Which Bible translation do you think is the best?

Answer 1

Depends. If for casual reading, I suggest the NIV (New International Version), but if for serious Bible study, I suggest the NASB (New American Standard Bible).

Answer 2

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

Answer 3

The best for what?

Essentially the BEST Bible translation is the ONE THAT YOU DO FOR AND BY YOURSELF!!!!!!!!!!!

If you are looking for the a (more) literal translation and one with less bias and preconceived notions, then there are several 'literal versions' that may be of use to you.

Many Bible scholars use "The Condordant Version", and I would highly suggest that you get your hands on a "Strong's Corcordance" and look up what the Hebrew's and Greek's really intended versus what the 'Constantinian translators" wanted you to believe, think and feel.

Stujdy it out for yourself; and use your 'spiritual intuition' to decide what YOU think 'the translation' should be--and NOT some 'outside authority'.

Regards,

Answer 4

All around, I LOVE the New Jerusalem Bible. I can't recommend it highly enough.

Other than that, I occasionally read the New Revised Standard Version, which is a decent study Bible. I like the Revised English Bible for devotional use now and then as a change of pace. I read the NIV for years, so I only go back to it now to check something; it's good but it's got its flaws. And I like the King James Version for its poetical flavor, especially for reading the Psalms and some more familiar liturgical passages, like the Christmas narrative.

Best suggestion is to find one that works for what you need, and read it til it falls apart. If you can afford more than one translation, go for it!

Peace to you.

Answer 5

The NIV. I think the KJV is more respected. In all the religious studies classes I've taken, it's the only translation that's been allowed. But, in terms of its clarity, and its appeal to someone who has never read the Bible before, then it's definitely the NIV.

Answer 6

The Spirit of truth is far superior to any version of the bible and trying to understand the truth without Her is futile. She won't just put words in your head that you do not understand, She will make the principles that Jesus taught come alive so that you can apply them to real life situations. Be smart, learn to tell the difference between the voice of The Holy Spirit and the evil spirit.

Answer 7

My own preference is the English Standard Version. Like the New American Standard it's a "formal-equivalence" translateion -- that is, it translates very precisely from the original languages word-for-word. However, it reads much more smoothly and like natural English than the NAS.

I also like the NIV, but it's a dynamic-equivalence translation, translating thought-for-thought, rather than word-for-word. It's also very smooth in style and natural-sounding English without being stilted, or using artificial archaisms like "thee" and "thou", "thy", "thine", etc.

(NOTE:A lot of Americans misunderstand those words and think that they're being formal by using them, but in fact that's an old informal form that hasn't been used since William Shakespeare learned to shave! OK, I exaggerate -- they were arond a little longer than that, but not much longer. They were pretty much gone by the 1700's., replaced by 'you' and 'your')

Answer 8

I like to study the NIV, ESV, and the Amplified Version. I usually cross reference with the AMP.

Answer 9

I like the Gideon Society Bible. It stays in the drawer where it belongs.

Answer 10

None of them.