I was thinking about how some of the most recent English translations of the Bible (thinking especially of the "NIV" revision) work so hard to remove male language and even "smooth over" any stumbling block or offense the Bible might present to modern feminist society. Read some of the key passages on male-female relations and you'll see what they do.

I started thinking maybe we need a new translation: The Patriarch's Bible. Instead of covering up or removing passages that are offensive to feminism, it would highlight them and use language that would make them stand out even more.

But then I thought, maybe that is over the top. So I wondered, what are your opinions on versions of the English Bible (and the year of publication/revision) that already do a good job of highlighting the differences between male and female as God has designed and revealed them? Which are most offensive/convicting to feminists or egalitarians? Or would you want someone to start The Patriarch's Bible project?

(On a side note, I have a suspicion that even translating "adelphoi" (brothers) as "brothers and sisters" may not always be the best. Who were in the inner court at the Temple? The men. Who took on speaking roles and discussion roles in the synagogues? The men. Who were supposed to instruct their wives in spiritual things in the privacy of their own home? The men. I have an inkling of an idea that even though the Bible is for everyone, it is first and foremost for men, who then have the responsibility to instruct their wives and children in God's ways; as God first gave his command to Adam, who should have passed it on to Eve. Simply "brothers" alone might be a more proper translation for that reason. Even though "brothers and sisters" could be understood from "adelphoi", it would also be possible to make the distinction perfectly clear as in Job 42:11 in the Septuagint where both "adelphoi" (brothers) and "adelphai" (sisters) are used. So if "brothers and sisters" needed to be clarified there if it was meant, surely it could have been clarified in the epistles as well if it were truly meant. Translating "adelphoi" as "brothers and sisters" may give rise to more prominence of the "sisters" idea in the mind of the hearer than the original audience would have heard.

Thoughts?)