A Translation of the New Testament from the original Greek.
by T. Haweis.
PREFACE.
APPEARING before the Public as a translator of the Oracles of G.o.d, it would ill become me to deprecate the severity of criticism, when I most cordially desire the intelligent and learned of my brethren to point out my mistakes for correction, and, in love and in the spirit of meekness, to smite me friendly. Should, however, the shafts of malignity, and the weapons not of our warfare, be employed against this humble, yet well-meant, attempt to make the Scriptures better understood, I shall endeavour to pluck the honey-comb from the lion"s carcase, and be thankful for real information, in whatever mode it may be communicated.
Respecting highly, as I do, the translation of our Reformers, whose language has dignity, and whose soundness in the faith I hope, living and dying, to maintain, it must be acknowledged--that there are in our present version, obscurities which may be avoided--words become in the lapse of ages obsolete--expressions feeble and inexact--for which others more accurate and energetic may be subst.i.tuted--and in some pa.s.sages the sense embarra.s.sed, and probably mistaken. To make therefore the Scriptures as intelligible as I can to men of common capacity, who are dest.i.tute of the knowledge of the Original, and sometimes perhaps to suggest a sense not unworthy the adoption of the judicious scholar, I have endeavoured to render every pa.s.sage with the most literal exactness--to use the most forcible and clear expressions corresponding with the Original--not to omit a particle--preserving the participles--and following, as much as the genius of our tongue will permit, the exact order of the Greek words, persuaded that, thus placed, the sense often receives clearness and energy.
To transfuse the spirit of the Original into a Translation must be admitted to be very difficult in any language, peculiarly so where the matters treated of are so weighty, and the words so significant, and where holy men of G.o.d are speaking as they were moved by the Holy Ghost, without whose continual light and teaching I humbly conceive no man ever did or can understand and receive the things which are of the Spirit of G.o.d, so as to know them as he ought to know.
As the words of the Spirit contain one precise meaning, and to communicate his mind is the intention of Revelation, it must be our endeavour not to leave them equivocal, but to fix a clear and determinate idea to each, in exact conformity to the Original, that the true sense may be understood, which can be but one.
That I have endeavoured to obtain this knowledge it is no presumption to affirm. During forty years and upwards this blessed book of G.o.d hath been continually in my hands--never a day hath pa.s.sed in which it hath not been matter of my meditation; I may venture to say I have read it over more than an hundred times, and many of the pa.s.sages much oftener.
I have consulted the works of the most G.o.dly and ingenious of the dead, and often conversed with some of the ablest and most experienced ministers of Christ among the living. I have at two different times of my life translated and transcribed the whole of the New Testament, and considered every word, and phrase, and pa.s.sage, with attention: indeed the leading object and employment of my whole life hath been to discover and communicate to mankind the truth as it is in Jesus; and every day have I bowed my knees to the Divine Interpreter, who giveth wisdom and understanding to the simple, that he would lighten my darkness, and shine into my heart, to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of G.o.d, as it is manifested in the face of Jesus Christ.
I recommend to my readers to tread in the same path, looking up to the Fountain of wisdom and knowledge. I am not ashamed to own my conviction, that an unlearned person thus seriously attentive to the Scriptures, and crying to G.o.d for the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of Him, will be led into all saving truth; and gain greater and clearer discoveries of the mind of the Spirit in the Scriptures than any mere natural man, however ingenious and learned. A word, a phrase, an allusion, may indeed exercise critical ac.u.men, and afford a display for erudition; but the scope and tendency of the Sacred Oracles, the doctrines therein revealed, the principles inculcated, and the practice enjoined, never were, and never will be truly known, but by those who are taught of G.o.d.
As the division of the Scripture into verses interrupts the subject, and often embarra.s.ses the sense, I have preferred paragraphs, placing the verses of the old Version in the margin, for the sake of reference and comparison; and though I have admitted the same division of chapters, in a few instances they might be more judiciously arranged: Matt. ii. 1. belongs to the former chapter, as also Acts, viii. 1.
Coloss. iv. 1.
