Textus Receptus/Masoretic Text-based
foreign language Bibles
The following is a partial list of translations that read LIKE the Authorised Version in Mark 1:2. I've learned that this does not mean that they are perfect Bibles for these languages. Do research and use discernment.
The following texts with the asterick (*) read like Mark 1:2 in the Authorized Version.
"As it is written in the prophets, Behold, I send my messenger before thy face, which shall prepare thy way before thee." (Mark 1:2)
Please note that Mark 1:2 does not contain the word Isaiah.
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
English has developed much longer than Finnish, and so written English was almost ready and very understandable even 500 years ago, but there is not a single Finn who could read Michael Agricola's translations of Luther's texts without considering the meaning of every word and possibly consulting studybooks very often. It's almost like an Englishman would try to read a Gaelic Bible. We have a somehow readable Bible from the end of 19th century called Piplia, but I'm not sure about it's origin and understanding it is still not too easy for a Finn of this day. So, a Bible older than that is most propably useless. Someone ought to make a new translation, someone who doesn't honor the miserable "Bible science" that got us into this. There are two one man's Bibles in Finland (Saarnivaara and one other), but as far as I know, they offer no hope. There's a Bible school in Ryttylä, 80mi away from here considered fundamentalist, but even they are happy wih Saarnivaara's Bible.
Reader #1
"Presently for the French speaking people, there is two Bibles base on the TR that is available. Both have the rendering of KJV for Mark 1:2"
- Martin (1855) produced by Association Biblique International, Box 225646, Dallas, Texas. 75222. USA
This Bible is the Official version of David Martin which he produce in 1707. He use a Geneva Bible (1588) of Theodore de Beze which was a revision of the 1535 Olivetan Bible. And for the Greek text he use the TR.
[tracy's note: see http://www.bibliorama.com/1669/martin/bible_martin.htm it is in French and I don't know what it says but a missionary to France is apparently selling Bibles through this venue. I think it may also be on line.]
- The other Bible available to us is
Version d'Ostervald Revise par Ch. L. Frossard; printed by Bearing Precious Seed, Milford, Ohio 45150
"This is a revised edition of the 1881 version of Frossard. Frossard revised Ostervald version which Ostervald produce in 1744. Ostervald use the TR and a David Martin Bible to produce his version.
"I have research and studied the history of the Bible in French for the past year and presently working on a book that will expose the work of darkness concerning the French version of the bibles."
Our reader said this about the revised Louis Segond which we had listed on this page:
"You listed the French (SEGOND-REVISED) Bible from TBS. Even though Mark 1:2 read like the KJV it is not base on the Textus Receptus, but rather is was corrected by TBS with the Textus Receptus. TBS trying to produce a French version of the Bible that would resemble the KJV simply corrected some passage in the Segond Bible the would have the same rendering of the KJV. Though they try very hard, it still fall short of a Textus Receptus base Bible."
Our reader said this about the French Geneva (1588):
"For the French Geneva (1588) it does have the same rendering of the KJV for Mark 1:2. I have access to that Bible, and did a small collation with the KJV."
Reader #2
To: webmaster@kingjamesversion.christsassembly.com <webmaster@kingjamesversion.christsassembly.com>
Subject: French Bible versions.
Date: Thursday, March 23, 2000 5:55 PM
I have more info for you for your page.
Thanks for the information on your web page about where the french Bibles are available.
I ordered a Version d'Ostervald Bible from Bearing Precious Seed and it it cost $3.00 plus postage. The phone number is (513) 575-1706. To order one, call and order one. They will send it with a bill and then send in the payment.
I also ordered a Martin version from the International Bible Association. There are three available: genuine leather ($25.00), synthetic leather, and paperback. They also have version d'Ostervald available in New Testament and Psalms only. The phone number is (214) 575-1706. To order, call and find out the total price for the Bible and postage, then send a written request and check or money order for the Bibles and then they will send the Bibles to you. You MUST pay first. The zip code is now 75222 but the rest of the address is the same:
International Bible Association
P.O. Box 225646
Dallas,TX 75222
Two better scriptures to use are listed below.
