Without
the traditional "Bible" English, the horror of some
parts of the scriptures is even more obvious. On the other
hand, the literal meaning of some texts (for example, Matthew
19:11-12) has caused so much tragedy, that many modern
translations fight shy of rendering it into plain English for
fear of the consequences. In the case of Matthew 19:11-12,
this fear is well based, as many men have castrated
themselves because of that text.
"Now
listen to what the Lord Almighty says. He is going to
punish the people of Amalek because their ancestors
opposed the Israelites when they were coming from Egypt.
Go and attack the Amalekites and completely destroy
everything they have. Don't leave a thing; kill all the
men, women, children and babies; the cattle, sheep,
camels, and donkeys." 1 Samuel 15:1-3, Good News
Bible.
"Suppose
a man is caught raping a girl who is not engaged. He is
to pay the girl's father the bride price of fifty pieces
of silver, and she is to become his wife, because he
forced her to have intercourse with him. He can never
divorce her as long as he lives." Deuteronomy
22:28-29, Good News Bible.
"No
one born out of wedlock or any descendant of such a
person, even in the tenth generation, may be included
among the Lord's people." Deuteronomy 23:2, Good
News Bible.
He
that is wounded in the stones, or hath his privy member
cut off, shall not enter into the congregation of the
Lord. Deuteronomy 23:1.
But
he (Jesus) said unto them, All men cannot receive this
saying, save they to whom it is given. For there are some
eunuchs ... which have made themselves eunuchs for the
kingdom of heaven's sake. He that is able to receive it,
let him receive it. Matthew 19:11-12.
