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Darkness to Light - Vol. V, No.9

Darkness to Light
Volume V, Number 9

2007

Presented by Darkness to Light Web site
Director: Gary F. Zeolla


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Three Volume ALT3 Set

The Three Volume ALT3 Set is now available. It consists of the Analytical-Literal Translation of the New Testament: Third Edition, the Companion Volume to the ALT, and the Complete Concordance to the ALT. Also available, the Bible Search Utility with ALT3 Text. Follow the links for ordering details.


Description for ALT3

Note: The paperback and hardback versions of ALT3 are in double columns, printed in Times New Roman 10 point font. But it is not possible to reproduce that format here.

 

The Analytical-Literal Translation of the New Testament: Third Edition (ALT3) is dedicated to the glory of God and the spiritual growth of His people. It is translated by Gary F. Zeolla of Darkness to Light ministry (www.zeolla.org/christian).

The purpose of ALT3 is to provide a translation of the Greek New Testament that will enable the reader to come as close to the Greek text as possible without having to be proficient in Greek. And the name of ALT3 reflects this purpose.

"Literal" refers to the fact that ALT3 is a word for word translation. All words in the original text are translated—nothing is omitted. The original grammar of the text is retained as much as possible. Any words added for clarity are bracketed, so nothing is added without it being indicated as such.

"Analytical" refers to the detailed "analysis" done on the grammar of the text. The grammar is then translated in a way which brings out "nuances" of the original text that are often missed in traditional translations.

In addition, "analytical" refers to the aids that are included within the text which enable the reader to "analyze" and understand the text. Such information is bracketed. It includes the following:

1. Alternative translations for words and phrases.

2. Possible figurative meanings or paraphrases of words and phrases.

3. Modern-day equivalents for measurement and monetary units and time designations.

4. Explanatory notes.

5. References for Old Testament quotations and other cross-references.

The Greek text used for ALT3 is the second edition of the Byzantine Majority Text.1 The ALT is the first translation of the New Testament to utilize this newest and most accurate Greek text.

So ALT3 is the ideal Bible version for studying the Bible. No other Bible version includes all of the above features, and no other Bible version provides the accuracy and attention to detail ALT3 provides.

This Third Edition of the Analytical-Literal Translation is being presented to the Christian public in the belief that the Scriptures are "God-breathed" and that EVERY word of God is important to our salvation and Christian life.

As the Scriptures proclaim:

4But answering, He said, "It has been written, ‘A person will not live on bread alone, but on every word coming out through [the] mouth of God'" (Matthew 4:4).

63The Spirit is the One giving life; the flesh does not accomplish [or, benefit] anything. The words which I have spoken to you* are spirit and are life! (John 6:63).

28But He said, "But rather [or, On the contrary], happy [are] the ones hearing the word of God and keeping [fig., obeying] [it]!" (Luke 11:28).

30Now indeed many other signs Jesus also did in the presence of His disciples which have not been written in this scroll. 31But these have been written so that you* shall believe [or, be convinced] that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and so that believing you* shall be having life in His name (John 20:30,31).

13For this reason also, we constantly give thanks to God, that having received [the] word of God [which you*] heard from us, you* accepted [it], not [as the] word of a person, but just as it truly is, [the] word of God, which also supernaturally works in you*, the ones believing (1Thessalonians 2:13).

16All Scripture [is] God-breathed and [is] beneficial for teaching [or, doctrine], for verification [or, reproof], for correcting faults, for instruction in righteousness [fig., the behavior that God requires], 17so that the person of God shall be fully qualified [or, perfectly fit], having been completely equipped for every good work (2Timothy 3:16,17).

12For the word of God [is] living and effective and sharper than every double-edged sword, and [is] penetrating as far as [the] division of both soul and spirit, of both joints and marrow, and [is] able to discern [the] thoughts and intentions of the heart (Hebrews 4:12).

5And the One sitting on the throne said, "Look! I am making all things new!" And He says to me, "Write, because these words are true and trustworthy" (Revelation 21:5).

__________________________

1Specifically: The New Testament in the Original Greek: Byzantine Textform: 2005. Complied and arranged by Maurice A. Robinson and William G. Pierpont, Chilton Book Publishing, 2005.