1 John 5:6-8.
In the KJV it reads:
6 This is he that came by water and blood, even Jesus Christ; not by water only, but by water and blood. And it is the Spirit that beareth witness, because the Spirit is truth.
7 For there are three that bear record in heaven, the Father, the Word, and the Holy Ghost: and these three are one.
8 And there are three that bear witness in earth, the Spirit, and the water, and the blood: and these three agree in one.
NIV:
6 This is the one who came by water and blood--Jesus Christ. He did not come by water only, but by water and blood. And it is the Spirit who testifies, because the Spirit is the truth.
7 For there are three that testify:
8 the Spirit, the water and the blood; and the three are in agreement.
Version d'Ostervald:
6 C'est ce même Jésus, le Christ, qui est venu avec l'eau et le sang; non seulement avec l'eau, mais avec l'eau et le sang; et c'est l'Esprit qui en rend témoignage, parce que l'Esprit est la vérité.
7 Car il y en a trois qui rendent témoignage dans le ciel, le Père, la Parole, et le Saint-Esprit, et ces trois-là sont un.
8 Il y en a aussi trois qui rendent témoignage sur la terre; l'Esprit, l'eau, et le sang; et ces trois-là se rapportent à une seule chose.
Français-LSG:
6 C'est lui, Jésus Christ, qui est venu avec de l'eau et du sang; non avec l'eau seulement, mais avec l'eau et avec le sang; et c'est l'Esprit qui rend témoignage, parce que l'Esprit est la vérité.
7 Car il y en a trois qui rendent témoignage:
8 l'Esprit, l'eau et le sang, et les trois sont d'accord.
Notice that verse 7 in the Textus Receptus based versions are TOTALLY removed from the other translations and verse 8 is split to try to cover it up.
--------------------
1 Timothy 3:16
KJV:
16 And without controversy great is the mystery of godliness: God was manifest in the flesh, justified in the Spirit, seen of angels, preached unto the Gentiles, believed on in the world, received up into glory.
NIV:
16 Beyond all question, the mystery of godliness is great: He appeared in a body, was vindicated by the Spirit, was seen by angels, was preached among the nations, was believed on in the world, was taken up in glory.
NASB:
16 By common confession, great is the mystery of godliness: He who was revealed in the flesh, Was vindicated in the Spirit, Seen by angels, Proclaimed among the nations, Believed on in the world, Taken up in glory.
Version d'Ostervald:
16 Et, de l'aveu de tous, le mystère de piété est grand: Dieu a été manifesté en chair, justifié par l'Esprit, vu des anges, prêché parmi les Gentils, cru dans le monde, et élevé dans la gloire.
Français-LSG:
16 Et, sans contredit, le mystère de la piété est grand: celui qui a été manifesté en chair, justifié par l'Esprit, vu des anges, prêché aux Gentils, cru dans le monde, élevé dans la gloire.
notice that the word "God" was changed to "He" in the NIV and that the whole meaning is changed in NASB. "God was manifest in the flesh...." vs. "He who was revealed in the flesh...." and "And without controversy...." vs. "By common confession....."
It is correct that there are only 2 bibles based on the TR, the 1855 David Martin (unless you're [fortunate] enough to find the original 1744 version) and the 1996 Ostervald.
Here are some on-line bibles and good references:
http://www.ebay.com (Always searching for antique Bibles here!)
http://www.bibliorama.com (Great study site)
http://www.biblemartin.com (Bible David Martin on-line and downloadable in
PDF)
http://www.chez.com/voxdei/biboster.htm (Bible Ostervald on-line)
http://ichthus.pompignane.free.fr/NewFiles/biboster.html (Another on-line
Ostervald)
http://www.eglisedemaison.be/Bibleosterwalde.htm (Belgium site with on-line
Ostervald)
Contrary to common belief the unrevised Luther Translation is still published in Germany-->ISBN: 3-929602-22-9
Publisher:
Missionsverlag der Lutherischen Gebetsgemeinschaften e.V.
Vennhofallee 73
33689Bielefeld
Tel: 05205-237216
Fax: 05205-237218
The style of the language is in no way behind the more known 1912 revision. Unfortunately no edition without apocrypha is in print at this time.
