Which is the best translation?

Question

Which translation of the bible is the best? Which is the most accurate and why?

Answer 1

Well it depends let me explain.

There are two major types of translations:

1. Word for Word: That is the best equivalent ENGLISH WORD for the Original GREEK or HEBREW Word.

2. Dynamic Equivalent: That is the best equivalent ENGLISH PHRASE for the Original GREEK or HEBREW phrase.

Both methodologies of translation are very good and can be very accurate. The reality is most translations will involve a litte bit of both of these methods.

Also its important to have a modern committee translation. That is a translation that has been published in the last 50 years and was created by a committee of various scholars from different religious backgrounds.

The importance of a recent translation is because in the past recent years we have found some more reliable greek and hebrew manuscripts that modern translations reflect in their works. The most famous example is the Dead Sea Scrolls. I believe they are the oldest collection of Old Testament Manuscripts to date. Not sure about that last statement though.

So the BEST translation for a WORD for WORD methodology is
NASB: The New American Standard Bible (1995 update) (really no debate about that)

The BEST translation that uses a DYNAMIC EQUIVALENT is
NIV: The New International Version

There is probably a little bit of debate about the NIV being the best of dynamic equivalents, but manys scholars will use the NIV for their study. The New Living Translation is also a very good translation, but I personally think it takes a few too many liberties with the text.

I personally use the NIV and the NASB primarily.

Also, a easy to read version is THE MESSAGE, however this is NOT a translation!!! It is a paraphrase.

Answer 2

Best for what? There are two types of translations, literal and paraphrase. Literal is a word for word translation and paraphrase are thought for thought translations. Literal are more accurate, paraphrase are easier reading. Literal are better to study from, paraphrase are better for lengthy reading. The KJV is the most well know literal version, and the NKJV or the NASB are contemporary literal translations. Paraphrase did not really come on the scene until recently and the NIV is the most popular but there are many more such as the Living Bible, and the Amplified.
There is a second factor and that is which manuscripts were used. The newer versions of the Bible use the Alexandrian manuscripts which are older than the manuscripts used years ago, and so proported to be more accurate. The problem is that the new manuscripts used for older translations have some variations in them from the older Alexandrian ones and so modern scholars think they are less accurate. The problem is that the differences in the manuscripts are localized to Alenandria. In other words new manuscripts from all over the world are consistant with one another leading us to believe that the Alexandrian manuscripts were locally changed, even though they are older, and therefore less reliable. The differences are no enough to change anything major int he Bible at all.
The power of the Bible does not come from the translation but from the Holy Spirit whom Christ sent to this world to guide people into the truth. Take any version you want and study it in prayer with the Holy Spirit and you will find the truth. Without the Holy Spirit any version is only words.

Answer 3

The New World Translation.
I have personally cross referenced it and other translations using the 1611 King James Version and the Strong's Exhaustive Concordance.
And even though many lie and say the NWT is bad, I have found that it is the most accurate as regards the original definitions from the Hebrew/Chaldee and Koine Greek.
If one claiming it is not accurate has not done this themselves than, the best they have is that they are relying upon someone else telling them that the NWT is not accurate.

I am not a JW by the way.

Answer 4

The KJV is not necessarily the best version. It is not better or worse than most other versions.
I use the ESV, but NIV, and NASB are all good too.
So basically don't worry about it.
The only version that I do NOT recommend is the NLT. It is soft, and watered down in many places where strong or intense language or ideas are used.


In the end, it's not the publisher that makes the book living and powerful. It's the words, and any version sold at your local Christian bookstore will contain the active words of God.

Answer 5

the recent international translation became translated by skill of 5 adult males and in user-friendly terms one had some college education, 3 had no longer graduated from severe college and none have been Bible scholars. it is rumored that one became a spirit medium. What do you think of? The words have been altered to examine the cults misguided teachings that have under no circumstances come real. The NIV became translated by skill of a hundred adult males from countless religions and that they have got been Bible scholars.

Answer 6

There are several translations which are as good as the other. I have several which are great but the best translation. I can not tell you since there are many.

For instance, there is the Blue Bible Translation and the New Century to name two. I have several translations myself. I have the Twentieth Century New Testament which is old but fantastic, which I love, and you can not buy anymore.

The best to

START

with is the old fashioned standard, KJV.

Answer 7

As for English translations of the Bible, the best as in most faithful to the original Hebrew and Greek texts is the NRSV. However the NRSV sometimes uses a lot of inclusive language saying "brothers and sisters" where the greek only says brother and putting "Jesus" or "God" where the greek might use "he". Still, the text indicates what the original greek was. Other good translations in terms of readability and accuracy is the New Jerusalem Bible.

Answer 8

King James is great but people tend to twist the older English to suit their needs. I use a New King James and love it. I understand that the New American Standard Version is also a word for word translation and is very good. NIV is great for a read through book.

Answer 9

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The Authorized Version of the 1611 King James Bible is the best translation and most accurate, for English speaking readers.

Because it has stood the test of time.
Because it has resources to supplement and compliment.

The best reason is because it contains God's Spirit.
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Wayne Murray

Answer 10

If the bible is the word of God, given for the guidance of mankind then all translations should be the same.
Any attempt to change it would be foiled by divine intervention.
So if I tried to print a copy with messed up words, it would automatically correct itself.
Unless man really has the power to alter the word of God, but if that is so then God would not be infallible, all knowing and all power full, that means he would not really be God.

I need to go and pray for guidance, I don't know what to think, I think Satan is using logic and reason to blind me to the truth.