Unlike the English version, the Danish edition of the New Living Bible reads "the Word was like God" at John 1:1c. When you think of it, there are many similar statements in the Bible that could be translated dynamically with the word "like." For instance, when we are told that Jehovah is a strong tower, what it means is that he is like a strong tower. When someone admits that he is a worm (Ps. 22:6), we know that he is not really a worm, but worm-like in his nature. I have offered a sampling of some others, using mainly Young's Literal Version (YLT) and the Contemporary English Version (CEV).
YLT Ps 12:6 "Sayings of Jehovah are pure sayings; Silver tried in a furnace of earth refined sevenfold."
CEV "Our LORD, you are true to your promises, and your word is like silver heated seven times in a fiery furnace."
NRSV Ps 57:4 I lie down among lions that greedily devour human prey; their teeth are spears and arrows, their tongues sharp swords.
NLT whose teeth pierce like spears and arrows, and whose tongues cut like swords.
YLT Ps. 73:6 "Therefore hath pride encircled them, Violence covereth them as a dress."
CEV "Their pride is like a necklace, and they commit sin more often than they dress themselves."
ESV Ps. 84:11 "For the LORD God is a sun and shield"
CEV "Our Lord and our God, you are like the sun and also like a shield."
NRSV Ps. 88:16 "Your wrath has swept over me; your dread assaults destroy me. They surround me like a flood all day long; from all sides they close in on me."
CEV "Your anger is like a flood! And I am shattered by your furious attacks."
NRSV Ps. 91:4 "his faithfulness is a shield and buckler"
CEV "His faithfulness is like a shield or a city wall."
YLT Ps. 125:1 "Those trusting in Jehovah are as Mount Zion, It is not moved—to the age it abideth."
CEV "Everyone who trusts the LORD is like Mount Zion that cannot be shaken and will stand forever."
YLT Prov. 11:22 "A ring of gold in the nose of a sow—A fair woman and stubborn of behaviour."
CEV "A beautiful woman who acts foolishly is like a gold ring on the snout of a pig."
YLT Prov. 17:14 "The beginning of contention is a letting out of waters, And before it is meddled with leave the strife."
CEV "The start of an argument is like a water leak-- so stop it before real trouble breaks out."
YLT Prov. 18:7 "The mouth of a fool is ruin to him, And his lips are the snare of his soul."
CEV "Saying foolish things is like setting a trap to destroy yourself."
YLT Prov. 24:14 "So is the knowledge of wisdom to thy soul, If thou hast found that there is a posterity And thy hope is not cut off."
CEV "Wisdom is like honey for your life-- if you find it, your future is bright."
YLT Prov. 25:11 "Apples of gold in imagery of silver, Is the word spoken at its fit times."
CEV "The right word at the right time is like precious gold set in silver."
YLT Prov. 25:18, 19 "A maul, and a sword, and a sharp arrow, Is the man testifying against his neighbour a false testimony. A bad tooth, and a tottering foot, Is the confidence of the treacherous in a day of adversity."
CEV "Telling lies about friends is like attacking them with clubs and swords and sharp arrows.
A friend you can't trust in times of trouble is like having a toothache or a sore foot."
YLT Prov. 26:6 "He is cutting off feet, he is drinking injury, Who is sending things by the hand of a fool."
CEV "Sending a message by a fool is like chopping off your foot and drinking poison."
YLT Prov. 26:6 "Weak have been the two legs of the lame, And a parable in the mouth of fools."
CEV "A fool with words of wisdom is like an athlete with legs that can't move."
YLT Prov. 26:23 "Silver of dross spread over potsherd, Are burning lips and an evil heart."
CEV "Hiding hateful thoughts behind smooth talk is like coating a clay pot with a cheap glaze."
YLT Prov. 28:15 "A growling lion, and a ranging bear, Is the wicked ruler over a poor people."
CEV "A ruler who mistreats the poor is like a roaring lion or a bear hunting for food."
YLT Eccl. 2:14 "The wise! —his eyes are in his head"
CEV "Wisdom is like having two good eyes"
ESV Song 1:3 "your name is oil poured out"
CEV "the very mention of your name is like spreading perfume"
LITV Is. 66:8 "For Zion travailed and also brought forth her sons."
CEV "Jerusalem is like a mother who gave birth to her children as soon as she was in labor."
YLT Ps 7:14 "Lo, he travaileth with iniquity, And he hath conceived perverseness, And hath brought forth falsehood."
CEV "An evil person is like a woman about to give birth to a hateful, deceitful, and rebellious child."
NKJV Heb. 4:12 "the word of God is living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword"
Blanco "God's word is like a double-edged sword"
This list is certainly not exhaustive, and I may be adding to it from time to time. If you have any suggestions, I would like to hear them.
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