Handbook on the Shorter Books of the Deuterocanon

This Handbook, like others in the series, concentrates on exegetical, linguistic, and cultural problems related to the translation of the shorter books of the Deuterocanon. Though the authors only address issues directly related to translation, many church leaders and interested Bible readers have found these Handbooks useful and informative, and we hope this volume will be no exception.

The format of A Handbook on The Shorter Books of the Deuterocanon follows the general pattern of earlier volumes in the series. The Revised Standard Version (rsv) and the Good News Translation (gnt) texts are presented in parallel columns, first in larger segments that will make possible an overview of each section of discourse, and then in bold print, normally verse by verse, followed by detailed comments and discussion. However, when lines of poetry appear in both rsv and tev, the text in bold print appears across the page rather than in columns, so that the reader may easily identify the difference between individual lines of poetry, and whether a certain line has been printed with a primary or secondary indentation. rsv serves as the base upon which the discussion takes place, and quotations from the verse under discussion are printed in boldface. Quotations from other verses of rsv and from other versions are printed between “quotation marks” and in normal typeface. gnt serves as a primary model of how a translation may take shape; however, many other versions are cited as well, especially where they offer models that may be more satisfactory than those of gnt. Often we supply an alternative model after the discussion on a verse. Translators should use these models only as guides to decide the best way to translate the text into their own languages.

Some may find it surprising that we do not use the New Revised Standard Version (nrsv) as the base for discussion. The reader should keep in mind that the Handbook attempts to explain the ancient Greek text to translators who have not learned that language. Since nrsv has succeeded in rendering the message of the ancient text in a form more easily understood by today’s reader, it reveals less correspondence with the form and shape of the ancient text than does rsv. The authors have therefore found it easier to discuss the ancient text by using rsv as the base.

A limited Bibliography is included for the benefit of those interested in further study. The Glossary explains technical terms according to their usage in this volume. The translator may find it useful to read through the Glossary in order to become aware of the specialized way in which certain terms are used. An Index gives the location by page number of some of the important words and subjects discussed in the Handbook, especially where the Handbook provides the translator with help in rendering these concepts into the receptor language.

The editor of the ubs Handbook Series continues to seek comments from translators and others who use these books, so that future volumes may benefit and may better serve the needs of the readers.

Donald Slager

Editor