gio pav. Si quis autem imbecilla fide est, huic, nulla cum animi dubitatione, opitulemini.—2 Cor. i. 24. εχ ότι κυριευομεν ύμων της πίςεως, άλλα συνεργοι εσμεν της χαρας ύμων. Νομ quod vobis fiduciam derogemus, sed consulimus vestro gaudio.~~2 Cor. vi. 12. 85evoxæguit de ev #μιν, σενοχωρεισθε δε εν τοις σπλαχνοις ύμων. Si vos estis angusti, non erga nos estis an. gusti, sed erga hominem cui estis intimi.---2 Thes. i. 11.-xai wingwon maoav sudoxiav agaJourne, nas apgov wisews ev d'uvaus. Perficiatque ut bonitatem, et fidei opus, et libentissime, et fortiter persequamini, atque absolvatis.--Acts v. 12. Δια δε των χειρων των αποτολων, εγένετο σημεια, και τέρατα, ἐν τῷ λαῷ πολλα. Apostolorum autem opera, multa vulgo monstrose, prodigioseque fiebant. This strange translation conveys a most improper idea of the apostle's miracles. nor Erasmus's, nor any other free translation of the scriptures, can be relied on: because, if a material word in the original is omitted in the translation, or if a word not in the original is added, without marking it as added, or if words not corresponding to the original are used*, much more if a whole sentence, or even a part of a sentence is paraphrased, the meaning of the text very probably will be altered, if not entirely lost; consequently the version, in these passages, can have no authority. It is time now to inform the reader, that this translation of the apostolical epistles differs not a little from the former versions, because therein meanings are affixed to a number of Greek words and phrases, diverse from those given to them in the same passages by other translators. Yet the translation of these passages is not the less literal on that account. Persons conversant in the language know, that many Greek words have more meanings than one, all of them equally literal, though not equally common; and that the skill of a translator is shewn, in his choosing from among these different literal significations, the one that best suits the scope of the passage where it is found. And if he chooses judiciously, his translation will be more truly literal than those in which the more ordinary significations of the Greek words have been adopted, if these significations do not accord so well with the writer's design. The truth of this remark will appear, especially in those passages of the new translation, where the Greek particles have meanings affixed to them different from those given them in other versions, but agreeably to their acknowledged use elsewhere in scripture. For, however much it hath been overlooked hitherto, it is certain that, in a version of St. Paul's epistles, the connection and propriety of his reasonings will either appear, or be lost, according to the manner in which the particles†, which connect the different The following is an example from Erasmus's version, where the meaning of a passage is perverted by translating a single word freely. Rom. ii. 19. Aidaoxan vaziv: Docto rem imperitorum: A teacher of the unskilful. This translation of the clause Erasmus gave, on the pretence that no one teaches babes. But he had forgotten that the Jews gave to the Gentiles that appellation, with the others mentioned by the apostle, to shew their contempt of them; and did not know, I suppose, that the apostle, by introducing these contemptuous names in this passage, intended to paint the intolerable arrogance of the Jews in a lively manner. This example shews, that every translation of the scriptures ought to be as literal as possible, because those who afterwards study them with care may find proprieties in the original expressions, altogether overlooked by the free translator. + of the influence which the right translation of the Greek particles hath to render the apostles's reasonings clear and conclusive, take Tap for an example. This particle sometimes signifies for, sometimes wherefore. Now, if it is translated in the former sense, where it hath the lat ter, the scheme of the apostle's discourse will be reversed; because that will be a reason, which was meant as an inference. (Compare the common English version of Rom. iv. 2, 3. Heb. vi. 1. 11. 18. with the new translation of these passages.) In like manner, the other Greck particles having parts of his discourse, are translated. The author, therefore, to lay a firm foundation for the just translation of the scriptures, hath been at great pains, in Prelim. Ess. iv. to establish the uncommon significations which, in some passages, he hath affixed to the Greek words and phrases, by examples brought from the scriptures themselves, or from approved Greek writers. In the same essay he hath offered some grammatical remarks, by which the peculiarities of style observable in the writings of the Jews are illustrated. But what hath been one of the chief objects of his attention in that essay, was, by examples taken from the scriptures themselves, to explain the meaning and powers of the Greek particles, as used by the sacred writers. Some of these examples, at first sight, may, perhaps, appear inconclusive; because the word, for the sake of which the example is produced, may, in that passage, be taken in its ordinary acceptation. Yet the other examples, in which it can have no meaning but that which the author hath given it, and which is acknowledged by our translators to be its meaning in these passages, make it probable, that, in the first-mentioned examples likewise, it hath the uncommon signification contended for, especially, if so understood, it agrees better with the context.