Concordant version

[jbertonbounds]

I have some questions about the Concordant version of the scriptures:
(I never ask questions about a product of the people who are selling it!)

(1) How many of you out there are using it?

(2) How do you like it?

(3) What do you think of it's accuracy?

(4) Have they completed the translations of both the old and new testaments?

(5) Is it your favorite bible?

Thanks for your insights!
JBerton

[WhiteWings]

1] Don't know  :laughing7:
2] It's good but flawed as each and every translation.
3] Good but not complete.
4] Yes. Available for free in at least 4 formats.
5] Several. For the NT I would really advise to take a look at the Jonathan Mitchell translation.

[Tom]

I have some questions about the Concordant version of the scriptures:
(I never ask questions about a product of the people who are selling it!)

(1) How many of you out there are using it?

(2) How do you like it?

(3) What do you think of it's accuracy?

(4) Have they completed the translations of both the old and new testaments?

(5) Is it your favorite bible?

Thanks for your insights!
JBerton

I read the King James for many years and tried several other versions, but I prefer the Concordant Version because it translates the meaning of words consistently according to the concordance with a very few exceptions for the sake of idiom. The translation of the Hebrew and Greek scriptures has been completed, but there have been some updated editions over the years of the Concordant Literal New Testament. A new one isn't planned any time soon the last I heard. Also the last I heard the Concordant Version Old Testament is being edited for an updated version, but the following link has the latest edition which is different that what you'll find in the Interlinear Scripture Analyzer or e-Sword.

http://concordant.org/online/index.html

I also have an audio/video version of the Concordant Version of Paul's evangel on YouTube for those who are blind, deaf, illiterate, or dyslexic. The video contains the actual pages of the Concordant Literal New Testament book, and the audio is text to speech technology.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DcKlvvylmMg&list=PLjekhPv7k1dI04E8m11ojjyDdGFsAZ8kh

I also have the audio and video files available for download in a Dropbox shared folder for anyone who is interested. The download videos are easier on the eyes than the ones on YouTube. The audio files are MP3 format that can be converted to CD format for your car with Windows Media Player. There is a version of the MP3 files here. http://concordant.org/recorded/index.html But that isn't the last edition which has some of the pronunciation perfected. Text to speech technology is not an exact science when it comes to pronunciation. It took some time, energy, and improvisation to produce the last edition. I don't plan on doing any more. The President of the Concordant Publishing Concern retired before I finished the last edition. So not much is getting updated on the website these days. He's looking for someone to help with proofreading, but I can't do that anymore because I'm busy helping a totally handicapped sister and 89 year old dad with Alzheimer's. If you want to share the Dropbox folder with the download files, PM me an email address, and I'll send you an invitation. Meanwhile the text of the latest versions of both the Concordant Version Old and New Testaments are available for free download on the website as PDF files.

[irenic-inkwell]

Thanks jbb for asking the "right" questions.  Thanks WW--I never even heard of the Jonathan Mitchell translation so I really, really appreciate your answer to "favorite translation?" and have already checked out your favorite ... the little that I did read encouraged me to place a shortcut on my desktop for using in my ongoing studies.

Tom, I appreciate your great enthusiasm for the Concordant... I have printed a couple of their articles for use in my ongoing studies.

I don't have any favorites...  I'm a strong adherent of "thinking outside the box" ... keeps me "free" to read many different versions, commentaries, etc.  One of my friends deeply concerned about my reading so many different versions, etc., asked me "Doesn't all that reading just confuse you more?"  and I answered "No, I learned that they can't all be right; but they can all be wrong; however, they all have some truth (s) and those I call "in parts" and add those parts to my ongoing studies.

Thanks all... I've learned and filed many things that each member has shared...

[WhiteWings]

WW--I never even heard of the Jonathan Mitchell translation

http://www.greater-emmanuel.org/jmt/

if you like it, i have a version with color which makes it easier to read.

