A major reason for revision of the King James Version, which is valid for both the Old Testament and The New Testament, is the change since 1611 in English usage. Many forms of expression have become archaic, while still generally intelligible – the use of thou, thee, thy, thine and the verb endings- est and edst, the verb endings -eth and -th, it came to pass that, whosoever, whatsoever, insomuch that, because that, for that, unto, howbeit, peradventure, holden, aforetime, must needs, would fain, behooved, to you-ward. etc. other words are obsolate and no longer undersood by the common reader.
The greatest problem, however, is presented by the English words which are still in constant use but now convey a different meaning from that which they had in 1611 and in the King James Version. These words were once accurate translations of the Hebrew and Greek Scriptures; but now, having changed in meaning, they have become misleading. They no longer say what the King James translators meant them to say. Thus, the King James Version uses the word let in the sense of hinder, prevent to mean precede, allow in the sense of approve, communicate for share, conversation for conduct, comprehend for overome, ghost for spirit, wealth for well-being, allege for prove, demand for ask, take no thought for be not anxious, etc.
This Revised Standard Version of the Bible, containing the Old and New Testaments, was published on September 30, 1952, and has met with wide acceptance.
This PREFACE does not undertake to set forth in detail the lines along which the revision proceeded. That is done in pamphlets entitled An Introduction to the Revised Standard Version of the Old Testament and An Introduction to the Revised Standard Version of the New Testament written by members of the Committee and designed to help the general public to understand the main principles which have guided this comprehensive revision of the King James and American Standard versions.
These principles were reaffirmed by the Committee in 1959 in connection with a study of criticism and suggestions from various readers. As a result, a few changes were authorized for subsequent editions, most of them corrections of punctuation, capitalization, or footnotes. Some of them are changes of words or phrases made in the interest of consistency, clarity, or accuracy of translation.
The Revised Standard Version Bible Committee is a continuing body, holding its meetings at regular intervals. It has become both ecumenical and international, with Protestant and Catholic members, who come from Great Britain, Canada and the United States.
The Second Edition of the translation of the New Testament (1971) profits from textual and linguistic studies published since the Revised Standard Version New Testament was first issued in 1946. Many proposals for modification were submitted to the Committee by individuals and by two denominational committees. All of these were given careful attention by the Committee.
Twp passages, the longer ending of Mark (16.9-20) and the account of the woman caught in adultary (Jn 7.53- 8.11), are restored to the text, separated from it by a blank space and accompanied by informative notes describing the various arrangements of the text in the ancient authorities. With new manuscript support of two passages, Lk.22.19b-20 and 24.51b, are restored to the text, and one passage, Lk 22.43-44, is placed in the note, as is a phrase in Lk 12.39. Notes are added which indicate significant variations, additions, or omissions in the ancient authorities ( Mt 9.34; Mk 3.16; 7.4; Lk 24.32, 51; etc) Among the new notes are those giving the equivalence of ancient coinage with the contemporary day´s or year´s wages of a labourer ( Mt 18.24, 28; 20.2; etc). Some of the revisions clarify the meaning through rephrasing or recording the text (see Mk 5.42; Lk 22.29-30; Jn 10.33; I Cor 3.9; 2 Cor 5.19; Heb 13.13). Even when the changes appear to be largely matters of English style, they have the purpose of presenting to the reader more adequately the meaning of the text (see Mt 10.8; 12.1; 15.29; 17.20: Lk 7.36; 11.17; 12.40; Jn 16.9; Rom 10.16; I Cor 12.24; 2 Cor 2.3: 3.5,6; etc).
The Revised Standard Version Bible seeks to preserve all that is best in the English Bible as it has been known and used through the years. It is intended for use in public and private worship, not merely for reading and instruction. We have resisted the temptation to use phrases that are merely curent usage, and have sought to put the message of the bible in simple, enduring words that are worthy to stand in the great Tyndale-King James tradition. We are glad to say, with the King James translators: Truly ( good Christian Reader) we never thought from the beginning, that we should need to make a new Translation, nor yet to make of a bad one a good one… but to make a good one better.
The Bible is more than a historical document to be preserved. And it is more than a classic of English literature to be cherished and admired. It is a record of God´s revelation of Himself and His will. It records the life and work of Him in whom the Word of God became flesh and dwelt among men. The Bible carries its full message, not to those who regard it simply as a heritage of the past or praise its literary stile, but to those who read it that they may discern and understand God´s Word to men. That Word must not be disguised in phrases that are no longer clear, or hidden under words that have changed or lost their meaning. It must stand forth in language that is direct and plain and meaningful to people today. It is ous hope and pour earnest prayer that this Revised Standard Version of the Bible may be used by God to speak to men in these momentous times, and to help them to understand and believe and obey His Word.
ABBREVIATIONS to this Bible: revised 1952. Sec. ed. printed 1971 in GB
In the notes to the books of the Old Testament, the following abbreviations are used;
Ms for manuscript;
Mss for manuscripts.
Heb denotes the Hebrew of the consonantal Masoretic Text of the Old Testament; and
MT denotes the Hebrew of the pointed Masoretic Text of the Old Testament.
The ancient versions of the Old Tstament are indicated by
Gk, Septuagint, Greek Version of Old Testament
Sam, Samaritan Hebrew text of Old Testament
Syr, Syriac Version of Old Testament
Tg, Targum
Vg, Vulgate, Latin Version of Old Testament
