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How to Choose a Translation Translations of the Bible

God Was Careful to Deliver and Preserve His Word Exactly

Matthew Heaven and earth shall pass away, but my words shall not pass away.

Plural “Words” in This Passage Indicates Specific Words

Matthew Heaven and earth shall pass away, but my words shall not pass away.

As Late as 35 AD, The OT Scripture Was Still Preserved In Minute Detail

Matthew 5 18 For verily I say unto you, Till heaven and earth pass, one jot or one tittle shall in no wise pass from the law, till all be fulfilled.

“Jot” Is Literally “Iota”: the Greek Transliteration of “Yodh,” ( ), the Smallest Hebrew Letter

A “Tittle” Is One of The Smallest Parts Of a Hebrew Letter

Prophecy Never Came Except by The Holy Spirit Moving Men to Speak

2 Peter 1 20 Knowing this first, that NO prophecy of the scripture is of any private interpretation. 21 For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man: but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost.

“In Old Time” (  ) Is Literally “At Any Time” Or “Ever”

2 Peter 1 20 Knowing this first, that NO prophecy of the scripture is of any private interpretation. 21 For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man: but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost. Or an accurate translation would be “…prophecy came not ever…”

All Scripture, Not Just Some or Most of It

2 Timothy 3 16 ALL scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness. Or an accurate translation would be “All scripture is God-breathed…”

Ezekiel Was Commanded to Speak God’s Own Words

Ezekiel 2 7 And thou shalt speak MY words unto them, whether they will hear, or whether they will forbear: for they are most rebellious.

God’s Words Were To Be Repeated Exactly, No More And No Less

Jeremiah 26 2 Thus saith the LORD; Stand in the court of the LORD’S house, and speak unto all the cities of Judah, which come to worship in the LORD’S house, ALL the words that I command thee to speak unto them; diminish not A word.

God Had Specific Reasons for Doing It That Way

REASON #1 The Power Is in the Word

Romans 1 16 For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for IT is the power of God unto salvation to EVERY one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek.

Real Faith Comes How?

Romans So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.

God’s Words Give Understanding: True or False?

Psalm The entrance of THY words giveth light; it giveth understanding unto the simple.

God’s Exact Words Were Important

Jeremiah Thus saith the LORD of hosts, Hearken not unto the words of the prophets that prophesy unto you: they make you vain: they speak a vision of their own heart, and not out of the MOUTH of the LORD.

Jeremiah I have not sent these prophets, yet they ran: I have not spoken to them, yet they prophesied. 22 But if they had stood in my counsel, and had caused my people to hear MY words, THEN they should have turned them from their evil way, and from the evil of their doings.

Teaching the Right Thing the Wrong Way!

Isaiah And the vision of all is become unto you as the words of a book that is sealed, which men deliver to one that is learned, saying, Read this, I pray thee: and he saith, I cannot; for it is sealed: 12 And the book is delivered to him that is not learned, saying, Read this, I pray thee: and he saith, I am not learned.

Isaiah WHEREFORE the Lord said, FORASMUCH as this people draw near me with their mouth, and with their lips do honor me, but have removed their heart far from me, AND their fear toward me is TAUGHT BY the precept of men: 14 THEREFORE, behold, I will proceed to do a marvelous work among this people, even a marvelous work and a wonder: for the wisdom of their wise men shall perish, and the understanding of their prudent men shall be hid.

REASON #2 Approved Biblical Example

Did Jesus Speak His Own Words Or the Father’s?

John Believest thou not that I am in the Father, and the Father in me? the words that I speak unto you I speak not of myself: but the Father that dwelleth in me, he doeth the works.

John For I have not spoken of myself; but the Father which sent me, he gave me a commandment, what I should say, and what I should speak. 50 And I know that his commandment is life everlasting: whatsoever I speak therefore, even as the Father SAID unto me, so I speak.

Did the Holy Spirit Speak His Own Words, or the Father’s?

John Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall NOT speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall HEAR, that shall he speak: and he will show you things to come.

Did the Apostles Speak Man’s Words or the Holy Spirit’s Words?

1 Corinthians 2 12 Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the spirit which is of God; that we might know the things that are freely given to us of God. 13 Which things also we speak, NOT in the WORDS which man’s wisdom teacheth, but which the Holy Ghost teacheth; comparing spiritual things with spiritual.

REASON #3 This Is How We Glorify God

We Are Supposed To Glorify God in Everything We Do; This Is No Exception

1 Corinthians 10 31Whether therefore ye eat, or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do ALL to the glory of God.

It Matters Whether We Glorify God by The Words We Use to Teach the Truth

1 Peter 4 11 If any man speak, let him speak as the oracles of God; if any man minister, let him do it as of the ability which God giveth: THAT God in ALL things may be glorified through Jesus Christ, to whom be praise and dominion for ever and ever. Amen.

What Do We Do If We Speak of Ourselves?

John 7 18He that speaketh of himself seeketh his own glory: but he that seeketh his glory that sent him, the same is true, and no unrighteousness is in him.

Speech of the World Might Be Indicative of a Spirit of Error

1 John 4 4 Ye are of God, little children, and have overcome them: because greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world. 5 They are of the world: THEREFORE speak they of the world, and the world heareth them. 6 We are of God: he that knoweth God heareth us; he that is not of God heareth not us. Hereby know we the spirit of truth, and the spirit of error.

God’s Way in Both The OT and the NT

All Things According to the Pattern, Under the Old Testament

Hebrews 8 5 Who serve unto the example and shadow of heavenly things, as Moses was admonished of God when he was about to make the tabernacle: for, See, saith he, that thou make all things according to the pattern shewed to thee in the mount.

1 Chronicles All this, said David, the LORD made me understand in writing by his hand upon me, even all the works of this pattern.

All Things According to the Pattern, Under the New Testament

God Has Given Us a Living Pattern

1 Timothy 1 16 Howbeit for this cause I obtained mercy, that in me first Jesus Christ might shew forth all longsuffering, for a pattern to them which should hereafter believe on him to life everlasting. The same word “ ,” translated “pattern” here, is also translated “form” in other passages.

God Has Given Us a Verbal Pattern

2 Timothy 1 13 Hold fast the form of sound words, which thou hast heard of me, in faith and love which is in Christ Jesus. The word “form” in this passage is “ ,” which is also translated “pattern” in other passages

The End