For those who read or study the bible, which version do you prefer?

Question

I find the KJV very difficult to read. I like to think of myself as highly literate, but I admit to hitting a wall sometimes with the KJV. So I guess I can't be too literate ;).

I like reading The Message. Just wondering what others read, and just some general opinions.

Thanks.

Answer 1

I like the KJV, I also use the NIV.

Answer 2

There is definitely a language barrier in understanding the KJV, unless you are already steeped in Shakespearean English.

The newer translations are based on better manuscripts so they are a bit more accurate at some points. There are also errors in the KJV translation. Compare Proverbs 3:5-6 with newer translations.

Also, the KJV was translated in sort of “high society” vocabulary, whereas the Greek New Testament is written mostly in a common man’s vernacular.

On the other hand, that old English had a wonderfully poetic and memorable quality to it that modern English doesn’t have. And all major doctrines are well attested to in the old KJ.

The modern translations differ depending on the translation philosophy.

One approach is the paraphrase, which only loosely qualifies as a translation. Examples are The Message the NLT, and The Street Bible.

Paraphrases seek to be very easy to read but deviates quite a bit from the actual wording of the original. They change figures of speech which would be unfamiliar to unchurched folks, simplify, and even include explanatory remarks in the text.

Another translation philosophy seeks to convey “thought-for-thought”, these translations identify themselves as a “Dynamic-Equivalent”. Examples are the NIV, TNIV, CEV, and the Good News Bible (TEV).

These translations are lighly paraphrased, depending on the translator’s concept as to the thought of a given passage.

The problem is that on some passages “experts” disagree on how to convey the thought to the modern reader and so comparing dynamic equivalent translations side-by-side can sometimes make one wonder if you are looking at the same verse.

The other translation philosophy is the Essentially-Literal, which seeks to be transparent to the original text, letting the reader see as directly as possible the wording and structure of the original.

One sees the figures of speech as God intended for us to meditate upon. If the original uses a long sentence to show ideas are connected, you can see that.

Essentially literal translations are the NASB, NKJV, NET, HSCB, and ESV. The old KJV is in this camp too.

A paraphrase or dynamic equivalent bibles are good for beginning bible readers or for a fresh approach to passages for a seasoned reader. Their chief advantage is readability.

However, readability should not be the only criteria in one’s selection of a bible. I think there is a strong case that Essentially-Literal translations better preserve the meaning of the original and therefore are better for study and memorization.

A short book that makes this case is: Choosing a Bible: Understanding Bible Translation Differences http://www.gnpcb.org/assets/products/excerpts/1581347308.1.pdf

A longer and awesome book is here: http://www.esv.org/translation/woge

Answer 3

I read the kjv. But its just my age showing. everybody used the kjv almost exclusively when I was growing up. The message is a great Bible.I really very much enjoy the full life study bible. I have one of those. I have a Thompson chain reference kjv bible. Thats easier to use than the old kjv standard. Those are the only ones I'm familiar with.

Answer 4

I use three versions regularly. Primarily, I go to my big ol' black leather NASB. It's accurate, conservative, and easy to read though a bit more formal than the NIV (which I use when quoting a verse on my web page/blog).

I also have a NASB/The Message parallel. It's sometimes helpful/interesting to read a passage in the NASB then follow with the more casual rendering. I've known people to come to faith using a translation like The Message, because it reads like a novel. Not so good for serious study, perhaps, but definitely an essential tool for evangelism and early understanding.

Answer 5

The KJV does have a complicated sentence structure in addition to the Older English. I personally like the NIV above all.
I do use the KJV, NLT, NASB, and ESV for comparison when needed.

Answer 6

I don't have my to hand but there is a Study bible that I like. The KJV is problematic but Good News is too general and the translation is.... rather lame at times.

The study one is close to the KJV in structure but in modern English. Ah, looked it up - HarpersCollings Study Bible

Answer 7

KJV and NKJV
I compare and study the two. I go to the roots of Hebrew and Greek for better understanding. The only difference is deciphering 1600 writing with modern vernacular.

Not crazy of the others, esp the Revised NIV.

Answer 8

l i like the kjv version best,although i don't understand
it .
i also have a good study bible,and that helps a lot.
i guess why i like it the best,is that is the version i grew up with.
if you think the kjv we got now is hard to understand,then
take a look at a kjv 1611 version.

Answer 9

New King James versions is good, and so is the New American Standard Bible. I don't like the Message or the New Living Translation because they seem to be too liberal, and more like paraphrases rather than literal translation.

Answer 10

i am a muslim. i've read lots of bible and it still can't convince me that trinity is exist. i prefer all versions of bible especially kjv. however, in other revised bible versions, some of the meanings in kjv are missing. so, where did it go?

Answer 11

I prefer the "King James Version" (Southern Baptist up-bringing), but when I have trouble understanding a certain passage, I use the "Living Bible" or "Good News For Modern Man" for clarification.