Which Translation of Bible to Add?

BCubed

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I'm currently using a New American Standard Bible (The Open Bible Expanded Edition, Nelson) as well as a New King James Study Bible (Nelson) in my studies in order to have several different translations of the Word of God.

I typically take the NASB to church with me because, while it has a huge Biblical Cyclopedic Index in the front and a two page introduction prior to each book in the Bible, the books are pretty straight forward with their content, not having a huge number of footnotes and no side margin information.

I would like to add a third physical Bible to add to my studies. I know, my YouVersion app has multiple translations at my fingertips, but I find I'm more focused if I have an actual Bible in front of me.

What translation would you advise me to purchase? Is there a specific Bible in that translation you would recommend?

Both of my translations above come from the "word-for-word equivalence" side of the spectrum (although the NASB more so), so I'm wondering if I might need a more "thought-for-thought" equivalent such as the CSB, NIV, or NLT?

I would like something accurate and not overly difficult to read/understand. Would prefer words of Christ in red and large(r) print, but these are not requirements.

Unfortunately both of the Christian bookstores in my town have gone out of business.

Thank you very much for your help and guidance!

BCubed
 
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com7fy8

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I think the New King James Bible is close enough to the earlier King James, plus it's language is up-to-date along with more modern translations. So, for me it fits in with all the translations. And our church's bench Bible is NASV.

Possibly, you would appreciate a Strong's Concordance which has Hebrew and Greek dictionaries in the back, for the words that were translated into English; but you need to remember that the Strong's Concordance goes with the earlier King James Bible. The New King James has a number of different words. So, in case you try or use the Strong's Concordance, you need to use the earlier King James.

And I suspect that a number of translations have changed words and reworded things, simply to avoid copyright issues. I think a lot of translation work could be more like the earlier King James, except that a lot of words would need to be updated. But, of course, I started with the earlier King James; so words and wording of modern Bibles can seem awkward, maybe for this reason. But, even so, it seems to me that Bibles can have wording and word choices, which are not how we speak English; so I suspect they are done in order to avoid copyright violations. But, for me, looking at definitions of original translated words can bring out things I don't get by reading any of the English Bibles I have read.

Also, you can consider reading a Bible in a second language. I can read the Bible in Spanish. And I find that ones who did their Spanish translation were possibly prayerful people who were ministering through their translation work. They were not only trying to get words right, but they minister spiritually to me. And their choices of words with their definitions can bring out what I have not gotten through an English translation.
 
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maintenance man

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What translation would you advise me to purchase?

I think the two translations you are using are both very good. I can think of two reasons why you might want another translation: 1. Get the translation that the pastor of your church teaches from (if that is not already the case). 2. Get an NIV translation simply because it's the most popular Bible at the moment, and will therefore give you a reference to what most people are reading.
 
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anna ~ grace

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I'm currently using a New American Standard Bible (The Open Bible Expanded Edition, Nelson) as well as a New King James Study Bible (Nelson) in my studies in order to have several different translations of the Word of God.

I typically take the NASB to church with me because, while it has a huge Biblical Cyclopedic Index in the front and a two page introduction prior to each book in the Bible, the books are pretty straight forward with their content, not having a huge number of footnotes and no side margin information.

I would like to add a third physical Bible to add to my studies. I know, my YouVersion app has multiple translations at my fingertips, but I find I'm more focused if I have an actual Bible in front of me.

What translation would you advise me to purchase? Is there a specific Bible in that translation you would recommend?

Both of my translations above come from the "word-for-word equivalence" side of the spectrum (although the NASB more so), so I'm wondering if I might need a more "thought-for-thought" equivalent such as the CSB, NIV, or NLT?

I would like something accurate and not overly difficult to read/understand. Would prefer words of Christ in red and large(r) print, but these are not requirements.

Unfortunately both of the Christian bookstores in my town have gone out of business.

Thank you very much for your help and guidance!

BCubed

I've heard the RSV is good.
 
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Albion

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I'm a fan of those Bibles which have four versions side-by-side in columns. That makes for the clearest and easiest comparisons, but I think which four are featured varies.

Certainly the KJV should be one of them, the NASB is good, and the ESV. The RSV is okay. The NIV puts me off somewhat, but that's a personal opinion. I don't think a thought-for-thought approach such as the Living Bible undertakes is appropriate, however.
 
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hedrick

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i also use NRSV. But he wants a thought for thought translation. I use and recommend the CEB, but he might prefer a conservative translation. Of the major conservative translations, Holman seems to be the most thought for thought. It's now called CSB. I have issues with the NIV, particularly in Paul's letters.
 
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Andrewn

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I'm wondering if I might need a more "thought-for-thought" equivalent such as the CSB, NIV, or NLT?
In agreement with previous posts, I strongly dislike NIV NT.

RSV, NRSV, ESV, and CSB are all excellent but are rather formal, IMO. You can check them online.

NLT, CEB, and GWT are modern thought-for-thought translations. You can compare them online and let me know if you like any of them. Either way, remember that thought-for-thought translations are not generally suitable for NT study.

I don't know if any of these comes in "red letter" versions.
 
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hedrick

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There's a problem with red letters. They are emphasizing something that isn't actually in the text. Remember that in 1st Cent Greek quotation marks didn't exist. It's often not clear, particularly in John, just where the quotation ends and the author's comments start. The quotation marks and red are the translator's judgement. Furthermore, they didn't have recorders in the 1st Cent, nor short-hand. So quotations are by memory. If you compare Matthew, Mark, and Luke you'll see they aren't identical. That means that the quotations from Jesus aren't necessarily closer to him than some of the other remarks that aren't shown as quotations.
 
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BCubed

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Which version does your church use?

