Mark 1:17
Example: KJV: And Jesus said to them, "Follow Me, and I will make you become fishers of men."
NIV & NLT: "Come, follow me," Jesus said, "and I will send you out to fish for people."
I will not budge for men-hating language. "Men" is quite clear.
We believe that the man is supposed to be the spiritual leader and that women have biblically stepped up when men failed, si understand what you are saying.
I'm not convinced that the NIV translation was designed to de-masculize the topic though. I grew up when proper English would use phrases like when a person does such and such, HE blah blah blah.... Even though the word 'he" was used , and it is masculine, it still encompassed either men or women. Did Jesus only mean males when He used the word "men", or was he talking about reaching ALL souls?
The REV is an update of the New English Bible, but I think it does a better job of translating scripture into today's English without sounding breezy, casual or politically correct. Using your example, Mark 1:17, the REV reads, "Jesus said to them, 'Come, follow me, and I will make you fishers of men.'"
Example: KJV: And Jesus said to them, “Follow Me, and I will make you become fishers of men.”
NIV & NLT: “Come, follow me,” Jesus said, “and I will send you out to fish for people.”
RE: I will not budge for men-hating language. “Men” is quite clear.
Well, aside from Mark 1:17, The way some translate this verse from the Book of Isaiah is very interesting...
Isaiah 7:14
Therefore the Lord himself shall give you a sign; Behold, a virgin shall conceive, and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel. (KJV)
Many other modern translations translate the verse thusly:
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For this reason the sovereign master himself will give you a confirming sign. Look, this young woman is about to conceive and will give birth to a son. You, young woman, will name him Immanuel. (NET BIBLE )
Therefore the Lord Himself shall give you a sign: Behold, the young woman who is unmarried and a virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel [God with us]. (Amplified Bible)
But the Lord will still show you this sign:
The young woman is pregnant[a]
and will give birth to a son.
She will name him Immanuel (Easy to Read Version )
Suit yourself. The Lord will give you a proof-sign anyway: See, a young maiden[a] will conceive. She will give birth to a son and name Him Immanuel, that is, “God with us.” (The Voice)
Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign. Behold, a young woman[a] shall conceive and bear[b] a son, and shall call his name Immanu-el. (Revised Standard Version)
Note how that replace the word “virgin” with “young woman”.
Example: KJV: And Jesus said to them, “Follow Me, and I will make you become fishers of men.”
NIV & NLT: “Come, follow me,” Jesus said, “and I will send you out to fish for people.”
Before you quote the NIV you may want to get a copy:
Mark 1:17 says “Come follow me” Jesus said “and I will make you fishers of men.” (NIV)
The NIV was translated from the ORIGINAL GREEK AND HEBREW. And although I love the KJV, the NIV is a great book with little change other than the old language of the English.
Let us remember not to change the wording of the scriptures as they are presented in any translation. Thank you.