Let us therefore strive to enter that rest, so that no one may fall by the same sort of disobedience. 12 For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart. 13 And no creature is hidden from his sight, but all are naked and exposed to the eyes of him to whom we must give account.
What translation do you use? That is a common question in church circles. I preach out of the ESV in church but before me at my study table are the HCSB, NEB, KJV, NIV, NRSV, and RSV, and I use all of them and others in my preparation. They are all good translations and I look for differences, investigating to find the best one. All this is, for me, an example of the living and active word of God. It never changes but our English language changes constantly, so translations change. When we understand God’s word, it pierces us and convicts us of sin. It shows us who Jesus is and who we are so we fall on our knees as sinners before a holy God.
We translate the Bible to know God better. The ESV may not always be the best for us. But the word of God is alive and doing its work in the world. May we be ready to participate in the reading and proclaiming of the living word.
Dear Lord, thank you for the Bible and its supernatural ability to reveal your spoken word to us. Help us to read it and explain it to the lost in the world. In Jesus’ name. Amen.
Pastor Brad Boyer
Cape Community Church