[irenic-inkwell]

WW--I never even heard of the Jonathan Mitchell translation

http://www.greater-emmanuel.org/jmt/

if you like it, i have a version with color which makes it easier to read.

Thanks ...  when I was searching for online Jonathan Mitchell translation, greater-Emmanuel was on the list and I immediately went to their website... I'm kind of a black/white person so I'll stick with the version ... WW I really do appreciate the valuable information you bring to this forum and now that my printer has been "renewed", I've printed your post on The Law; Proper Names of Yahweh; and the one on the meaning of Deuteronomy.

[JulieTang84]

Here is where Faith and Trust is more important than understanding. I am not going to denounce any Bible for the sake of another. I personally use a NIV study Bible that I find most useful. Simply because the comments tend to often times correct the obvious errors in transliteration.


Getting back to Faith and Trust.


Faith: Is knowing that Father's Spirit will provide the wisdom and the words when needed.
Trust: Is knowing that all understanding comes from Father.


If this is true (How can it not be) then surely His Word in all of its many forms (King James, Concordant, NIV, Young's, Rotham's, etc ) would all teach the same truth. (How could they not)


Quite honestly, the truth can be found in all Scripture if one has been given the eyes to see. This is of MOST importance. It is not up to us to lean on our own understanding (Pro 3:5) Nor is it up to us to clear our eyes in order to see what Father has hidden from us.


So what is left? A forum with a lot of members with vastly different stories to tell and a "good" grasp  of whatever "truth" has been given them. I make this point, because if any are here trying to learn a truth different than the one given, then it's likely a good time to find a quiet place to know Father.


So we must always be very conscious of the fact that if one of us as a different version of the truth than we, then it is up to us to question our understanding before we even dare question that of another. Even then, Love is the baseline and if both beliefs (word renderings, global floods, etc) do not deviate from LOVE then what does it matter? It matters only if we choose to push a belief onto another who simply cannot see it.


Seems this is much the same way we should treat the Hell Fire believers. They simply cannot see the truth and no amount of reasoning will ever convince them otherwise. If anything will, it will be Love, because Jesus told us the 2nd Commandment is to love others with as much sincerity as we love ourselves.


The truth has four letters. LOVE. Father is LOVE and we MUST Love always


Love Julie  :HeartThrob:

[Tom]

There is no perfect translation because something is always lost in translation. Unfortunately most of us here probably don't understand Hebrew or Greek. So we have to trust the translation of others. The only reason I prefer the Concordant Version is because the method of translation according to the concordance minimizes the interpretation of those who compiled it more than any other version I know. I want to know what the ancient manuscripts say, not what somebody thinks about what they say. I've said it before, and I'll say it again. I believe, if we keep seeking the truth, it will be revealed to us because I believe it is God's will that we know the truth.

"you will know the truth, and the truth will be making you free." (John 8:32)

"I am the Way and the Truth and the Life. No one is coming to the Father except through Me." (John 14:6)

[jbertonbounds]

I thought of two more questions:

(1) Does the Concordant version contain the same ole mistranslation ("hell") of the words hades, sheol, Gehenna, and Tartarus?  In other words, does it contain the word "hell?"

(2) Does the Concordant version contain the same ole mistranslation ("eternal") instead of the more correct "age-abiding," "for an age," or "age-lasting?"

[WhiteWings]

The only reason I prefer the Concordant Version is because the method of translation according to the concordance minimizes the interpretation of those who compiled it more than any other version I know. I want to know what the ancient manuscripts say, not what somebody thinks about what they say.

The problem is that the manuscripts not always agree. Sometimes various renderings are possible. Not talking about doctrine but linguistics. That's no sneer at the translators. If a word has 2 or more meaning in Greek or Hebrew it's very often impossible to find a word in English which has the exact same meanings.

In that respect the Mitchell translation is great. It lists many renderings and let the reader make the choice.
But Mitchels is no readers Bible. It's more like  a  puzzle study Bible. No issue for me because I rarely read the Bible. I usually hop through the Bible following a red thread for a certain study. I think that's also important for the question what the best Bible is. A studier has want accuracy even if it mean garbled English. Others want smooth flowing poetry style.

