Lattimore's NT

[BennyBoy89]

I’m considering purchasing Richard Lattimore’s translation of the New Testament. Has anyone out there read it, and if so, what is your opinion?

From what little bit that I know of the man, I don’t believe he was a Catholic, but is it a good translation nonetheless?

 

[Cajetan]

It’s a good, non-controversial translation. Richmond Lattimore was one of the best classicists of the twentieth century, and his translation (from the old Westcott-Hort critical text), which reads very much like the Revised Standard Version, is basically literal and no-frills. Apparently he just tried to be faithful to the Greek text at hand and follow the styles of the individual Sacred Writers. If you really need to have a translation of the NT that is not approved by the Church, Lattimore’s is a solid choice.

 

[BennyBoy89]

It’s a good, non-controversial translation. Richmond Lattimore was one of the best classicists of the twentieth century, and his translation (from the old Westcott-Hort critical text), which reads very much like the Revised Standard Version, is basically literal and no-frills. Apparently he just tried to be faithful to the Greek text at hand and follow the styles of the individual Sacred Writers. If you really need to have a translation of the NT that is not approved by the Church, Lattimore’s is a solid choice.

Well, I suppose I don’t need a translation not approved by the Church, but I just wanted a “neutral” translation of the New Testament for theological discussions with non-Catholics. That’s not to say that I distrust the Church, of course! I just don’t want to cite Scripture and have a protestant say “well, maybe it says that in your CATHOLIC Bible,” and then have to cross-reference with an NKJV, or worse, NIV (shudder).

I have a NAB (hate the footnotes, love the text) given to me by my parish. Even though it’s Church approved, I’ve noticed many Catholics bicker about it.

 

[Cajetan]

Well, I suppose I don’t need a translation not approved by the Church, but I just wanted a “neutral” translation of the New Testament for theological discussions with non-Catholics. That’s not to say that I distrust the Church, of course! I just don’t want to cite Scripture and have a protestant say “well, maybe it says that in your CATHOLIC Bible,” and then have to cross-reference with an NKJV, or worse, NIV (shudder).

Yeah, as a neutral translation between Catholic and Protestant versions, Lattimore’s would probably be my top choice. Again, it’s simply faithful to the Greek, without theological or political bias. Lattimore translated it like he would Homer or Hesiod.

Another really good title in a similar vein (but way hard to find these days, being long out-of-print) is the British classicist E.V. Rieu’s The Four Gospels, published by Penguin Classics back in the early 50’s. Interestingly, Rieu was an agnostic when he embarked on his translation and became a Christian (Church of England) soon afterward.