Pshitta Guide, Meaning , Facts, Information and Description
The Pshitta (sometimes romanized as "Peshitta") is the Aramaic version of the New Testament. While it uses the language in which Jesus ordinarily conversed and taught, it was not written down as early as the Greek version. The earliest extant copy of this version of the New Testament is called the "Yonan Codex" and another early copy is called the "Khaboris Manuscript." The former was copied on parchment vellum approximately 1,600 years ago. One English translation of the Aramaic version of the New Testament was made by G.H. Gwilliam, and entitled Peshitta Version of the Gospels. (Oxford: Clarendon, 1901.)This version of the New Testament is believed especially important, by some, because it is hoped that it recaptures the original words of Jesus of Nazareth. Some sayings that seem to imply harsh judgments on certain people, such as the idea that it would be easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the Kingdom of Heaven, become much more fair and compassionate when it is understood that the "eye of the needle" probably refers to a very narrow nightime passageway through city walls that were intended to limit entrance to a single file of human beings. A camel could also be led through such a "needle eye," but only with great difficulties.
The Pshitta contains the same books as more familiar versions. However, it excludes Revelation, and four short Epistles (Second Peter, Second and Third John, and Jude). The arrangement of Books is as follows: Matthew, Mark, Luke, John, Acts, James, Peter, First John to the Romans, First and Second Corinthians, Galatians, Ephesians, Phillipians, Collossians, First and Second Thessalonians, First and Second Timothy, Titus, Philemon, and Hebrews.
The Aramaic language is written from right to left. For example, the sixth beatitude appears as:
which, in one system of romanization, says: "Tubwayhun layleyn dadkeyn b'lebhon d'hinnon nehzun l'alaha." (See Prayers of the Cosmos, by Neil Douglas-Klotz, ISBN 0-06-061995-3.)
The King James version of the Bible translates the version that came down to us through the Greek as, "Blessed are the pure in heart: for they shall see God."