In answering your questions: I used to think that word for word translations were the best. I also thought that we should keep God’s words as close to the original as possible, because it would be closer to what he really SAID. But as I learned more and actually tried to read from more word for word translations, I realized that I just could not understand it because I didn’t naturally read with such an actively linguistically interpreting brain. It kind of detracted from my ability to really apply things to my life. What was the point of being so careful to know exactly what God had SAID when I couldn’t really even understand what he MEANS?

So now I think that people should read whatever works best for them. I have a friend who had been reading the NIV Bible all her life until a few years ago. She gave NASB a try and realized that it made things *click* more for her. It’s crazy that the phrasings don’t slow her down as they do me… Well, I also believe that comparing Bible translations is helpful to interpret difficult passages. The more the merrier!

My only concern regarding the more dynamic versions is that in the effort to keep things readable and non-churchy lingo-y, sometimes it seems that certain truths are watered down; though the WORDS are completely comprehensible to all, they lose their a certain level of intent and TRUE meaning.

Of course, I’m no pro. I don’t think about these issues too much. To be honest, I haven’t completed the Bible yet. Too bad school takes up so much of my time…

But I see that you are also involved with the translation of the Bible into Sindhi–how do translators go about translating into a different language where this will be, for many languages, the first ever translation? What rhetoric do translators usually strive for, for this first translation? I’m sure making cultural differences clear is difficult already. Anyway, I’m always interested in reading more!