The purpose of this book is to set forth "the principles of communication that guide one's judgment as to the validity of various types of adaptation and restructuring that occur in many present-day translations of the Bible". The chapter dealing with translation points up the difficulties of the translator in his attitude toward the source language and target language, the transfer of the message, and the target audience. Because of the historical roots of the Bible and its unique message, it is not always possible to translate in such a way as to transcend the two cultures without distortion. The following chapters deal with the various features that make up the form (transliteration, rhetorical devices, figurative language, etc.) and the content of the message (specific historical events with or without religious significance, figurative or illustrative events and objects, etc.), and show how these should be dealt with in translation. In the final chapter, instruction is given on how to deal with differences of form or meaning.