A Family Moment Affiliate
The problem with most translations is that they are not translations; they are transliterations. In other words they preserve the literal dictionary definitions of the Hebrew/Greek, without necessarily preserving the intention of the writer (or speaker). Due to language differences, such as the range of meaning words may have in different languages (e.g., love), losing meaning in a transliteration is unavoidable.
Here is a comparison of the New Living Translation to three of the most common transliterations in use today. The scripture compared is Matthew 5:17 - 20, a very well known scripture. All four versions say the same thing. But, which would you prefer to read?
5:17 - Don't misunderstand why I have come. I did not come to abolish the law of Moses or the writings of the prophets. No, I came to fulfill them.
5:18 - I assure you, until heaven and earth disappear, even the smallest detail of God's law will remain until its purpose is achieved.
5:19 - So if you break the smallest commandment and teach others to do the same, you will be the least in the Kingdom of Heaven. But anyone who obeys God's laws and teaches them will be great in the Kingdom of Heaven.
5:20 - But I warn you - unless you obey God better than the teachers of religious law and the Pharisees do, you can't enter the Kingdom of heaven at all!
5:17 - Do not think that I came to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I did not come to abolish but to fulfill.
5:18 - For truly I way to you, until heaven and earth pass away, not the smallest letter or stroke shall pass from the Law until all is accomplished.
5:19 - Whoever then annuls one of the least of these commandments, and teaches others {to do} the same, shall be called least in the kingdom of heaven; but whoever keeps and teaches {them,} he shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven.
5:20 - for I way to you that unless your righteousness surpasses {that} of the scribes and Pharisees, you will not neter the kingdom of heaven.
5:17 - Do not think that I came to destory the Law or the Prophets. I did not come to destroy but to fulfill.
5:18 - For assuredly, I say to you, till heaven and earth pass away, one jot or one tittle will by no means pass from the law till all is fulfilled.
5:19 - Whoever therefore breaks one of the least of these commandments, and teaches men so, shall be called least in the kingdom of heaven; but whoever does and teaches them, he shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven.
5:20 - For I way to you, that unless your righteousness exceeds the righteousness of the scribes and Pharisess, you will by no means enter the kingdom of heaven.
5:17 - Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them but to fulfill them.
5:18 - I tell you the truth, until heaven and earth disappar, not the smallest letter, not the least stroke of a pen, will by any means disappear from the Law untill everything is accomplished.
5:19 - Anyone who breaks one of the least of these commandments and teaches others to do the same will be called least in the kingdom of heaven, but whoever practices and teaches these commands will be called great in the kingdom of heaven.
5:20 - For I tell you that unless your righteousness surpasses that of the Pharisees and the teachers of the law, you will certainly not enter the kingodm of heaven.
