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Literal Translation of the Holy Bible-OE

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"The Literal Translation of the Bible," as the name implies, follows a literal translation principle. This principle simply believes that EVERY SINGLE WORD in the original Hebrew and Greek texts should be translated. In addition, the grammatical forms of words should also be translated as they are in the original texts. So a noun should be translated as a noun, an adjective as an adjective, etc. Moreover, any words added for clarity should be offset in some way, usually by placing them in italics or brackets.

So a literal translation principle produces a very exact reproduction of what God originally said. And I do believe that this method of translating is the only one which concurs completely with the doctrine of verbal inspiration, i.e. the belief that not just the thoughts or ideas of the Bible are inspired, but the very words and grammatical forms of words themselves. It is for this reason that I have been using the LITV (for "Literal Version") extensively for the past 15 years. It is the ideal type for Bible to use for in-depth, personal Bible study.

If fact, I am so much in favor of a literal translation method that I produced my own literal translation of the New Testament, the "Analytical-Literal Translation" (ALT). But there are two main differences between my ALT and the LITV. First, the LITV is based on the Textus Receptus (TR) while my ALT is based on the Majority Text (MT). These two texts are very similar, much closer to each other than either is to the more popular Critical Text (CT), but there are some significant differences between them. And I favor the MT to the TR, but either of these to the CT.

Second, my ALT has "analytical" features included within brackets within the text to help the reader better understand the text.

I produced my own translation not because I thought there were any problems with the LITV. It is truly an excellent translation. But I wanted a translation with these two features that the LITV lacks.

Now an argument often made against using a literal translation method is that it would be too awkward to read. And yes, the LITV can seem a bit awkward when one first begins reading it, especially if one is used to reading a much less literal version like the NIV. But personally, I never found the LITV to be excessively awkward. And one of the comments I have received about my ALT is that it is surprisingly easy to read. This is probably because the analytical features help to explain difficult passages.

So I wholeheartedly recommend the LITV. Even if it takes a little getting used to, the effort will be worth it. It will enhance your Bible studies significantly. It is truly an extremely reliable and accurate Bible version. And if you want another literal translation to compare it to, I would recommend my ALT. And for further details on these two versions, along with additional information on different translation methods and Greek text-types and reviews of about 30 other versions of the Bible, see my book Differences Between Bible Versions.

Brother Jay P. Green, Sr.'s Literal Translation of the Holy Bible is simply the best literal translation in modern english. At least that I'm aware of. Furthermore, unlike pretty much all other modern versions. This is a translation of the traditional texts.

Note, this same literal translation is used in the great New Testament Greek-English Interlinear Bible put out by Mr. Jay P. Green, Sr. as well.

Soli Deo Gloria!

I own many different bible versions: the NIV, NASB, KJV, NKJV, NWT, WEB, YLT, the LITV Interlinear, and the ISR and JPS versions, along with many more digital versions on computer. The Literal Translation of the Holy Bible by J.P. Green Sr. is without a doubt my absolute favorite. I read it online and in the margins of my gigantic LITV Interlinear. It is rendered from the Masoretic Hebrew and the Textus Receptus Greek, two of the most reliable compilations of manuscripts and also the foundations of the beloved King James Version.

Another reviewer was correct in stating that word-for-word renderings are not hard to understand. They may be a little awkward when speaking aloud, but that is a small trade off for accuracy. After all, the holy bible was given to mankind for intense study, not for poetic repetition. That said, the words have been rearranged so as to provide proper english sentence structure and flow of thought, so the awkwardness is practically nonexistent. See for yourself at www.litvonline.com

There is bad news, though. I have not received my copy from Amazon, yet. And it has been about a year since I first tried. The book is out of stock, and I let my order expire after a few months of waiting. I ordered used copies twice, both to the same end. All the book dealers are waiting on the same printer, Sovereign Grace Publishing (owned and operated by Mr Green and his family), to spit out some copies.

It appears the family has run into dire circumstances for a few years now. Green Sr. is 87 years old, and his health and that of his wife is declining. He continues to proofread the "KJ3" (new name for LITV) and his son, Green Jr., and his two granddaughters do the printing work.

Green Jr.'s wife tends to their four grandkids (16/19/19/29 months) and works full-time. Two of their grandkids are twins, Jayda and Nidra. Both twins suffer from cerebral palsy. One twin though, Nidra, also suffers arm and spine deformities, disjointed hip, and a head disease of some sort. The kids also require up to four doctor visits per week. Read the announcements at this link:

http://chrlitworld.com/KJ3Update_020204.htm

Please pray the Father for this family. They are still trying desperately to publish this most accurate version of His word. After many vendor complications, and production costs, and attempting to outsource over seas to both India and China, they found a more affordable American printer/binder. But, the upfront cost to start printing the first run is $15,000. They are waiting on pre-orders, donations, and layman's income to reach this amount before any copies can be printed.

If you are hoping to acheive a copy of this version, you will have to preorder through Sovereign Grace Publishers (www.sovgracepub.com) or Christian Literature World (www.chrlitworld.com) and then sit and wait for others to do the same. That is what I finally did, and I wish I could afford to donate some extra cash. Maybe soon, who know?