-There are, however, two or three instances of uncommon significations given to words, for which the author can produce no authority. But he contends that the context leads to these significations of the words; and that, in giving them such significations, he is supported by critics and dictionary writers, who prove the uncommon significations which they affix to some words, only by producing a single passage from an approved author, in which it cannot be otherwise understood. See examples, 2 Pet. i. 20. note. Many of the alterations introduced into this new translation of the epistles, may, perhaps, be thought needless, as making but little difference in the sense of the passages. Yet it is a sufficient justification of these alterations, that they render the language of the translation more grammatical and modern, and that they approach nearer to the words of the original than the translation in our English bible. A number of them, however, on a different significations, if, in a translation of the epistles, the same sense is uniformly given to the same particle, or if one of its senses is substituted for another, it will render the translation erroneous. Of this, Rom. viii. 4. That the righteousness of the law may be fulfilled (ev) in us, is a remarkable example. For this translation represents men as absolutely passive in fulfilling the righteousness of the law Whereas the true literal translation is, That the righteousness of the law may be fulfilled (v) by us, who walk not according to the flesh. Many other examples might be given, but these may suffice, nearer inspection, will be found to preserve the emphasis of the original expressions, and to shew the propriety of the reasoning, and even to convey important meanings, which are lost in the common version*. By bringing the translation of the scriptures as close to the original as the idiom of the language will allow, many advantages will be obtained, of which the following are the chief: 1. A translation which exhibits, not the glosses of commentators, but the very words of the original, as nearly as can be done in a different language, will afford the unlearned the greatest satisfaction, by making them see with their own eyes the heavenly light of truth, and will give the translation that authority which a translation of the word of God ought to have with all who read it.—2. By a just literal translation, which expresses the true meaning of the sacred writings, those controversies concerning the articles of our faith which have arisen from a wrong translation and application of particular texts, will be cut up by the roots. And the disciples of Christ, discerning the truth, will be led into a more liberal way of thinking in religious matters than formerly, and, of course, will entertain charity towards those who differ from them, the want of which hath occasioned num berless evils in the church.-3. An accurate, perspicuous, unambiguous translation of the scriptures will be of great use in * The following are examples of small alterations made in the new translation, which greatly improve the sense of the passages where they are introduced, and which, at the same time, are perfectly literal.-1 Cor. iii. 2. Other foundation can no man lay, than that is laid, which is Jesus Christ. In the original it is, de esa Inoxs ó Xp1505, which is Jesus the Christ. For the doctrine that Jesus is the Christ, promised in the law and the prophets, is the great foundation on which the christian church, the temple of God, is built.-Rom. ix. 5. from whom, & Xpisos, the Christ descended.--Ephes. iii. 6. That the Gentiles should be fellow heirs, and of the same body, and par takers of his promise in Christ. In the original, it is avai va evn ouguangovoμa, nas ovsσώμα, και συμμετοχή της επαγγελίας; That the Gentiles should be joint heirs, and a joint body, and joint partakers of his promise in Christ; namely, with the Jews. For the apostle's meaning is, that, under the gospel, the Gentiles are equally entitled with the Jews to all its privileges, and to all the promises of God.--1 Thess. iv. 16. With the voice of the archangel. This translation implies, that there is but one archangel; whereas, in the onginal, it is ev avn agxagen; With the voice of an archangel.-Rom. iv. 3. For the promise that he should be the heir of the world was not to Abraham--through the law. This translation leads the reader to think that Abraham was under the law of Moses; whereas the expression, in the original, is dia vous, through law; that is, through the works of any law whatever.-1 Cor. xv. 26. The last enemy that shall be destroyed is death. This implies, that there are some enemies who shall not be destroyed; whereas, in the Greek, it is exar exeC naтapynostaι & JavaTos: Death, the last enemy, shall be destroyed.--James iii. 8. But the tongue no man can tame; as if it were impossible for men to govern their own tongues: whereas, in the Greek, it is Tay de grwoσαν εδείς δύναται ανθρώπων δαμάσαι; but the tongue of men no one can subdue--1 Pet iv. 5. To him that is ready to judge the quick and the dead. This translation represents the judgment of the world as at hand when St. Peter wrote; but, in the original, it is ruas yor, who is prepared to judge, ete. namely, by the commission and power which the Father hath bestowed on him for that purpose. |