For comparisons sake, here is the Latin of the first sentence of the Roman Canon, followed by five translations: (1) that found in the Saint Andrew Daily Missal (1949), the one I used in high school and college; (2) that found in The Laymans Missal and Prayer Book (1962); that found in The Parish Mass Book and Hymnal (1966); (4) that of ICE; (5) that of the 2005 draft of a new English translation.

Te igitur, clementissime Pater, per Jesum Christum Filium tuum Dominum nostrum, supplices rogamus, ac petimus, uti accepta habeas et benedicas, haec dona, haec munera, haec sancta sacrificia illibata.(1) We therefore humbly pray and beseech Thee, O most merciful Father, through Jesus Christ Thy Son, our Lord, that Thou wouldst vouchsafe to receive and bless these gifts, these offerings, these holy and unblemished sacrifices. (St. Andrew Daily Missal)(2) Most Merciful Father, we humbly pray and beseech you through Jesus Christ, your Son, our Lord, to accept and bless these gifts, these holy things, these sacred unblemished offerings. (Laymans Missal and Prayer Book)(3) Therefore, most gracious Father, we humbly beg of You and entreat You through Jesus Christ, Your Son, our Lord: hold acceptable and bless these gifts, these offerings, these holy and unspotted oblations. (Parish Mass Book and Hymnal)(4) We come to you, Father, with praise and thanksgiving, through Jesus Christ your Son. Through him we ask you to accept and bless these gifts we offer you in sacrifice. (ICEL)(5) To you, most merciful Father, we therefore humbly pray through Jesus Christ, your Son, our Lord. We ask you to accept and bless these gifts, these offerings, these holy and undefiled sacrifices. (New official version)

On another translation point: last Sundays second reading was from 2 Tim 4:6-8, 17-18. I am interested in the first two verses. Here is how they were translated (1) in the Douai-Rheims version, (2) the revision of Douai-Rheims published by the CCD (1941), (3) the Revised Standard Version, and (4) the CBA version required for liturgies in the USA.

(1) For I am even now ready to be sacrificed; and the time of my dissolution is at hand. I have fought a good fight; I have finished my course; I have kept the faith (Douai-Rheims).(2) As for me, I am already being poured out in sacrifice, and the time of my deliverance is at hand. I have fought the good fight, I have finished the course, I have kept the faith. (1941 CCD revision of Douai-Rheims)(3) For I am already on the point of being sacrificed; the time of my departure has come. I have fought the good fight; I have finished the race; I have kept the faith. (RSV)(4) I am already being poured out like a libation, and the time of my departure is at hand. I have competed well; I have finished the race; I have kept the faith. (CBA)

Its that "I have competed well" that gets me. What was wrong with "I have fought the [or "a"] good fight?And, finally, here is a venerable Latin oration, which fairly carries one along as one recites it:

Actiones nostras, quaesumus, Domine, aspirando praeveni et adiuvando prosequere: ut cuncta nostra oratio et¹ operatio a te semper incipiat, et per te coepta finiatur. Per Christum Dominum nostrum. Amen.

And here is a classic English translation, which has its own rhetorical power:

Begin, O Lord, all our actions by your holy inspiration; carry them forward by your gracious assistance, so that our every prayer and work may always begin with you and through you be brought to a happy end.

And here is what ICEL did to it:

Lord, may everything we do begin with your inspiration, continue with your help, and reach perfection under your guidance.