A Dumbed-Down Version ?

It's popular among some ( many? ) proponents of the more formally-eqivalent versions to denigrate translations such as the NLTse . They categorize it with paraphrases which we all know can't be any good . Pejorative labels are attached such as dumbed-down .

Well , I'm here to straighten you all out on this one . The NLTse is not its distant relative -- the Living Translation . You know , around the early 70's the LT had the tell-tale green bindings ?

The NLTse is a legitimate translation . It is not a paraphrase . And the scholars who worked on it were top-notch .

Just because it is more functionally-equivalent than the NASBU , ESV , and NKJ does not mean it does not carry around some considerable weight of its own .

The Revised English Bible is in the same F-E range as the NLTse but it uses some highfalutin words at times . It's not a dumbed-down version . And I'm here to tell you varmits ( Sorry , I'm in a Festus-like mood ) that the NLTse has its share of bigger words . It's not to be confused with the NIrV ( which I love also ) . So you best be puttin' on your specs and take a gander at a few NLTse words I found recently when I was in a look-see type of mood . Oh I know the words are easier than the ones Bill Buckley uses . They are understandable -- but they will disabuse anyone with a fair mindset that this version is for young kiddies . But there will be some of you who will tell me their 7 year old niece could not only spell all of these words but give the meaning also . Well , more power to her . But the average preteen wouldn't know them .

In no particular order :

obliterate , siege , notorious , charioteers , hordes , extortion , forfeited , gloat , pestilence , brandished ,desecration , exquiste , perverse , anguished , distressed , scurry , banished , forging , winnowing , groundless , simpletons , abolish , plundered , carasses , promiscuous , temperment , consoling , flogged , commemorate , appease , slaughtered , concubine , flagrant , propositioned , scrawny , scrutinized , embalm , billowed , devious , rampant , stench , retorted , scorching , procession , withered , defiance , consume , haughty , tormented , consecrate , awl , expertise , flanked , indulged , revelry , notorious .

 

You're right MP . I posted that carelessly .