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Is the NASB an inaccurate translation of 1 Peter?

JonC

Moderator
Moderator
On a recent thread @Martin Marprelate commented that the NASB is not an accurate translation of God's Word and he preferred the NKJV (a very good translation, BTW).

The passage in question is in 1 Peter 2, and each are provided below for comparison.


1 Peter 2:20–25 (NASB)
21 For you have been called for this purpose, since Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example for you to follow in His steps,
22 who committed no sin, nor was any deceit found in His mouth;
23 and while being reviled, He did not revile in return; while suffering, He uttered no threats, but kept entrusting Himself to Him who judges righteously;
24 and He Himself bore our sins in His body on the cross, so that we might die to sin and live to righteousness; for by His wounds you were healed.
25 For you were continually straying like sheep, but now you have returned to the Shepherd and Guardian of your souls.

1 Peter 2:20–25 (NKJV)
20 For what credit is it if, when you are beaten for your faults, you take it patiently? But when you do good and suffer, if you take it patiently, this is commendable before God. 21 For to this you were called, because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that you should follow His steps:
22 “Who committed no sin,
Nor was deceit found in His mouth”;
23 who, when He was reviled, did not revile in return; when He suffered, He did not threaten, but committed Himself to Him who judges righteously; 24 who Himself bore our sins in His own body on the tree, that we, having died to sins, might live for righteousness—by whose stripes you were healed. 25 For you were like sheep going astray, but have now returned to the Shepherd and Overseer of your souls.


What makes the NASB an inaccurate translation?

What are the major differences?
 

Reynolds

Well-Known Member
Site Supporter
On a recent thread @Martin Marprelate commented that the NASB is not an accurate translation of God's Word and he preferred the NKJV (a very good translation, BTW).

The passage in question is in 1 Peter 2, and each are provided below for comparison.


1 Peter 2:20–25 (NASB)
21 For you have been called for this purpose, since Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example for you to follow in His steps,
22 who committed no sin, nor was any deceit found in His mouth;
23 and while being reviled, He did not revile in return; while suffering, He uttered no threats, but kept entrusting Himself to Him who judges righteously;
24 and He Himself bore our sins in His body on the cross, so that we might die to sin and live to righteousness; for by His wounds you were healed.
25 For you were continually straying like sheep, but now you have returned to the Shepherd and Guardian of your souls.

1 Peter 2:20–25 (NKJV)
20 For what credit is it if, when you are beaten for your faults, you take it patiently? But when you do good and suffer, if you take it patiently, this is commendable before God. 21 For to this you were called, because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that you should follow His steps:
22 “Who committed no sin,
Nor was deceit found in His mouth”;
23 who, when He was reviled, did not revile in return; when He suffered, He did not threaten, but committed Himself to Him who judges righteously; 24 who Himself bore our sins in His own body on the tree, that we, having died to sins, might live for righteousness—by whose stripes you were healed. 25 For you were like sheep going astray, but have now returned to the Shepherd and Overseer of your souls.


What makes the NASB an inaccurate translation?

What are the major differences?
Other than NASB being generic in saying "sounds" and NKJV being specific with "stripes", what is the difference?
 

JonC

Moderator
Moderator
Other than NASB being generic in saying "sounds" and NKJV being specific with "stripes", what is the difference?
I don't see enough difference to matter.

Overall (not just limited to 1 Peter) I think overall the NASB tries to be more accurate "word for word", but the NKJV tries to maintain some of the stylistic language (especially in Psalms). I like both translations and would not call either inaccurate as a translation (even though they do use different sources).
 

Conan

Well-Known Member
NASB 2:21 Christ also suffered for you
NKJV 2:21 Christ also suffered for us

NASB 2:21 leaving you an example
NKJV 2:21 leaving us an example

In the fist part above, the NKJV is supported by the Majority Text.

In the second part above, it is the NASB that is supported by the Majority Text.
 

JonC

Moderator
Moderator
You left off verse 20 in the NASB. Throws the comparision off right off the bat.
1 Peter 2:19–22 (NKJV): . 20 For what credit is it if, when you are beaten for your faults, you take it patiently? But when you do good and suffer, if you take it patiently, this is commendable before God.

1 Peter 2:20 (NASB95):
20 For what credit is there if, when you sin and are harshly treated, you endure it with patience? But if when you do what is right and suffer for it you patiently endure it, this finds favor with God.
 

Deacon

Well-Known Member
Site Supporter
I’m no Greek scholar and not willing to put the time in this one to check it out but there are some tense changes dealing with past, present events.

…so that we might die to sin and live to righteousness… nasb
…that we, having died to sins, might live for righteousness… nkjv

Rob
 

alexander284

Well-Known Member
I believe at least part of what we're seeing is the NKJV translators attempting to maintain the word order, sentence structure, grammar, and vocabulary of the KJV.

And there is certainly nothing wrong with that, is there? :)
 

JonC

Moderator
Moderator
I believe at least part of what we're seeing is the NKJV translators attempting to maintain the word order, sentence structure, grammar, and vocabulary of the KJV.

And there is certainly nothing wrong with that, is there? :)
I agree. But the NASB tries to keep the word order of the actual text being translated. This does make the NASB a bit "kulnky". It can be a tongue twister when reading aloud. But I'm not sure this is a negative when studying.

I prefer to read aloud using the NKJV or the NIV, but often go to the NASB for reading.

I'm ambidextrous :Biggrin .
 

alexander284

Well-Known Member
I agree. But the NASB tries to keep the word order of the actual text being translated. This does make the NASB a bit "kulnky". It can be a tongue twister when reading aloud. But I'm not sure this is a negative when studying.

I prefer to read aloud using the NKJV or the NIV, but often go to the NASB for reading.

I'm ambidextrous :Biggrin .
I know what you mean. I currently use the NASB for reading and studying, but I use the ESV when reading aloud.
 
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