bible translations

[4m3r1c4]

what bible translations are the best or most relevant? which is the best to understand life and stuff? I have a pretty good ESV translation study bible and i like it...my dad told me the best though is the Thompson Chain Refference bible and a Strong's Concordance and Halley's bible handbook...


I __ v

[Denimcat]

I personally use the Holman Christian Standard Edition.

I like it, though it uses far, far too many pointless contractions, IMO. "I am" sounds so much better than "I'm"....

[RedMage]

Yes, I can picture God talking to Moses now. "I'M that I'M. Thou shalt say unto the children of Israel, I'M hath sent me unto you."

I just use King James, myself.

[samuraidragon]

I like the Ignatius RSV.

[Radical Dreamer]

I somehow don't see this thread staying open for long. XD;

I use the NIV, personally.

[ChristianKitsune]

why not, RD?

I use the NIV! Although the Message is a pretty easy translation. I tend to stear clear of some versions... like this one that changes some of the words around and make God a girl... O_o

For a challenge though I like to read the King James version, but my peers understand NIV more than King James so I tend to quote any advice verses from there.

I heare that they are coming out with a similar version to NIV but it will be easier to quote. Apparently you have to pay to use verses from the NIV in camp books and stuff like that..O_o

[TheMelodyMaker]

*shrug* I may as well post while I can, before the discussion starts becoming uncivilized (and the thread becomes closed as a result)...

I mostly use the New American Standard or the New King James alternatingly -- as in, whichever one I have handy at the time.

[Radical Dreamer]

why not, RD?

Just because sometimes, discussions like this can turn into something more like, "well, you don't read this version, so you don't have the whole truth" and that kind of thing. It's happened in the past, and history does tend to repeat itself. XD If the thread stays civilized though, I suppose nothing will come of it.

[Kawaiikneko]

It really depends on what you like... I have NIV, but I'm thinking of getting an NASB also. The difference is that NIV takes the original Greek and translates by phrases, while the NASB translates word for word. The NASB is a little harder to read because it's choppy, but I think I want to get it anyways... It would be nice to have a word for word translation also.

Thought I'd get my two cents in before the whole "YOU HAVE TO READ insert version !!" debate starts up.

Is ESV more like NIV or NASB? I've heard of it before (like two weeks ago, someone brought it up) and I'm curious.

[Joshua Christopher]

Just stay away from the New Ebonics Standard Version.

"And Jesus said, I be he, my brothas."

[K. Ayato]

I use the KJV.

[Kaori]

The difference is that NIV takes the original Greek and translates by phrases, while the NASB translates word for word. The NASB is a little harder to read because it's choppy, but I think I want to get it anyways... It would be nice to have a word for word translation also.

Is ESV more like NIV or NASB? I've heard of it before (like two weeks ago, someone brought it up) and I'm curious.

You stated the difference pretty succinctly. Not counting paraphrase versions, there are two main theories of translation: the phrase-by-phrase method (sometimes called "dynamic equivalency") and the more formal, literal approach (which includes the RSV and NASB).

The ESV definitely falls into the second category as more of a literal translation. I was introduced to it in college, and I have been impressed with it because it is a more formal translation than the NIV but still reads very smoothly.

[Nate]

I use the NRSV as my personal bible. Also got an NIV copy lying around someplace.

[CreatureArt]

I've got an NIV but I'd love to have a parallel bible where I both a literal and a dynamic translation side by side. Not sure which specific translations I'd go for, though.

I think both translations have their place and it would be nice to compare them or to cross-reference them when I don't understand them. Does anyone have a parallel bible like that? I know I can do it in electronic programs like E-Sword.... I should probably start using that program more.

[Warrior 4 Jesus]

I can't stand KJV or even understand it. It was written for a much earlier generation. Myself I enjoy reading the NLT - New Living Translation Application Bible (applying what you learn to your everyday life - living it).

[Sammy Boy]

I read the NIV, use the NRSV (New Revised Standard Version) for class.

I am looking forward to seeing polite posts in this thread so that it stays open.

[Warrior 4 Jesus]

I don't discount those who read the KJV, not at all. But I get very angry with those who think it's the only valid version of God's Word in English *cough Jack Chick etc cough.*

I used a Good News version in primary school (elementary) and sure it was God's Word but the writing style was so basic it was a bore to read. My highschool Bible was the CEV - Contempary English Version and much better but the NLT I've recieved 6 months ago is far better than either.

[samuraidragon]

Just stay away from the New Ebonics Standard Version.

"And Jesus said, I be he, my brothas."

Was that a joke, or are you serious? o.o

*cough Jack Chick etc cough*

*shudder*

[RedMage]

I can't stand KJV or even understand it. It was written for a much earlier generation.

