2007-11-21 14:58:52 · 8 answers · asked by ? 6 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
The NIV is about the easiest for lay people to understand. Furthermore, it is translated from original texts that are older (and presumably more accurate) than the one's used for the King James. The language of the King James is pretty and it's good to read if you are interetsted in the poetry of traditional biblical language, but it can also be cumbersome and difficult to understand. If your goal is to read and understand scripture and what it means to you go with the NIV, NRSV (New Revised Standard Version), or the NASV (New American Standard Version).
2007-11-21 15:18:44 · answer #1 · answered by David M 6 · 2⤊ 0⤋
The New International is a good translation and I read it frequently. But it was designed to be a "readable" Bible more than a "study" Bible.
Because there are many difference between English and the Greek and Hebrew of the original Bible, a direct word for word translation can sometimes be difficult to understand if you are not familiar with the grammar of the original language. For example, in English we would say "a large brown dog", but in Greek they would say "a dog large brown". So most translators will adjust the grammar (word order, idioms, etc) to make it more readable in English.
The New International Version has a very nice, understandable style. It makes it easy to read and get the main meaning of the verses. But sometimes some of the "finer" points are not brought out in it. There is always some trace off between "readable" and "accurate" in anything you translate. The NIV often goes for "readable" first - which is what the translators intended.
For "study", you may want a version which is more "word for word" literal (but harder to read). One of the best on the market is the New American Standard Bible (NAS).
Consider investing in a "parallel" Bible, which is one that will have several (usually four) translations side by side. There will usually be the traditional King James (since they print it royalty free), a "readable" version like the NIV, a "study" version like the NAS, and a "paraphrase" (which is a thought by thought rephrasing rather then a word for word translation) such as the Living Bible or the Message Bible. That way you get all four main different types of translation together.
2007-11-21 15:17:29 · answer #2 · answered by dewcoons 7 · 4⤊ 0⤋
It is not very accurate with the Greek as others are. It also puts certain verses in the footnotes and not in the regular texts as other translations do. A good thing about the NIV is that it is easier to read than the King James. By far the most accurate translation to get for English is the New American Standard Version. As one who studies Old Greek, it is a very accurate version to use.
2007-11-21 15:02:40 · answer #3 · answered by mlcros 5 · 4⤊ 0⤋
You mean the New International Perversion.
This false new age bible version has far too many omissions.
eg
NIV..John 3:16.....For God so loved the world that her gave his one and only son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.
AKJV...For God so loved the world, that he gave his only BEGOTTEN Son, that whosoever believeth in him should no perish, but have everlasting life.
God has many sons but He has only one BEGOTTEN Son. Begotten means born of God.
The is a serious deletion, but only one of thousands.
The only accurate version is the Authorised KJV.
Do some homework on false new age bible versions, the results a shocking as in this verse.
2007-11-21 16:11:18 · answer #4 · answered by repent 4 · 0⤊ 1⤋
I think that it is--but you need to read it and find out if it is good for you.
2007-11-21 15:29:46 · answer #5 · answered by RK 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
King James is better
2007-11-21 15:01:40 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 2⤋
Read it and find out for yourself, then make the decision yourself.
2007-11-21 15:02:32 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 2⤋
What is good?
2007-11-21 15:01:23 · answer #8 · answered by johnatplayct 3 · 1⤊ 4⤋