The following list contains some examples were the unrevised Luther in contrast to 1912 revision reads as the English authorised version. Another example would be 1John 5,6-8, or from the old testament Judges 5.
XIV.In der revidierten Luther von 1912 verdorbene Verse. Hier nur als Beispiele die Apostelgeschichte und die Offenbarung. Das sollte dem Leser ermöglichen das gesamte Ausmaß der Veränderungen abzuschätzen. An allen aufgeführten Stellen stimmt die King James mit der unrevidierten Luther überein.
Apostelgeschichte
3:13 ; 3:26 ; 4,27 ; 4:30 ; Wird aus JEsus dem Kind GOttes der Knecht GOttes
17:22 Paulus schilt die Athener nicht mehr weil sie so abergläubisch sind, sondern schmeichelt ihnen weil sie den Göttern so ergeben sind.
21:24 ; 21:26 ; 24:18 aus reinigen wird heiligen
25:2 Erscheinen nicht mehr die Vornehmsten und Hohenpriester gegen Paulus sondern nur noch die Erstgenannten.
Offenbarung
2:20 Früher hieß es: ich habe ein Kleines wider dich
6:1,3,5,7 steht nur noch: Komm! Anstatt: Komm und siehe zu
6: 11 fehlt: und künftig bist
14:1 wird hinzugefügt: hatten seinen Namen und ....
15:3 Wird aus dem König der Heiligen der König der Nationen.
22:19 Wird aus dem Buch des Lebens das Holz des Lebens
Another reader adds--
Dear Brothers in Christ: I would like to add some information about Textus Receptus based bibles in German language. In 1998 there appeared a revision of the Luther 1912 version, but only for the New Testament. Proven errors of the 1912 version have been corrected. There is also a bible available with the Old Testament in the Luther 1912 version and the New Testament in the 1998 version. These bibles are published by the printing house "La Buona Novella" located in Wadenswil/Switzerland. The Swiss Publisher Ernst Trachsel (died in 2001) compared many German bible version and concluded that the Luther 1998 NT is the best Textus Receptus based bible. There is one other TR based bible in German Language. This is the translation of Franz Eugen Schlachter. It was firstly printed in 1909 and revised in 1951. In 1999 appeared the New Testament in a new revision called "Schlachter 2000". For year 2002 was announced the revision of the Old Testament. Editor is the Geneva Bible Society located in Zurich/Switzerland. Meanwhile there exists the "Geneva Study Bible" with the Old Testament of 1951 and the New Testament of 1999. There is no single Bible available in German Language which translates in Isaiah 14:12 "O Lucifer", however, I was told that the revised Schlachter bible which appears in 2002 would at least quote "Lucifer" in a footnote. Another TR bible is the "Elberfelder" bible of 1871. This version is out of print, however, it is available for sale on CD-ROM. All three mentioned bibles are not available online. Available online are only Schlachter 1951 and Luther 1912. Yours in Christ, Andreas Klapproth Talstr. 13 73760 Ostfildern Germany
A Polish reader said, "yes Biblia Gdanska 1632 is TR based translation similar to KJV, TBS offer their translation also based on TR, which is also so good as Biblia Gdanska, but use jounger language. (is from 1830's)"
A note from one of our readers--
"This is in regard to your list of foreign language translations based on "Received Text." The issue of Spanish, Catalan, and Portuguese translations is very interesting. I will start with the Spanish tradition. Their tradition is the Reina-Valera tradition. It began with Casiodoro de Reina in 1569 and was revised in 1602 by Cipriano de Valera. This tradition was again revised in 1862, 1909, and more extensively in 1960, 1977, and 1995. The last edition to be commonly received as a legitimate revision is the 1909. The most common edition is the 1960. (I detest the 1995 because it too often conforms the Spanish tradition to English translations. For example, at Genesis 1:6 the 1909, 1960, and 1977 have "expansión" while the 1995 has "firmamento.") The 1960 New Testament preface says that the revisions up to ("hasta") 1960 followed a traditional ! text, and this new edition shows some changes in text. The Reina-Valera follows a Byznantine text in all editions, but the commonly "received text" underlying the Spanish world is that underlying the 1909. Again, it is the last revision of the translation to be commonly received as a legitimate revision by the Spanish-speaking world. Like the pre-1769 revisions of the King James Version, the pre-1909 revisions are out of print (except perhaps in specialty printings). It might be of interest to you that there ARE differences in text between the KJV and the Reina-Valera, and they have to do only with Reformation texts, and not at all with Westcott and Hort. For example, at Matthew 27:41 the Reina-Valera mentions the Pharisees between the scribes and elders, because the majority of manuscripts do so. The Geveva Bible brought over by the Pilgrims also mentioned the Pharisees at Matthew 27:41. The KJV and Latin Vulgate to not mention the Pharisees here. However, despite s! uch differences, the Reina-Valera follows a Reformation-text, as did the KJV. Their text has been the "commonly received text" for Spanish-speakers since the Reformation. You will make your own judment about whether or not to consider the Reina-Valera a Textus Receptus Bible or not, but I insist that it is as much a Textus-Receptus Bible as the KJV is.
