Tyndale v. AV
From Sir Rowland Whitehead Bt Sir: William Tyndale, in the hands of Peter Jones (The miracle of "and" ' , 8 January), gets a splendid airing. All members of the Tyndale Society are delighted at an erudite analysis of his Bible translation and estab- lishment of our English language. Why, today, we read in the newspapers that Mon- golia has officially adopted English. . . .
Some of us, sometimes, in the dark watches of the night, have wondered if per- haps the Authorised Version did occasion- ally put it better. But, as Peter Jones so rightly points out, Tyndale got there first.
My own particular worry was always this: 'for the day present hath ever enough of his own trouble,' says Tyndale. 'Sufficient unto the day is the evil thereof,' replies the AV. The latter, let's face it, slips off the tongue quite easily; until we remember that Tyn- dale was writing for the boy who drives the plough, and for farming lads 'the day pre- sent' with its troubles would be a reality.
Last year, after a considerable struggle, we persuaded the Dome supremo to include Tyndale in the Spirit Zone as a tribute to his contribution to our language, our literature and, for heaven's sake, our knowledge and appreciation of the Bible. Your readers may find this a reason to visit Greenwich.
Rowland Whitehead
Trustee, the William Tyndale Society, Chiswick Mall, London W4
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