ALT3 follows the main Byzantine text but does not express the footnoted, alternate readings of the Byzantine text. These indicate places where the Byzantine Greek manuscripts are closely divided. A list of these alternate readings is found in the Companion Volume to the Analytical-Literal Translation.

The Companion Volume also contains an extensive "Significant Textual Variants" list. This apparatus indicates differences between the Byzantine Majority Text ALT3 is based on and the Textus Receptus and the Critical Text, two other Greek texts often used in translation.

In addition, the Companion Volume provides background information to ALT3 and contains aids to understanding the translations seen in ALT3. Also available is a Complete Concordance to the Analytical-Literal Translation, making for a very helpful Thee Volume ALT3 Set. All three volumes are available from Lulu.com.

 

Sample Passage: Acts 17:16-34

16But while Paul [was] waiting for them in Athens, his spirit was being provoked within him, observing the city being full of idols. 17Therefore indeed, he began reasoning in the synagogue with the Jews and with the God-worshiping [Greeks] and in the marketplace every day with the [people] coming by. 18Then also some of the Epicurean and the Stoic philosophers began disputing with him, and some were saying, "What does this seed picker [fig., babbler] wish to be saying?" But others [said], "He seems to be a proclaimer of strange deities," because he was proclaiming the Gospel of Jesus and the resurrection. [Gr., anastasis, feminine; i.e., they mistook Jesus to be just another god and Anastasia to be the name of Jesus' goddess wife]

19And having taken him, they brought [him] to the Areopagus [i.e., where the Athenian court met], saying, "Are we able to know what this new teaching [is], the one being spoken by you? 20For you are bringing some startling [things] to our ears. So we wish to know what these [things] might be [fig., mean]." 21(Now all Athenians and the foreigners visiting [there] were spending their time for nothing other than to be saying and to be hearing something new.)

22So Paul having stood in [the] middle of the Areopagus, said, "Men, Athenians, I perceive you* as [being] extremely fearful of the gods in all things. 23For passing through and contemplating your* objects of worship, I found also an altar on which had been inscribed: ‘To an unknown God.' Therefore, [the One] whom you* are practicing piety [towards] [or, worshiping] without knowing, this One I proclaim to you*.

24"The God, the One having made the world [or, universe; Gr., kosmos] and all the [things] in it, this One being Lord of heaven and of earth does not dwell in temples made with human hands, 25nor is He served by [the] hands of people, [as if] needing something, [since] He is giving to all life and breath with respect to [or, in] all [things]. 26And He made from one blood every nation of human beings to be living on all the face of the earth, having designated times having been appointed [for them] and the boundaries of their habitation, 27[in order for them] to be seeking the Lord, if perhaps they might grope for Him and find [Him], and yet He is not far from each one of us. 28‘For in Him we live and move and are [fig., exist],' as also some of your* poets have said, ‘For we are also His offspring' [i.e., quoting Epimendes (ca. 600 B.C.) and Aratus of Cilia (ca. 270 B.C.), respectively].

29"Therefore, being offspring of God, we ought not to be thinking the Divine Nature to be similar to gold or silver or stone, an image [shaped by] humanity's skill and imagination [or, [the] craftsmanship and consideration of a person]. 30Therefore indeed, the times of such ignorance having overlooked, God is now giving strict orders to all people everywhere to be repenting, 31because He set a day in which He is about to be judging the inhabited earth in righteousness by a Man whom He designated, having given assurance to all by having raised Him from [the] dead!"

32But having heard of [the] resurrection of [the] dead, some indeed began mocking, but others said, "We will hear you again concerning this." 33And so Paul went out from their midst. 34But some men having been joined to him, believed, among whom [were] also Dionysius the Areopagite [i.e., one of the 12 members of the Athenian court] and a woman by name Damaris and others with them.


 

Description for the Companion Volume

Note: The paperback and hardback versions of the Companion Volume are in double columns, printed in Times New Roman 11 point font. But it is not possible to reproduce that format here.

 

This book is a companion to the Analytical-Literal Translation of the New Testament: Third Edition (ALT3). It will help the reader to understand the reasons for the rather unique translations often seen in the ALT as compared to other versions. This Companion Volume is divided into four sections.

The first section provides background information for the ALT, recounts the decisions the translator struggled with in translating the ALT, gives details on the special notations seen in the ALT, answers frequently asked questions about the ALT, and overviews the ALT's unique features.

