The 1960 Spanish Translation
copyright 2010 Robert Breaker
The 1960 Spanish Bible is now the most popular of all Spanish Bibles among evangelicals in the Spanish-Speaking world. So popular, it is now called "La Version Corona" or "The CROWN version." Yet this version has a lot of problems. And I mean a LOT of problems!
Yet, many Independent Baptist Missionaries to Spanish-Speaking countries still use this popular 1960 Spanish Bible translation, which is said to be a "Reina-Valera translation." But, is it really?
If you'll study that version, you'll see it is not really a Reina-Valera bible, for it is very far away from the original 1602, as it follows critical texts time and again. It is also full of many mistakes and doctrinal errors. And it departs greatly from the old Castilian Spanish of the reformation, oftentimes choosing modern Spanish words over the older more easily understood Spanish.
The following hyperlinks point show some of the main problems with the 1960 Spanish translation. You are encouraged to check your King James Bible with these verses to see how it lines up.
*Note: The 1960 translation is not completely a Reina-Valera Bible that came directly from Cassiodoro de Reina (who first printed his translation in 1569, and Cipriano de Valera, who printed his revision of it in 1602). The 1960 is a new translation that used many different manuscripts in its translation. These include the CRITICAL TEXTS, as well as English versions based upon the critical texts.
Since 1602, the Reina-Valera has been revised several times, most notably in 1831, 1862, 1865, and 1909. But, to call the 1960 translation a Reina-Valera Bible is misleading. It is like making a new translation of the Bible, and then calling it a "New King James Bible" in order to use the name of another Bible only to sell this new translation. As you will see in the above articles, the 1960 took many liberties in its translation, and disagrees many times from the revisions of the true Reina-Valera text (and its revisions 1862, 1865, and 1909).
For this reason, it disagrees with the King James Bible quite often. Below is a quote from Jose Flores, one of the consultants on the translating process of the 1960. In his book "El Texto del Nuevo Testamento," published by CLIE in 1977, he confesses the following on page 322,
"ONE PRINCIPLE ADDED TO THE FIRST LIST OF THE REINA-VALERA 1960 REVISION COMMITTEE WAS THAT WHEREVER THE REINA-VALERA (1909) VERSION HAS DEPARTED FROM THE TEXTUS RECEPTUS TO FOLLOW A BETTER TEXT, WE DID NOT RETURN TO THE RECEPTUS. POINT #12 OF THE WORKING PRINCIPLES STATES: IN CASES WHERE THERE IS A DOUBT OVER THE CORRECT TRANSLATION OF THE ORIGINAL, WE CONSULTED PREFERENTIALLY THE ENGLISH REVISED VERSION OF 1885, THE AMERICAN STANDARD VERSION OF 1901, THE REVISED STANDARD VERSION OF 1946 AND THE INTERNATIONAL CRITICAL COMMENTARY."
*Note: The English RSV translators were known COMMUNIST SYMPATHIZERS. Who would want to use a version put out by COMMIES??? Yet, the 1960 relied heavily on that translation and one can easily see the fingerprints of the RSV in the 1960 Spanish Bible.
The 1960 was the work of the American Bible Society, and the head of that Society during the time of the translation work of the 1960 was none other than Mr. Eugene Nida, the founder of the diabolical theory of "Dynamic Equivalence," or the teaching that the translating of words in not important, instead a translator should focus on the translation of the message or idea conveyed by the writer. (This allows the translator to be the final authority on the work, and allows him to translate what he thinks the writer was trying to say, and not the actual works that the writer wrote in saying what he meant to say).
Mr. Nida in 1978 wrote a book in 1978 entitled, "Understanding Latin America," in which he states the three most important factors that motivated the UBS (United Bible Societies) to produce a new, contemporary version of the scriptures (the 1960) was as follows:
"A. The Ecumenical Movement's ever increasing popularity, led by the Roman Catholic Church
B. The Roman Catholic Churches leadership in resolving cultural and social differences.
C. The renewal of biblical scholarship in transmitting mainly the message of the Bible, and the proclamation of the Good News among Catholics."
