Ecclesiasticus 37:20

[dystopiologist]

I’ve noticed that this verse is radically different between the Douay-Rheims and the Jerusalem Bible (1966) versions:

“In all thy works let the true word go before thee, and steady counsel before every action.”

versus:

“Reason must be the beginning of every activity,
reflection must come before any undertaking.”

I smell some politics here. 1) Is this a pre- vs. post- Vatican II thing? 2) What is the exact literal translation of this text?

Thank you,

dystopiologist

 

[nico1089]

Interesting! Politics creeps in everywhere nowadays,LOL! i don’t know a verbatum translation, i suspect though,you might never find one. You would also have to put it in it’s socio-historical setting as word and their meanings change with the wind.–nicolo

 

[PraRFLEsEkHm]

Hi

Welcome to the forums . HERE is a link that is to a literal translator. I’ll stop back if I find anything better.

(Edit) Just hold your mouse over the word, translation will appear. For what it’s worth - trust the Douay to be a more literal translation.

Peace

John

 

[dystopiologist]

Thank you, everyone.

As you probably know, there has been a debate within the Church regarding the “primacy of conscience”. For this single passage, the D/R bible supports one viewpoint, while the NJ bible supports the other!

Thanks for helping me get to the bottom of this.

dystopiologist

 

[dystopiologist]

Thank you, everyone.

As you probably know, there has been a debate within the Church regarding the “primacy of conscience”. For this single passage, the D/R bible supports one viewpoint, while the NJ bible supports the other!

Thanks for helping me get to the bottom of this.

dystopiologist

 

[dystopiologist]

Thank you, everyone.

As you probably know, there has been a debate within the Church regarding the “primacy of conscience”. For this single passage, the D/R bible supports one viewpoint, while the NJ bible supports the other!

Thanks for helping me get to the bottom of this.

dystopiologist