The second section consists of "Glossary and Translation Notes" which explain the reasons for how important words are translated in the ALT, along with a list of measurement and monetary equivalents used in developing such bracketed information in the ALT.

The third section is an eight-part "Grammatical Renderings" section. This section explains the reasons for the unique translation of Greek tenses seen in the ALT, while comparing the ALT's style of translation to that of other versions. It also explains other nuances of the Greek grammar which are brought out in the ALT but which are often missed in other versions. This section is detailed enough to be used as a primer on Greek grammar.

The fourth section contains a list of "Significant Textual Variants." This apparatus indicates differences between the Byzantine Majority Text the ALT is based on and the Textus Receptus and the Critical Text, two other Greek texts often used in translation. It also contains a list of "Alternate Byzantine Text Readings." These are the footnoted, alternate readings found in the Byzantine Majority Text. These indicate places where the Byzantine Greek manuscripts are closely divided. These lists will be invaluable to the person interested in studying the issue of textual variants.

So this Companion Volume provides much information helpful in understanding the translations seen in the ALT versus other versions.

This book is part of a Three Volume ALT3 Set, which includes the Third Edition of the ALT, this Companion Volume and the Complete Concordance to the ALT. All three volumes are available from Lulu.com.

Table of Contents

Preface …………………………………………………………………… 5

Preface to the Analytical-Literal Translation .............................................. 7

Abbreviations and Notations ………………………………………………. 9

Section One - General Background … 11

Chapter One: Translation Decisions and Explanations of Notations ………… 13

Chapter Two: Frequently Asked Questions ………………………………… 17

Chapter Three: Unique Features …………………………………………… 23

Chapter Four: Introduction to Young's Literal Translation (Edited) ……….. 29

Chapter Five: Reference Works Consulted ………………………………… 33

Section Two - Translation of Words … 37

Chapter Six: Glossary and Translation Notes …………………………………39

Chapter Seven: Baptism and Bible Translation ................................................. 53

Chapter Eight: Measurement and Monetary Units ……………………………. 57

Section Three - Grammatical Renderings … 59

Chapter Nine: Part One – Verb Tenses ………………………………..……… 61

Chapter Ten: Part Two – Voices and Moods ………………………………… 69

Chapter Eleven: Part Three – Commands and Prohibitions …………………… 73

Chapter Twelve: Part Four – Participles and Infinitives ………………………. 77

Chapter Thirteen: Part Five – Cases and Genders … ………………………… 81

Chapter Fourteen: Part Six – "Small Words" …………………………………. 87

Chapter Fifteen: Part Seven – Miscellaneous …………………………………. 93

Chapter Sixteen: Part Eight – Summary ………………………………………. 97

Chapter Seventeen: Translation and Interpretation of Acts 22:16 ……………… 101

Section Four – Textual Variants and Alternate Readings … 107

Chapter Eighteen: Introduction to Textual Variants .......................................... 109

Chapter Nineteen: Significant Textual Variants ................................................ 113

Chapter Twenty: Alternate Byzantine Text Readings ....................................... 131

Appendixes … 137

Appendix One – Books and eBooks by the Translator ..................................... 139

Appendix Two – Web Sites & Newsletters by the Translator/

                          Contacting the Translator ...................................................... 141


Description for the Concordance

This Complete Concordance is a companion to the Analytical-Literal Translation of the New Testament: Third Edition (ALT3). This concordance indexes every occurrence of most words in ALT3. Only minor words are omitted. Sufficient context is provided for the reader to recognize the verse or to get the gist of it.

This concordance will enable the reader to quickly find a verse in ALT3. It will also be invaluable in doing topical studies in ALT3. Looking up every reference to a word like "grace" will enable the reader to do a study on this important Biblical topic.

ALT3 is the ideal version to use for such in-depth Bible study, and having this concordance to use as reference tool will improve these studies.

This book is part of a Three Volume ALT3 Set, which includes ALT3, this Complete Concordance and the Companion Volume to the ALT. All three volumes are available from Lulu.com.

Sample Entries

Each letter in the Concordance constitutes a chapter. In the hardcopy versions, most chapters are about 20 pages long. The longest is "S" at 40 pages. There are no words beginning with "X" in the New Testament, so the shortest chapter is "Z" at half a page. Below is the complete entries for the last chapter.