Here is a confession that the 1960 Spanish Bible was made for the purpose of ecumenicalism. It was to join evangelicals and Protestants with the Catholic Church!
Jose Flores tells us, in speaking about the publication of the 1960, "The U.B.S. has taken a turn towards the Ecumenical movement, and that Catholic and Protestant editors have finally found common ground for the commercialization of the Scriptures.
We further read of Mr. Nida's companionship with Catholicism in a book by Jose Flores, in which he tells us: "In the month of May 1963, the visit of Dr. Eugene Nida of the American Bible Society to the Bible Office of Madrid, accompanied with the [Catholic] fathers Serafis Ausejo and Fuenterrabia...showed that the Protestant Bible Societies had made a turn towards ecumencialism..."
And again Jose Flores confesses:
"The ecumenical groups of Mr. Taize and Father Robert Giscard appeared in the Spanish Television in 1965 giving money to the Roman Catholic publisher Herder to print 1 million ecumenical New Testaments. Simultaneously, several priests also purchased the recently published 1960 Protestant Reina-Valera Bible, admitting that it is better, and that they will use it to teach children during catechism, due to the recent ambiance of Catholic aperture."
The 1960 Spanish Bible is not only a pro-critical text Spanish Bible, but it is also an ecumenical translation of the Bible into Spanish, with the intent of joining both Protestant and Catholics. How, then, could evangelicals, Protestants, Fundamentalists, and Independent Baptists use this version, and even dogmatically defend it, while claiming to be King James only in English? I'll never understand that.
Below are some other problems in the 1960 Spanish Bible:
MAJOR ERRORS IN THE 1960 SPANISH VERSION
Some Doctrinal Attacks in the 1960:
1 Peter 2:2 Says one must grow up in salvation (Teaches works for salvation!)
1 Peter 3:21 Removes the fact that water baptism is only a figure of salvation.
1 Cor. 9:27 Uses the word "eliminado" instead of "reprobado" thus teaching that one can lose their salvation.
Luke 2:22 Says that a sacrifice was offered for "ellos" (them). Teaches that Christ was a sinner and needed a sacrifice. But this sacrifice was for Mary (See Leviticus 12:1-8).
Matthew 5:22 Omits "locamente" o "sin razón." Thus making Christ a sinner when he became angry in Mark 3:5.
Galatians 5:4 Says someone can be "loosed from Christ" (os desligasteís). In other words, loose their salvation.
Romans 10:9 Says that you are saved when you confess "Jesus is the Lord." Satan will do this too, but he is not saved (Phil. 2:9-11; Rom. 14:11). KJV says "confess the Lord Jesus."
Revelation 19:8 Says "las acciones justas de los santos." Infers works for salvation.
Some Examples of Where the 1960 Reads With the English RSV:
Revelation 14:1 Changes "the name of him" to "the name of him and his father."
Rev. 22:14 Inserts "lavan sus ropas" (wash their robes) in place of "guardan sus mandamientos" (keep his commandments).
Job 21:13 Changes "in a moment" to "in peace" (en paz).
Hebrews 3:16 Questions if all the Israelites went out of the wilderness or not.
Blatant Lies in the 1960:
Mark 1:2 Says "Isaiah" said what is quoted when it is the quote of two prophets and not Isaiah only. (Malachi is quoted in vs 3).
2 Samuel 21:19 The 1960 Says that "Elhanán" killed Goliath. But we know it was David according to 1 Samuel 21:8,9.
Some Examples of "Dynamic Equivalence" in the 1960:
1 Samuel 5:6 "Hemorroids" is changed to "tumor."
Luke 2:26 "Christ" changed to "Ungido del Señor" (annointed of the Lord).
Titus 3:10 "Heretic" changed to "a man who causes division."
