Themiškevē ‘iššâis an act that is punished identically to other acts that are clearly incestuous. Therefore, the likely meaning of miškevē ‘iššârefers more to incestuous male-male rape as opposed to all erotic, same-sex relationships.
https://blog.smu.edu/ot8317/2019/04/11/lost-in-translation-alternative-meaning-in-leviticus-1822/?fbclid=IwAR0a9Zfu_9zQfTpF2E5yXGXCMglspplVfV9dYFnF9J6Js8Yl1MFU6l9BQ_s
Reading this in context with Paul’s writings is interesting.
In the New Testament Paul condemns Hellenic practices relating to various types of prostitution, generally with underage or slave partners. He condemns both male and female purchasers of such services regardless of the type of service purchased.
(Earlier translations had this as Paul condemning homosexuals).
There is not a similar condemnation of the victims of human trafficking. (Note that Paul is not alone in condemnation of Hellenic practices —they are also condemned in contemporary writings and satires of his time).
Which makes me wonder if we have lost focus by not paying attention to the Biblical condemnation of extortion rather than focusing on sexuality.
This need to avoid extortion and exploitation is especially true since extortionate behavior is condemned in the Doctrine and Covenants.
20 And it pleaseth God that he hath given all these things unto man; for unto this end were they made to be used, with judgment, not to excess, neither by extortion.
D&C 59:20 // https://www.josephsmithpapers.org/paper-summary/revelation-7-august-1831-dc-59/1
- What do you think we gain from modern translations?
- “Hellenic practices” might better be phrased as the ancient equivalent of celebrity culture. Are you surprised that it existed in Paul’s world?
- What other modern translations have you found surprising?
- Is there an excuse for extortionate treatment of the earth or of other people?
Wheat & Tares 
I issue my strongest possible condemnation to extortion efforts of any and every kind.
Maybe before we discuss “correctly translated” we need to discuss the meaning of the word “translate”. That seems to be a fluid definition in Mormon Land.
way to take a stand
Three cheers for Wayment’s NT “A Translation for Latter-day Saints.” It is just very odd that LDS talk so much about “translated correctly,” yet are firmly attached to the KJV and all its mistranslations. I think it is more accurate to say that Latter-day Saints care very little about accurate or understandable translations, but don’t want to admit it. [This is entirely separate from the issue of how LDS discourse uses and abuses the term “translation.” I’m just using it in the standard English sense, as in translating the Bible from Hebrew and Greek into English.]
Climate change is the result of our abuse of the earth. That we are having droughts, fires,and extreme unprecidented weather throughout the world. World leaders are starting to address this, hopefully not too late.
Was in Italy and greece some years ago and guides explained some of the sexual activities of the wealthy, including demonstrations of sexual activities, in the temple to the god of love.
EXTORTION
In 1970 the average CEO got 21 times the average worker, and paid 70% tax
In 1980 31 70% tax
In 1990 61 40% tax
In 2000 386 40% tax
In 2021 320 21% tax
Many multinational countries pay no tax now, though in the past they would have paid similar to the top income tax rate. If life felt better in the 70 to 90s it was because the country was more equal.
Biden can not get enough republicans to agree to increase the top tax rate to help pay for infrastructure. America is the most unequal country in the first world, and republican voters, including 80% of members over 40 are voting to continue/ increase that. Why?
Since 1978 average worker compensation increased by 12% : CEO compensation increased by 940%
In 1978 the top 10% (22 million people) held 28% of the wealth; by 2018 the top 10% (32million) held 76% of the wealth. (most likely the same people plus a few), and the bottom 50% held 1% of the wealth. They were financially insecure. That leaves 22% of the wealth for the middle class, and 40 million living in poverty.
The figures above are all for USA
In perspective by country ratio of CEO compensation to average employee. This is taken as a measure of how unequal a country is. Unequal is not economically efficient, and not happy either. This is what rampant capitalism allows. Exploitation by the rich, supported by republican politicans (how do they persuade anyone not a millionaire to vote for them).
USA 320
India is in 200s because average wages are so low.
Canada 149
Germany 136
China 127
France 104
Australia 93
Sweeden 89
Norway 58
Enough for now.
The Community of Christ membership and leaders use the NRSV as their preferred biblical version, although the church continues to hold the copyright and publishes what we call the Inspired Version (IV) and other latter-day saints usually refer to as the JST (Joseph Smith Translation).
As a now-retired Herald Publishing House editor I can attest that a huge number (maybe even majority) of IVs sold over the past decades ended up in LDS hands, thanks largely to Deseret Books. In more recent times it’s been folks in Restoration branches/groups who’ve also been buying copies of the IV. And so that’s been a fairly steady income stream.
But (and not that I think it’ll EVER happen–there’s all that Emma Smith connection with saving/hiding the manuscript, just for starters), what if CofC sold the copyright to the LDS church? Keep in mind that the IV is basically the KJV with some changes/additions. We sold the printer’s manuscript to the BoM, so there’s something of a precedent.
Would LDS members want or use the IV/JST? And how would the leadership explain it all?
Sometimes better translations can be problematic. I’m an obsessive traveler and I love the book of Ecclesiastes in the OT. In the KJV, there is a verse about “casting your bread on the waters.” I always assumed it meant to see the world. However, newer translations indicate that it is more like an investment strategy. Big difference for me. To hell with the newer translations, I’m traveling.
As a missionary in the 1960’s, we did a lot of proof texting. I wonder how much the newer translations affect the meaning of the scriptures we quoted?
Roger, Had not interpreted that scripture that way, but did not need scriptural support to travel. Was on a mission in 60 but didn’t do enough teaching to do much proof texting in Ireland.
The main disadvantage of living in Australia is that everything is so far away. And sitting on a plane for extended times is becoming less enjoyable. From home airport to LA 14 hours, to London 24 hours, to Johannesburg 24 hours, to Perth 5.5 hours, to Auckland 3.5.
You can’t travel overseas at present can you? We can’t.
Something I learned recently is that proof texting is the major use of scripture—including scriptures that cite to other scriptures.
I’m still digesting that since I learned about it last year.
As to the IV I have mixed feelings. It was still a work in progress, expressly relying on “the best books” for insight.
It was also expressly not to be generally used until it was complete and it never was completed.
Much of how it is used ignores both contexts. https://www.goodreads.com/quotes/1018881-seek-ye-out-of-the-best-books-words-of-wisdom
I think we are better off going back to the principle and process behind the IV than using it as another source of proof texts.
All that said, I very much appreciate everyone’s comments.
Geoff, as far as I know we are free to travel. Most of the restrictions are at the other end. I traveled to Ethiopia last November. An ugly insurrection broke out about the time I arrived, but fortunately, it didn’t have much of an impact on the places I worked and visited. I hate to see that beautiful country at war.
In April, I traveled to Uganda with grandchildren and plan to return there in August, again with grandchildren. Hopefully, my relatives are getting a boarder perspective on global conditions.
From where you live, Cambodia is a beautiful place to visit. We make our headquarters in Seam Reap. Because Angkor Wat is nearby, it is touristy. But we travel and work in surrounding villages.
Sitting on airplanes for long periods of time is problematic. But I get to watch a lot of movies.