Wednesday, July 09, 2008

Without "Vision"


So I'm thinking that since I've been asked to preach about the vision of the presbytery that a good Old Testament reading for the service would be "Where there is no vision, the people perish." Proverbs 29:18.

Uhm. Not so fast, QG.

I couldn't find these exact words in my NIV or NRSV, so when I went over to an online Bible search engine, I found the following:

When there is no revelation, the people cast off restraint (NIV and New King James)

Where there is no prophesy, the people cast off restraint (NRSV)
Where there is no vision, the people are unrestrained (New American--at least it used the word "vision"!)

If people can't see what God is doing, they stumble all over themselves (The Message)

Apparently the old King James translation is the only one that says "Where there is no vision the people perish."

I'm sure this church uses the NRSV for its pulpit Bible. Sigh.

Don't you just hate when this happens? Back to the drawing board....grumble, grumble.

10 comments:

Lori said...

That is so frustrating!

Although I must say it's heartening to know I'm not the only one who goes through this.

Anonymous said...

Personally, I like The Message ... can't see what God is doing ... stumble all over themselves. You're the preacher -- you can use whatever version you like ;)

I think there's a lot of stumbling all over ourselves going on ... and seeing what God is doing is what we need to focus on.

Yeah, I know ... stop reading blogs and get those Vision stories ready for QG!

Anonymous said...

Wait ... or ... if you're only using one verse, why not read all of the versions? One after the other.

Gannet Girl said...

Or address the differences in translation as part of your sermon.

I think they're fascinating. But then I'm a language geek.

Mac said...

I personally use the ESV which translates the passage as "Wherethere is no prophetic vision the people cast off restraint, but blessed is he who keeps the law."

I tend to agree with Wendy: On the few occasions that I have preached, I simply note that I am using the ESV. The idea of comparing translations is not a bad one, but if what you want to say fits best with the KJV, use it! (You really can't go wrong with the KJV--I use mine, but keep my ESV handy for when the older phrasing confuses me.)

Jody Harrington said...

Thanks for the helpful advice, everyone. I've decided to go a different direction with the scripture, hoping the Spirit is leading the way!

Anonymous said...

I just hate it when the Scripture does not say what a I need it to!! :)

Jody Harrington said...

Exactly! It's SO irritating!

Stushie said...

Moffat translation:

People break loose without a guiding hand, but happy are the law-abiding!

mid-life rookie said...

I recently used The Message version for preaching text. I decided it was okay when the Bishop did the same at a gathering of clergy persons.