Book contents
- Frontmatter
- Contents
- List of illustrations
- Preface
- List of abbreviations
- 1 Predecessors
- 2 Drafting the King James Bible
- 3 ‘I was a translator’
- 4 Working on the King James Bible
- 5 1611: the first edition
- 6 Printing, editing and the development of a standard text
- 7 Reputation and future
- Select bibliography
- Index
5 - 1611: the first edition
Published online by Cambridge University Press: 05 June 2012
- Frontmatter
- Contents
- List of illustrations
- Preface
- List of abbreviations
- 1 Predecessors
- 2 Drafting the King James Bible
- 3 ‘I was a translator’
- 4 Working on the King James Bible
- 5 1611: the first edition
- 6 Printing, editing and the development of a standard text
- 7 Reputation and future
- Select bibliography
- Index
Summary
THE HOLY SCRIPTURES AND ‘THE TRANSLATORS TO THE READER’
Coming now to the result of all this labour by generations of men, it is good to begin with the translators' praise of the Holy Scriptures in the preface, ‘the translators to the reader’. It is a reminder – if reminding is needed – of what the Scriptures were and are to so many:
But now what piety without truth? what truth, what saving truth, without the word of God? what word of God, whereof we may be sure, without the Scripture? The Scriptures we are commanded to search (John 5:39, Isa. 8:20). They are commended that searched and studied them (Acts 17:11 and 8:28–9). They are reproved that were unskilful in them, or slow to believe them (Matt. 22:29, Luke 24:25). They can make us wise unto salvation (2 Tim. 3:15). If we be ignorant, they will instruct us; if out of the way, they will bring us home; if out of order, they will reform us; if in heaviness, comfort us; if dull, quicken us; if cold, inflame us. ‘Tolle, lege; tolle, lege’, take up and read, take up and read the Scriptures (for unto them was the direction), it was said unto St Augustine by a supernatural voice. ‘Whatsoever is in the Scriptures, believe me,’ saith the same St Augustine, ‘is high and divine; there is verily truth, and a doctrine most fit for the refreshing and renewing of men's minds, and truly so tempered that every one may draw from thence that which is sufficient for him, if he come to draw with a devout and pious mind, as true religion requireth.’ […]
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- Information
- The King James BibleA Short History from Tyndale to Today, pp. 111 - 132Publisher: Cambridge University PressPrint publication year: 2011