Translation Comparison, Essay Example

Various versions of the Bible contain different translations of the original Hebrew text. Though they seem to be very similar, a detailed examination of the scriptures can show that certain words or even sentences are missing in one version, being present in another one. In fact, these little differences affect general perception of the text. The Widow’s Contribution (Mark 12:41-44), described in The New American Bible, The King James Version, New Revised Standard Version of the Bible, contains several differences that influence the meaning of the text a lot.

Three versions describe Jesus watching people, who put money into the treasury of the temple. Both NRSV and The New American Bible contain the following text, “Many rich people put in large sums.” (Mark 12:41) Writers of these translations make an emphasis on the sums of money rich people have sacrificed. In The King James Version author is also stating that many of those people were rich. This is made to point out the fact that rich people put in money to show their wealth and not because of their faith.

Describing the amount of money poor widow has put into the treasury writers also use different words. In fact, in The King James Version two “copper coins” have their original meaning, “two mites, which make a farthing.” (Mark 12:42). In NRSV and The New American Bible they are called “pennies” and “cents” respectively. This was possibly made to assist in understanding of the text or in case of The New American Bible because the writer was influenced by the time he lived in. Nonetheless, it does affect the meaning and perception of the text as authors are changing the original text. When Jesus was talking to his disciples about woman’s contribution he says “Verily I say unto you” and “Truly I tell you” in NRSV and The King James Bible respectively (Mark 12:43). This statement is also used in other translation, for instance, in NIV or New American Standard Bible as “I tell you the truth.” In The New American Bible, Jesus says: “Amen, I say to you.” (Mark 12:43) The term “Amen” was widely accepted in Christianity. Therefore, writer again puts it into the text because this term was widely used with the meaning “so it be” or “truly”.

Emphasizing the fact that woman has contributed a lot more that other rich people in both NRSV and The King James versions Jesus says that rich have contributed out of their “abundance”. In The New American Bible author uses the term “surplus wealth”. (Mark 12:44). Though these words have similar meaning in the second case writer has put “extra wealth” term in order to emphasize the sacrifice of the poor woman. In fact, in The New American Bible it is suggested that rich have given their money not because of their faith, but because they simply had some extra money.  Each writer was trying to show the very action of the woman, saying that she has contributed “all she had to live on”, “even all her living”, and “her whole livelihood” (Mark 12:44). However, in this case the meaning of these words remains unchanged.

It is obvious that authors have changed some words in the scriptures in order to highlight or underline some facts. Moreover, the text of The New American Bible is possibly modified to make reading easier to modern parishioners.

Works Cited

“The Widow’s Offering”. Mark 12:41 – 44. 1995. The New Revised Standard Version. April 28, 2009. Oremus Bible Browser. <http:/ /bible.oremus.org/?passage=Mark+12%3A41-44>.

“Mark 12:41-44”. King James Version. Passage Results. April 28, 2009. Bible Gateway. < http:/ /www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Mark%2012:41-44;&version=9;>.

“Mark 12”. 2002. New American Bible. April 28, 2009. Vatican: The Holy See. <http:/ /www.vatican.va/archive/ENG0839/__PWE.HTM>.