Christians: Which bible version do you use and how hard is it to understand ?

Question

On a scale from 1 (easiest) to 10 hardest)

Why do you use that particular version and not another?

Answer 1

I read the New American Standard for accuracy even though it does not read quite as easily as the NIV. I like the philosophy of translation behind it better than the "dynamic equivalence" philosophy behind the NIV.

http://www.bible-researcher.com/nasb.html

It is much better than the KJV on several important points (scholarship, textual, translation, and English issues). The New World Translation is the translation of the Jehovah's Witnesses. Respectable scholars have rejected this translation as a work of poor scholarship. See the links below (especially the first one -- a pdf file).

Answer 2

I read & study out of the New KJV mostly because I like the language. I also use The Amplified Bible, which is a direct translation from the original languages & gives the different shades of meaning of the original wording--it takes a little getting used to. Altogether, I have 7 or 8 different versions that I use if I'm having difficulty w/ a particular passage.

Answer 3

I use many but prefer 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

As to easy to read, it is a modern english bible.

Answer 4

New Living Translation is what I use most.... on a scale of 1-10.... it would be a 1

have used King James... bout an 8

and have used New International Version (NIV) and would say about 3

NLT is written by many translators directly from the greek and hebrew, not a translation of another translation... and it is written in 'today's' english so that we can understand it easier.

Answer 5

Interlinear Online Bible
in Greek, Hebrew and English

http://www.scripture4all.org

New International Version (NIV)

3

Answer 6

The one I use most is the New King James Version. It is easy to understand and is like the KJV, except for the "thee's, thou's, etc. Mine is a Nelson published 'The Woman's Study Bible-NKJV' Some translations change the original meaning too much from the KJV and I wouldn't trust them. I'd give the NKJV a 1.

Answer 7

I use the King James Version--it's not hard for me to understand, but, that's probably because I was reared using that version.

An excellent reading version (translation--paraphrase--whatever you choose to call it) is the New Living Translation--modern terminology--very understandable and "readable"--I have one in a "paperback" format, and I enjoy using it for daily reading/meditation.

Let me know if I may answer any other questions for you.

Answer 8

I read only King James Verson.Not hard to read ,just those names-and they should be the same in every book.
I love the King James ,I have tried others and they just don't do it for me.<><
1.

Answer 9

RYRIE
Study Bible
Expanded Edition
New American Stadard(NAS)

It has great note and explantion of Jewish and Greek translations. Its a great Bible
Its not very hard to understand...

Ill give it a ???...3-5

Answer 10

I use New American Standard and the New Century Version.
They are both a one.