Ezra 2:58 "Nethinims" changed to "servants of the temple."
Genesis 49:1 "Dias postereros" changed to "dias venideros."
Num. 23:22; Deut. 33:17; Job 39:9,10; Ps. 92:10, etc. Everytime the Bible says "unicorn," the 1960 changes it to "búfalo" (buffalo).
2 Peter 1:13,14 "Tabernacle" is changed to "cuerpo" (body).
Some Strange Readings in the 1960 Spanish Bible:
Job 11:12 Says a man is born of a donkey! What? Is this supposed to support Evolution?
1 Thes. 4:4 Tells a man to discipline his wife (esposa) rather than himself (vaso). How's that?
2 Kings 10:25 Calls the altar of the pagan god Baal (Beelzebub) "Holy." Baal is not holy!!!
Jeremiah 5:17 In this verse in the 1960, God commands Israel to eat their children. Huh?
Galatians 5:12 Paul wishes someone to be mutilated in this verse.
Some Pro-Catholic Readings in the 1960:
Acts 19:27 The word "venerar" (venerate) is used. This is a Catholic word.
Luke 21:5 Changes "dones" (gifts) to "ofrendas votivas" (another Catholic term).
John 1:42 Peter is called "Pedro" (a rock). While the 1909 calles him "Piedra" a stone.
Some Omissions in the 1960:
Isaiah 9:3 Removes the word "No."
Romans 10:15 Subtracts the words "gospel of peace."
1 Corinthians 10:9 Subtracts "Christ."
Genesis 4:8 Removes "they were in the field."
Genesis 18:19 Omits "I know him."
Jude 15 Takes out "among them."
Matthew 22:13 Removes "take him away" (tomadle).
John 18:36 Subtracts the oh so important word "now."
1 Peter 3:21 Omits "The like figure." (Teaches Baptism is essential for salvation).
Various Changes in the 1960 Version:
1 Chronicles 11:20 Changes "three" to "thirty."
Lamentations 1:7 Changes "Sabbaths" to "downfall" (su caida).
Phil. 3:21 Changes "vile body" to "body of hmiliation."
1 Corinthians 3:21 "Caridad" (Charity) is changed to "amor" (love).
2 Corinthians 2:10 "In the person of Christ" is changed to "in the presence of Christ."
Acts 21:20 Changes "The Lord" to "God."
Acts 15:18 The 1960 changes "God" to the Lord (el Senor).
Acts 22:16 "Name of the Lord" is changed to only "his name."
Acts 16:31 Moves a comma. 1909 reads, "serás salvo tú, y tu casa." 1960 says, "serás salvo, tu y tu casa."
Leviticus 17:14 Changes "alma" (soul) to "vida" (life).
Revelation 22:6 "Santos profetas" is changed to "espíritu de los profetas."
James 4:4 Changes "Adúlteros y adúlteras" to "almas adúlteras."
John 3:3,7 Changes "born again" (otra vez) to "born a new" (de nuevo).
Some Additions in the 1960 Spanish Version:
Genesis 21:9 Adds "hijo Isaac."
Genesis 44:4 Inserts "silver cup."
Luke 24:12 Adds "to his house" (a casa) just like the catholic reading
Genesis 4:8 Adds "salgamos al campo" (Pro Septuagint reading).
Philemon 2 Adds "hermana."
Mark 14:20 Adds "a la de ellos."
1 Peter 3:20 Inserts "aspiración."
2 Corint. 1:15 Adds "de la Sefela."
Judges 16:13 Adds "y las asegurares con la estaca."
Genesis 4:1 Adds "por volutad de."
Ephesians 2:10 Inserts "de antemano."
Hebrews 5:7 Adds "Christ" (follows the Catholic Bible)
For more information about why the 1960 Spanish Bible is wrong, feel free to click on the following:
"Modern Fingerprints in the 1960" by Allen Johnson
"Testing the 1960" by Allen Johnson
Below is a list of comparisons between the 1909 and the 1960 that someone gave me. Look at how much "dynamic equivalence" there is in the 1960 Spanish Bible. And look at how it does affect doctrine!
