Little Watchman Translation
This is my own translation of the Bible.
It is most definitely a work in progress and I appreciate any feedback or corrections.
I'm not trying to start a cult or anything.
My basic principle is that the Bible should be free. Men should not be profiting from selling Bibles.
But I can't stop them. That is their legal right in a free country.
One day they will meet with the original author and discuss it with him.
So I am writing my own translation. It is copyright, but you may use it free of charge, for any purpose which honors God, and which does not bring financial profit of any kind.
One thing that is currently annoying me is the Anglicisation of Bible names. There was no apostle called Peter, his name was πετρος Petros. So currently I am translating names as close as I can come to the original. I would really appreciate any feedback on this if you have some. It sounds a bit strange at first, but for myself... it grew on me. See what you think.
I have also taken a non traditional approach to capitalisation of nouns relating to divine beings. I don't.
So traditionally The Son of God, or God The Father... I render as the son of God, or God the father.
My basic "rule" is that if it seems to be being used as a proper noun I capitalise it, if it doesn't I don't.
This is most prevalent with the word spirit. But as you may know, scholars have argued for many years about some instances of the word spirit in the New Testament as to whether they do refer to the Holy Spirit or to our own spirit. Now you are free to make your own interpretation.
Speaking of which, I am a translator,
not an interpreter. So I will try to translate as literally as possible and
will avoid interpreting the meaning. If I think the translation needs a
little explanation so that you don't miss something which is clear in the
Greek but maybe not in the English I will include an aside in square
brackets... [like this].
But this also became important with "Jesus" and
with "cross".
Jesus is a made up Latin name and it has traditionally been
used to translate ιησους (Iesous) where it is refering to our saviour. In
other places it is translated Joshua, (since it is the transliteration of
the Hebrew name Yeshua which in English is usually transliterated as
Joshua). But, since they both had the same Hebew name, Yeshua, that is how I
have translated it regardless of context.
The Greek word σταυρος
(stauros) is traditionally translated "cross". But that is not the meaning
of the Greek word. It means a stake or pole. It could be part of a fence, or
a door post. Of course the references in the New Testament are to do with
the implement of execution used by the Romans. Historically though it seems
that this was usually a simple stake which sometimes, but rarely, had a
crossbar.
We do not know whether the stauros on which Yeshua was
executed had a cross bar or not. So, based on the text and the original
meanings I have translated stauros as "stake". And equally the verb σταυροω
(stauroo) which has traditionally been translated as crucify, but which
means to execute by hanging/nailing to a stauros (stake). I have translated
as "execute".
You may know from other articles here, I don't like verse numbers. I find that using them leads people to skip just to that verse and it is too easy in my opinion for them to get the wrong idea by taking the verse out of context. I don't wish to facilitate that.
And finally, I am no great scholar of ancient languages. I have made use of the work of those who have gone before me. I am in fact, "standing on the shoulders of giants". Men like Darby, Young, Strong, Vine. (Who all gave their work freely to the public domain by the way). And I am also inspired by others who also have the vision for public domain, free availability of the Bible. And I have been helped especially by those who have worked on public domain interlinear texts and lexicons.