[WhiteWings]

@jbert below a  few concordant verse so you get a fair impression.

41 Then shall He be declaring to those also at His left, 'Go from Me, you cursed, into the fire eonian, made ready for the Adversary and his messengers."
42 For I hunger and you do not give Me to eat; I thirst and you do not give Me drink;
43 a stranger was I and you did not take Me in; naked and you did not clothe Me; infirm and in jail and you did not visit Me.'
44 Then shall they also be answering, saying, 'Lord, when did we perceive you hungering or thirsting, or a stranger, or naked, or infirm, or in jail, and we did not serve you?'"
45 Then shall He be answering them, saying, 'Verily, I am saying to you, In as much as you do it not to one of these, the least, neither do you it to Me.'"
46 And these shall be coming away into chastening eonian, yet the just into life eonian."

22 Yet I am saying to you that everyone who is angry with his brother shall be liable to the judging. Yet whoever may be saying to his brother, 'Raka!' shall be liable to the Sanhedrin. Yet whoever may be saying, 'Stupid!' shall be liable to the Gehenna of fire.
23 If, then, you should be offering your approach present on the altar, and there you should be reminded that your brother has anything against you,
24 leave your approach present there, in front of the altar, and go away. First be placated toward your brother, and then, coming, be offering your approach present.
25 You be humoring your plaintiff quickly while you are with him on the way, lest at some time the plaintiff may be giving you up to the judge, and the judge to the deputy, and you should be cast into jail.
26 Verily I am saying to you, By no means may you be coming out thence till you should be paying the last quadrans.
27 "You hear that it was declared, 'You shall not be committing adultery.
28 Yet I am saying to you that every man looking at a woman to lust for her already commits adultery with her in his heart.
29 Now, if your right eye is snaring you, wrench it out and cast it from you, for it is expedient for you that one of your members should perish and not your whole body be cast into Gehenna.
30 And if your right hand is snaring you, strike it off and cast it from you, for it is expedient for you that one of your members should perish and not your whole body pass away into Gehenna."


But why ask. It's free. Read a  chapter and you know  :declare:


If you need help getting a copy PM me. (all 100% legal)
I have 2 versions for Bible software. A regular .pdf. And a .pdf especially geared toward mobile devices. (narrow column and big font)
All of it are 'old' versions according to Tom. But still far better that no CLV at all I would say.

[Tom]

I thought of two more questions:

(1) Does the Concordant version contain the same ole mistranslation ("hell") of the words hades, sheol, Gehenna, and Tartarus?  In other words, does it contain the word "hell?"

(2) Does the Concordant version contain the same ole mistranslation ("eternal") instead of the more correct "age-abiding," "for an age," or "age-lasting?"

The Concordant Version does not contain the mistranslations "hell" or "eternal." "Sheol," "Gehenna," and "Tartarus" are translated correctly, and "hell" from the Greek "hades," literally meaning "unperceived" or "unseen" is translated as "unseen." The Greek "aionion" mistranslated as "eternal" is translated "eonian" because it is simply the adjective of the Greek "aion," literally meaning "eon," which is a period of time not infinite time. I used to read Young's Literal Translation because it uses "age" and "age-during," but "eon" and "eonian" are actually more accurate. I became aware of other problems with Young's version too.

[Tom]

The only reason I prefer the Concordant Version is because the method of translation according to the concordance minimizes the interpretation of those who compiled it more than any other version I know. I want to know what the ancient manuscripts say, not what somebody thinks about what they say.

The problem is that the manuscripts not always agree. Sometimes various renderings are possible. Not talking about doctrine but linguistics. That's no sneer at the translators. If a word has 2 or more meaning in Greek or Hebrew it's very often impossible to find a word in English which has the exact same meanings.

