What version of the bible to Gideons use and what version do Jehovah's Witnesses use?

Answer 1

The Gideons use the King James Version exclusively, except for their "pocket-sized" New Testament, Psalms and Proverbs, which is available in both the King James Version and the New King James Version.

Jehovah's Witnesses use the New World Translation. I am curious to know who translated it, because to me, the translation isn't what I'm used to. For example, John 1:1 in the New World Translation says: "In [the] beginning the Word was, and the Word was with God, and the Word was a god." (the second to last word and the lack of capitalization of the last word completely changes the meaning from that which all of the other translations carry).

Answer 2

MORE on John 1:1 -

In almost all other places in the KJV where the definite article (the) is not used, they add the indefinite article (a or an). Yet they do NOT add it in John 1:1. Why not? Could it be they are have a trinitarian bias.

Note how in Acts 28:4 and 28:6 the "a" is added in the KING James Bible, because the word "the" is not in the Greek:

28:4 - "this man is a murderer."

28:6 - "said that he was a god."

(By the way, there are no indefinite articles in the Greek; they are often suggested in the English by the absence of the definite artcle.)

Reckon why KJV adds "a" here but not John 1:1.

Other occasions of the same in various translations:

First from Mark

Translations below are from these in this order: NWT -- KJV -- AT -- NIV -- RSV -- TEV

6:49 an apparition a spirit a ghost a ghost a ghost a ghost

11:32 a prophet a prophet a prophet a prophet a real prophet a prophet

Now from John:

4:19 a prophet a prophet a prophet a prophet a prophet a prophet

6:70 a slanderer a devil an informer a devil a devil a devil

8:44 a manslayer a murderer a murderer a murderer a murderer a murderer

8:44 a liar a liar a liar a liar a liar a liar

9:17 a prophet a prophet a prophet a prophet a prophet a prophet

10:1 a thief a thief a thief a thief a thief a thief

10:13 a hired man an hireling a hired man a hired hand a hireling a
hired man

10:33 a man a man a mere man a mere man a man a man

12:6 a thief a thief a thief a thief a thief a thief

Sorry about the bad formatting of the list.

Answer 3

Gideons use The Gideon's Bible and The Jehovah's Witness use One called The New world Translations

Answer 4

Gideons International currently distributes both the King James Version and the so-called "New King James Version". They have distributed other editions over the years, and have no formal commitment to any particular translation.

Similarly, each Jehovah's Witness chooses for himself which translation or version of the bible he will use. Most Jehovah's Witnesses tend to prefer "New World Translation", primarily because it restored the Divine Name throughout.

Sadly, the "New King James Version" completely removed the Divine Name, and even the "King James Version [of 1611] only allows a handful of instances despite the fact that the bible contains almost SEVEN THOUSAND occurrences.

The King James Version [of 1611] uses the name "Jehovah" four times (Exodus 6:3; Psalm 83:18; Isaiah 12:2; 26:4). A few place-names which include "Jehovah" are also left intact (see Genesis 22:14; Exodus 17:15; Judges 6:24).

The shortened form of "Jehovah" is "Jah". KJV uses "Jah" at Psalm 68:4, and within the exclamation "Hallelu-jah" (or "Alleluia"), which literally means "praise Jah" (see Revelation 19:1-6).

Learn more:
http://watchtower.co.uk/e/na/index.htm?article=diagram_04.htm
http://watchtower.co.uk/e/na/index.htm?article=article_05.htm
http://watchtower.co.uk/e/20040122/article_02.htm

Answer 5

Jehovah's Witnesses are perfectly happy to use whatever Bible translation people prefer. I myself have over a dozen different translations in my library and I use them all extensively. I particularly use two different Catholic translations because it assists me in showing some who question the right to divorce. The Catholic translations have reworded certain scriptures that allow for divorce on grounds of adultery; it is curious that no one seems to have a problem with the change they made. I also extensively use the King James Version even though it contains a passage at 1 John that is well-known to be spurious. No one seems to have a problem with that either.

"Well haven't Witnesses rewritten John 1:1?" This is a particularly favorite verse for many and it seems to them that the New World Translation has taken liberty with translating it. Is that really so? Many, but not all, Bibles read this way: "…and the word was God". But notice how The Bible – An American Translation by Smith & Goodspeed (1935) reads: "the word was Divine."

And notice the New Translation of the Bible by James Moffatt (1934) reads: "the Logos was divine" Also, the NTIV (1808) reads: "the word was a god."

ALL of these translations predate the NWT. And yet, did you notice how they translated John 1:1? Now of all the translations, your favorite as well as those above, which agrees with the context? Well, notice verse 18 which plainly states that NO MAN HAS EVER SEEN GOD. But verse 14 clearly states that "the word became flesh and resided among us. We have beheld his glory." Also, verses 1 and 2 say that in the beginning the word was "with God." Can the word be God Almighty and be WITH God Almighty at the same time? Really, within the context of this particular scripture, what is John 1:1 saying?

Hannah J Paul

Answer 6

I use the New World Translation, the King James Version, the American Standard Version as well as others.

Many of Jehovah's Witnesses use more than one Bible.

Answer 7

Gideons- King James, I believe

Jehovah's Witness- New world Translation

The King James version is the most widely accepted version.

Both groups have websites, Google them and see.

Answer 8

we use the New World Translation of the Holy Scriptures. it speaks in everyday language that we talk and put God's name Jehovah in instead of Lord or God. the Jehovah Witnesses did not make of this bible as many keep saying. years ago Jehovah Witnesses used the King James bible but it is hard to use. the words are different. we don't talk like that. but many witnesses have a king james bible and use it if someone wants to use it. see the website at www.watchtower.org

Answer 9

I being an attendee of Jehovah's Witnesses, not a baptized one, we use the New World Translation (or NWT) I also have a Gidions bible here as well...it does not appear to have a translation except it says "holy bible" but it does have their webpage in the bible www.gideons.org ,maybe you can look it up & it'll have it on their website.It looks like an RSV version maybe NIV.

Answer 10

Gideons used the King James and the Torra Jewish book :and Jehovah's used some of the King James and Charles Taze Russell (founder of the Jehovah's religion) used some of his own writings he started the Jehovahs in (1852-1916). He was also involed with The Seventn-Day Adventism Mr Russel started the book of Zions Watchtower book(bible) and Watchtower Tract Society.Google his name or Jehovah's group and you can find out more...