What versions of the Bible are there and what are they about, or what are their differences? I would like to know, because I am becoming stronger in my religion and would like to buy one. God Bless.
PS. No rude answers please. Warning!!!! If you choose to reply rudly, I am not going to take it personally.
2007-08-12 07:56:40 · 31 answers · asked by Sarabeth 2 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
I am not trying to be rude to non-Christians by the way, I am Christian myself and am United Methodist, so I want to seek advice from others like me. Thank you.
2007-08-12 08:14:41 · update #1
There are different types of thoughts concerning translations.
Some "translations" are not really translations at all, but they are paraphrases. These tend to be not very accurate to the original text. These are basically commentaries, and not true translations. They are true only to the extent that the writers correctly understand and believe the Bible.
Next in accuracy is the Thought-for-thought versions, or sometimes refereed as dynamic equivalent. These translators do not try to translate the individual words of the text, but they try to convey the same thought that a passage conveys. Again, these are more accurate than the paraphrases because the translators are trying to be true to the message of the original manuscripts, but if the translators do not properly understand what a passage is saying, there may be flaws in this translation process. The most popular of the dynamic equivalent versions is the NIV.
The most accurate is the word-for-word translations. In these, the translators try to translate each word as accurately as possible. In my opinion, this is the best approach. Give us the words that were spoken and the thought will take care of itself.
The goal of the King James version was to be an accurate word for word translation, but because English has changed since 1611, some find it difficult to follow. I prefer the English Standard Version or the New American Standard Bible.
Sometimes your best option is to have more than one of the more accurate translations. That way, you can compare a verse between the versions if you have difficulty in understanding.
Also, The ESV is very good to have footnotes that explain certain words or phrases.
The link below is a chart from Zonervan that shows the various translations. The paraphrases are on one side and the word-for-word translations are on the other.
This particular chart lists the least accurate as "Thought-for-Thought" instead of calling them "paraphrases", but Zondervan is trying to sell Bibles.
Generally "Thought-for-Thought" are the ones in the middle - a mixture of paraphrase and actual translation of what the text says. Again, this depends (in my opinion too much) on the thoughts and understanding of the translators.
I would rather have God's word as accurately translated as possible!
2007-08-12 09:20:02 · answer #1 · answered by JoeBama 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Here is a website that has a bunch of different versions. Pick a bible passage that you like and then look it up in each version. Whichever one you like the most is probably the bible you should get. Some people believe the King James version is the only correct one, but it was the first printed version for the public. That’s why it’s so popular. It’s old. It is hard for many to understand so there are other version written a little differently to make it easier to understand, but the message is the same.
I was taught on the King James and then I got the New King James. I like the New International version because it gives a lot of outside information about each book of the bible. It’s like a study book and a bible. You just have to check them out and see which one you like the most. Then again check with your church. They may only use the King James.
2007-08-12 08:17:22 · answer #2 · answered by justmythoughts 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
There are about 50 in English I am somewhat familiar with. Several are in modern English which are the most helpful. Archaic English as the KJV has to be first translated into modern to understand, although it is the language style of Shakespeare. For example,1Cor.10:25.Define "shambles".
If you lived in 1600s you would know right away. The New World Translation shows it to be "meat market". That is why a modern English translation is better in some situations.
All translations are not entirely perfect. Most are close to the oldest manuscripts available. The differences is in time and word usage in the location of the translation. Words in one language can mean different things in another. The Greeks had four words for love. English has only one. Today shambles means a mess but 400 yrs. ago it meant meat market without the concept of refrigeration.
The best thing to do when it is important, is to compare different translations of the same scripture to get a more accurate interpretation of what the original was saying.
2007-08-12 08:20:12 · answer #3 · answered by grnlow 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Different bibles differ in translations and interpretations so it matters. The original translations from the ancient Hebrew interpreted the phrase from Genesis as "man shall have *dominion* over the beasts of the earth, the fish in the sea, the birds in the air." Dominion implies ownership and that you can do with it what you please. The more accurate interpretation of the Hebrew would have been *stewardship*, meaning that man was supposed to take care of the rest of God's creation. Think of the implications that would have had over the centuries if Christians had had that attitude, that God had entrusted them with the caretaking of nature, rather than the "it's put here for us to use" attitude that allowed them to lay waste to forests, waters, animal species, whole ecosystems, etc. Some Christian leaders are finally starting to catch on to the truth that a true Christian MUST be an environmentalist.
2007-08-12 08:30:23 · answer #4 · answered by motherseer 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
SaraBeth,
Good for you girl!! And a good question!!
Personally, I use the King James Version--but I was raised in a christian home and sent to private school. If you are just learning the bible then there a more simple versions available. (I recommend the New International Version -NIV) A good christian book store (like Heaven and Earth) will allow you to browse through all of the versions available. Usually their staff is very helpful. Also, if you are attending a church then ask the pastor. They will also help you with a choice. BUT beware--there are books that "suggest" they are translations BUT are not. Good luck to you.
Psalms 34:8 "Oh taste and see that the Lord is good. Blessed is the man that trusteth in him."--- Man being a general term--mankind includes women
2007-08-12 08:22:10 · answer #5 · answered by Meg A 1 · 1⤊ 0⤋
.
The Most Readable Version I've Come Across Is
New Living Translation
It Was Written In The 1990's And Has Helped Me Understand Scripture.
It's Also On Biblegateway.com
2007-08-12 11:32:52 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
I agree with Horton Hears You!. I've been using the ESV (English Standard Version) for some time now and I am greatly enjoying it and it's very faithful to the manuscript evidence that we possess.
It's translated literally versus a "thought for though" translation like the NIV (New International Version). That makes it easier when you're actually doing word studies and stuff.
So, the ESV is what I would recommend if you're seeking to get deeper into the Bible.
God bless your decision!
2007-08-12 08:08:05 · answer #7 · answered by srprimeaux 5 · 2⤊ 0⤋
There are several hundred translations of the Bible on the market, I personally prefer the King James Version or the Amplified Bible. The Amplified goes into more detail than some people care for but I like it.
2007-08-12 08:07:48 · answer #8 · answered by cowboy_christian_fellowship 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
there are probably 20 different english translations. These are 4 of the most popular: the NIV is the most popular and is easy to read, the NAS is considered the most accurate, the King james is written in old english and can be a little hard to understand. The New King james is just a revised version of the King james
2007-08-12 08:05:05 · answer #9 · answered by Matthew 4 · 2⤊ 0⤋
To check out some online versions go to:
http://www.biblegateway.com/
Generally, if you want an accurate English version, the New American Standard Bible is very good.
If you want a reasonably accurate version that is also more readable, then I recommend the NIV.
Otherwise the New King James Version, the Revised Standard Version or the Modern Language Bible (Berkeley translation) are also good.
2007-08-12 08:04:11 · answer #10 · answered by wefmeister 7 · 2⤊ 1⤋