The Authorized Version, also referred
to as the King James Version (KJV), was first published in 1611.
This year marks its 400th anniversary. While the KJV
wasn't the first English translation of the Bible, it is for some the
preferred English translation to this day. I find it quite difficult
to read and prefer to read and preach from the New International
Version (NIV), first published in 1973. I recently purchased the
2011 update of the NIV and am very pleased with it too.
400 years after the publication of the
KJV, there's a new Bible in print. My parents, David and Diana
Weber, have served as missionaries with Wycliffe Bible Translators
(www.wycliffe.org)
for the past forty years. They have committed much of their lives to
helping to complete a translation of the Bible into the Huallaga
Quechua language. This Saturday, I will stand with them and with
hundreds (possibly thousands) of Huallaga Quechua speakers in
Huanuco, Peru as we celebrate the publication of God's Word in their
language. What a joyous day it will be!
According to Wycliffe Bible
Translators, there are over 6,800 languages spoken in the world
today. Of these, over 2,000 still do not have the Bible in their own
language. As of next week, there will be one less people group that
lacks access to the Bible in their own language!
I know that I often take having the
Bible in my own language for granted. Behind my desk sit nearly
twenty different English translations of the Bible. And with a few
keystrokes I can access about twenty five English translations at
www.biblegateway.com.
And I'm guessing that there are far more than twenty five English
translations of the Bible.
Sadly, well meaning English speaking
Christians still argue with each other about which is the “best”
English translation. My own opinion, for what it is worth, is that
the “best” translation is probably the one that you will read
most and understand best.
The KJV and the NIV may each be great
translations, but neither of them are of any benefit to someone who
doesn't read English. Instead of arguing about which English
translation is best, why don't we simply rejoice that we have so many
to choose from, and do whatever we can to help those in the world
today who still lack a Bible in their own language?
Jesus told his disciples that they
would do even greater things than he. (John 14:12) I've always
struggled to believe this promise. But recently, as I began
preaching through the book of Acts, I was struck by the fact that on
the first Pentecost after Jesus' resurrection that his disciples
actually did do something greater.
Empowered by the Holy Spirit, they
miraculously spoke about God in the many languages of those who had
gathered in Jerusalem for one of the annual Jewish festivals. As far
as we know, Jesus probably didn't speak more than two or three
languages.
When people from around the known world
began to hear God being spoken of in their native tongue, they were
bewildered and utterly amazed. (Acts 2:6-7) Others made fun of them
for thinking they heard their own languages being spoken and
suggested that they must be drunk! (Acts 2:13) But the Apostle
Peter boldly proclaimed that this was the work of the Holy Spirit.
I believe that God desires for all
people to have access to his Word in their own language. This week I
will celebrate that this is the case for yet one more people group.
As the Bible is translated into the remaining languages that still
lack a translation, we can eagerly look forward to the day when
people “from every nation, tribe, people and language” will be
gathered together in God's presence. (Revelation 7:9)
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