An American Bible
The Holy Bible : Revised Standard Version. (Nelson. 30s.) FIFTEEN years ago decision was taken in the United States and Canada to revise the English Revised Version of the Bible (1881- 1885) and the American Standard Version (1901). The task Was entrusted to a committee of thirty-two scholars ; the New Testament portion of their work was published in 1946, and the rendering of the Old Testament now issued completes their translation of the Bible, under the title The Revised Standard Version. Faithfully they have adhered to the ideal which the compilers of the R.V. had set before themselves—to improve the accuracy and intelligibility of the Authorised Version of 1611, whilst conserving its marvellous felicity of style. Quiller-Couch referred to the achievement of the com- mittee in King James's time as a miracle : "Forty-seven men—not one of them known, outside of this performance, for any superlative talent—sat in committee and almost consistently, over a vast extent of work, improved on what Genius [Tyndale's translation] had done. I give you the word of an old committee man that this is not the way of committees—that only by miracle is it the way of any committee.': The American translators have succeeded in their responsible and difficult endeavour.
Although it is a comparatively short time since the R.V. appeared, there is abundant reason for a new version. More use could be made of the evidence of the ancient versions ; the past seventy years have yielded ampler knowledge of Hebrew and cognate Semitic languages ; and in the many passages where the Hebrew text is in all likelihood corrupt and virtually untranslatable some modern conjectural emendations could be—and in the R.S.V. have been— sensibly utilised. A far more cogent ground for revision has existed in the one pervasive defect in the R.V. Its authors were oppressed by the probability that multiplication of changes in the text might arouse such annoyance that there would be widespread disapproval of their effort. In consequence they relegated to the obscurity of marginal notes a host of alterations which their scholarly judgement would otherwise have preferred. A criticism passed on their work in 1885 observed that in any future revision text and margin ought to change places. In the R.S.V. that salutary transposition has been made.
It is surprising how quickly normal diction alters. The R.V. retained many forms of expression that are now irritatingly antiquated —notably the second-singular pronouns "thou,- thee" and verb- endings " -est " and " -edst." With immense benefit the R.S.V. has made an almost complete deletion of archaisms and near- archaisms. Not that it is a colloquial rendering ; "the revision seeks to preserve all that is best in the English Bible as it has been known and used through the years." Now and again a dignified or beautiful phrase which may be on the Way to disuse has been allowed to stand. Thus (II Kings 2 : 3) to the insensitive men who asked Elisha if he did not see that his master, Elijah, looked like a dying man, Elisha in the R.S.V. still answers : "Hold your peace," not " Shut up " or " Be silent." In Eccles. 1 : 2 the retained rendering "Vanity of vanities All is vanity "seems unjustified, since for most readers today " vanity," so definitely denotes" pride," not "futility." In Proverbs the, famous phrase : "The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom" might have been boldly and better translated by " Reverence for God...." " Jehovah " has disappeared ! The four consonants of the divine name used in early Hebrew religion were almost certainly pronounced "Yahweh." For reasons given in the introduction the R.S.V., in accordance with the A.V. and R.V., wisely prints in their stead LORD or GOD in small capitals. In a few passages, e.g. Psalm 24: 7-10, there would have been educational advantage if the ancient consonants had been indicated, unvocalised, in the footnotes.
The results of the freedom which the American translators have felt able to use in order to increase lucidity and accuracy are, of course, conspicuous throughout the poetical and prophetical books. In the books of the prophets the mass of rhythmic utterances has been printed for the first time in such a way as to show their character. Readers will find this feature arresting and illuminating. Subject- headings have been printed at the top of the pages. The titles an well chosen, and may be a stimulus to search the Scriptures. But inevitably they are often relevant only to part of the text printed below.
For the most part the notable alterations made in notable verses are fully justified. But it is in virtue of the countless minor changes, which have smoothed out archaisms, improved accuracy and enhanced lucidity, that the R.S.V. provides by far the test translation for present-day readers. The work is designed to serve, not only private study, but public worship. It is eminently suitable for use in public worship. If it is read in Church services, the worshippers will be much more likely to find themselves listening. W. A. L. ELmst.rE.
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