In that respect the Mitchell translation is great. It lists many renderings and let the reader make the choice.
But Mitchels is no readers Bible. It's more like  a  puzzle study Bible. No issue for me because I rarely read the Bible. I usually hop through the Bible following a red thread for a certain study. I think that's also important for the question what the best Bible is. A studier has want accuracy even if it mean garbled English. Others want smooth flowing poetry style.

The ancient manuscripts have errors because they were copied by humans, but it is my understanding that nothing varies regarding doctrine. The Concordant folks compared a lot of manuscripts during their work. I'm surprised to see that you "rarely read the Bible" considering your interest in Hebrew culture and history. I study the word of God every morning for inspiration. It is how I receive the fruit of the spirit to edify me daily. It is through the word of God that we receive the spirit of God. Christ is "the word of God." We may not have been able to know Christ in the flesh like those who walked with him, but God has blessed us with the written word of God to inspire us and guide us with the light of his wisdom in this world of darkness giving us peace in the midst of the insanity of the world. The word of God is our daily bread, "the bread of life." I eat a healthy diet, but I would rather go without breakfast in the morning than my daily bread. I encourage you to take some time to read the word of God, brother. It will do you good.

"In the beginning was the word, and the word was toward God, and God was the word." (John 1:1)

"And the Word became flesh and tabernacles among us, and we gaze at His glory, a glory as of an only-begotten from the Father, full of grace and truth." (John 1:14)

"He is clothed in a cloak dipped in blood, and His name is called "The Word of God." (Revelation 19:13)

"Now the fruit of the spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, meekness, self-control" (Galatians 5:22,23)

[WhiteWings]

I'm surprised to see that you "rarely read the Bible" considering your interest in Hebrew culture and history.

I mean read it like a regular book. From cover to cover. I pick a topic, and the  jump from Lev 1 to Num 8, to Mat 1, Gen 8 etc.

So I read topics. Not chapters or books.

I hope that makes sense

[ded2daworld]

In some ways it is similar to the amplified Bible which also has alternative meanings in parenthesis. I really like it a lot.

[WhiteWings]

The ancient manuscripts have errors because they were copied by humans, but it is my understanding that nothing varies regarding doctrine.

Also regarding doctrine. Just Google for missing and added verses. There are thousands of copy errors but the vast majority are just tiny spelling errors. When I write error I never mean such trivial mistakes. We didn't have such discussion since you are a member here but sometimes a tiny different translation changes a whole verse.
The other point I was trying to make even if the manuscript is 100% original and the translator super skilled and unbiased problems may arise.
What if  a Greek or Hebrew word clearly has 2 or more meanings. Jesus purposely picked those words as a word play to put two meanings into one verse.
Then the translator has two choices. Pick one rendering (most Bibles) or add alternative renderings. Mitchell excels in that part.

So once again it's not slandering the CLV but merely pointing out they can't do the impossible.

[WhiteWings]

WW--I never even heard of the Jonathan Mitchell translation

http://www.greater-emmanuel.org/jmt/

if you like it, i have a version with color which makes it easier to read.

Thanks ...  when I was searching for online Jonathan Mitchell translation, greater-Emmanuel was on the list and I immediately went to their website... I'm kind of a black/white person so I'll stick with the version ...

I find it pretty unreadle  :LH:

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[Tom]

The ancient manuscripts have errors because they were copied by humans, but it is my understanding that nothing varies regarding doctrine.

Also regarding doctrine. Just Google for missing and added verses. There are thousands of copy errors but the vast majority are just tiny spelling errors. When I write error I never mean such trivial mistakes. We didn't have such discussion since you are a member here but sometimes a tiny different translation changes a whole verse.
The other point I was trying to make even if the manuscript is 100% original and the translator super skilled and unbiased problems may arise.
What if  a Greek or Hebrew word clearly has 2 or more meanings. Jesus purposely picked those words as a word play to put two meanings into one verse.
Then the translator has two choices. Pick one rendering (most Bibles) or add alternative renderings. Mitchell excels in that part.

So once again it's not slandering the CLV but merely pointing out they can't do the impossible.

