Monday, December 31, 2007

Interesting Phrase

In the Holman's Christian Standard Bible, Ruth 2:13 is rendered thusly:
"My lord," she said, "you have been so kind to me, for you have comforted and encouraged your slave, although I am not like one of your female servants."
What I found interesting was the literal rendering in the footnote:
"My lord," she said, "you have been so kind to me, for you have spoken to the heart of your slave, although I am not like one of your female servants."
Although I usually prefer understandability over floweriness, I really like the poetic beauty of the literal in this case. I think the literal should have been in the text with the footnote providing the sense. (I'm actually beginning to find that's the general method I'd prefer.)

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