I enjoy the feeling of connection to earlier generations of Christians when I read the KJV.

[rocklobster]

I use the NRSV: Catholic Edition. Mine's a Study Bible with lots of nice supplemental articles on relevant issues in the text and puts many of them in a great perspective. I learned a lot of interesting stuff from them. It even contains some great prayerful reflections.

[Mr. SmartyPants]

I actually enjoy using The Message bible. But generally I use the NIV translation.

I also have a Korean-to-NIV English Bible in my possession. I had it since I was a child. XD

[Kaligraphic]

I mostly use a combination of KJV, ASV, and NASB in English.

And of course, the KJV is much more reliable than the source texts that it was based on, eh?

[Nate]

[quote="Kaligraphic"]And of course, the KJV is much more reliable than the source texts that it was based on, eh? ]
I know that was meant as a joke, but the scary thing is, some people believe that the KJV is superior to the original source texts. In fact, there are some people who go so far as to say that Moses and the Hebrew people actually spoke middle English...I'm not joking. I wish I was.

[rocklobster]

Yeah, let's not get into which version is superior. That'll lock this thread quicker than the Flash getting around the block.

[mitsuki lover]

I have used different versions/paraphrases througout my life:
*King James
*New American Standard
*The Living Bible
*Good News For Modern Man
*Goodspeed
*Revised Standard Version
*New English Bible
Currently I am using my dad's Goodspeed version.
Though of all the ones I have read I perfer overall the New English Bible since it is one of the easiest to read and understand.
Theology aside the one reason to buy any version has to be readability.

[Joshua Christopher]

i think tehy should make a chatspeak version

the AOLSV. aol standard version

in da beginin there wuz nuthin
lite lol, said the lord

[Denimcat]

i think tehy should make a chatspeak version

the AOLSV. aol standard version

Better yet, a l33^ version.

|-|0\/\/ |-|4ppy 15 7|-|3 |\/|4|\| \/\/|-|0 |)035 |\|07 f0|_|_0\/\/ 7h3 4|)\/1(3 0f 73|-| \/\/1(|<3|), 0r j01|\| 4 gr0|_|p 0f |\/|0(|<3r5.....

.......XD

[mitsuki lover]

Did you know they actually have a KLINGON translation?

[Radical Dreamer]

:lol:

Better yet, a l33^ version.

|-|0\/\/ |-|4ppy 15 7|-|3 |\/|4|\| \/\/|-|0 |)035 |\|07 f0|_|_0\/\/ 7h3 4|)\/1(3 0f 73|-| \/\/1(|<3|), 0r j01|\| 4 gr0|_|p 0f |\/|0(|<3r5.....

.......XD

...For the sake of all things that can read, please no. XD

[Yeshua-Knight]

ok, here is the perspective of someone who's spent almost 5 years of his life selling bibles and getting to know the difference

as far as ease of reading, you want the message, however it is only translated by one man rather than a group like most other translations, one other thing is that if you were to take it to church to try to follow along with the pastor, the way it is written doesn't distinguish from one verse to an other

the niv (not the tniv, there is a difference, if you wish to find out, just send me a pm and i'll explain it) is a pretty good translation, the language is pretty up to date and it's easy to reference, there are also a wide variety of study and devotional bibles that come in this translation since it's one of the two most popular translations, the other being the king james version

that brings us to the king james version, it's a good version if you are very inclined in literature and enjoy reading, however if you are not so hip on all the "thee's" and "thou's" the new king james version may be more your speed, it uses the phrasing of the original king james, but replaces the archaic language with more up to date terminology

the amplified bible is good if you want to get the full spectrum of possible meanings that a verse may have

the new american standard is a good, straight forward translation, from what my stepdad has said it's the most word for word translation that he's come across that is in understandable language next to an interlinear bible

ah, and this brings us to the reference books

if what you want is to get a bible that you can use right away to find out what the writer was really trying to say in a particular verse, what you want is an interlinear bible, basically what it does is for each line of scripture, there is a parallel line that contains the strongs reference numbers to the original words used by the original writers of the bible, in some cases the words referenced are listed and defined in the margin of the page, the major thing that takes away from the bible is that it lacks in readability since you have to skip every other line to read in just english, that plus the size of it makes it cumbersome, personally if you want this, i would recommend getting an interlinear bible in software form rather than hard copy, it's just easier that way

if you were to ask me what i read, i would tell you that i carry with me a metal bound (that's right, the backing and spine are made from real metal) bible that is the new living translation, for the most part i haven't had any problems with the translation that i would call major, and the size of it is perfect for me to keep in one of the inner pockets of my jacket, anyways, hope this helps, any further questions just gimme a pm