Young's Literal Translation

Young's Literal Translation or YLT is a translation by late Robert Young. The 3rd and final edition was released 1898 by the publisher after the author passed away. This translation is public domain.

YLT is a strict word to word translation of the Greek and Hebrew texts. The author reasoned, in YLT preface of the revised edition,

''If a translation gives a present tense when the original gives a past, or a past when it has a present; a perfect for a future, or a future for a perfect; an a for a the, or a the for an a; an imperative for a subjunctive, or a subjunctive for an imperative; a verb for a noun, or a noun for a verb, it is clear that verbal inspiration is as much overlooked as if it had no existence. THE WORD OF GOD IS MADE VOID BY THE TRADITIONS OF MEN.''

''A strictly literal rendering may not be so pleasant to the ear as one where the apparent sense is chiefly aimed at, yet it is not euphony but truth that ought to be sought, and where in such a version as the one commonly in use in this country, there are scarcely two consecutive verses where there is not some departure from the original such as those indicated, and where these variations may be counted by tens of thousands, as admitted on all hands, it is difficult to see how verbal inspiration can be of the least practical use to those who depend upon that version alone. ''

For the Greek NT, YLT used the "Received Text". A full lenghty discussion of YLT can be found in preface (see external links).

Related References

 * Online YLT (including preface).
 * About Robert Young.
 * Download YLT (scroll 90%).