The End of The Amplified Bible

For the past month I have begun my morning reading through Proverbs from the Amplified Bible.  I am beginning to think that it should be called the Amplified Bible Commentary.  I have owned this volume since 1972.  I have used it on a verse by verse basis when I was looking for help understanding a certain verse.  I liked it for that but occasional usage did not reveal its major weakness.  It acts like a paraphrase.  It tends to throw in a lot that is not actually in the original.  Let me give a case in point.

Look at Proverbs 10:17, first in the translations I am using regularly.

(Proverbs 10:17 KJV)  He is in the way of life that keepeth instruction: but he that refuseth reproof erreth.

(Proverbs 10:17 NASB)  He is on the path of life who heeds instruction, But he who ignores reproof goes astray.

These two are pretty close.  Now look at the Amplified Bible.

(Proverbs 10:17 AMP)  He who heeds instruction and correction is [not only himself] in the way of life [but also] is a way of life for others. And he who neglects or refuses reproof [not only himself] goes astray [but also] causes to err and is a path toward ruin for others.

Not only do we see elaboration to explain the text, which I can deal with, but we also have commentary.  I don’t like to see that in what is supposed to be sacred text.  It has a place, but I prefer to add it in what is obvious commentary.

The Amplified offers different translations of the same key word.  The example that I kept seeing was the word “righteousness.”  In Proverbs 18:10 it is printed “[consistently] righteous.”  In 21:12 it is printed “[uncompromisingly] righteous”.  In 21:15 it is just “righteous.” 

The Amplified Version puts in words from the Septuagint version that are not used in any of the English versions.

(Proverbs 18:9 AMP) He who is loose and slack in his work is brother to him who is a destroyer and he who does not use his endeavors to heal himself is brother to him who commits suicide.

Compare that to the King James:

(Proverbs 18:9 KJV)  He also that is slothful in his work is brother to him that is a great waster.

I would not use the Amplified Bible solo.  You will always need another translation to see what is in the Greek and what is in the opinion of the translators.