I just took another look at Mitchell's New Testament for your sake, and the first thing I notice is the use of "age" in the place of "eon" similar to Young's Literal Translation. The Greek "aion" literally means "eon" which is more accurate than "age." That may seem insignificant to some, but, as you point out, sometimes a small change can make a big difference.

http://concordant.org/expohtml/TheEons/eon1.html

Choosing a version of scripture to study is a matter of personal choice, and I prefer the Concordant Version. It is not perfect. I would prefer an updated edition with some of the words modernized, but it seems to me to be the most accurate translation. So I plan to keep using it. Their concordance and commentary are handy too.

I have no investment in the Concordant Publishing Concern. I only gave my opinion about my experience with it because jbertonbounds asked. Most folks seem to be unaware of it or don't like the literal translation because it's not as easy to read as other versions, but I think accuracy is the most important reason to choose a translation. We're all still guessing though unless we understand the ancient languages, and, if we understood the ancient languages, we wouldn't need a translation.

[jbertonbounds]

Thanks everybody! :thumbsup:

[WhiteWings]

I read the King James for many years and tried several other versions, but I prefer the Concordant Version because it translates the meaning of words consistently according to the concordance with a very few exceptions for the sake of idiom.

That's it strength but at the same time it's weakness.
The ONLY thing a translation should do translate concepts thoughts. Even if that means verses are completely butchered. But that will inject truckloads of doctrine. And totally impossible for reasons already mentioned. I would eve say that the perfect Bible must be at least be 7x thicker that any other translation (assuming same letter size etc)


My view is firm and this: Everyone who sticks to just one translation is doing things (very) wrong.

Consistency is just false security. It eases the mind because less thinking is needed.   
But it's not a good basis to start with. The CLV certainly isn't bad. I would advise everyone to use it but I would advise nobody to only use CLV or any other translation.

[Tom]

I read the King James for many years and tried several other versions, but I prefer the Concordant Version because it translates the meaning of words consistently according to the concordance with a very few exceptions for the sake of idiom.

That's it strength but at the same time it's weakness.
The ONLY thing a translation should do translate concepts thoughts. Even if that means verses are completely butchered. But that will inject truckloads of doctrine. And totally impossible for reasons already mentioned. I would eve say that the perfect Bible must be at least be 7x thicker that any other translation (assuming same letter size etc)


My view is firm and this: Everyone who sticks to just one translation is doing things (very) wrong.

Consistency is just false security. It eases the mind because less thinking is needed.   
But it's not a good basis to start with. The CLV certainly isn't bad. I would advise everyone to use it but I would advise nobody to only use CLV or any other translation.

I use the Interlinear Scripture Analyzer to compare the Authorized Version (King James), Young's Literal Translation, and the Concordant Version. I also see how various other versions translate verses at times. I simply prefer the Concordant Version.

[JulieTang84]

For sure this is a wonderful discussion but one (IMO) deeply flawed.  :sigh:

Father has revealed his Word in a variety different forms for a REASON! Each translation fills a need for Fathers plan. It is great to compare notes, but to laud one translation over another is forgetting why there are differing ones in the first place.

Never forget the debates most of us have had with ET'ers. Black = White and NOTHING, not even Jesus Himself could change there minds.

Jhn 6:65
He went on to say, "This is why I told you that no one can come to me unless the Father has enabled them."

The simple truth is that there is NOT a single Bible that the truth cannot be found if one has been "enabled" to see. All this talk about the correct words is like describing a forest by focusing on just a plant or two.

It is not the Tools alone that make a great tradesman, for a great tradesman relies mostly on skill and discernment. The tools just make his/her life easier because the "skill" to use them correctly is present.

The simple truth is that no matter what a blind man holds in his hands, the words mean nothing because he cannot see them. I can't help but feel that it would be most beneficial discussing why Father caused so much confusion with HIS HOLY WORD. The answer is because of LOVE, for if we can see differences of understanding through LOVE, then surely the differences simply evaporate. :dsunny:

I hope this post is taken in the spirit of love in which it is given.  :HeartThrob:

Love Julie

[Tom]

For sure this is a wonderful discussion but one (IMO) deeply flawed.  :sigh:

Father has revealed his Word in a variety different forms for a REASON! Each translation fills a need for Fathers plan. It is great to compare notes, but to laud one translation over another is forgetting why there are differing ones in the first place.

