Matthew 8:11 "And I say unto you, That many shall come from the east and west, and shall sit down with Abraham, and Isaac, and Jacob, in the kingdom of heaven."
Many shall come from the east and the west, and shall sit down with Abraham, and Isaac, and Jacob, in the kingdom of heaven according to Jesus. That would be the gentile church, and it is also a prophecy that the word of God would go forth into the whole world and cause as many as would believe in Jesus Christ as Lord and Saviour to inherit eternal life.
Matthew 4:4 "But he answered and said, It is written, Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God."
Make no mistake that it is not the word of God in a particular tongue that saves, but "every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God."
Ecclesiastes 3:14 "I know that, whatsoever God doeth, it shall be for ever: nothing can be put to it, nor any thing taken from it: and God doeth it, that men should fear before him."
The words of the LORD can be translated into different languages, but nothing can be put to it nor any thing taken from it. God is not only in the preservation business, but he is also in the translation business.
Genesis 11:1 "And the whole earth was of one language, and of one speech."
Before the tower of babel incident, the whole earth was of one language, and of one speech.
Genesis 11:7-9 "Go to, let us go down, and there confound their language, that they may not understand one another’s speech. 8 So the LORD scattered them abroad from thence upon the face of all the earth: and they left off to build the city. 9 Therefore is the name of it called Babel; because the LORD did there confound the language of all the earth: and from thence did the LORD scatter them abroad upon the face of all the earth."
Because of the wickedness of men, God did come down, and there he did confound the language of man so that they may not understand one another's speech. Yes, even the hundreds and thousands of languages spoken by men from different nations and different places today was the work of God. Make no mistake about it.
2 Peter 1:21 "For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man: but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost."
God inspired the words in the Old Testament in the Hebrew and Aramaic tongues, and he also inspired the words in the New Testament in the Greek tongue. Holy men of God spake in their own languages as they were moved by the Holy Ghost. Today, we have the word of God in many other languages. On Bible translation:
1 Corinthians 14:21 "In the law it is written, With men of other tongues and other lips will I speak unto this people; and yet for all that will they not hear me, saith the Lord."
In this verse, Apostle Paul was quoting from the passage in Isaiah where it says:
Isaiah 28:11 "For with stammering lips and another tongue will he speak to this people."
This goes back to some 700 years before in the Old Testament times when God promised to speak to his people in another tongue: Greek in the New Testament. But notice the change: the "tongue" in Isaiah 28:11 has become "tongues" in 1 Corinthians 14:21. Therefore God has promised in the New Testament to translate his words into other languages, and he has done so in giving us the 1611 King James Bible in the English language, as well as Bibles in other languages which were also based on the Massoretic Text (OT) and the Textus Receptus (NT).
Job 32:8 "But there is a spirit in man: and the inspiration of the Almighty giveth them understanding."
Tongues belong to men but the words belong to God. Even in a Bible translation, the words of the LORD must continue in spirit and in truth. In a translation, there are choices of words to be made, but God was able to inspire the translators so that the words of the LORD were translated according to his will.
Hebrews 10:7 "Then said I, Lo, I come (in the volume of the book it is written of me,) to do thy will, O God."
The 66 books of the Holy Bible is the will of God concerning his holy Word. The words of the LORD is Spirit. Every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of the LORD has an eternal purpose according to his will, and it shall not return unto him void.
Isaiah 55:11 "So shall my word be that goeth forth out of my mouth: it shall not return unto me void, but it shall accomplish that which I please, and it shall prosper in the thing whereto I sent it."
Apart from every word of God, no man can be saved.
John 6:63 "It is the spirit that quickeneth; the flesh profiteth nothing: the words that I speak unto you, they are spirit, and they are life."
God is able to inspire the translation of his words according to the effectual working of his will to accomplish that which he please. While I believe that the 1611 King James Bible is the perfect word of God in the English language, there are also Bibles in other languages that are a faithful translation of the original texts in the Old Testament and the New Testament.
