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# Of Sentences In Various Versions

Discussion in 'Bible Versions & Translations' started by Rippon, Jan 9, 2008.

  1. Rippon

    Rippon Well-Known Member
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    I put this together a couple months ago . I wanted to know how some versions compared with one another as to the number of sentences per chapter .

    E = ESV ,T= TNIV , H = HCSB , N = NLTse , R = NIrV

    This little survey will only deal with the first chapter of some New Testament books .

    Romans 1
    E -- 22
    T -- 28
    H -- 30
    N -- 46
    R -- 98

    1 Corinthians 1
    E -- 26
    T -- 30
    H -- 29
    N -- 43
    R -- 76

    2 Corinthians 1
    E --25
    T --27
    H --22
    N --41
    R --73

    Galatians 1
    E --19
    T --23
    H --22
    N --30
    R --64

    Ephesians 1
    E --8
    T --14
    H --15
    N --25
    R --65

    Philippians 1
    E --23
    T --27
    H --26
    N --40
    R --68

    Colossians 1
    E --17
    T --20
    H --24
    N --44
    R --87

    What have we discovered ? The TNIV and HCSB run about neck n' neck with just a bit more verses than the ESV . ( Of course 2 Cor. 1 was an exception . There the HCSB had 3 verses less than the ESV ) .

    The NLTse was rather balanced in its number of sentences . And way off in an extreme way the NIrV had a great many more sentences than even the NLTse did . Naturally , since it's geared toward remedial readers and those who understand English as a second language . Those folks need shorter sentences .

    As a further bit of info I thought it might be fun to see how many sentences were in certain units of thought within two of these chapters .

    In Ephesians 1:15-21 :
    E -- 1
    T -- 3
    H -- 4
    N -- 4
    R -- 19 (!)

    In Colossians 1:9-12
    E -- 2
    T -- 2
    H -- 3
    N -- 7
    R -- 14 (!!)

    Those who prefer more formal-equivalent versions usually protest against breaking up units of thought into too many sentences as the more functionally-equivalent ones do . ( For that sentence of mine perhaps I should have broken it up more :)
     
  2. TCGreek

    TCGreek New Member

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    Rippon,

    Do you have anything on Jude?

    I just finished Jude tonight in Bible class, after doing both 2Pet and Jude.
     
    #2 TCGreek, Jan 9, 2008
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  3. Rippon

    Rippon Well-Known Member
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    I thought you were going to say that I must have a lot of time on my hands . Now you want me to do Jude ! No , I don't have anything on Jude ( yet ) . Maybe that can be your project .:praying:
     
  4. TCGreek

    TCGreek New Member

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    1. Well, you do have a lot of time on your hand. :thumbs:

    2. At any rate, I'm kind of old-fashion when it comes to version, but not too old-fashion.

    3. I like to see how imperatives are supported by participles, which take their cue from the imperatives, as in Jude 20-21:

    "Keep yourselves in the Love of God"--is imperatival and then three participial phrases (supporting Jude's fondness of triads):

    "Building yourselves in your most holy faith" (v. 20)

    "Praying in the Holy Spirit" (v. 20)

    "Waiting anxiously for the mercy..." (v.21)

    4. I see this in the Greek and then it's good when versions like the HCSB, ESV and NASB back up what I see. :thumbs:
     
  5. Rippon

    Rippon Well-Known Member
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    Jude 20-21 ( NLTse ) : But you , dear friends , must build each other up in your most holy faith , pray in the power of the holy Spirit , and await the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ , who will bring you eternal life . In this way , you will keep yourselves safe in God's love .

    ( TNIV ) : But you , dear friends , by building yourselves up in your most holy faith and praying in the Holy Spirit , keep yourselves in God's love as you wait for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ to bring you eternal life .
     
    #5 Rippon, Jan 9, 2008
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  6. Rippon

    Rippon Well-Known Member
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    Could it be that 'anxiously' was an added word not having an equivalence in the Greek ?
     
  7. TCGreek

    TCGreek New Member

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    I didn't consider the NLTse, but it's true to the Greek. In fact, it's much clearer than the other versions. :thumbs:
     
  8. TCGreek

    TCGreek New Member

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    "Waiting anxiously" is from prosdechomai, which is a compound verb pros + dechomai--versions which render the Greek "waiting anxiously, see the preposition pros as intensive.

    HCSB: "Expecting"

    TNIV: "Wait"

    ESV: "Waiting"

    NET: "Anticipating;" fn. "waiting for"
     
  9. TCGreek

    TCGreek New Member

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    Rippon,

    The three participles are instrumental and the NLTse has nailed the imperatives and its participles perfectly well. :thumbs:
     
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