Blog Marco

Instead of talking about the issues of killing someone as punishment of being a drug delievery boy and about his last hours which you could read about here One last touching joke before the end - smh.com.au... I want to delve into the bible.

The linked article refers to Nguyen reading a bible passage with his fellow priest - Father Gregoire Van Giang where they read the Bible and recited the 23rd Psalm: "Yea though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death I shall fear no evil" the psalm begins."

Yes, I want to talk bible and differences in translation.

In a "Good News Bible" published by the Catholic Bible Press in Nashville which claims to have "Deuterocanonicals and Apocrypha" and is claimed to be "For Catholics" Imprimatur by the Bishop of Nashville (Most Reverend Edward U Kmeic) on the front cover quotes the Psalm 23 as:

1 "The Lord is our Shepherd; I have everything I need.
2 He lets me rest in fields of green grass and leads me to quiet pools of fresh water.
3 He gives me new stength. He guides me in the right paths, as he promised.
4 Even if I go through the deepest darkness, I will not be afraid, Lord, for you are with me. Your shepherd's rod and staff protect me.
5 You prepare a banquet for me, where all my enemies can see me; you welcome me as an honored guest and fill my cup to the brim.
6 I know that your goodness and love will be with me all my life; and your house will be my home as long as I live.

Meanwhile the The New American Bible quotes Psalm 23 as:
1 A psalm of David. 2 The LORD is my shepherd; there is nothing I lack.
In green pastures you let me graze; to safe waters you lead me;
3 you restore my strength. You guide me along the right path for the sake of your name.
4 Even when I walk through a dark valley, I fear no harm for you are at my side; your rod and staff give me courage.
5 You set a table before me as my enemies watch; You anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows.
6 Only goodness and love will pursue me all the days of my life; I will dwell in the house of the LORD for years to come.

This link is endorsed by Catholic Online

Then I referred to yet another Bible - "Christian Community Bible - Catholic Pastoral Edition" which has "Imprimatur by the Catholic Bishop's Conference of the Philippines":

1 The Lord is my shrepherd, I shall not want.
2 He makes me lie down in green pastures. He leads me beside the still waters.
3 He restores my soul. He guides me through the paths of righteousness for his name's sake.
4. Although I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I fear no eveil, for you are beside me. Your rod and your staff are there to comfort me.
5 You prepare a table before me in the presence of my foes. You anoint my head with oil; my cup is overflowing.
6 Goodness and kindness will follow me all the days of my life, I shall dwell in the house of the Lord as long as I live.

And Finally; this interprets the Psalm 23 passage from the bible:

1 The Lord is my Shepherd ----- That's Relationship!
I shall not want ----- That's Supply!
2 He maketh me to lie down in green pastures ---- That's Rest!
He leadeth me beside the still waters ----- That's Refreshment!
3 He restoreth my soul ----- That's Healing!
He leadeth me in the paths of righteousness ----- That's Guidance!
For His name sake ----- That's Purpose!
4 Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death ----- That's Testing!
I will fear no evil ----- That's Protection!
For Thou art with me ----- That's Faithfulness!
Thy rod and Thy staff they comfort me ----- That's Discipline!
5 Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies ----- That's Hope!
Thou annointest my head with oil ----- That's Consecration!
My cup runneth over ----- That's Abundance!
6 Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life ---- That's Blessing!
And I will dwell in the house of the Lord ----- That's Security!
Forever ----- That's Eternity!

I think the version from "Christian Community Bible - Catholic Pastoral Edition" endorsed by the Catholic Bishop's Conference of the Philippines" sounds the best... but why the differences?

(Well it's a translation problem duh! Try it on babelfish - translate a line to a different language and translate it back and you get something totally different).

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