Thank you Shel. So the Watchtower Printing Corporation chose to portray envy as jealousy when apparently most other Bible translators prefer envy.
In the references below we have:
4 for jealous
14 for envy
Here is a commentary on the difference between the two emotions: (The bottom line is that while envy can sometimes be bad, it can also be good, but jealousy is ALWAYS bad.)
Many people use the words jealousy and envy interchangeably to describe the same emotional response, a general feeling of resentment towards a perceived rival. While the emotions of jealousy and envy do tend to overlap in some respects, there are some fundamental differences between the two. Jealousy, for example, is almost exclusively a negative emotion, while envy can has some positive effects, such as a renewed interest in self-improvement.
One difference between jealousy and envy involves the relationship between the jealous or envious person and his or her rival. An envious co-worker may develop a personal resentment towards a promoted co-worker because the position represents a higher salary and more responsibility. The true source of this envy is rarely the co-worker himself or herself, but the perceived value of the position. The co-worker may very well deserve the advancement because of his or her superior skills or education, but an envious person might become angry at himself or herself for not possessing those qualities.
Jealousy, on the other hand, focuses on the rival himself or herself, not necessarily the object or "good" at the center of the conflict. Jealousy implies a closer relationship between the jealous person and his or her rival. Instead of a promotion, the co-worker may start a romantic relationship with the jealous person's secret office crush. Because this rivalry is personal in nature, the target of the jealous person's resentment and anger is not necessarily the unattainable romantic partner, but the more attractive rival who now stands between them.
Another consideration between jealousy and envy is the depth of emotion. Envy is considered to be one of the 7 deadly sins, but in general the moral danger lies with becoming covetous of another person's possessions or status. In one sense, envy is at the root of criminal acts such as burglary or fraud. The criminal develops an irrational envy for people he or she perceives as more fortunate in life, so the theft of a victim's property somehow balances the scales of fairness. Envy in its rawest form represents an irrational desire for material satisfaction, not necessarily ill will towards those who have it.
Jealousy, however, is largely focused on the perceived character of the rival himself or herself. It's not that a more attractive rival managed to "steal" a potential romantic partner; it's the unfairness that an undeserving rival can use his or her skills to take what rightfully belongs to the jealous person. Feelings of jealousy often go deeper than feelings of envy, which can lead to physical confrontations with the rival or even criminal acts of violence.
Feelings of jealousy are almost always negative, since the jealous person may continue to build up resentment towards his or her rival until the situation becomes untenable or volatile. Many cases of jealousy can only be defused if at least one side of the triangle is taken completely out of the equation. If the object of the jealous person's romantic interest begins dating a third party, for example, the tension between rivals should lessen considerably. Without a focal point for passionate emotions, jealousy generally loses its fuel.
Jealousy And Relationships No More Jealousy Avoid Jealousy Severe Jealousy Jealousy Issues Jealously
Envy, on the other hand, can actually have some positive benefits, albeit after the fact. An envious person may be motivated to take the steps necessary to attain what his or her rival already has. Instead of developing irrational feelings of resentment towards a successful co-worker, for example, an envious person might pursue the same educational track as his or her rival, or take other steps to improve his or her own chances for a similar promotion. Resolving feelings of envy does not necessitate the removal of a rival or the "good" he or she now possesses, but it could require an attitude adjustment on the part of the envious one.
New International Version (©1984)
Love is patient, love is kind. It does notenvy, it does not boast, it is not proud.
New Living Translation (©2007)
Love is patient and kind. Love is not jealous or boastful or proud
English Standard Version (©2001)
Love is patient and kind; love does not envy or boast; it is not arrogant
New American Standard Bible (©1995)
Love is patient, love is kind and is not jealous; love does not brag and is not arrogant,
International Standard Version (©2008)
Love is always patient; love is always kind; love is never envious or arrogant with pride. Nor is she conceited,
GOD'S WORD® Translation (©1995)
Love is patient. Love is kind. Love isn't jealous. It doesn't sing its own praises. It isn't arrogant.
