What Bible translation do you recommend?

Question

I'm an atheist, but I study the Bible. I'd prefer a Catholic edition as I would like to have the additional books. I'm looking for translations as close as possible to the original text. Minor alterations for idiomatic purposes are okay. Major alterations for political purposes (e.g. gender inclusive language) I'd like to avoid.

Answer 1

Get the Oxford Study Bible or any other geared towards the secular college classroom. It comes with tons of liner notes explaining possible multiple meanings of words and includes all of the apocryphal texts (those that got axed when the church streamlined their bible). Its like the directors cut and outtakes all in one place.

Answer 2

My favorites include:

The New International Version. It is very idiom free, as it is written for use by English speaking people worldwide, not just the USA. As accurate as you can get in anything translated between languages. And I am reasonably sure that they have a Catholic edition.

The New King James version, probably more for sentimental reasons. I was raised on the King James, and it is nice to have a version that keeps as much of the KJ version wording as is practical after 400 years of language changes.

Finally, I have one called "The New Testament in 26 Translations". It includes the entire text of the New American Standard version (usually considered the most accurate translation around, but not always easy to read because it follows the Greek rather that the English grammar a lot.). Then beside each verse it gives you a handful of different translations of the same verse. IF any of the other major translations word it a little different, they are listed. 99.9% of the time, the verse are nasically all the same. (Is there is real difference between "Abraham's son Issac" and "Issac the son of Abraham?")

All the versions are also translated from the original languages, and are not "translations of translations of translation". They enjoy the benefits of the lastest manuscripts and other finds not available before the 1900's. So they are all accurate and reliable translations.

Hope those help.

Answer 3

I'd use either the New International Version or the New Revised Standard Version. You can get Protestant Bibles that include the Apocryphal books if you want. I have an Oxford Study Bible, which is a New Revised Standard Version with the Apocrypha and verse by verse annotations. It also has a ton of background information from scholars about the authorship of the books and the circumstances surrounding them. There are supplemental sections on Biblical history and the evolution of the Church. It's an excellent resource for people who want to read the Bible critically.

Answer 4

I'll always enjoy the Authorized Version (King James) for its historical significance and beautiful quaint style, but I always recommend the New Jerusalem Bible (you can always go back a step to the Jerusalem Bible to avoid the gender-neutral language) or New Oxford Annotated Bible (New Revised Standard with Apocrypha). Even better for study is the Jewish Study Bible (also by Oxford University Press) that includes the Tanakh translation of the Jewish Publication Society. But, of course, this won't include the Christian scriptures.

Answer 5

Keep in mind that the Bible was altered for political purposes throughout the centuries - even the Catholic Bible. Choose whatever translation feels most comfortable, but remember to use your own heart and mind while reading it. And remember that it was put together by humans.

Do a web search on the Council of Nycea. That took place in 325 A.D. Many things got taken out then, for political reasons - like any reference to reincarnation. Anything that reduced the power of the Church was viewed as suspect, so the Bible that we have today (whatever version) is the result of organized religion trying to make people dependent on the clergy.

Just remember, whatever you get as feedback here, think for yourself, and find your own truth. The only real truth is what you can feel for yourself in your heart.

Answer 6

The pastors in my synod have been schooled to be able to read from the oldest Greek and Hebrew texts available. The translation they reccomend that sticks the closest to the original texts is the NIV (New International Version)

I recommend starting your study with a book like John which is very easy to understan, you could then move to the other books of the New Testament and then read the Old Testament. Remember that everything you read can be explained by other clear passages of scripture since all of the original text was inspired by God.

2 Timothy 3:16All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness,

Fortunately we also have God's promise that his word will be preserved.

Isaiah 40:8 The grass withers and the flowers fall, but the word of our God stands forever."

Lord's blessings on your study.

Answer 7

I am an agnostic, studying to be an atheist.
I don't use the bible to do that. To me, an agnostic/atheist reading the bible is like a pilot studying a bicycle manual to learn how to fly a jet.
Any bible you get is going to be someone else's ideas about what went on 2000+ years.ago. The Catholic edition is flagrantly misleading to feed the agenda of the Roman Empire.
You live in the 21st century; read more relevant, current ideas.

Answer 8

There are so many Bible's these days!

I prefer the King James, NIV, and NLT. I will use and Oxford Press NOAB/NRSV with Apocrypha is excellent!

Don't allow anyone to tell you that one is better than another though. That all depends upon what verse you are looking up.

Also. don't allow a non believer to tell you what something means. They all suck at it. I'm telling you the truth, stop looking at me like that.

Hopefully, you will understand what you are reading. Because if you are a non believer the miracle is in the understanding itself.

Do not forget those last words!

Answer 9

WITHOUT QUESTION -
The book that is based on the Tesxtus Receptus is the closest to the original texts. Horte and Westcott began most of the paraphrase stuff and tilted much to their way of thinking. The catholic bible is also not bang on. They even adjusted the 10 commandments to suite their cult.

Answer 10

The KJV is the one I find most practical for it is the oldest translation in print (since 1611) therefore standing the terst of time through evidence of it's truth and great care in translating it's words and prophecies as carefully as possible. James I commissioned 50 Latin, Hebrew, and Aramaic scholars in approximately 1604 to begin the work of translation. Seven years later, the Church completed the canonization and approval of the texts that make the KJV what it is today almost 400 years later.

Answer 11

I prefer the New Kings James Version because it does not leave things out as the New International Version does.