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Acts 2:40 – NASB vs. HCSB vs. ESV
Acts 2:40 NASB And with many other words he solemnly testified and kept on exhorting them, saying, “Be saved from this perverse generation!”
Acts 2:40 HCSB And with many other words he testified and strongly urged them, saying, “Be saved from this corrupt generation!”
Acts 2:40 ESV And with many other words he bore witness and continued to exhort them, saying, “Save yourselves from this crooked generation.”
One of the dangers in surveying translations is becoming too picky. For example, of the three versions here, I prefer the ESV’s use of “crooked” for two reasons. First, the Greek is skolios which of course we can see our scoliosis which is a crooked back. Therefore “crooked” is more visually appealing as we can form a picture of something be crooked. Second, translating “crooked” shows there is a narrative connection between Luke and Acts. Only twice does the author use skolios and in the first use it is the prophesy, “the crooked will become straight” (Luke 3:5). In a comparative sense, Peter is the new John the Baptist, heralding in the goods news of the kingdom and baptizing. Both straightened that which was crooked. Having said that, the NASB and HCSB are not incorrect, just not as serviceable for the overall narrative.
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