THE BIBLE : A NEW TRANSLATION
SIR,—The discussion of Bible language, which is opened again by the pro- posal for a new translation, too often, it seems to me, assumes the inability of ordinary persons to understand a few technical terms. There are certain matters germane to the Biblical text which can only be called by their correct names. We do not accuse a newspaper of being obscure because it reports news in technical terms. Take this sentence from a recent Spectator,' for example, apropos of the U.S. Labour Bill: " It bans all strikes arising out of disputes between unions; it imposes a federal in- junction of 75 days on all strikes harmful to the public health, safety cr welfare; and as in the pre-Taff Vale era in Britain, it makes unions liable to suits for damages." It is full of technical terms, but I find nothing wrong with it.
The Bible until recent years was read daily and appreciated by millions of poorly educated persons as almost their only book. The technical terms spoke of living experience and faith to them. They were interested in the Bible as the modern man is interested in the more complicated technicalities of engineering or the new language of pools and betting. While I believe a moderate revision of the Bible is desirable, the main trouble about its language surely is not the words, but the lack of interest in and experience of the faith and truth it reveals. The pleasantest modern version of the New Testament I know is The Book of Books published by the Lutterworth Press in 1938, printed attractively as an ordinary book and using the Authorised Version as far as normal intelligi-
bility and correctness allow.—Yours faithfully, F. N. JAMES. 35 Heathfield Road, Croydon.
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