King James Bible
Charity suffereth long, [and] is kind; charity envieth not; charity vaunteth not itself, is not puffed up,
American King James Version
Charity suffers long, and is kind; charity envies not; charity braggs not itself, is not puffed up,
American Standard Version
Love suffereth long, and is kind; love envieth not; love vaunteth not itself, is not puffed up,
Bible in Basic English
Love is never tired of waiting; love is kind; love has no envy; love has no high opinion of itself, love has no pride;
Douay-Rheims Bible
Charity is patient, is kind: charity envieth not, dealeth not perversely; is not puffed up;
Darby Bible Translation
Love has long patience, is kind; love is not emulous of others; love is not insolent and rash, is not puffed up,
English Revised Version
Love suffereth long, and is kind; love envieth not; love vaunteth not itself, is not puffed up,
Webster's Bible Translation
Charity suffereth long, and is kind; charity envieth not; charity vaunteth not itself, is not puffed up,
Weymouth New Testament
Love is patient and kind. Love knows neither envy nor jealousy. Love is not forward and self-assertive, nor boastful and conceited.
World English Bible
Love is patient and is kind; love doesn't envy. Love doesn't brag, is not proud,
Young's Literal Translation
The love is long-suffering, it is kind, the love doth not envy, the love doth not vaunt itself, is not puffed up,
Here is a Bible commentary on the matter:
Envieth not - ου? ζηλο´ι ou zeloi. This word properly means to be "zealous" for or against any person or thing; that is, to be eager for, or anxious for or against anyone. It is used often in a good sense (1 Corinthians 12:31; See the 1 Corinthians 14:1, 1 Corinthians 14:39 notes; 2 Corinthians 11:2 note, etc.); but it may be used in a bad sense - to be zealous "against" a person; to be jealous of; to envy. Acts 7:9; Acts 17:5; James 4:2, "ye kill and envy." It is in this sense, evidently, that it is used here, - as denoting zeal, or ardent desire "against" any person. The sense is, love does not envy others the happiness which they enjoy; it delights in their welfare; and as their happiness is increased by their endowments, their rank, their reputation, their wealth, their health, their domestic comforts, their learning etc., those who are influenced by love "rejoice" in all this. They would not diminish it; they would not embarrass them in the possession; they would not detract from that happiness; they would not complain or repine that they themselves are not so highly favored - To envy is to feel uneasiness, mortification, or discontent at the sight of superior happiness, excellence or reputation enjoyed by another; to repine at another's prosperity; and to fret oneself on account of his real or fancied superiority.
Of course, it may be excited by anything in which another excels, or in which he is more favored than we are. It may be excited by superior wealth, beauty, learning, accomplishment, reputation, success. It may extend to any employment, or any rank in life. A man may be envied because he is happy while we are miserable; well, while we are sick; caressed, while we are neglected or overlooked; successful, while we meet with disappointment; handsome, while we are ill-formed; honored with office, while we are overlooked. He may be envied because he has a better farm than we have, or is a more skillful mechanic, or a more successful physician, lawyer, or clergyman. "Envy commonly lies in the same line of business, occupation, or rank." We do not, usually envy a monarch, a conqueror, or a nobleman, unless we are "aspiring" to the same rank. The farmer does not usually envy the blacksmith, but another farmer; the blacksmith does not usually envy the schoolmaster, or the lawyer, but another man in the same line of business with himself.
The physician envies another physician more learned or more successful; the lawyer envies another lawyer; the clergyman is jealous of another clergyman. The fashionable female who seeks admiration or flattery on account of accomplishment or beauty envies another who is more distinguished and more successful in those things. And so the poet envies a rival poet and the orator, a rival orator; and the statesman, a rival statesman. The correction of all these things is "love." If we loved others; if we rejoiced in their happiness, we should not envy them. "They are not to blame" for these superior endowments; but if those endowments are the direct gift of God, we should he thankful that he has made others happy; if they are the fruit of their own industry, and virtue, and skill and application, we should esteem them the more, and value them the more highly. They have not injured us; and we should not be unhappy, or seek to injure them, because God has blessed them, or because they have been more industrious, virtuous, and successful than we have.
Every person should have his own level in society, and we should rejoice in the happiness of all - Love will produce another effect. We should not "envy" them, because he that is under the influence of Christian love is more happy than those in the world who are usually the objects of envy. There is often much wretchedness under a clothing "of purple and fine linen." There is not always happiness in a splendid mansion; in the caresses of the great; in a post of honor; in a palace, or on a throne. Alexander the Great wept on the throne of the world. Happiness is in the heart; and contentment, and the love of God, and the hope of heaven produce happiness which rank, and wealth, and fashion, and earthly honor cannot purchase. And could the sad and heavy hearts of those in elevated ranks of life be always seen; and especially could their end be seen, there would be no occasion or disposition to envy them.
Farkel