Do you favor one translation of the Bible over another?

Question

When I was a kid, my family went to a little country church that believed the King James Version was the only translation anyone should use. It seems that others have the same beliefs, too.

So, how do you feel? Please give the reasoning for your answer as well.

Answer 1

The only accurate Bible is the Holy Spirit Authorized King James Version Bible.

Answer 2

I have read the King James Version cover to cover, and more than once. It has some excellent things about it, but it also has its flaws. I once read a 100 page book by some self appointed expert who tried to proof the KJV was the only true version and all other translations were per-versions. I could disprove every assertion he made. I personally like the NASB, but I find some glaring weaknesses in it. I have read portions from probably over 20 translations and probably read 6-8 versions cover to cover. I do believe the more current versions are based on better manuscript evidence than the KJV, but then sometimes are too weak or free in their translation.
I think the best plan is to get yourself settled down with one particular translation and get yourself other versions for comparison. What one version says poorly another says well. I think for readability and reliability the NIV is a good version, but if you want to do more serious study, get yourself a Greek Interlinear New Testament, a Concordance (these come for various versions), and a good reference companion book is Vine's Expository Dictionary.

Answer 3

I too was raised in a church family, but deviated from my parent's church and sought to discover THE right religion. I have found that while most organised religions have the same basic beliefs, they are all taking their translation literally. I have had discussions with people who are brain-washed by their church, and really believe what they are told to believe. I know that all translations are translated by men, sometimes after the stories being passed down by word-of-mouth for generations. How can we know what is the true translation? I sure don't, but I do think there is a huge difference between religion and spirituality. Do we need to label ourselves? Do we need to judge others because they believe a little different translation?

Answer 4

It's a toss up between the New Living Translation and the American Standard.
The American Standard is word-for-word translation, and the NLT is paraphrased.

But, what I do is: I have 4 different translations at home. When I get into a study, I have all four opened in front of me, and I cross reference. The reason I do this is because I believe the Word is alive, and God leads my understanding.

I don't believe there is any one "true" translation, unless you get into the ancient Greek. And I feel that if you get too hung up on which is the "best" translation, you lose the love and beauty of God's Word.

Bottom line, use the translation that you feel most comfortable with, because you will read it more, you will gain more understanding and you will draw closer to God.

Answer 5

The KJV is to be respected.
However, I enjoy the Contemporary English Version.
Some sincerely believe the KJV is the one and only.
However, the Bible did not come into existence with the KJV.
Before it there was the Matthew’s Bible of 1537, the Great Bible of 1539, the Geneva Bible of 1560 and the Bishops’ Bible of 1568.
They were fine Bibles as well.
Since the KJV came along in the 1600's and language is in a constant state of flux ....it is good to use a variety of translations.

Answer 6

I think it is good to settle down with one version and become familiar with it. They all have their own unique good points and bad. They all come from the same basic manuscripts and so are all basically the same. There are two types of translations, literal and paraphrase. Literal (KJV, NASB etc) are far more accurate, since they do word for word translating, so if you study a lot that is the better way to go. Paraphrase (NIV, Living Bible, etc) are easier reading, they translate thought for thought, so the translators insert words. These are easier reading but lack accuracy. So decide what you are looking for and select one or the other. Remember the Holy Spirit is given along with the Bible to lead you and guide you into truth.

Edit: I forgot to mention that I use and prefer the NASB.
NIV has some real problems with it.

Answer 7

For honesty and accuracy I perfer the
NWT, Why?

Old Testament:
In fact, the New World Translation is a scholarly work. In 1989, Professor Benjamin Kedar of Israel said:
"In my linguistic research in connection with the Hebrew Bible and translation, I often refer to the English edition as what is known as the New World Translation. In doing so, I find my feeling repeatedly confirmed that this kind of work reflects an honest endeavor to achieve an understanding of the text that is as accurate as possible. Giving evidence of a broad command of the original language, it renders the original words into a second language understandably without deviating unnecessarily from the specific structure of the Hebrew....Every statement of language allows for a certain latitude in interpreting or translating. So the linguistic solution in any given case may be open to debate. But I have never discovered in the New World Translation any biased intent to read something into the text that it does not contain."

New Testament:

While critical of some of its translation choices, BeDuhn called the New World Translation a “remarkably good” translation, “better by far” and “consistently better” than some of the others considered. Overall, concluded BeDuhn, the New World Translation “is one of the most accurate English translations of the New Testament currently available” and “the most accurate of the translations compared.”—Truth in Translation: Accuracy and Bias in English Translations of the New Testament.

“Here at last is a comprehensive comparison of nine major translations of the Bible:

King James Version,
New American Standard Bible,
New International Version,
New Revised Standard Version,
New American Bible,
Amplified Bible,
Today's English Version (Good News Bible),
Living Bible,
and the New World Translation.

The book provides a general introduction to the history and methods of Bible translation, and gives background on each of these versions. Then it compares them on key passages of the New Testament to determine their accuracy and identify their bias. Passages looked at include:

John 1:1; John 8:58; Philippians 2:5-11; Colossians 1:15-20; Titus 2:13; Hebrews 1:8; 2 Peter 1:1

Jason BeDuhn
Associate Professor of Religious Studies, and Chair
Department of Humanities, Arts, and Religion
Northern Arizona University

This does not mean I use only the NWT, but the more I compare it to other translations and Strong's, the more I've come to appreciate the accuracy of this bible.

Answer 8

Oh boy, do I love your avatar!

Yeah, I was taught that not only was King James the ONLY version, you needed it to be a "Ryrie Study Bible" as well :) When I went to the University and took some history courses, I was pretty amazed to find out what a perv this King James was! :) If they're going to insist it's the *only* version, they should, at the very least, have to learn about how it came into existance.

Answer 9

I like the King James for accuracy and memorizing. I like the Living Bible (paraphrase) by Tyndale Publishers for reading and grasping the content, but not the most accurate in my opinion. The New Testament In the language of today (Concordia Publishing House) by William F. Beck is my favorite N T but the OT was not finished because the translator died from what I understand. It had up to date language and the most accurate in my opinion.

Answer 10

I find the NIV is more accurate because they went back to the original Greek and Hebrew instead of re-translating the King James Version.