Peace and love.

I have been following this work since 1976 when I purchase the book of Job in paperback for $1. Brother Green's work through the Holy Spirit has been nothing short of magnificent. This work is the actual translated words from the Hebrew-Greek texts all in one volume. With this translation, who can dispute the true and living God's word? This work is the answer to many prayers!

This is the most accurate modern English translation of the Bible available. It is the only Bible I recommend and buy for my family. A literal translation holds to the view that in translating every word is God-breathed and it is not our place to either add or subtract the words in Scripture. Translation is the key and not interpretation.

I'm Kenneth Scott. Indeed you are correct concerning what you have written on the perfect passive tense of the Greek verb. You also brought up MATT. 16:19 as an example. Truly, just as the Greek verb emphasizes "kind of action" (called "aspect") more than time of action, you are correct in saying that the perfect passive verb indicates a completed action with results that continue into the present. Also, the passive voice in Greek (as well as in English)indicates action done to or upon the subject of a verb, not by or from the subject.

However, in Matt. 16:19 it is the Greek participles that must be analyzed; not the main verbs (bind or loose). Therefore, since the Greek participle is more involved than the verb it must be further elaborated. The participle "participates" in the modification of another part of speech: The participle is a modifier with verbal qualities. Hence it can be a verbal adjective, substantive or adverb while maintaining an active verbal quality. This means that as an adjective it will modify a noun with an attribute that is contemporaneous, simultaneous or habitual depending upon the nature of the noun; and the scope of it's modifying extends along with the scope of the noun (ex.: "the shepherds, SEEING the star, rejoiced."). Also a particple can stand alone as a substantive (ex."THE ONES SAYING these things are the disciples."). Finally, the participle can modify the main verb (ex."But you beloved,BUILDING UP yourselves on your most holy faith, PRAYING in the HOLY Spirit; keep yourselves in the love of God, AWAITING the mercy of our LORD Jesus Christ unto eternal life." JUDE 1:20- [here, "keep" is the main verb and the participles modify it adverbally by denoting the circumstances, means, manner or the "how,when" etc.. depending on context]). Here also, it's modifying extends in step with the scope of the main verb.

To determine the participle's function (adj. subst. adv.)involves three main things: 1) of course, context. 2)whether or not it is precede by a Greek article. 3) it's position in reference to the word, phrase or clause in which it modifies. POSITION: If attributive, it will conjoin with a noun that has a definite article(the), Greek doesn't have an indefinite article(a,an), and the participle may also have the article (if not, it must immediately follow the noun). If substantive, it will not immediately follow a noun with an article, although it will have the article. If adverbial, the participle must be in the predicate and it will not have the article.

Therefore, since in MATT.16:19 each participle is in the predicate position of it's respective sentences, each modifies it's respective main verb (bind or loose); thus,it is adverbial. Futhermore, since the PARTICIPLES here are in the perfect passive and there is a contrast between WHERE this binding and loosing occurs- earth in contrast to Heaven: the beginning of the participle occurance will be in the past with it's results effecting the full scope of the main verb's occurance; and since it's in the passive voice, it CANNOT be caused by the subject of the verb (Christ's disciples-apostles to whom He was speaking). for when the subject of the verb is the cause of an occurance or action then it is represented by the ACTIVE voice (not the passive). Finally, since the authority of Heaven is irrefutably sovereign over, and thus preceeds, earthly authority (ROM.13:1) and church authority (EPH.1:22-23;5:22-23) and since the participle is passive; the participle's modification of the main verbs (bind and loose) must represent the occurance of these verbs as NOT being caused by those on earth who bind and loose (the subjects of these verbs) but must be caused from Heaven beforehand with it's results influencing the binding and loosing actions (verbs) by those on earth. For this can be the only true interpretation of a participle with the passive voice and a perfect tense. So, i affirm that the translation of MATT. 16:19 in the LITV by MR. Green is accurate.

If you hold the opinion that it is up to the user to decide what he/she thinks about a particular verse, and not up to the translators to decide whats best for them, this Bible is what you need! Literal, yet readable, even though sometimes you will struggle, like I did. I recommend this Bible to everyone along with the Analytical-Literal Translation, which is also *very good*, and enlightens you on the differences between various NT Texts such as Textus Receptus, Majority Text and the Critical Text.
Both are great books for those who intend to study The Bible from all possible sides.

Example:
"No one is able to serve two lords; for either he will hate the one, and he will love the other; or he will cleave to the one, and he will despise the other. You are not able to serve God and wealth." - Matt. 6:24 (LITV)

"A Psalm of Thanksgiving. Shout joyfully to Jehovah, all the land.
Worship Jehovah with gladness; come before His face with joyful singing.
Know that Jehovah, He is God; He has made us, and not we ourselves, His people and the sheep of His pasture.
Enter into His gates with thanksgiving, into His courts with praise; be thankful to Him; bless His name.
For Jehovah is good; His mercy is everlasting, and His faithfulness to generation and generation." Psalms 100 (LITV)

Good luck with it.