The Lord's Prayer

No, not a new translation. Just that I have noticed that it is better with different punctuation. In Hebrew poetry it is common for one line to be followed by a response or echo. Here as with responsive or sung psalms, the : represents a double-bar, separating a line from its response. Explanations are probably superfluous, but in lines 2, 6, 7, the response means the same thing, in lines 1 and 4 the response is an explanation, and in lines 3 and 5 it gives a contrast or reason.

Our Father : which art in heaven,

Hallowed by Thy name : Thy kingdom come.

Thy will be done on earth : as it is in heaven.

Give us this day : our daily bread.

And forgive us our debts : as we forgive our debtors.

Lead us not into temptation : but deliver us from evil.

For Thine is the kingdom : the power and the glory for ever.

Malcolm Crowe, August 2001.