What is the most accurate translation of the Bible in English ?

Question

There are loads of religions that are nominally Christian, and follow the Bible, but different translations must surely affect the teachings. Which translation shows least bias, and most honesty to the "original" ?

Answer 1

Allow the persons who are Scholars and Bible translations in that field tells us:

*BENJAMIN KEDAR: (Benjamin Kedar is a professor at Hebrew University in Israel). “In my linguistic research in connection with the Hebrew Bible and translations, I often refer to the English edition of what is known as the New World Translation. In so doing, I find my feeling repeatedly confirmed that this 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 translation. 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. ”

*STEVEN T. BYINGTON: (Steven T. Byington translated the version known as "The Bible in Living English"). “If you are digging for excellent or suggestive renderings this is among the richer mines.” (Christian Century, "Review of the New World Translation of the Christian Greek Scriptures, November 1, 1950 page 1296)

*JASON BEDUHN: (Associate Professor of Religious Studies, and Chair Department of Humanities, Arts, and Religion Northern Arizona University). “I have just recently completed teaching a course for the Religious Studies Department of Indiana University, Bloomington, ...This is primarily a course in the Gospels. Your help came in the form of copies of the Kingdom Interlinear Translation of the Greek Scriptures which my students used as one of the textbooks for the class. These small volumes were invaluable to the course and very popular with my students...Simply put, it is the best interlinear New Testament available. I am a trained scholar of the Bible, familiar with the texts and tools in use in modern biblical studies, and by the way, not a member of the Jehovah's Witnesses. But I know a quality publication when I see one, and your 'New World Bible Translation Committee' has done its job well. Your interlinear English rendering is accurate and consistent to an extreme that forces the reader to come to terms with the linguistic, cultural, and conceptual gaps between the Greek-speaking world and our own. Your 'New World Translation' is a high quality, literal translation that avoids traditional glosses in its faithfulness to the Greek. It is, in many ways, superior to the most successful translations in use today.”

*The Harper Collins Bible Dictionary calls it [New World Translation] one of the "major translations of the Bible into English," along with the Knox translation, the Jerusalem Bible, New American Bible and the New English Bible. p. 292

*EDGAR FOSTER: (Classics Major, Lenoir-Rhyne College) “Before I formally began to study Greek, I simply compared the NWT with lexicons, commentaries, and other translations to try and determine it's accuracy. It passed the litmus test then and it also passes the test now for me...The NWT is a fine translation. In my mind, it is the translation _par excellence_. But I feel just as confortable with an RSV or an NASB. Mostly I prefer my UBS Greek text. ”

*THOMAS N. WINTER: (Thomas N. Winter taught Greek at the University of Nebraska). “I think it is a legitimate and highly useful aid toward the mastery of koine (and classical) Greek. After examining a copy, I equipped several interested second-year Greek students with it as an auxiliary test. After learning the proper pronunciations, a motivated student could probably learn koine from this source alone. ...the translation by the anonymous committee is thoroughly up to date and consistently accurate. ...In sum, when a witness comes to the door, the classicist, Greek student, or Bible student alike would do well to place an order. ” (The Classical Journal, "The Kingdom Interlinear", April-May 1974, pages 375, 376) See Also: "Bible Translation how to choose between them" by Alan S. Duthie, (Alan S. Dunthie is a professor at the University of Legon), Page103.

*Dr. RIIKEL TEN KATE Commended: “This is no ordinary interlinear: the integrity of the text is preserved, and the English which appears below it is simply the basic meaning of the Greek word. . . . After examining a copy, I equipped several interested second-year Greek students with it as an auxiliary text…”—From a review of The Kingdom Interlinear Translation of the Greek Scriptures, by Thomas N. Winter of the University of Nebraska, appearing in The Classical Journal, April–May 1974.

*ALAN S. DUTHIE: 'Bible Translation And How To Choose Between Them', Pg. 67: “If you belong to a small group of serious students of the Bible who are trying to appreciate to learn the Hebrew or Greek languages, then you will appreciate the value of a ‘crib’ or ‘gloss’ translation, especially an interlinear one, or a relatively word –for– word one like the NASB, KJ2, NWT, Young, Darby, RV, Douay, Concordant”.

*'How to choose your Bible wisely': Duthie, Pg. 225. “For a detailed word- studies and similar interest in the original languages, we suggest either a very literal version like NAS, NWT, LTB, KJ2; or preferable and interlinear version (K. I. Trans. Marshall)”.