I have only now to commend this labour of love to the divine benediction. The Translation itself, and the necessary attentive consideration of every pa.s.sage, hath not, I trust, been without instruction to myself, and some sweet savour of the truth: so far I have already my reward. It will be highly enhanced if G.o.d my Saviour deigns to make this service acceptable and profitable to his people, and the means of communicating clearer and more explicit views of his revealed will to the poor and unlearned of the flock. To them I have long dedicated my life and my labours, believing that of such is the kingdom of heaven.
Every attempt to make the Scriptures more read, and better understood, must be acknowledged laudable. Should the present effort fail to answer this end, it may yet provoke men of more wisdom and spiritual gifts, to produce a translation more exact, and suited to general edification.
Then I shall be content to be forgotten.
THE GOSPEL ACCORDING TO MATTHEW.
CHAP. I.
THE book of the genealogy of Jesus Christ, the son of David, the son of Abraham.
(2)Abraham begat Isaac, and Isaac begat Jacob, and Jacob begat Judas and his brethren, (3)and Judas begat Phares, and Zara of Thamar, and Phares begat Esrom, and Esrom begat Aram; (4)and Aram begat Amminadab, and Amminadab begat Naa.s.son, and Naa.s.son begat Salmon, (5)and Salmon begat Boaz of Rachab, and Boaz begat Obed of Ruth, and Obed begat Jesse, (6)and Jesse begat David the king, and David the king begat Solomon of her _that had been the wife_ of Urias, (7)and Solomon begat Roboam, and Roboam begat Abia, and Abia begat Asa, (8)and Asa begat Josaphat, and Josaphat begat Joram, and Joram begat Ozias, (9)and Ozias begat Joatham, and Joatham begat Ahaz, and Ahaz begat Hezekias, (10)and Hezekias begat Mana.s.ses, and Mana.s.ses begat Amon, and Amon begat Josias, (11)and Josias begat Jechonias and his brethren, about the time they were carried away to Babylon, (12)and after they were brought to Babylon, Jechonias begat Salathiel, and Salathiel begat Zorobabel, (13)and Zorobabel begat Abiud, and Abiud begat Eliakim, and Eliakim begat Azor, (14)and Azor begat Sadoc, and Sadoc begat Achim, and Achim begat Eliud, (15)and Eliud begat Eleazar, and Eleazar begat Matthan, and Matthan begat Jacob, (16)and Jacob begat Joseph, the husband of Mary, of whom is born Jesus, who is called Christ. (17)So all the generations from Abraham to David _are_ fourteen generations, and from David to the carrying away into Babylon fourteen generations, and from the carrying away into Babylon unto Christ fourteen generations.
(18)Now the generation of Jesus Christ was attended with these circ.u.mstances: His mother Mary being betrothed to Joseph, before they cohabited together, she was found with child from the Holy Spirit.
(19)Then Joseph her husband being a just man, and not willing to expose her publicly, designed to put her away privately. (20)And as he was revolving the matter in his mind, behold, an angel of the Lord in a dream appeared unto him, saying, Joseph, son of David, fear not to take Mary for thy wife, for that which is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. (21)And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name Jesus, for he shall save his people from their sins. (22)Now the whole of this was done, that what was spoken of the Lord, by the prophet, might be fulfilled, saying[1], (23)"A virgin shall be with child and shall bring forth a son, and they shall call his name Immanuel," which is being interpreted, G.o.d with us.
(24)Then Joseph when arisen from sleep, did as the angel of the Lord commanded him, and took his wife; (25)and he knew her not, until she had brought forth her son, the first begotten, and he called his name Jesus.
CHAP. II.
NOW when Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea in the days of Herod the king, lo! Magians from the East came to Jerusalem, (2)saying, Where is he that is born king of the Jews? for we have seen his star in the East, and are come to pay him homage.
(3)Now when Herod the king heard this, he was much agitated, and all Jerusalem with him. (4)And a.s.sembling all the chief priests and scribes of the people, he enquired of them, where the Messiah should be born.