Never forget the debates most of us have had with ET'ers. Black = White and NOTHING, not even Jesus Himself could change there minds.

Jhn 6:65
He went on to say, "This is why I told you that no one can come to me unless the Father has enabled them."

The simple truth is that there is NOT a single Bible that the truth cannot be found if one has been "enabled" to see. All this talk about the correct words is like describing a forest by focusing on just a plant or two.

It is not the Tools alone that make a great tradesman, for a great tradesman relies mostly on skill and discernment. The tools just make his/her life easier because the "skill" to use them correctly is present.

The simple truth is that no matter what a blind man holds in his hands, the words mean nothing because he cannot see them. I can't help but feel that it would be most beneficial discussing why Father caused so much confusion with HIS HOLY WORD. The answer is because of LOVE, for if we can see differences of understanding through LOVE, then surely the differences simply evaporate. :dsunny:

I hope this post is taken in the spirit of love in which it is given.  :HeartThrob:

Love Julie

The main message of the word of God is definitely God's love for all creation as you say, Julie, but I think folks see that more clearly in some versions than others. That's why everybody has their own preference. Everybody has a different perspective, but we just need to remember God is love even if we don't all agree on how we interpret various things in the word of God. We are all family. Like any family, we have our disagreements, but we are bound together by the spirit of God which is love. God created all, and God will reconcile all because God is love.   

[JulieTang84]

The main message of the word of God is definitely God's love for all creation as you say, Julie, but I think folks see that more clearly in some versions than others. That's why everybody has their own preference. Everybody has a different perspective, but we just need to remember God is love even if we don't all agree on how we interpret various things in the word of God. We are all family. Like any family, we have our disagreements, but we are bound together by the spirit of God which is love. God created all, and God will reconcile all because God is love.

Thanks Tom for understanding  :HeartThrob:


I was just trying to say that by comparing Bibles with all their flaws, we may well for in the trap of believing that Fathers Word is only as good as the translators understanding. Though this is a valid argument, it creates division. Something that we, Fathers children should avoid at all costs.


Trust is all the more powerful it is based on faith immersed in Love.


Love Julie  :HeartThrob:

[WhiteWings]

Father has revealed his Word in a variety different forms for a REASON! Each translation fills a need for Fathers plan. It is great to compare notes, but to laud one translation over another is forgetting why there are differing ones in the first place.

And that reason is?

The simple truth is that there is NOT a single Bible that the truth cannot be found if one has been "enabled" to see.

How many would be enabled without there being any Bible?
May sound odd, but I think God's opinion is that a Bible is beneficial and that's why He had it written. Study theyself approved.

All this talk about the correct words is like describing a forest by focusing on just a plant or two.

What's even worse than that is trying to minimize the importance of the written Word because THAT is a slippery slope that leads to fantasy doctrines for sure. Personally I classify calling the Bible a plant or two in the forest as (bordering) slander.

It is not the Tools alone that make a great tradesman, for a great tradesman relies mostly on skill and discernment. The tools just make his/her life easier because the "skill" to use them correctly is present.

How did that tradesman learn his trade?

The simple truth is that no matter what a blind man holds in his hands, the words mean nothing because he cannot see them. I can't help but feel that it would be most beneficial discussing why Father caused so much confusion with HIS HOLY WORD. The answer is because of LOVE, for if we can see differences of understanding through LOVE, then surely the differences simply evaporate.

All traditions of the Pharisees were based on instructions God gave. Their interpretation was wrong but they tried. Jesus confronted them head-on with their junk teachings. Jesus sure was able to "see differences trough love" but he didn't hug the Pharisees and overlook their wrong interpretations "in love".