“The King James Bible was the bible of the great modern missions movement of the 1700’s and 1800’s. The missionaries from England and the United States were saved, called to the mission field, and trained under the preaching of the King James Bible. They traveled around the world, introducing the gospel of grace to millions. Many of these missionaries knew little or no Greek and Hebrew. They translated the Bible into 760 languages from the King James Bible. Truly the modern missions movement was a King James only movement.” Dr. Phil Stringer, The Unbroken Bible, pp.90-91
One of these Bibles translated under the guidance of the King James Bible was the Robert Morrison Chinese Bible (RMCB) in 1823. For the first half of the 19th century, the RMCB which was based on the Massoretic Text (OT) and Textus Receptus (NT) was translated under guidance of the King James Bible using a non-interpretive literal word-for-word translation technique. It was then the most popular and widely used Bible in China.
EARLY CHINESE BIBLE TRANSLATED FROM MASSORETIC TEXT (OT), TEXTUS RECEPTUS (NT) & THE KING JAMES BIBLE (KJV)
Note: This article was copied from a now-defunct site.
Robert Morrison and William Milne's translation of the entire Bible into the Chinese language, generally referred to a the Morrison Bible, was completed in 1823. Although not the first Chinese translation of the Bible (it was completed one year after John Marshman's translation in 1822), it was the most popular and widely used Bible in China in the first half of the 19th century. The translation was based upon the Greek Textus Receptus New Testament, Hebrew Massoretic Old Testament and English Authorized Version. Its style of Chinese is somewhat high and literary, making it a challenging read for the modern Chinese reader, but its source texts, and literal and non-interpretive translation principles, make it a highly valuable resource to those who love the Bible and the Chinese people. To date, the only other modern Chinese translation of the Bible that is translated primarily from pure Greek and Hebrew texts is the Peking Version of 1878 (the predecessor of the Union Version). However, this version used more of a dynamic equivalency method of translation, so in many passages the translation doesn’t reflect the wording of the original.
For many years, I tried to get my hands on a copy of Morrison’s Bible for my personal reference and use. Although not a Chinese native, I have a great interest in the Chinese people and particularly in their Bible. I was able to handle and view an early revision of Morrison’s Bible at the Hong Kong Bible Society in 2005, but in subsequent visits to the society, I was informed that I would no longer be allowed to do so. In 2007, the Singapore Bible Society published a commemorative edition of Morrison’s Bible, celebrated the 200th anniversary of his arrival in China, and I promptly purchased this edition, but it only contained Matthew-Acts. Then in 2010 I made a trip to Singapore, where I purchase a limited edition replica for Morrison’s entire Bible for US$1500. It is a facsimile of the original. Because of the great cost and the difficulty of obtaining it, I’ve decided to make it available for free online in a pdf format. The bible is in the public domain, so I want anyone with an interest in to have free and full access to it. (I believe that’s what Robert Morrison would have wanted, and certainly what our Lord would want).
I scanned the version, using the highest resolution I could, and then converted it to pdf. I originally wanted to use the “Text Enhanced” scan option, which I did for Gen-Num (also for Acts-2Cor), but then I found that in this mode, some of the characters are hard to identify. So beginning with Deuteronomy, I went to a “gray scale” scan mode, which is not as pleasant to look at, but makes identification of difficult or unclear characters easier. I plan to rescan and repost the books that were originally scanned in “Text Enhanced” mode, but that may take a while to complete.
A digital typed copy of Morrison’s translation is now available to view or copy online at: https://bible.fhl.net/gbdoc/new/read.php?chineses=%E5%88%9B&nodic=0&chap=1, or you can download the module of Morrison’s version for theWord Bible software program here (save link as).
May the Lord richly bless you, and may the Lord restore a pure, uncorrupted Bible to the Chinese people in the near future.
Previously, I was reading a news article earlier shared by a sister which says ‘The Bible Is Banned’ – China Shuts Down Churches, Threatens Christians:
Today, we can no longer find the RMCB in China — not a single trace of it. No church in China are allowed to preach from bibles that are not sanctioned by the Communist government. Not only that, but the RMCB has completely disappeared from the world scene too. Even the Chinese churches outside of China, by far and large, preach from the highly corrupted Chinese Union Bible (CUV) or variations of it such as the Chinese King James Bible (CKJV).
Below are some examples of comparison between the King James Bible (KJV) and the Robert Morrison Chinese Bible (RMCB). Comparisons may also be made between the RMCB, the Chinese Union Bible (CUV) and the Chinese King James Bible (CKJV).
