3733 - Trespasses or Sins by Editor

Pacific Press Publishing Association · Mountain View, California · Apr 23, 1912

FromSigns of the Times, Vol. 39, No. 17.

3733 — Trespasses or Sins

By Editor

I was taught to use the phrase "Forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us," in repeating the Lord's prayer; and most people that I hear repeat the prayer, thus render it. Was there ever a translation that gave it this way? J. N. M.

"The Bishops' Bible," from which the English Prayer Book was largely made up, rendered the translation in this way, we believe. By debts, of course, is meant our sins. This is shown in our common translation in Matt. 6:14, 15, immediately at the close of the prayer: "For if ye forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you: but if ye forgive not men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses." It is perfectly proper to use the word "trespasses."