1909 1960
1. Lucas 16:23 Infierno 1. Hades
2. 1 Cor. 13 caridad 2. amor (not the same thing).
3. Ezra 2:43 netineos 3. siervos del templo
4. Num. 23:22 unicornio 4. búfalo
5. Matt. 6:24 Mamón 5. riquezas
6. Mark 2:27 sábado 6. día de reposo
7. 1 Sam. 5:6 hemorroides 7. tumores
8. Rom. 4:8,23,24 imputar 8. inculpar
9. Isa. 9:3 no aumentaste 9. aumentaste
10. Isa. 64:5 Y seremos salvso 10. ¿seremos salvos?
11. Gen. 18:19 Porque yo lo he conocido 11. phrase omitted
12. 1 Pet. 3:21 A la figura 12. phrase omitted
13. Rev. 19:18 Justificaciones de los santos 13. acciones justas de los santos
14. Actos 15:18 Conocidas son a Dios 14. phrase omitted
15. Ex. 12:5 el cordero 15. el animal
16. 1 Thes. 4:4 vaso 16. esposa
17. 1 Pet. 3:21 ______ 17. the word "aspiración" is added
18. Rev. 22:14 guardan sus mandamientos 18. lavan sus ropas
19. Lk. 21:5 dones 19. dones votivos (catholic word)
20. 2 Cor. 2:10 persona de Cristo 20. presencia d Cristo
21. Jud. 18:30 Hijo de Manases 21. Moisés
22. Ps. 2:12 Besad al Hijo 22. honrad
23. Mt. 5:22 locamente 23. ommited
24. Rom. 10:9 Confesares con tu boca Señor Jesús 24. que Jesús es Señor
25. Mt. 20:20 Adorar 25. postrar
26. Rev. 17:5 MISTERIO 26. un misterio
27. Jn 3:36 incrédulo 27. desobediente al Hijo
28. Lk. 2:22 de ella 28. de ellos
29. Num. 33:52 Sus pinturas 29. ídolos de piedra
30. Lk. 5:17 Y la virtud del Señor estaba 30. el poder del Señor estaba
31. 2 Cor. 4:14 por Jesús 31. con Jesús
32. Jo 11:12 Como el pollino de un asno montes 32. omits "como" (like)
33. Jer. 5:17 que habián de comer tus hijos y tus hijas 33. lo que había de comer tus hijos y tus hijas
34. Tit. 3:10 hombre hereje 34. el hombre que causa divisiones
35. 2 Sam. 23:18 tres 35. treinta
36. Mt. 24:22 ninguna carna será salva 36. nadie
37. Lk. 24:12 Y se fue maravillándose 37. y se fue a su casa
38. 1 Cor. 10:9 A Cristo 38. A Dios
39. Gal. 3:2,5 Oir de la fe 39. oir con fe
40. Col. 3:10 es renovado 40. se va renovando
41. Eph. 6:24 sinceridad 41. amor inalterable
42. Rev. 14:1 El nombre del Padre 42. El nombre del Padre y del hijo
43. 2 Sam. 22:3 Dios de mi roca 43. Dios mio
44. Gen. 1:14 señales, y para las... 44. señales y para las... Takes out comma
45. Rom. 10:15 evangelio de los bienes 45. buenas nuevas...
46. 1 Pet. 2:2 en salud 46. para salvación
47. Mt. 20:20 Adorándole 47. postrándose
48. Mt. 28:19 Doctrinad 48. enseñad
49. Acts 15:17 que hace todas estas cosas 49. une el 17 y 18 Vea punto 14
50. Acts 19:27 Honra 50. venera (catholic word)
The 1960 Spanish Bible therefore is a poor translation and is very far away from the original Reina-Valera Spanish Bibles. It is also contains many critical text readings.