I am curious on people’s thoughts on which Bible translations to use. I understand there are two ways to translate. Thought for thought(which takes opinion into it) and word for word. I also see KJV which many prefer. Just curious as to why individuals are using which translations. I personally use NASV, I’ve always leaned towards word for word to avoid the opinions n translation
Discussion
23 comments
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Get a Bible you can understand. I personally use The NKJV and ESV. But I have multiple translations. You are probably better off with translations done by committees rather than a paraphrase, even though a paraphrase may be good for some devotional purposes (The Message is the worst).
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RSVCE
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I think all translations incorporate some interpretation. For example, sometimes a Greek or Hebrew word may carry varying shades of meaning and it will be up to the translators to decide which best fits the context, or, their theological predispositions. I don’t think any translation is strictly word for word since sometimes an idiom needs to be conveyed where word for word would make no sense.
I use many different versions, but my current ‘go to’ version is the ESV. I also regularly use the NASB and NIV. I believe the ESV and NASB are closer to word for word, while the NIV is more thought for thought. I rarely if ever use the KJV as I don’t think it offers any advantages other than beauty of language. It is not based on the earliest and best manuscripts and uses the Textus Receptus and only the Masoretic Text. There are numerous places where the Textus Receptus is supported by few or even no Greek manuscripts at all. The ESV and NASB are based on the Critical Text for the NT which makes use of the earliest and best manuscripts. For the OT they are based on the Masoretic Text but also make use of the Dead Sea Scrolls and the LXX in difficult passages which are much older than the MT.
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Use the one your most comfortable with. But be sure it’s one that is close to original text. Personally, I use ESV or NLT. Amplified for study
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KJV is the way to go. Don’t put trust in other books.
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Prefer the Jewish study Bible and the jewish annotated new testament
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There isn’t one that is “the best” per se. Many have value. Word for word translations have value in their direct translation. Line by line translations have value in getting the bigger picture. I like the esv and nasb the most but in true study it’s wise to use a concordance or lexicon. Also, always consider the cultural context when studying
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I use the NKJV because it was the only one I could find with the biggest sized print. Super giant print it’s called. But usu I do giant print KJV.
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its not translation its “versions” –> NKJV, KJ21, AMP, YLT.. these “versions” [depends] does a better job with the Hebrew, Greek –> NKJV usually does a better job on sentence and grammar –> dump NASV?
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Get many translations.
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Better to have lots of translations so you can see the difference
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NKJV.. although I would prefer a non copyright updated version of the KJV.
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I took Hebrew in college and we were using the ESV to test and see how accurate it was compared to the Hebrew. Well it actually did really really well on the translation part. The next one or it’s equal will be CSB which is what I’m currently using. It’s called a Dynamic translation which basically merges the two ideas together.
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I prefer the KJV (1611). The terminology may be archaic but…. !!!
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The copyright thing does bug me. The translators that eventually led to the KJV gave up their lives as martyrs so ordinary people could read the Bible in English. Modern translations are copyrighted, so you will get sued if you were to distribute the updated modern versions of God’s word freely…. Which makes me sometimes wonder why they still leave in verses like this, don’t they read their own translations? e.g. https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=1+Corinthians+6%3A1-8&version=NIV
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First we must understand what the Bible teaches about biblical preservation and inerrancy. It is well established in scripture that God’s word would be preserved. But what constitutes God’s word. It’s quite simple, if it doesn’t convey what the originals (which no longer exists) said precisely those imprecise words are not God’s word. Only a Bible that precisely conveys what the originals said can justifiably be called God’s word.
Next we need to figure out where it is. Having established the right doctrine of preservation and inerrancy we can see that God’s fully inerrant word must be identifiable. The question is where would God’s word be? Well in the hands of his people. By process of elimination we can determine that it can be none other than the Reformation Bible known as the King James which is the only Bible which any of the brethren have, by the Spirit of God identified to be God’s complete preserved and inerrant word. This Bible has established itself among the Christian church by having been the prevailing version for 400 years and has been a great source of annoyance to those who hate God’s word more than any other version due to its continued prevalence.
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Go to Bible Gateway. They give you a choice from a list of over 100 translations. Then you can decide which one you like.
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NIV and NASB for me.
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Everyone has their preferences. But you need to know, if someone says NIV or even KJV, there are variations depending on the publishers. There are changes over the years changing word, syntax, grammar etc.
I have many including study Bibles. I’m sure you can get a wide variety of recommendations on study texts as well. But check out the more reputable publishers.
I go to my KJV to determine questions. Most people won’t actually say it, but most don’t prefer it because of the Old English. But Old English language is also about the most precise. Which if you do get a KJV, get an Authorized Version; no changes will be included.
But for ease of reading, I have used the NAS for a very long time. I recently acquired a HCSV; Christian Standard published by Holman; which if I’m not mistaken created that version.
If you get a study Bible, I wouldn’t get one by a recent author. My opinion they do it for money/prestige. My latest NAS is a Scofield; which has also gone through variations returning closer to his original.
God speed. L&P -
The KJV comes from the textus recepticus. All other versions are combined textus recepticus, sinaticus, and vaticanus. If you want something literal (word for word) or are a serious student of study. I recommend highly the NASB version (if you are buying one, get a “key word Hebrew and Greek”. If you’re wanting something that just gives you the idea, The Message Bible. I strongly recommend steering clear of NIV.
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I use HCSB because it is word for word and uses most of the available biblical texts to translate from. It is more a preference issue, but it is always best to compare across different translations. You could research the original words used for specific verses coming from Greek and Hebrew. God bless
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