Translations

Well, a translation of the bible has been brought to my attention. "The Message" is overall a pretty liberal translation of the bible. A couple verses in John were shared with me from this translation.

John 4:23-24 (The Message)
"23 But the time is coming--it has, in fact, come--when what you're called will not matter and where you go to worship will not matter.

"It's who you are and the way you live that count before God. Your worship must engage your spirit in the pursuit of truth. That's the kind of people the Father is out looking for: those who are simply and honestly themselves before him in their worship. 24 God is sheer being itself--Spirit. Those who worship him must do it out of their very being, their spirits, their true selves, in adoration."

Hm.... "when what you're called will not matter and where you go to worship will not matter. 'It's who you are and the way you live that count before God.'" Interesting isnt it.

How about the same verses from the ESV and NIV

John 4:23-24 (NIV)
"23 Yet a time is coming and has now come when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth, for they are the kind of worshipers the Father seeks. 24 God is spirit, and his worshipers must worship in spirit and in truth."

John 4:23-24 (ESV)
"23 But the hour is coming, and is now here, when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth, for the Father is seeking such people to worship him. 24 God is spirit, and those who worship him must worship in spirit and truth.”

I put both of those in there even though they are basically the same, because the ESV most people would say is one of the closest translations to the Greek, and the NIV is probably what many of you are most familiar with. Either way I think you can see that there are some things that have been added to "The Message" translation. I just found that interesting.

Revelation 22:18-19 (ESV)
"18 I warn everyone who hears the words of the prophecy of this book: if anyone adds to them, God will add to him the plagues described in this book, 19 and if anyone takes away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God will take away his share in the tree of life and in the holy city, which are described in this book."

LW 344

1. Lord Jeus Christ, will you not stay?
It is now toward the end of day.
Oh, let your Word, that saving light,
Shine forth undimmed into the night.

2. Rekindle for this endtime stress
Faith's ancient strength and steadfastness
That we keep pure till life is spent
Your holy Word and Sacrament.

3. To hoope grown dim, To hearts turned cold
Speak tongues of fire and make us bold
To shine your Word of Saving grace
Into each dark and loveless place.

4. May glorious truths that we have heard,
The bright lance of your mighty Word,
Spurn Satan that your Church be strang.
Bold, unified in act and song.

5. Restrain, O Lord, the human pride
That seeks to thrust your truth aside
Or with some man-made thoughts or things
Would dim the words your Spirit sings.

6. The cause is yours, the glory too,
Then hear us, Lord, and keep us true,
Your Word alone our heart's defense,
The Church's glorious confidence.