Station: [18] In the Beginning was the Word: Bible Translations


ἐν ἀρχῇ ἦν ὁ Λόγος καὶ ὁ Λόγος ἦν πρὸς τὸν Θεὸν καὶ Θεὸς ἦν ὁ Λόγος.

In principio erat verbum et verbum erat apud Deum et Deus erat verbum.

In the beginning was the Word. The Word was with God, and the Word was God.

Au commencement était la Parole, et la Parole était avec Dieu, et la Parole était Dieu.

In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.

In principio era il Logos e il Logos era presso Dio e Dio era il Logos.

Na początku było słowo, a słowo było u Boga.

The Bible has accompanied people through the ages and across languages: from the Hebrew and ancient Greek original texts to the most recent 21st century German.

One of the most momentous Bible translations was doubtless that of Martin Luther. However, Luther was far from the first to translate the Bible into the vernacular!

But he actually referred back to the original texts – to Greek and Hebrew – to prepare his translation. Since then, numerous translations, adaptations and renderings have followed – often similar, yet different in detail.

And as we all know, it’s the detail that's important! What would you like your Lord's Prayer to be like?

Quite classical and literal as in the Standard Translation or in the King James Bible? 

Clear, understandable and cross-denominational as in the "Good News Bible"?

Easy to read and understand as in the new "Bible in Basic English"?

Or off-hand and colloquial as in the very, very freely translated Volx Bible?

Whatever you prefer. You see, language – and the Bible – are ever-changing and alive.

All depictions: © Bibelgalerie Meersburg