Answer 2

What I recommend that my students do is read multiple translations. Choose one that is more 'literal', but don't be misled by this term. There is no one-to-one correspondence in meaning between words in different languages, so there is no such thing as a "literal translation". Choose one that is more towards the dynamic equivalent end of the spectrum. But stick mainly with ones that try to find a balance. Among those, do not only read ones sponsored by your own tradition - so, if you are an Evangelical for example, supplement the NIV with the New Jerusalem Bible, the New American Standard, and/or the Jewish Publication Society. By comparing translations you will get a good sense of what is clear and what is a matter of interpretation with respect to the original languages. And more than anything else, if you are doing a serious Bible study, get a good commentary on the text you are reading - from the Anchor Bible Commentary, Word Biblical Commentary, New Century Bible Commentary or some other serious scholarly commentary that is also accessible to non-specialists.

Particularly nowadays, when most translations of the Bible can be found online, and good scholarly resources can be found through local libraries, this is not a prohibitively expensive method. And it is essential if one wants to understand the Bible to the fullest extent possible for someone who can't actually read the texts in the original languages.

Answer 3

New World Translation

Answer 4

I am partial to the Revised Standard Version myself, the one that includes the Deuterocanonicals. That version of the Old Testament is also called the Septuagint. It was the Greek version of the Old Testament that was in use by Hellenistic Jews during the time of Christ. Bibles with these books included are also called the Catholic edition, though the Eastern Orthodox churches also have these in their bibles. Regardless of your beliefs as to whether they should have been taken out of the canon of scripture, they were accepted universally as Old Testament scripture for over 1500 years.

Christians justify the removal of the Deuterocanonicals because the Jewish leaders of the first century collectively agreed that these books should not be considered scripture. It was also at the same time when Christianity was distancing itself from the Jews and becoming more of a separate religion, rather than another Jewish sect. Despite this decision by the Jews to remove the Deuterocanonicals from the Old Testament, they still maintain an important feast that originated in one of these books. The 8 days of Hanukkah has its origins (among other sources) in 2 Maccabees 1:18, one of the Deuterocanonical books.

Do not take my word as to which one to use though. I gave a good reasoning as to whether to include the Deuterocanonicals or not. As far as the accuracy of the translation, I would ask a Greek Orthodox priest - someone who deals with Greek everyday, or an Orthodox Rabbi - someone who deals with Hebrew everyday. They could talk your ear off as to whether the translation of the Christian scriptures and Hebrew scriptures are accurate or not.

Answer 5

New American Study Bible is second to the top of the list .
There is one other but not sure of it ! I believe the New King
James comes in third or forth . You also should have a easy
read Bible as well like the NIV.study bible . Which gives you some what of a cross reference and a little bit of a different
way to look at it from , it ranks just about middle of the list . Also you might want to pick up Wayne Grudem's Bible doctrine . This book really helps you to dig into Gods Word . May God give great thirst for to know Him and guide you , Amen....

Answer 6

This is hard to answer, because there is no such thing as a "literal" translation from one language into another.

But the New American Standard Bible (NASB) is supposed to be the most literal translation that is widely available. Or you could try the Amplified Bible, which gives several alternative translations of almost every verse (very difficult to read, however).

Answer 7

I find the New International Version to be both accurate and easy to read and understand. What can affect the teachings is the slant given by some of the many "study bibles" out there that are published with a particular agenda in mind. I prefer the plain text with cross references to other passages, so I can draw my own conclusions.
I've also heard good things of the Tyndale translation but it isn't available where I live.

Answer 8

The New International Version (NIV)is accurate. Many other translations are also fine. I actually like the idea of having so many translations to choose from. You can compare texts and see that they compliment each other in meaning.

I actually read from the NIV (Study Bible). It contains a massive load of extra information about the books and each passage is discussed in good detail. It also contains historical facts, maps, diagrams etc. Great for exegetical study.

Answer 9

cannot read Latin or Hebrew, so do not know, but all faiths have their own translation, a little bit here a little missed out here and there, all i know is God and the Saviour are in my Heart not in word play, not you or any other who try to mince the words of the holly book know what is in my heart and will not change it, it is between me and my maker, in who I have salvation, so to me Which translation shows least bias, and most honesty to the "original" is of no concern to me.

Answer 10

New American Standard Bible, NASB, is the most accurate. It is directly translated from the original texts. New International Version, NIV, is the next best. Both are excellent.

Answer 11

New International Version for me. A Christian church is not nominally Christian, it is or it isn't, lol...but about the Bibles, I have some 50 different versions (one in Latin) and I compare them all the time for translation wording...basically, they all say the same thing except for the ones that include the apocrypha (the left out books).

Just Dust