Note: This sample is in a single column, but the text for the hardcopy versions is in in triple columns in Times New Roman 9 point. But it is not possible to reproduce that format here.


– Z –

ZACCHEUS

Lk 19:2 name being called Zē, and he was

     19:5 and said to him, "Zē, having

     19:8 Now Zē having stood, said to the

ZACHARIAS

Mt 23:35 up to the blood of Zē, son of

Lk 1:5 priest by name Zē, from [the]

   1:12 And having seen [him], Zē was

   1:13 "Stop being afraid, Zē, for your

  1:18 And Zē said to the angel, "By

  1:21 were waiting for Zē, and they

  1:40 into the house of Zē and greeted

  1:59 him by the name of his father Zē.

 1:67 And Zē his father was filled with

  3:2 to John, the son of Zē, in the

11:51 to the blood of Zē, the one

ZARAH

Mt 1:3 fathered Pharez and Zē by Tamar,

ZAREPHATH

Lk 4:26 sent, except to Zē [in] the

ZEAL

Jn 2:17 it is written, "The zē of Your

Rom 10:2 that they have a zē for God, but

2Co 7:7 mourning, your* zē on behalf of

      7:11 desire, but [also] zē, but [also]

       9:2 last year, and the zē from you*

Phi 3:6 with respect to zē persecuting the

Col 4:13 that he has much zē on your*

ZEALOT

Lk 6:15 the one being called [the] Zē,

Ac 1:13 and Simon the Zē, and Judas

22:3 Law, being a zē for God, just

Gal 1:14 being far more a zē for the

ZEALOTS

Ac 21:20 and all are zē for the Law.

ZEALOUS

1Co 14:12 also, since you* are zē of

Gal 4:17 and sisters] are zē for you*

      4:17 that you* shall be zē for [or, be

      4:18 [it is] good to be zē in [or, to

Tit 2:14 special possession, zē of good

Rev 3:19 Therefore, be zē and repent!

ZEBEDEE

Mt 4:21 James the [son] of Zē and John

      4:21 in the boat with Zē their father

     10:2 James the [son] of Zē and John

    20:20 of the sons of Zē, with her

    26:37 and the two sons of Zē, He began

    27:56 and the mother of the sons of Zē.

Mk 1:19 James, the [son] of Zē, and John

       1:20 left their father Zē in the boat

      3:17 and James [son] of Zē and John

    10:35 John, the sons of Zē, approached

Lk 5:10 John, [the] sons of Zē, the ones

Jn 21:2 and the [sons] of Zē and two

ZEBULUN

Mt 4:13 sea, in the borders of Zē and

     4:15 "Land of Zē and land of Naphtali,

Rev 7:8 out of [the] tribe of Zē twelve

ZENAS

Tit 3:13 Eagerly help Zē the lawyer and

ZERUBBABEL

Mt 1:12 and Shealtiel fathered Zē,

     1:13 and Zē fathered Abiud, and Abiud

Lk 3:27 Rhesa, the [son] of Zē, the [son]

ZEUS

Ac 14:12 began calling Barnabas Zē [i.e.,

     14:13 the priest of Zē, the one being

     19:35 the [image] fallen down from Zē?

ZION

Mt 21:5 to the daughter of Zē, Look! Your

Jn 12:15 afraid, daughter of Zē. Look!

Rom 9:33 "Look! I place in Zē a stone of

      11:26 will come out of Zē, and He

Heb 12:22 have come to Mount Zē and to

1Pe 2:6 "Look! I lay in Zē a stone, a

Rev 14:1 stood on Mount Zē, and with



Powerlifting Contest

I will be competing in the Pennsylvania State Championships for the International Powerlifting Federation this Saturday, September 22, 2007 in New Castle, PA. I will be away for the weekend and will not be checking my email during that time. I will post a contest report on how things go on my Fitness for One and All site next week.



Three Volume ALT3 Set

The Ideal Bible Study Tool:
Analytical-Literal Translation: Third Edition
Companion Volume to the ALT
Complete Concordance to the ALT

Also Available:
Bible Search Utility with ALT3 Text



Also by Gary F. Zeolla:
Fitness for One and All
Web site and FitTips for One and All newsletter.
Helping people to attain their health, fitness, and performance goals.


 

All material in this newsletter is copyrighted Š 2007 by Gary F. Zeolla or as indicated otherwise.

9/20/07