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<\/p>\nEver wish you were an expert of the original languages of the Bible? Ever wish you could translate those texts for yourself into English? (If so, you probably know a little Koine Greek. You might be able to say the Greek alphabet. And, you may even know a little about the inflection endings of noun and verb forms in Classical Greek \u2014 but that may be about all many of us know.) This kind of skill requires a dedicated focus in life that few have. Even so, there are three languages used in ancient biblical texts. Chances are, you could only focus on one.<\/p>\n
The average person might research a translator\u2019s philosophies, and get caught up in a \u201cword for word\u201d vs. \u201cthought for thought\u201d priority. But there are situations where one or the other works best \u2014 regardless of the translators desire to stick to one or the other, and the average person may be unaware of the background.<\/p>\n
I would like to introduce to you the New English Translation, or NET Bible. This translation has quickly become my favorite for many reasons; the majority of these reasons relate to these introductory remarks.<\/p>\n
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Jesus\u00a0replied,\u201cI\u00a0tell\u00a0you\u00a0the\u00a0solemn\u00a0truth,\u00a0unless\u00a0a\u00a0person\u00a0is\u00a0born\u00a0from above ((tn<\/strong>\u00a0The word\u00a0\u1f04\u03bd\u03c9\u03b8\u03b5\u03bd<\/span>\u00a0(an\u014dthen<\/span>) has a double meaning, either \u201cagain\u201d (in which case it is synonymous with\u00a0\u03c0\u03b1\u03bb\u03af\u03bd<\/span>\u00a0[palin<\/span>]) or \u201cfrom above\u201d (BDAG 92 s.v.\u00a0\u1f04\u03bd\u03c9\u03b8\u03b5\u03bd<\/span>). This is a favorite technique of the author of the Fourth Gospel, and it is lost in almost all translations at this point. John uses the word 5 times, in Jn 3:3; \u00a0Jn 3:7; \u00a0Jn 3:31; Jn 19:11 and Jn 19:23. In the latter three cases the context makes clear that it means \u201cfrom above.\u201d Here (Jn 3:3; Jn 3:7) it could mean either, but the primary meaning intended by Jesus is \u201cfrom above.\u201d Nicodemus apparently understood it the other way, which explains his reply, \u201cHow can a man be born when he is old? He can\u2019t enter his mother\u2019s womb a second time and be born, can he?\u201d The author uses the technique of the \u201cmisunderstood question\u201d often to bring out a particularly important point: Jesus says something which is misunderstood by the disciples or (as here) someone else, which then gives Jesus the opportunity to explain more fully and in more detail what he really meant.)), he\u00a0cannot\u00a0see the\u00a0kingdom\u00a0of\u00a0God.\u201d\u00a0<\/span><\/p><\/blockquote>\n
Most translations say “born again”. \u00a0The NET has chosen the render the Greek as: “born from above”. \u00a0Here’s the translation note:<\/p>\n
1 tn<\/strong>\u00a0The word\u00a0\u1f04\u03bd\u03c9\u03b8\u03b5\u03bd<\/span>\u00a0(an\u014dthen<\/span>) has a double meaning, either \u201cagain\u201d (in which case it is synonymous with\u00a0\u03c0\u03b1\u03bb\u03af\u03bd<\/span>\u00a0[palin<\/span>]) or \u201cfrom above\u201d (BDAG 92 s.v.\u00a0\u1f04\u03bd\u03c9\u03b8\u03b5\u03bd<\/span>). This is a favorite technique of the author of the Fourth Gospel, and it is lost in almost all translations at this point. John uses the word 5 times, in Jn 3:3; \u00a0Jn 3:7; \u00a0Jn 3:31; Jn 19:11 and Jn 19:23. In the latter three cases the context makes clear that it means \u201cfrom above.\u201d Here (Jn 3:3; Jn 3:7) it could mean either, but the primary meaning intended by Jesus is \u201cfrom above.\u201d Nicodemus apparently understood it the other way, which explains his reply, \u201cHow can a man be born when he is old? He can\u2019t enter his mother\u2019s womb a second time and be born, can he?\u201d The author uses the technique of the \u201cmisunderstood question\u201d often to bring out a particularly important point: Jesus says something which is misunderstood by the disciples or (as here) someone else, which then gives Jesus the opportunity to explain more fully and in more detail what he really meant.<\/li>\n
- The Copyright of this version is compatible with web publishing.One of the major philosophies of Bible.org is to provide access to an accurate Bible translation to the common person free of charge. They are serious about fulfilling the Great Commission. They state that God’s Word is a gift to every person – and no one should have to pay for it. \u00a0For that reason, they have an uncommon, modified copyright policy. \u00a0You may download the entire Bible for free – in several formats (epub, Word, etc.). \u00a0In fact, Churches may print upto 1000 copies with an automatic “permission granted” before having to explicitly ask permission; and you may even quote as much text as you like on your website without violating any copyright laws.Of course, if you wish to have a printed hardcopy – you will have to pay the cost of printing. \u00a0I got a very nice leather bound Full Notes Edition for just under $30.00 from their site.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n