Translation Comparison: The Message, NASB, and NIrV

Who is the intended audience and what is the purpose of each translation?

Matthew 6:1-18 comes under the Scriptural section titled "Sermon on the Mount." Here, Christ is addressing the individuals hailing from neighboring localities, who followed him. According to Luke 7:1 and Matthew 8:5, the nearest city was Capernaum.[footnoteRef:1] [1: Robert, Barnes. "Secret, Secret, Secret a Sermon on Matthew 6:1-18." 2001. Accessed November 25, 2016. http://www.thirdmill.org/files/english/html/nt/NT.h.Barnes.Matthew.6.1-18.html. ]

The 3 translations combine 3 themes: praying (6:5-6), fasting (6:16-18), and giving (6:2-4), and individuals should be careful to do the above tasks in a way that they are not noticed by people (6:1, 5, 16), and should, instead, pay attention to God's judgment as He can see whatever is done secretly by man (6:4, 6, 18). The first verse dominates the entire discussion: Man is advised to not perform righteousness deeds before others, in a way that they are seen. Because if one performs good deeds for show, God will not offer any reward for them. As the comparison with verse 5:16 elucidates, the key issue is one's intention. It is to be borne in mind that Christ, aside from separately mentioning the 3 themes, recognizes all three of them under the word "righteousness."[footnoteRef:2] [2: Knox, Chamblin. "Commentary and Lesson on Matthew 6:1-18." Accessed November 25, 2016.http://www.thirdmill.org/newfiles/kno_chamblin/NT.Chamblin.Matt.6.1-18.pdf. p.1]

All translations (6:2, 5, 16) depict Christ warning his devotees to not be like the hypocrites. Within individual practices mentioned in 6:1-18, those apparently serving their Lord are actually serving themselves: in order to "be honored by men" (6:2); "seen by men" (6:5); and "to show men they are fasting" (6:16).[footnoteRef:3] These translations further focus on human needs (verse 2a). Giving charity unself-consciously is presumed to be an act depicting inattention to oneself (verses 2b-3). In charity, the self ought not to inform the self of what's taking place. Further, emphasis is given to praying in verse 6:5-15, as a regular practice. Christ states, "When [or whenever] you pray" (6:5, 6, 7). Established habits are presupposed, and the main lesson here, just like with charity, deals with the way one prays (largely, one's attitude and one's intention). Finally, with regard to the reward for these deeds, the hypocrites mentioned in verse 5 obtained the reward they desired (praise by others) in full. But the sincere disciple will receive the Lord's approval (verse 6b).[footnoteRef:4] [3: ibid, p.1-2] [4: ibid]

ii) What significant differences did you notice between the three translations?

Layout constitutes the most marked difference between the translations. Unlike the New International Reader's Version and New American Standard Bible, The Message has been designed like any regular book. Although there are chapter divisions, this version lacks verse numbers and each passage's key subject matter is expressed using subheadings. Furthermore, the translations vary in prose type and the way they treat textual irregularities. For instance, the NASB has used square brackets for the Pater Noster's final line (Matthew 6:13b) to indicate that it doesn't belong to the original Bible. The NIrV totally skips it and offers no explanation for doing so, while the Message incorporates it in a greatly stylized form.[footnoteRef:5] [5: Dave, Burke. "Translation Comparison: The Message, NASB, &NIrV." 2011. Accessed November 25, 2016. https://www.academia.edu/4377811/Translation_Comparison_The_Message_NASB_and_NIrV.]

The Message, NIrV and NASB differ with regard to their word choice. For instance, the Message refers to alms giving using the phrase "when you are trying to be good"; the NASB refers to it as "your righteousness before men"; and NIrV refers to it as "to do good deeds." Another example would be in the reference to "hypocrites," which is the word the NASB utilizes; NIrv calls the word, "those who only pretend" and the Message calls them "play-actors."

Word choice is especially prominent in Christ's Instruction on praying, and creates rather different meanings of different parts of prayer. The Message is starkly different in its 11th verse, "Keep us alive with three square meals." The other versions use similar phrases "Give us today our daily bread" and "Give us this day our daily bread." Further, the Message depicts a different image within the Lord's Prayer's final sections as compared to NIrV and NASB: "You're in charge! You can do anything you want! You're ablaze in beauty! Yes. Yes. Yes."

Language variations are also evident in the translations. Whereas the NASB and NIrV employ a formal tone and vocabulary, the Message is informally composed. The latter translation employs easy-to-read, highly informal (words like shampoo and play-actors are used) and complex language.[footnoteRef:6] [6: ibid

1. Which translation did you prefer and why?

I personally favor the New American Standard Bible owing to its fairly formal style, superior accuracy levels, and good vocabulary which make it a superb study Bible, a respected version to utilize in public speaking, and an informative everyday read. This translation has some measure of solemnness which works well for preachers; after all, Christians across the globe typically consider it one of the 'serious' Scriptural translations. On balance, it ideally combines function and form, and adapts to several audiences for diverse purposes.[footnoteRef:7] [7: ibid]

2. Which translation would you recommend to a new Christian and why?

The ideal translation for new Christians is the NIrV, which makes a fine evangelism instrument for non-native speakers of English, owing to its simple language, introduction explaining the translation rules utilized and clear headings. Its vocabulary is the smallest -- simple sentences and short words have been vastly utilized in its composition. Designed particularly for individuals whose reading skills are deficient and English vocabulary limited, the NIrV simplifies the New International Version for a broader audience. It also features internal harmonization, to some extent. To new Christians, it is a great private read for personal devotion.[footnoteRef:8] Further, verses quoted from another book are supplemented by the book name, verse and chapter, making it a fine study book for new Christians. [8: ibid]

Bibliography

Barnes, Robert. "Secret, Secret, Secret a Sermon on Matthew 6:1-18." 2001. Accessed November 25, 2016. http://www.thirdmill.org/files/english/html/nt/NT.h.Barnes.Matthew.6.1-18.html.

Burke, Dave. "Translation Comparison: The Message, NASB, & NIrV." 2011. Accessed November 25, 2016. https://www.academia.edu/4377811/Translation_Comparison_The_Message_NASB_and_NIrV.

Chamblin, Knox. "Commentary and Lesson on Matthew 6:1-18." Accessed November 25, 2016.http://www.thirdmill.org/newfiles/kno_chamblin/NT.Chamblin.Matt.6.1-18.pdf.