I like both the English Standard Version (ESV) and the New American Standard Version (NASB). I like these translations because they are very literal translations of the Bible. I prefer the literal translations over the more dynamic translations (NIV) or paraphrases (New Living Bible, The Message) for two reasons. First, I believe the very words of the Bible are divinely inspired. Thus, I want the very words translated. Second, the dynamic translations and paraphrases tend to interpret things that might be more ambiguous in the Greek and Hebrew. I would prefer that translators leave the ambiguity and allow the reader to interpret the text.
I do think that the NASB tends to be a bit more literal. However, it is at times so literal that it sounds somewhat wooden. The ESV seems to have captured more of a balance. I think these translators have captured the literal sense of the text and the asthetic beauty of the text in a way that has not been done since the King James Version.
2007-04-30 10:19:47 · 8 answers · asked by Steve 3 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
I like the NKJV because the KJV is based on the more reliable Textus Receptus and can be used to look up the original Hebrew and Greek. The NKJV changes just the archaic word use and a few mistranslated words here and there. I also like it because it will italicize any word that is NOT in the original text.
2007-04-30 10:26:54 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
I prefer the dynamic versions (NIV, NLT) because they are interested thought for thought rather than word for word. If I wanted the word for word, I would rather just read the Greek New Testament than a choppy English version. I prefer reading the thought processes more than the verbage.
2007-04-30 10:25:47 · answer #2 · answered by Aspurtaime Dog Sneeze 6 · 0⤊ 1⤋
I love the King James Version,and New International Version I would like to buy a really nice Concordance, also. Thanks, Bless You.
2007-04-30 10:33:07 · answer #3 · answered by Brilliant 1forHIM 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
New International version
http://www.biblegateway.com/
Easy to search, plain words.
2007-04-30 10:45:44 · answer #4 · answered by G 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
my faverat is teh compleat Jewish bible as the use yeshua the massiah rather than Jesus Christ. the NIV is not bad I have others but those are my most used.
2007-04-30 10:25:34 · answer #5 · answered by Mim 7 · 0⤊ 1⤋
The KJV. I think it is the easiest to read.
2007-04-30 10:25:52 · answer #6 · answered by Southern Apostolic 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Skeptics Annotated Bible.
It has the best cross links.
2007-04-30 10:24:50 · answer #7 · answered by nondescript 7 · 0⤊ 4⤋
I don't read fairy tales. Thank you.
2007-04-30 10:25:50 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 4⤋