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Is the New American Standard Bible as "wooden" as some claim that it is?

alexander284

Well-Known Member
Majority of any revisions would be due to the financial involnement of the publisher!

I get the impression that the NASB update will prove to be "a mixed bag," of sorts.

In other words, a noticeable improvement in some places, but a change for the worse, in others.
 

Van

Well-Known Member
Site Supporter
"Wooden" is seldom defined and illustrated. And the version (77 or 95) being said to be wooden is seldom identified. What we do know is if you remove some inspired words and phrases, you can make the version less wooden.

As a poor reader, I had great difficulty with the KJV, and found the NASB77 easier for me to understand. The NASB95 took another step toward understandably for me. And of course I can find better translated verses in the KJV, NKJV, NET, NIV and LEB. But overall, the NASB wins for accuracy.
 

InTheLight

Well-Known Member
Site Supporter
Luke 14:10 But when you are invited, go and recline at the last place, so that when the one who has invited you comes, he may say to you, ‘Friend, move up higher’; then you will have honor in the sight of all who are at the table with you. [NASB]

Luke 14:10 But when you are invited, take the lowest place, so that when your host comes, he will say to you, ‘Friend, move up to a better place.’ Then you will be honored in the presence of all the other guests.[NIV]


2 Corinthians 6:11 Our mouth has spoken freely to you, O Corinthians, our heart is opened wide.
12 You are not restrained by us, but you are restrained in your own affections.
13 Now in a like exchange—I speak as to children—open wide to us also. [NASB]

2 Corinthians 6:11 We have spoken freely to you, Corinthians, and opened wide our hearts to you.
12 We are not withholding our affection from you, but you are withholding yours from us.
13 As a fair exchange—I speak as to my children—open wide your hearts also. [NIV]


James 1:21 Therefore, putting aside all filthiness and all that remains of wickedness, in humility receive the word implanted, which is able to save your souls. [NASB]

James 1:21 Therefore, get rid of all moral filth and the evil that is so prevalent and humbly accept the word planted in you, which can save you. [NIV]
 

Yeshua1

Well-Known Member
Site Supporter
Luke 14:10 But when you are invited, go and recline at the last place, so that when the one who has invited you comes, he may say to you, ‘Friend, move up higher’; then you will have honor in the sight of all who are at the table with you. [NASB]

Luke 14:10 But when you are invited, take the lowest place, so that when your host comes, he will say to you, ‘Friend, move up to a better place.’ Then you will be honored in the presence of all the other guests.[NIV]


2 Corinthians 6:11 Our mouth has spoken freely to you, O Corinthians, our heart is opened wide.
12 You are not restrained by us, but you are restrained in your own affections.
13 Now in a like exchange—I speak as to children—open wide to us also. [NASB]

2 Corinthians 6:11 We have spoken freely to you, Corinthians, and opened wide our hearts to you.
12 We are not withholding our affection from you, but you are withholding yours from us.
13 As a fair exchange—I speak as to my children—open wide your hearts also. [NIV]


James 1:21 Therefore, putting aside all filthiness and all that remains of wickedness, in humility receive the word implanted, which is able to save your souls. [NASB]

James 1:21 Therefore, get rid of all moral filth and the evil that is so prevalent and humbly accept the word planted in you, which can save you. [NIV]
Which would be more accurate to the original Greek text then?
 

Van

Well-Known Member
Site Supporter
Thanks ITL, your illustrations seem to demonstrate you can improve readability if you redefine words and remove words. In Luke 14:10, Go was removed and recline at the last place was replaced with take the lowest place. Then the one who has invited you is replaced with your host, and the idea of a personal invite is deleted. But boy we have made it less wooden.
 

InTheLight

Well-Known Member
Site Supporter
Thanks ITL, your illustrations seem to demonstrate you can improve readability if you redefine words and remove words.

Yes. It's true. The meaning isn't changed one whit, but it is easier to understand and easier to read.

In Luke 14:10, Go was removed and recline at the last place was replaced with take the lowest place. Then the one who has invited you is replaced with your host, and the idea of a personal invite is deleted. But boy we have made it less wooden.

"Go" may be removed since it is implied if you are at the dinner you WENT TO THE DINNER.
"Lowest place" makes more sense then "last place" since the admonition translated in the NASB is to move to a higher place.

NIV: "host"
NASB: "one who has invited you"
Nope, no change in meaning and definitely less wordy.

In verse 11 both versions use "when you have been invited", so the idea of a personal invitation is preserved in the NIV.
Also, verse 8: "When someone invites you to a wedding feast"
Verse 9: "the host who invited both of you"

Pretty clear a personal invitation was given in the NIV.

You're nit-picking.
 

alexander284

Well-Known Member
Luke 14:10 But when you are invited, go and recline at the last place, so that when the one who has invited you comes, he may say to you, ‘Friend, move up higher’; then you will have honor in the sight of all who are at the table with you. [NASB]

Luke 14:10 But when you are invited, take the lowest place, so that when your host comes, he will say to you, ‘Friend, move up to a better place.’ Then you will be honored in the presence of all the other guests.[NIV]


2 Corinthians 6:11 Our mouth has spoken freely to you, O Corinthians, our heart is opened wide.
12 You are not restrained by us, but you are restrained in your own affections.
13 Now in a like exchange—I speak as to children—open wide to us also. [NASB]

2 Corinthians 6:11 We have spoken freely to you, Corinthians, and opened wide our hearts to you.
12 We are not withholding our affection from you, but you are withholding yours from us.
13 As a fair exchange—I speak as to my children—open wide your hearts also. [NIV]


James 1:21 Therefore, putting aside all filthiness and all that remains of wickedness, in humility receive the word implanted, which is able to save your souls. [NASB]

James 1:21 Therefore, get rid of all moral filth and the evil that is so prevalent and humbly accept the word planted in you, which can save you. [NIV]

I really appreciate all these examples you provided us!
 
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