I've just started attending a new church but I believe it is the NIV.

In comparing several translations for just a few minutes tonight, and before I read the responses here, the two I liked the best that were less formal than my NAS or NKJV, but not considered paraphrase Bibles, were the NIV and the NRSV.

After reading your replies I believe I need to go back and take a better look at some translations!

Thanks for everyone's recommendations so far!

BCubed
 
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Sketcher

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I've just started attending a new church but I believe it is the NIV.

In comparing several translations for just a few minutes tonight, and before I read the responses here, the two I liked the best that were less formal than my NAS or NKJV, but not considered paraphrase Bibles, were the NIV and the NRSV.

After reading your replies I believe I need to go back and take a better look at some translations!

Thanks for everyone's recommendations so far!

BCubed
I grew up on the NIV, but my church quietly switched away from it after the 2011 edit was made for no good reason. I still have my 1984 NIV/KJV parallel Bible which I hope remains in good condition for quite some time, though I also have the ESV Bible app on my phone. Both are serviceable.

I generally recommend the same translation that one's church uses, since that makes it easier to follow along, though.
 
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GodLovesCats

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The NLT is not accurate. It is specifically written to be easy to read and based on my resarch, it goes a bit too far in that direction by changing the actual text.

The NIV was originally written in 1978 and revised in 2011. It's an attempt to combine word for word and thought for thought text to be both easy to read and accurate. I have seen no reason so far to switch to a different Bible version.
 
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Justified Sinner

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I'm currently using a New American Standard Bible (The Open Bible Expanded Edition, Nelson) as well as a New King James Study Bible (Nelson) in my studies in order to have several different translations of the Word of God.

First, good job using different translations. Each translation has issues of its own. The translators of the different versions have different objectives (i.e., word-for-word vs. dynamic equivalence), which can make passages read a bit differently.

Also, it's difficult translating old languages into new ones (i.e., Old Testament Hebrew and New Testament Greek into contemporary English). Therefore, it's often helpful to study a passage using different translations to get a better understanding of a passage.

Second, I use the English Standard Version. It's a good translation and easy to read. I do at times, however, refer back to the NASB. There are places I find it more helpful (e.g., Romans 10:14, the second question in particular).
 
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AWorkInProgress

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I'm currently using a New American Standard Bible (The Open Bible Expanded Edition, Nelson) as well as a New King James Study Bible (Nelson) in my studies in order to have several different translations of the Word of God.

What translation would you advise me to purchase? Is there a specific Bible in that translation you would recommend?

Both of my translations above come from the "word-for-word equivalence" side of the spectrum (although the NASB more so), so I'm wondering if I might need a more "thought-for-thought" equivalent such as the CSB, NIV, or NLT?

I would like something accurate and not overly difficult to read/understand. Would prefer words of Christ in red and large(r) print, but these are not requirements.

Unfortunately both of the Christian bookstores in my town have gone out of business.

Thank you very much for your help and guidance!

BCubed

Hey BCubed,

It sounds like you have done some good research and you got a good idea how this all works.

"I would like something accurate and not overly difficult to read/understand."

From what you stated you are looking for. It sounds like you should stay in the Word for Word side of the graph but take small steps going to Thought to thought. Word for word, but broken down enough to match your comprehension level.

I would avoid going beyond NIV and further thought for thought. Then you are leaning heavily on the interpreter than the scripture.

Thought for thought has it's place (except the Message bible....eww) When I first became a Christian, my English skills were poor. My folks bought me an New Living Translation, it was like the scriptures with training wheels. It was what I needed at the time. Later I found my NLT was not matching up well with other texts. I tried so many bible versions KJV, NKJV, NIV, AMP, and NASB(for like 2 seconds, too hard). Finally I landed with ESV, thanks to one of my favorite teachers. It was a little challenging at times, but it blows my mind away on how much I missed comparied to the NLT.

Use Biblegateway and Youverse to feel out some bible versions. Don't be in a rush, take your time to find which one speaks to you most. Then look to purchase it.
 
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His student

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I would like something accurate and not overly difficult to read/understand.
The English Standard Version IMO.

I have carried and used the New American Standard since rededicating my life in 1973. It's a bit stilted in places. But it has served me well and I've never found the need to look much further.
 
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BCubed

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I cannot thank you enough for all of the input and advice you've given me...it is greatly appreciated!!!

I like what I've read from the ESV, but as far as Word-for-Word translations, it seems like it falls right in between my NASB and my NKJV.

I'm wanting something more in the Thought-for-Thought translation area so I can get a different type of reading from what I currently have (NASB & NKJV).

I'm not sure where some of the other translations you mentioned fall within that spectrum, but it seems like the CSB, NRSV, and NIV are translations you mentioned that are in that thought for thought area...with the NIV being the furthest from a word for word translation.

Would anyone be willing to give me your thoughts when comparing these three translations: CSB, NRSV, and NIV?

I've tried to compare chapters in them side by side throughout various sections of the Bible. I'll think I've found the one I like the best, but then in another book I like a different translation better, and then in a different book (or even verse) I like the third translation better. If I was forced to narrow it to two I believe it would be the CSB and the NIV. Of course a buddy of mine told me that when it went from HCSB to the CSB they made some changes in how they referred to God in the CSB translation.

So I would greatly appreciate any guidance you give when it comes to these three translations!

BCubed
 
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GodLovesCats

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Biible Hub is a website and mobile app that has parallel verses and chapters. You can select specific book, chapter, and verse references to compare them side by side (chapters) or vertically (verses). BH also has Greek and Hebrew translations. The only downside is you can't choose which five versions appear on your chapter parallels; it is the same five Bibles every time.

Bible Hub: Search, Read, Study the Bible in Many Languages
 
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