western australia

Did you know there is a Cockney Bible?

@JudyEv (343793)

Rockingham, Australia

January 11, 2025 2:08am CST

Did you know that part of the Bible has been written in Cockney? A Cockney is an East Londoner, traditionally one born within earshot of Bow Bells, which are the church bells of St. Mary-le-Bow, Cheapside, London. Nine stories from the Old Testament and the Gospel According to Mark were published in 2001. The Archbishop of Canterbury approved the bible, saying it would take the bible back into the marketplace and hopefully encourage people who wouldn’t normally read the bible to do so. Part of the Lord’s prayer is: ‘There’s a lot of dodgy people around, Guv; please don’t let us get tempted to do bad things. Help keep us away from all the nasty, evil stuff, and keep that dodgy Satan away from us, ‘cos you’re much stronger than ‘im.’ Cockneys are also renowned for rhyming slang. For example, one passage is ‘Jesus feeds five thousand geezers with just five loaves of Uncle Fred and two Lillian Gish.’ The photo is of a church in the middle of the countryside in Western Australia.

17 people like this

18 responses

Mildred Tabitha

@mildredtabitha (16170)

• Nairobi, Kenya

11 Jan

I wouldn't spend time reading such a bible. I'm sure it lacks the power to save souls.

3 people like this

@vandana7 (100904)

• India

11 Jan

Aw...the heart has to speak with god...whichever language...whatever religion...whichever book...not sure it matters.

1 person likes this

@JudyEv (343793)

• Rockingham, Australia

12 Jan

If it encourages people to read the bible, surely it's a good thing. You are happy to read the standard bible but others might appreciate this one in their own vernacular.

@JudyEv (343793)

• Rockingham, Australia

12 Jan

@vandana7 I agree. And you worship just as fervently in the open air as in a church.

@kareng (64660)

• United States

11 Jan

Seems to be sort of like a mockery.

3 people like this

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@kareng (64660)

• United States

12 Jan

@JudyEv That's good then.

1 person likes this

@JudyEv (343793)

• Rockingham, Australia

12 Jan

I suppose it might but I think the aim was sincere.

1 person likes this

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@wolfgirl569 (109854)

• Marion, Ohio

11 Jan

That is a different way to write it

2 people like this

@JudyEv (343793)

• Rockingham, Australia

12 Jan

It might encourage more to read 'the good book'.

1 person likes this

@xFiacre (13299)

• Ireland

11 Jan

@judyev I agree with the principle perhaps, but I don’t think any Cockneys would struggle to understand the modern standard English translations. Bless us and preserve us. And Mylot allows us the write the word Cockney - whatever is the world coming to?

3 people like this

@vandana7 (100904)

• India

11 Jan

She deliberately used the word to confirm the limits of transgression permitted here. LOL

2 people like this

@JudyEv (343793)

• Rockingham, Australia

12 Jan

@vandana7 To be honest, I never even thought about the use of a 'bad' word.

2 people like this

@Ronrybs (19728)

• London, England

11 Jan

I heard there'd been a translation, but I've never seen a copy

1 person likes this

@JudyEv (343793)

• Rockingham, Australia

12 Jan

It seems to available quite easily. It would be interesting to know how many copies sold.

1 person likes this

@JudyEv (343793)

• Rockingham, Australia

13 Jan

@Ronrybs True. I can't really see it inspiring anyone to read/research more.

1 person likes this

@Ronrybs (19728)

• London, England

12 Jan

@JudyEv Most likely for novelty value!

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@LindaOHio (183934)

• United States

11 Jan

I"m torn. I think it really pushes the envelope. Have a good weekend.

2 people like this

@JudyEv (343793)

• Rockingham, Australia

12 Jan

I suppose it does but I think the intention was sincere.

@GardenGerty (161576)

• United States

11 Jan

Well that is news to me, and quite cool, really.

1 person likes this

@JudyEv (343793)

• Rockingham, Australia

12 Jan

I guess some might appreciate a more down-to-earth version.

@Orson_Kart (6908)

• United Kingdom

11 Jan

I don’t Adam and Eve it.

1 person likes this

@JudyEv (343793)

• Rockingham, Australia

12 Jan

@averygirl72 (38169)

• Philippines

11 Jan

What is Cockney not familiar for me

1 person likes this

@JudyEv (343793)

• Rockingham, Australia

12 Jan

It's the language of people born in the London region. It's still English but just a bit different.

@averygirl72 (38169)

• Philippines

12 Jan

1 person likes this

@FourWalls (70130)

• United States

11 Jan

I read Kenneth Williams’ diaries, and there were a lot of footnotes about the “Cockney rhymes” he used. I didn’t understand it, I don’t, and I probably never will. But then, listen to southern Americans talk.

1 person likes this

@JudyEv (343793)

• Rockingham, Australia

12 Jan

There are a few of these rhyming slangs are are heard from time to time. 'Trouble and strife' for 'wife' is one.

1 person likes this

@RasmaSandra (81679)

• Daytona Beach, Florida

11 Jan

Whatever gets anyone reading the Bible is good to me.

1 person likes this

@JudyEv (343793)

• Rockingham, Australia

12 Jan

I agree. Some might read it out of curiosity but then get more interested in reading more.

1 person likes this

Valerie J. Routhieaux

@just4him (318388)

• Green Bay, Wisconsin

11 Jan

Interesting.

1 person likes this

@JudyEv (343793)

• Rockingham, Australia

12 Jan

It's a bit different, isn't it?

1 person likes this

Valerie J. Routhieaux

@just4him (318388)

• Green Bay, Wisconsin

14 Jan

@JudyEv Yes, it is.

1 person likes this

@sarik1 (7317)

•

12 Jan

It is interesting amazing.

1 person likes this

@JudyEv (343793)

• Rockingham, Australia

12 Jan

I would like to know how many copies have been sold since it was published.

@freelancermariagrace (28870)

• Philippines

12 Jan

It really sounds fascinating

1 person likes this

@JudyEv (343793)

• Rockingham, Australia

12 Jan

It would be interesting reading.

1 person likes this

@BarBaraPrz (48058)

• St. Catharines, Ontario

11 Jan

Doesn't sound like something I'd want to read...

1 person likes this

@JudyEv (343793)

• Rockingham, Australia

12 Jan

If you're not a Cockney, then I'm sure you'd rather have your own version/language.

1 person likes this

@snowy22315 (183741)

• United States

11 Jan

Sounds like a hoot!

1 person likes this

@JudyEv (343793)

• Rockingham, Australia

12 Jan

I can imagine myself giggling my way through it.

1 person likes this

@vandana7 (100904)

• India

11 Jan

Oh dear...its quite amusing...actually I thought the language was defunct...LOL You reminded me of My Fair Lady. LOL

1 person likes this

@JudyEv (343793)

• Rockingham, Australia

12 Jan

It seems strange to see the 'holy word' written in such a way.

1 person likes this

@Tampa_girl7 (50935)

• United States

11 Jan

They truly altered it big time.

1 person likes this

@JudyEv (343793)

• Rockingham, Australia

12 Jan

That's for sure. It has certainly put it into the vernacular for those from that region.