The Bible has many different translations. Which is your favorite?

Question

Mine's the NIV (New International Version).

Answer 1

Wow, you got someone claiming the new world PERversion was accurate... It contains several hundred DELIBERATE mistranslations. Only one member of their supposed "translation committee" had ANY Biblical languages background and that was barely enough to learn how to use a lexicon.

My Bible study is virtually all done on computer now. I use primarily Zondervan's Pradis program with well over 100 titles in their series, -- some of these represent as many as 20 volumes, including Hebrew and Greek original language texts -- I use these extensively, 13 English language Bibles, (Yes, that is more than are currently available, one is a prior edition which differs significantly from the current edition - New Living Translation and NLT Second Edition.) 52 volumes of commentaries -- which I do not generally use, numerous dictionary/lexicon and Bible encyclopedia volumes.

... I carry a Notebook PC to classes which includes Hebrew and Greek + about 50 English (and other language) translations. This tool makes it very easy for me to answer questions posed to me "on the fly."

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To your translations question...

First off, I AM a translator and have been reading the Greek New Testament and using it as my primary study source for about 25 years now. After spending a good deal of time learning to understand the New Testament in its original language, I have come to recognize that most English language Bibles fall short of the mark of representing the scriptures to TODAY'S English speaking world in a way which relates the TRUTH and SIMPLICITY of the original.

MOST of the first century church had something besides “KOINE” (common) GREEK as their first language. In light of that, we understand that the language in which these scriptures were written was (for the most part) a SIMPLE form of Greek, what you might expect an adolescent or teenager to be able to easily understand.

The translations widely used in most U.S. churches today have reading levels ranging from 8th to 12th grades. There ARE SOME translations available where that reading level is MUCH simpler, some are even less than THIRD GRADE. By using these more complex versions, many Christians are (inadvertently?) erecting an additional barrier which a non-Christian must overcome before they are able to understand the Gospel.

First off, there is NO UNIVERSAL "BEST VERSION." This is because English is a very diverse language and peoples' ability to read and comprehend it cover a very wide range. The question then becomes, "Which translation BEST RELATES THE MEANING of the original to a specific individual IN A WAY THAT INDIVIDUAL CAN UNDERSTAND?"

There are translations available with average "reading levels," the education level the average student needs to UNDERSTAND it, ranging from 3rd grade to 12th and beyond. http://www.christianbook.com/christian/b... includes a chart which presents generally agreed upon reading levels for several popular translations. An additional consideration to reading level is the level at which a given person IS COMFORTABLE READING. Just because a person is CAPABLE of understanding a more complex translation doesn't indicate that they NEED to use a more complex version.

A big portion of this question comes down to personal preference. No one can FORCE someone to use a particular version, nor should they try beyond suggesting that one avoid defective versions, or at least recognize those defect(s).

... Much has been said recently, particularly in more "conservative" circles, about some modern translations using "gender inclusive" language, like saying "brothers and sisters..." rather than just "brothers..."

In actuality, THIS IS MORE ACCURATE, though it isn't reflected literally in the words of the original, it IS REFLECTED IN THE INTENT AND MEANING OF THOSE ORIGINAL WORDS.

Consider for instance, the Greek word "αδελφος" (adelphos) is defined "brother, fellow countryman, neighbor (often inclusive in gender); by extension a fellow believer in the family of faith; in the plural 'brothers' regularly refers to men and women." (Greek G/K Definitions, Copyright 2002 by Zondervan) Notice that the word clearly includes BOTH MEN AND WOMEN.

When the "baby boomer" generation went to school and learned about language, they were taught that "gentlemen" or, as in this case, "brothers" was likely an INCLUSIVE term and should only be considered exclusive in the context demanded such an interpretation. Most of the people who have gone through school since that time have not been taught this. They will automatically assume a gender exclusive interpretation of "gentlemen" or "brothers," but this is not what Paul and the rest of the New Testament writers meant. The writers used terms that they understood included everyone in the church. Our younger generation needs Bible translations that relate original language gender inclusive terms in a way that they also understand as inclusive.

If I post scriptures answering questions on the internet that are not my own translation, I generally use a version of this type, and I strive to make my own translations reflect the same standards when I do a translation myself. The scriptures should be in a form that is ACCESSIBLE to anyone. Part of "accessible" is being in clear, easily understood language.

Selecting a version...

When I am examining a new version, I have a few passages that I always look at. In my case, these are spots where the language is a bit more complex and a simple reading in English is essentially impossible, or, if it is simple it does not properly relate the meaning of the text.