"The Portuguese translation tradition is based on the translation began by João Ferreira de Almeida. He published a New Testament in 1688, and a Bible Society finished his translation, partially based on Old Testament portions De Almeida had translated but not published, by 1712. There are three major revisions of it to my knowledge. There is the Revised and Updated Edition (Edição Revista e Atualizada) which is NOT copyrighted. Since it is not copyrighted, like the KJV, I consider it the Bible of the people. However, its updaters took into account the evidence of textual science, so that edition would not be acceptable to you. The other two editions are the Revised and Corrected Edition put out by the Bible Socie! ty of Brasil (copyright 1969) and the Corrected and Revised Edition put out by the Trinitarian Bible Society (copyrights 1994, 1995). Both texts follow a Byzantine text, but like the Reina-Valera the 1969 edition does not translate the Greek text that underlies the traditional English rendering. I am not sure I trust the Trinitarian Bible Society in foreign language issues. In French, the Trinitarian Bible Society alters the Greek text underlying the original Segond Version to conform it to the KJV (note Mark 1:2), but still has the gall to call it a "Segond Version." In their criticism of the NKJV (Article #110 "What Today's Christian Needs To Know About The New King James Version"), they state
"for a translation to be a complete and accurate revision and new edition of the original work, the translators must have three principles which they follow. They must use the same Greek and Hebrew texts, follow the same translational principles and have the same philosophical, cultural and theological basis as the original translators" (pg. 19).
It bears notice TBS engages in a double standard (contrary to Proverbs 20:10). They reject the NKJV as an illegitimate revision, but simultaneously they alter the Greek text underlying the French Segond Version and then pass it off as a "Segond" Bible. Due to such handling of the French Segond, I do not trust the TBS to fully and unconditionally accept the traditional "received text" underlying the Portuguese tradition in their translations into Portuguese. I certainly would not consider their edition the Portuguese-speakers' "traditional Bible of the people" and the text underlying it the "received text" of the Portuguese-speaking world.
Your website put a question mark next to the Catalan Gospel of John done by the Trinitiarian Bible Society. They now have the New Testament out. The Catalan New Testament published by the Trinitarian Bible Society is based on a Greek text redacted from the KJV. Catalan is a dialect of Spanish. The "received text" of the Spanish country is that underlying the traditional Spanish translation, that is, underlying the Reina-Valera Bible. Because the TBS Catalan New Testament is based on the "received text" of the English-speaking world, it conflicts with the Biblical authority "received text" recognized for centuries by Castilian-dialect Spanish countrymen. Had TBS been sensitive to the Spanish nation, they would have redacted the text underlying the Reina-Valera 1909 and translated it into Catalan, so that the Spanish nation would have one age-old uniform standard. A single age-old uniform standard is a status they seek for the United Kingdom, but! for Spain they seek to introduce a new Biblical standard "received text" to be added to the age-old one Spain has had for centuries. Whether you would therefore consider the Catalan New Testament to be a "received text" translation is your matter, but I would not consider it a "received text" translation.
DS
Beginning with John Eliot, who produced the Bible in the Pequot language in 1663 [?], missionaries were busy translating the Scriptures into the languages of the North American Indians. These included
According to David Cloud of Way of Life, the vast majority of these Bibles are based on Received Text scriptures.