Do you prefer the NIV or KJV Bible?

Question

Just asking out of curiosity.

Thanks

Answer 1

KJV of the Holy Bible. The NIV states that man is a living being but the KJV states that man is a living soul. I see a great difference in the two versions because of this wording.

Genesis 2:7 (New International Version)
New International Version (NIV)
Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984 by International Bible Society
Genesis 2:7 the LORD God formed the man [a] from the dust of the ground and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life, and the man became a living being.

Genesis 2:7 (King James Version)
King James Version (KJV)
Public Domain
7And the LORD God formed man of the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living soul.

1 Corinthians 15:45 (New International Version)
New International Version (NIV)
Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984 by International Bible Society
45So it is written: "The first man Adam became a living being"[a]; the last Adam, a life-giving spirit.

1 Corinthians 15:45 (King James Version)
King James Version (KJV)
Public Domain
45And so it is written, The first man Adam was made a living soul; the last Adam was made a quickening spirit.

Answer 2

I read NIV and ESV the most.

NIV is a thought by thought translation. Great for reading but not great for deep study.

ESV is a word for word translation. So ESV is best for serious study. NASB is also a word for word transltion, well suited for serious study.

I own lots of different translations including several KJVs and use them, read them study them every day.

Prior to 1972 the only Bible I owned was a KJV.

In about 1972 I purchased a New American Standard and that became my primary translation for about 20 years.

Then I got an NIV which I've been using ever since.

I only recently purchased an ESV but I still use the NIV the most.

If you'd like to give me a nice Christmas present, I'd love a large print ESV study bible in a top quality leather binding.

Pastor Art

Answer 3

NIV

KJV is written in the language that people used when in everyday life, back when KJV was written. This was done so people do no need to learn another language (latin, greek, etc.) or struggle over archaic form of English to understand the word of God.

NIV does same for modern language.
Not to mention that NIV authors have access to much better originals than KJV writers, and have better understanding of language these originals use.

Answer 4

NIV is better for actual theological study, KJV for literary work. The KJV translation is simply too archaic for most contemporary readers to be able to derive meaning from.

Answer 5

NIV study Bible

Answer 6

NIV study Bible, but the Amplified Bibles are the best.

Answer 7

Neither.

I prefer the ESV, English Standard Version. It is a good mix of the two styles, dynamic equivalency and word for word translation.

I try to keep copies of the Greek and Hebrew handy though for sticky verses.

Ath

Answer 8

I myself like the New Jerusalem Bible.

Answer 9

Of those two, the KJ V.
The NIV has too many mistakes and verses missing.

Answer 10

I prefer KJV.