and why are there so many versions?
2006-12-31 08:41:51 · 18 answers · asked by Charles Dobson Focus on the Fam 1 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
They keep releasing new versions to try and make it easier to understand. As for the correct version, to get the closest to what you call correct you would need to go back to the languages the bible was originally written in
2006-12-31 08:46:21 · answer #1 · answered by exodus64_1996 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
MOst bibles don't read "word for word" the same thing, but if you look at the context of the sentence, they're very similar. I would say that the newer translations are more accurate, cause they been based on more recent discoveries of older manuscripts such as the Sinaitic , Alexandric, and Vaticanus codexes. The older a book is, the more accurate it should be to the original writings. The Dead sea scrolls are the oldest documents ever discovered and they prove that almost all scripture has been preserved intact.
I know many people love and are endeared to the KJV and i don't mind using it, but it has words that don't really give the full meaning, such as using "charity" instead of "love ". It also added a verse at 1 John 5; 7 which many modern bibles have removed. I have included an interesting article about why some churches prefer this version and its differences with other english translations.
2006-12-31 09:00:57 · answer #2 · answered by jaguarboy 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
King James Version.
Intellectualism has brought about many Bible translations. The mental elite for the need to break it down for everyone else. The problem is they are writing down what they think it means as a opposed to a word for word translation. How come the NIV leaves some stuff out and feels the need to change words of obvious meaning for different ones which means something different? Two different translations if they are translations ought to say the same thing. There are many instance where I have been following along in the KJV to the NIV in the Southern Baptist church where things didn't quite line up. Once I read a verse in Sunday school class where half of it was completely missing from the other's NIV Bibles.
2006-12-31 08:49:21 · answer #3 · answered by adrian b 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You have the King James Version, which is a word for word translation. The NIV, New International Version is a thought for thought version, and a little easier to understand than the KJV. Either of these are good. The New Living Translation is in modern English, but is a paraphrased version, which I wouldn't recommend. I prefer the New King James, similar to the King James, but in more modern English.
2006-12-31 08:50:18 · answer #4 · answered by ted.nardo 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
King James Version.
2006-12-31 08:45:36 · answer #5 · answered by Miss k 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
There are so many versions ofthe Bible because of the different people interpreting the Bible. The majority of Bible translations are thought for thought meaning the person translatin it is his/her thought of what the Scripture says. The King James Bible is a word for word translation and I believe the New American Standard is also a word for word translation. To me these two are the best because it is a literal translation.
2006-12-31 08:45:26 · answer #6 · answered by BamaJJP 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
There are so many versions because there are so many languages, and words do not always translate the same. Also, someone always thinks that they have a better way of saying something, which may actually change the meaning.
The Nicene Council had their big say when they changed, added, took way, and made the Bible what they wanted it to be. Then, King James had his version done, and he also had changes made, to fit his needs. It just keeps going on and on.
2006-12-31 08:46:34 · answer #7 · answered by Shossi 6 · 0⤊ 1⤋
The original language of the OT is Hebrew.
The original language of the NT is Greek.
The various translations have been created to meet modern language styles.
The KJV was published in 1610 and does not sound like modern English.
The NKJV is the KJV with words like varily and thee and thou replaced with more modern words that mean the same.
The NASB is the most correct word for word translation.
The NIV is not word for word correct, but thought for thought.
There is a New English, the Message, and others that are thought for thought but are written in a more modern english and style.
The Living Bible was written by a father for his kids, in a language that he thought they could understand.
The New Living Translation was written by translators, but maintained the same style as the Living Bible.
Almost all of the versions were written using the original Hebrew or Greek as the basis of their translation.
As for me, I rather teach from the NKJV, but I enjoy the NLT for personal reading.
grace2u
2006-12-31 08:55:57 · answer #8 · answered by Theophilus 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
The only differences are that the Catholic Bible has the books of the saints.The old Dutch Bible has a shorter version of one of the Gospels.The rest are only different translations of the King James.The only other is the Mormon Bible and it contains the writings of their founder.Which ever you choose is the right one.I would not suggest the Mormon Bible though.
2006-12-31 08:50:00 · answer #9 · answered by ? 2 · 0⤊ 1⤋
There is no correct version. It is a matter of choice which version appeals to you enough, to make you want to read it.
I prefer the King James version
2006-12-31 08:45:16 · answer #10 · answered by LucySD 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