We use language to communicate the meaning of words. Words are the primary vehicle of language and convey different meanings to different people. Both the words (their tone, inflection, volume, context, nuances, etc.) and the audience (its background, culture, mood, age, beliefs, etc.) must converge in order for communication to occur. Words alone, especially lots of them, do not guarantee good communication.
This translation objective is not a new effort. “America’s Schoolmaster,” Noah Webster, published many books widely used in schools across our nation including spelling, history, and grammar texts. Upon the completion of his famous An American Dictionary of the English Language (1828), Mr. Webster embarked on a project to update the King James Version of the Bible with an aim to make it more readable to 19th century Americans. He believed this common version of 1611 contained obsolete phrases, incorrect grammar, and offensive expressions. “His purpose was to clear away these obstacles to the use of the Bible as a model of correct and decent English usage in American schools and homes.”[1] Webster completed his revision of the King James Bible in 1833 [2].
Interestingly, it is Noah Webster's version of Matthew 6.9-13 which is mostly quoted still today when reciting The Lord's Prayer.