Let us take a look at Luke 4:8.
KJV "And Jesus answered and said unto him, Get thee behind me, Satan: for it is written, Thou shalt worship the Lord thy God, and him only shalt thou serve."
RMCB "耶稣答之、曰、退我之后、撒旦、盖录在书云、必拜主尔神、又尔必独服事之。"
CUV "耶 穌 說 : 經 上 記 著 說 : 當 拜 主 ─ 你 的 神 , 單 要 事 奉 他 。"
CKJV "耶稣回答对他说,撒但,退我後边去罢,经上记着说:「当敬拜 主你的 神,单要事奉他。」"
Like the KJV, the RMCB (1823) is a literal word for word translation based on the Massoretic Text (OT) and Textus Receptus (NT) — no dynamic equivalence. We can easily see that from the text itself. The CUV, like the NIV and other modern version bibles, inherited the missing phrase "Get thee behind me, Satan" from the corrupted Westcott & Hort manuscripts. Unlike the RMCB, the CUV is not a literal word for word translation: the literal sense of God's word is lost. By comparison, it appears the CKJV is very much like the CUV (also use dynamic equivalence), except it includes what's missing in the verse, which is "Get thee behind me, Satan".
Let us take a look at Job 41:1.
KJV "Canst thou draw out leviathan with an hook? or his tongue with a cord which thou lettest down?"
RMCB "尔能以鈎而引唎味哑但上来乎、或厥吞以尔所放下之索乎。"
CKJV "你能用鱼钩钓上水怪麽?能用绳子压下它的舌头麽?"
The name of the sea dragon “leviathan” is preserved in RMCB (1823) as “唎味哑但,” which is the literal translation of the Hebrew pronunciation. Notice how the name “leviathan” was lost in the translation of this verse in the CKJV, being replaced by the term “水怪” which means “water-dwelling monster”? This is one example how dynamic equivalence remove things from God's word. Notice also, the original sense of Job 41:1 in the KJV has been changed in the CKJV? For example, in the last part of the verse in KJV: “or his tongue with a cord which thou lettest down”, the CKJV translated it as: “能用绳子压下它的舌头麽” which means “using a rope to press down his tongue”. In RMCB (1823), it was accurately translated: “或厥吞以尔所放下之索乎”. The original sense of God's word in this part of the verse has been carefully preserved in the RMCB, whereas it has been lost in the CKJV.
Let us take a look at Psalms 1:1.
KJV "Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor standeth in the way of sinners, nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful."
RMCB "人不行无敬神者之谋,不立在罪者之路,不坐戏侮者之椅,则有福矣。"
CKJV "不從不敬虔人的計謀、不站罪人的道路、不坐褻慢人座位的,這人便為有福。"
Again by comparison, it appears to me that the RMCB is a much more literal word for word translation as compared to the CKJV which was translated based on dynamic equivalence.
Let us take a look at Lamentations 4:3.
KJV "Even the sea monsters draw out the breast, they give suck to their young ones: the daughter of my people is become cruel, like the ostriches in the wilderness."
RMCB "至其各海鳌伊亦抽奶头与子哺吸、但我民之女成狼忍之心、如野之恶鸟也。"
CUV "野 狗 尚 且 把 奶 乳 哺 其 子 , 我 民 的 妇 人 倒 成 为 残 忍 , 好 像 旷 野 的 鸵 鸟 一 般 。"
Sea monsters, according to the KJV, are real, and I believe there are types of sea monsters with breasts that give suck to their young ones. The RMCB translated the term “sea monster” as “海鳌” which has the meaning of some very obscure creatures that live in the sea, which is also technically correct. However, the CUV translated this verse differently. According to the CUV, there are no sea monsters because the term “sea monster” has been replaced by “野 狗” which means “wild dogs.” This is a classic example of how agnostic bible translators who operate from a heart of unbelief tampered with the word of God.
Let us consider Colossians 2:9.
KJV "For in him dwelleth all the fulness of the Godhead bodily."
