The story is told of four preachers who were discussing the merits of various translations of he Bible.  One liked the King James Version best because of its simple, beautiful English.  Another preferred the American Standard Version because it is more literal and comes nearer the original Hebrew and Greek.  Still another favored the New King James Version because of its up-to-date vocabulary.
    When the fourth preacher was asked his opinion, he replied, "I like my mother's translation best."  The other three expressed wonderment.  They were unaware that his mother had translated the Bible.  "Yes, she did," he stated, "She translated the Bible into life, and her's was the most convincing translation I ever saw."
    In the world of Bible translations there are two kinds:  good and bad, accurate and inaccurate.  In the world there are two kinds of translators:  those who do and those who do not.  Thus, Jesus said, "Therefore liken him unto a wise man, which built his house upon a rock . . . And every man that heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them not, shall be likened unto a foolish man, which built his house upon the sand . . ."  (Matthew 7:24-27).  The hearers of Christ's word are divided into two sorts:  some that hear and do what they hear, and others that hear and do not.  All the words of Christ must be translated into life.  His words are a light, not only for our eyes, but also to our feet, and are designed not only to inform our judgments, but to perfect our hearts and lives.
    It cannot truly be said that we even believe His words if we do not live up to them by translating them into life.  It is far from enough to hear Christ's sayings, and understand them, remember them, discuss them, repeat them, or debate them; but we must hear and do.  That is the best Bible translation.