Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Seoul (Fides Service) - Korean Catholics will soon have at their disposal a new translation of the Bible expected to be ready by next Spring. This edition. prepared by the Biblical Commission of the Korean Bishops’ Conference led by Bishop John Chrysostom Kwon Hyok-ju,of Andong, is the fruit of 17 tears of meticulous study. The experts are now engaged in the final revision. The translation was carried out according to one fundamental criterion: produce a translation more in keeping with spoken Korean while taking care not to alter the original meaning. The purpose of the new translation is to make the Word of God more accessible to the men and women of the third Christian millennium.
Recently during a public presentation of the New Translation of the Bible, the Commission members welcomed suggestions and opinions in view of possible changes, before the work is given final approval. About 100 experts, theologians, translators, intellectuals, linguists and priests attended the presentation.
After reading the new translation of the New Testament Prof. Sim Jae-gi, a scholar of the Korean language, expressed a positive opinion. “it is clear that the text is faithful to the original while respecting the Korean language” but he said that some expressions need ulterior analysis. A nation wide survey in seminaries, religious institutes and Bible Groups, showed that 80% of those interviewed think the Catholic Church in Korea should adopt the new translation as the official version of the Bible. The translation has been welcomed although it is still in experimentum in the Catholic community.
During the presentation organised by the Commission questions were raised with regard to the use of certain terms such as “Lord” instead of “Yahweh” and the transliteration of proper Hebrew names into Korean. The Biblical Commission took note of queries and suggestions which will now be examined in view of possible changes and improvements to the text.
The Commission expects to complete its work in the Spring of next year. This fruit of 17 years of labour will then be subjected to the Bishops’ Conference for approval before the New Translation of the Bible in Korea can be adopted as the new official version for the Church in Korea.
Recently Korean Catholics celebrated the annual “ Bible Week”, aimed at encouraging people to read, meditate and pray the Bible more every day so that the Word of God may become the essential reference point for Catholics of today living in a context of religious and cultural relativism.
(Agenzia Fides 7/12/2004 Righe: 36 Parole: 137)