RMCB " 盖神之全体浑然居于其中、"
CKJV "因为 神本性一切的丰盛都有形有体的居住在他里面,"
The word “Godhead” in the KJV is translated in the RMCB for this verse as “神之全体,” which has the meaning “assembly of God in one whole body.” However in the CKJV, “Godhead” becomes “神本性” which has the meaning “God's nature.” This is yet another example how dynamic equivalence has taken things out of the word of God. The RMCB has retained the original sense of God's word, whereas the CKJV has lost it due to the use of dynamic equivalence. Moreover, it is understood that the CKJV used the CUV as a base for translation, and so much of the corrupted text in the CUV has been carried over into the CKJV.
Let us consider 1 John 5:7.
KJV "For there are three that bear record in heaven, the Father, the Word, and the Holy Ghost: and these three are one."
RMCB "盖在天有三作证即父者这者圣风者,而斯三为一。"
CUV "并 且 有 圣 灵 作 见 证 , 因 为 圣 灵 就 是 真 理 。"
Notice how the RMCB preserves “the Father, the Word, and the Holy Ghost: and these three are one” in this verse? In the CUV, the meaning for the verse has been changed to “For the Holy Spirit bears record, because the Holy Spirit is the truth.”
Let us consider Colossians 1:14.
KJV "In whom we have redemption through his blood, even the forgiveness of sins:"
NIV "in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins."
Question: What's missing in the NIV? “… through his blood?”
Compare the RMCB to the CUVS in the same verse:
RMCB "吾辈因之有赎价以其血、获罪之赦、"
CUV "我 们 在 爱 子 里 得 蒙 救 赎 , 罪 过 得 以 赦 免 。"
Notice that the RMCB agrees with the KJV in that "through his blood" or “以其血” is present in the verse. The CUVS, however, agrees with the NIV in that “through his blood” has been taken out of the verse. BTW, bibles for distribution in China are controlled by Chinese government. Churches can only legally preach from the "bibles" that the Chinese government has sanctioned, and CUV is currently the main bible used by churches in Communist China.
Finally, let us consider Psalms 12:6-7.
KJV "The words of the LORD are pure words: as silver tried in a furnace of earth, purified seven times. Thou shalt keep them, O LORD, thou shalt preserve them from this generation for ever."
RMCB "神主之言乃纯言,似银试过于瓦炉内,炼过七次。神主欤,汝将守伊等。汝将守伊等。从此世代至永远矣。"
Both passages are exactly congruent with one another. What about the CUV?
CUV "耶 和 华 的 言 语 是 纯 净 的 言 语 , 如 同 银 子 在 泥 炉 中 炼 过 七 次 。耶 和 华 啊 , 你 必 保 护 他 们 ; 你 必 保 佑 他 们 永 远 脱 离 这 世 代 的 人 。"
Firstly, the phrase “pure words” is translated in the RMCB as “纯言.” This is a literal word-for-word translation. In the CUV, however, it is translated as “纯 净 的 言 语.” It is not exactly the same as “纯言” in the RMCB. The phrase “纯 净 的 言 语” in the CUV means “(spoken) Ianguage that is pure.” Secondly, the Chinese word “守” means “keep” or “preserve” is used in the RMCB. Both words are used in verse 7 to denote “keep” and “preserve” respectively. In the CUV, it is translated “保 护” which means “protect” and “保 佑” which means “bless (protect).” Though they may sound similar, but they are not exactly the same. “Keep” and “preserve” is not exactly the same as “protect” and “bless (protect).” This is one evidence whereby dynamic equivalence is employed in the translation process.
Also, in the RMCB “… 神 主 欤,汝 将 守 伊 等。汝 将 守 伊 等。从 此 世代 至 永 远 矣,” it is the “pure words” of the LORD that the LORD shall keep and preserve from this generation forever. In the CUV, “… 耶 和 华 啊 , 你 必 保 护 他 们 ; 你 必 保 佑 他 们 永 远 脱 离 这 世 代 的 人” it is “pure (spoken) language” of the LORD that the LORD shall protect and bless. Furthermore, the CUV uses the phrase “永 远 脱 离 这 世 代 的 人” which means “depart from this generation of men forever.” Putting this altogether, it is the “pure (spoken) language” of the LORD that the LORD shall bless (protect) from this generation of men forever. Associate this with the “Hebrews Roots Movement” or the “Tongues Movement” or any movements that keeps telling us to go back to the original language, like unto the days of the tower of Babel: One World Order.
kudos to you for getting it online! another great article!