Choose One

Tell me, which of the following verses is easier to understand, # 1 or # 2?

# 1- Therefore, thou art inexcusable, O man — every one who is judging — for in that in which thou dost judge the other, thyself thou dost condemn, for the same things thou dost practise who art judging,  (Romans 2:1, Young’s Literal Translation)

# 2 –Those people are on a dark spiral downward. But if you think that leaves you on the high ground where you can point your finger at others, think again. Every time you criticize someone, you condemn yourself. It takes one to know one. Judgmental criticism of others is a well-known way of escaping detection in your own crimes and misdemeanors. (Romans 2:1, the Message)

Yes, I thought so. The Young Version is a literal translation of the Bible. At one time, people actually talked like this. The Message version and many others like it are written in modern conversational language, which is the way we talk now. Unless you are an “Old English” scholar, # 2 is the easier to understand.

Personally, I prefer the Amplified because I want to know the meaning of every word I read.

You might even want to use something like this.

Prayer: Thank you, Lord that we are called to live by your word and your word alone. (See Deuteronomy 8:3). We’ve chosen our favorite version and we are getting to it right this minute! In Christ. Amen.

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