(5)Then they answered him, In Bethlehem of Judea, for so it is written by the prophet[2], (6)"And thou Bethlehem, land of Judah, art in no respect the least amongst the princes of Judah, for from thee shall go forth the Ruler, who shall conduct my people Israel."
(7)Thereupon Herod secretly calling to him the Magians, enquired very particularly of them the time of the star"s appearing, (8)and sending them to Bethlehem said, Go, and procure the most exact information respecting this child; and when you have found him, bring me intelligence, that I may come, and pay him homage also.
(9)So having heard the king, they went on; and lo, the star, which they had seen in the East, had gone before them, till it came and stood over the place where the infant was. (10)And when they saw the star, they were exceedingly transported with joy. (11)And coming into the house, they found the infant with Mary his mother, and falling prostrate, they paid their homage to him. And opening their treasures, they made their offerings to him, gold, and frankincense, and myrrh. (12)And having received warning in a dream not to go back to Herod, they departed into their own country by another road.
(13)Now when they were gone, behold an angel of the Lord appeared unto Joseph in a dream, saying, Arise, and take the infant and his mother by night, and flee into Egypt, and stay there, till I speak to thee, for Herod will search for the infant to destroy it. (14)So rising up, he took the babe and his mother by night, and retired into Egypt, (15)and was there till the death of Herod; that what was spoken of the Lord by the prophet, might be fulfilled, saying[3], "Out of Egypt have I called my son."
(16)Then Herod, perceiving that he was treated delusively by the Magians, was greatly exasperated, and he sent and slew all the male infants, that were in Bethlehem, and in all its territories, from their entering their second year and all under it, according to the time, which he had accurately enquired from the Magians. (17)Then was fulfilled what was spoken by Jeremiah the prophet, saying[4], (18)"A cry was heard at Ramah, lamentation, and wailing, and bitter moaning, Rachel weeping for her children, and will not be comforted, because they are no more."
(19)Now when Herod was dead, behold, the angel of the Lord appeared in a dream to Joseph in Egypt, (20)saying, Arise, and take the little boy and his mother, and go into the land of Israel: for they who sought the life of the infant are dead. (21)So he arose, and took the child and his mother, and came unto the land of Israel. (22)But hearing that Archelaus reigned in Judea in the stead of Herod his father, he was afraid to go thither. And being divinely warned in a dream, he retired into the country of Galilee, (23)and came and dwelt in a city called Nazareth: that what was said by the prophets might be fulfilled, that he shall be called a Nazarean.
CHAP. III.
THEN in those days came John the Baptist, preaching in the desert country of Judea, (2)and saying, Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is nigh. (3)For this is the person spoken of by Isaiah the prophet, saying[5], "The voice of one crying aloud in the wilderness, Prepare the way of the Lord, make his paths strait." (4)Now this John had his garment made of camel"s hair, and a girdle of leather about his loins, and his food was locusts and wild honey.
(5)Then went out to him Jerusalem and all Judea, and all the regions about Jordan, (6)and were baptized by him in Jordan, on making confession of their sins. (7)But when he saw many of the Pharisees and of the Sadducees coming to his baptism, he said to them, O ye broods of vipers! who hath warned you to flee from the wrath to come? (8)Produce then worthy fruits of repentance: (9)and think not to say in yourselves, We have Abraham for our father: for I say unto you, that G.o.d is able out of these stones to raise up children to Abraham.
(10)And now also the ax is laid to the root of the trees: every tree therefore which produceth not good fruit, is hewing down, and casting into the fire. (11)I indeed baptize you with water unto repentance: but he that is coming after me is mightier than I, whose sandals I am not worthy to carry: he shall baptize you with the Holy Spirit, and with fire: (12)whose winnowing fan is in his hand, and he will thoroughly cleanse his threshing floor, and will collect the wheat into his granary; but the chaff will he burn up with fire unquenchable.