The same start should work for anyone looking at a translation for the first time. Pick a couple passages that hold a lot of meaning for you. Look at those passages and evaluate the version...

1. Is it accurate to your understanding of the meaning? Most modern versions are pretty good at accurately relating the meaning of the scriptures, though some are better than others.

2. Does the reading "flow?" When translators concentrate too much on being "literal," they usually wind up with "choppy" sentences that require a bit of concentration to figure out the meaning. A version that is weak in this area will make deeper study difficult, since spending more than a few minutes reading it will probably leave you with a headache.

3. Is the vocabulary understandable or does it use obscure words, words that you are not quite sure what they mean?

Since almost every translation on the market is also available via the internet, it should be fairly easy to compare ones you are interested in. http://www.biblegateway.com has several.

My personal favorites... Here are some of the versions I use most and have found reliable.

Simpler English:

New International Reader's Version (less than 3rd grade reading level, the version I bought my daughter and the one I post passages from most often online)

New Century Version

Contemporary English Version

New Living Translation (SECOND EDITION) This second edition is a marked improvement over its predecessor. Look for a 2004 copyright date.

Bible in Basic English (currently public domain in the USA because it was originally published with no copyright statement.)

Easy-to-Read or English Version for the Deaf (different names, same text)

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Bibles with a little higher reading level:

New International Version

Today's New International Version

New Revised Standard Version

New American Standard Version - Update ©1995

Amplified Bible (provides alternate translations "in-line," not very good for public reading because you have to skip or reword to make sense in English speech)

Paraphrase:

"The Message" is a "paraphrase" version. It is pretty easy to understand, but has a lot more interpretation going on between you and the original writers. It may be good for devotional reading, but I would not suggest it for serious Bible study.

Answer 2

I dont believe anyone should ever read or study only one version. The original languges sometimes had more depth of meaning for words then the english words. So differnt versions have picked up on differnt nuances of the original languags.

I have a New American Standard that I am quite fond of. It has The Hebrew and Greek study aides in the back of it so I can check out the original languages.

The Amplified is great because it expands the adjectives to help with a deeper understanding.

I like using The Message when I teach youth group. Its written in modern conversational english. The teens understand at a lot easier and better.

Answer 3

I believe no matter how the Bible is analyzed, it is flawed When one controls the religion of a people, they then control those people. This is why it was so important to make sure the Bible only told the stories approved of by the King and his Church. It also explains the hiding of certain texts. If anything written even smells a little bit against the King, it was stricken and removed. Strictly discussing only the New Testament, it was written two centuries after Christ was murdered. This was long before translators made the Bible readable for the masses. They had complete discretion over content. Before being released to the masses If a story wasn’t complete, multiple stories were woven together to form one book. Pieces were moved around and put together like a puzzle. When a turn of a phrase disagreed with the King’s Church, it was, as previously mentioned removed in its entirety. We now know that multiple scrolls of material, intended to be included as part of the Bible, were carefully hidden instead. This was necessary to avoid destruction of both the authors, and the information. We are aware of this as scripted Codices, have slowly been discovered. They’ve been carbon dated and authenticated by experts to prove they were written at approximately the same time the Bible. Numerous experts believe these writings were intended to be part of the original Bible. However, it is also true to say that these compositions are still the cause of great debate. Before the Bible was let loose to commoners, these powerful people had just simply raped it. of freedom for the common man, it must be destroyed. For if it was found that the King was not god, the King could loose his ability to control his kingdom. As the translators were loyal to the King, the Bible was edited very carefully indeed. Speaking only of the New Testament, the Bible remains one of the very best set of life instructions known to man. There is only one, most important law. It is: To love the Lord, your God, with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your might, and to love thy neighbor as you love yourself. If this Law is followed to the letter, it isn’t possible to break even one of the old Ten Commandments. This is how we can live more abundantly, which is as God wants us to live. When Jesus was born, all prophecies from the Old Testament were fulfilled. The Old Testament passed away with the first coming of the Christ. The Ten Commandments were no longer relevant at that point.
Blessed Be

Answer 4

Reina Valera 1960.

Answer 5

I like the compleat Jewish bible for indepth reading but use the NIV on liune and have an NIV study bible. sent to my father after his death he was a preacher I have kept it for my use.

Answer 6

Since I'm Indonesian, than it is Terjemahan Baru 1974 in Bahasa Indonesia!

Answer 7

The Message

Answer 8

Ancient Greek.

Answer 9

I like the New World Translation of the Holy Scriptures
but I've used many and they're all pretty much the same to me.

Answer 10

NWT. In my opinion one of the best translations of the New Testament. It follows closely the original ancient greek text (believe me, I've checked.)