Question Corner by Editor

Pacific Press Publishing Company · Oakland, California · Mar 30, 1904

FromSigns of the Times, Vol. 30, No. 13.

Question Corner

By Editor

1485.—The Twentieth Century New Testament.

What do you think of the 20th Century New Testament? I have lately seen and examined to a considerable extent this version from Romans to Revelation inclusive. What effect is it likely to have upon the public mind in connection with the Third Angel's Message? B.

We have said before several times that we know nothing about it whatever to commend. It is not a translation of the original, but a translation of what some men thought that original means. It is not the best modern English; it abounds more in words of Latin derivation than the common translations. Compare, for instance, the following weak, inelegant expressions with the dignified beauty, simplicity, and rhythmic flow of our common version or the revised versions: "Silence, come out from him, He said." Mark 1:25. "To you I say, Get up, take your mat, and go home. The man got up." Mark 2:11, 12. "Levi got up and followed Him." Verse 14. "Jesus got up and rebuked the wind, and said to the lake: Hush, be still. Then the wind dropped, and a great calm followed." Mark 4:39. O, it is cheap, pedantic, light, trifling. We find no trouble in making little children understand the common translation, or the American Standard Revised Version, the best translation of the Bible published. "The 20th Century New Testament" will in nowise affect God's last great message among those who believe the Bible. Its chief use will be that of a commentary among those who can bear it.