(13)Then came Jesus from Galilee unto Jordan to John, that he might be baptized by him. (14)But John earnestly withheld him, saying, I have need to be baptized of thee, and comest thou to me? (15)But Jesus answering said unto him, Permit it to be so now, for thus it becometh us to fulfil all righteousness. Then he permitted him. (16)And Jesus, after his baptism, came straight from the water: and lo! the heavens were opened for him, and he saw the Spirit of G.o.d descending as it were a dove, and coming upon him: (17)and lo! a voice from the heavens, saying, This is my Son, the beloved, in whom is my delight.
CHAP. IV.
THEN was Jesus led away by the spirit into the wilderness, to be tempted by the devil. (2)And when he had fasted forty days and forty nights, afterwards he became hungry. (3)And the tempter coming to him said, If thou art the Son of G.o.d, command that these stones be made loaves. (4)But he answering said, It is written[6], "Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of G.o.d."
(5)Then the devil taketh him up into the holy city, and placed him on a wing of the temple, (6)and saith to him, If thou be the Son of G.o.d, cast thyself down: for it is written[7], "that he shall give his angels a charge concerning thee: and in their hands shall they hold thee up, lest at any time thou dash thy foot against a stone." (7)Jesus said unto him, It is written again[8], "Thou shalt not tempt the Lord thy G.o.d."
(8)Again the devil taketh him unto an exceeding high mountain, and sheweth him all the kingdoms of the world, and their glory; (9)and saith unto him, All these things will I give thee, if thou wilt fall prostrate and worship me. (10)Then saith Jesus unto him, Avaunt Satan!
for it is written[9], "Thou shalt worship the Lord thy G.o.d, and to him only thou pay divine adoration." (11)Then the devil leaveth him, and lo! angels came and ministered unto him.
(12)But when Jesus heard that John was cast into prison, he retired into Galilee; (13)and leaving Nazareth, he came and resided at Capernaum, a maritime city, on the confines of Zebulun and Nephthali: (14)that what was spoken by the prophet Isaiah might be fulfilled, saying[10], (15)"The land of Zabulun, and the land of Naphthali, the road to the sea, beyond Jordan, Galilee of the Gentiles; (16)the people who sat in darkness saw a great light; and on those who sat in the region and shadow of death, even on them hath the light arisen."
(17)From that time Jesus began to preach, and to say, Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is approaching.
(18)And as Jesus was walking by the sea of Galilee, he saw two brothers, Simon who is called Peter, and Andrew his brother, casting a net into the sea, for they were fishermen. (19)And he saith to them, Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men. (20)Then immediately quitting their nets they followed him.
(21)And going on from thence, he saw two other brothers, James son of Zebedee, and John his brother, in a boat with Zebedee their father, mending their nets; and he called them. (22)Then they instantly quitting the ship and their father, followed him.
(23)And Jesus went about all Galilee, teaching in their synagogues, and preaching the gospel of the kingdom, and healing every disease and every malady among the people. (24)And there went out a report of him into all Syria: and they brought unto him all who had illness, the afflicted with various diseases and painful complaints, and the demoniacs, and lunatics, and paralytics; and he healed them. (25)And great mult.i.tudes followed him from Galilee, and Decapolis, and Jerusalem, and Judea, and from beyond Jordan.
CHAP. V.
THEN seeing the mult.i.tudes, he went up into the mountain: and seating himself, his disciples came to him: (2)and opening his mouth, he taught them, saying,
(3)Blessed are the poor in spirit, for their"s is the kingdom of heaven. (4)Blessed are they that mourn: for they shall be comforted.
(5)Blessed are the meek: for they shall inherit the earth. (6)Blessed are they who hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be fed to the full. (7)Blessed are the merciful for they shall obtain mercy. (8)Blessed are the pure in heart: for they shall see G.o.d.
(9)Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of G.o.d. (10)Blessed are they who are persecuted for righteousness sake: for their"s is the kingdom in heaven. (11)Blessed are ye, when they shall revile and persecute you, and lying, speak every thing evil against you for my sake. (12)Rejoice and exult; for plenteous is your reward in the heavens: for just so they persecuted the prophets who went before you.
(13)Ye are the salt of the earth: but if the salt become insipid, with what can it be salted? it is of no farther use for any purpose, but to be cast out, and trodden under foot of men.