As more than one relatively unlettered commentator has remarked, if the King James Version was good enough for Jesus, it was good enough for him:
The influence of the King James Bible is so great that the list of idioms from it that have slipped into everyday speech, taking such deep root that we use them all the time without any awareness of their biblical origin, is practically endless: sour grapes; fatted calf; salt of the earth; drop in a bucket; skin of one’s teeth; apple of one’s eye; girded loins; feet of clay; whited sepulchers; filthy lucre; pearls before swine; fly in the ointment; fight the good fight; eat, drink and be merry.
It's a beautiful translation and once your eye and ear are accustomed to it, nothing else will do. That said - Once upon a time I had a Comparative Religion professor (PhD, ThD, DD) who was a devout Southern Baptist. This worthy gentleman was often asked to deliver the sermon at various Baptist churches. Early on, as a treat, he would go in with a copy of Koine Greek text and sight translate. He was disabused of this notion by the preachers and congregations telling him that he was in danger of burning in hell for changing the text. Apparently, the King James version IS as it was originally written - in their minds.
ReplyDeleteHe was a fine man and a wonderful teacher. The most important thing I learned, well actually re-learned, was to never judge on appearances. He had the powder blue leisure suit, white belt, white shoes, and pompadour hair-do and I remember my mental groan when I first saw him. Boy, oh boy, was I mistaken!
N.C. Reader