Bible Versions! :)

sedulous_samantha · May 6, 2004

Hello!

I haven't posted in this forum before, so check the New Member Introductions for a little about me.

In my search for Jesus and God, I am nearly ready to buy a bible. However, I am stuck for choice!

I have been looking at the NIV versions and whilst it's true that they are the most readable, I think that for me, this makes their word seem more of a story. When I read a little from a KJV version, it sounded far more like it was written as God's word 2000 years ago, and I was enthralled by the beauty of the words.

However, looking at an excerpt from an NASB version, it seemed far more modern in terms of ease of reading, but it is in fact closer to a word-for-word translation (source: zondervanbibles.com).

Would the KJB still be a reliable, word-for-word text to read? I was considering purchasing a parallel text - NIV and KJB.

But yet another dilemma - before the translation issue, I was thinking of a study bible (I love the Zondervan ones). But there are no study bibles with the KJV translation. So what to do?! I was thinking about getting a study bible with the NASB translation, but I know that the KJV is more popular. Perhaps I should get two bibles!

Thanks everybody. This is really .... exciting!

Knight · May 6, 2004

The KJV is not bad for a formal equivalence (word-for-word) Be prepared for some argument over the whole KJV thing on this thread....

I don't know where you're looking but there are plenty of KJV study Bibles. I think Zondervan publishes one as well as Thomas Nelson. Broadman Holman also has a KJV Master Study Bible which is very good.

A parallel Bible would be a good idea as well.

eldermike · May 6, 2004

One of my best study bibles is a Nelsons New King James student bible. I could never lose it because it's full of my notes and highlights. I worry over that bible and would lose sleep if I left it somewhere. So, I understand your question. your first bible will be the one with all the underlines and dogeard pages!

I love the KJV but if I give a bible away it's always in an "easier to read version".

A parallel bible is perfect! There are some with 4 translations.

Knight · May 6, 2004

eldermike said:
A parallel bible is perfect! There are some with 4 translations.

Yes, but those require some kind of mechanical assist to carry around....

They're rather weighty. (And I don't just mean the content.

)

sedulous_samantha · May 6, 2004

Hi everyone, :wave:

Thank you for all the responses. I've read some more of the KJV and I've decided that I probably wouldn't need another translation at its side all the time - as long as I have access to one online.

However, I do really love the Zondervan bibles - the Quest one in particular, as it answers many questions as well as being a study - and the KJV study bible by Zondervan isn't all that special. As I hear there are discrepancies with the KJV, perhaps the NIV is the best way to go. Actually, could anybody describe the faults of the KJV? Thank you!

Perhaps it might be better for me if I didn't get a study bible, and maybe a devotional one instead, say. My cousin (a very devoted Christian) says there are many books that will tell you what the study bibles do. Would anybody happen to know any good ones? At the moment, I'm not desperately needing all the historical facts, but answers to all those little questions about what the bible says. So, maybe the Quest book is right for me - it says it discusses nearly 7,000 questions! I would have to be careful not to be complacent, though.

sedulous_samantha · May 6, 2004

P.S. Do most people have bibles with a different colour for the speech of Jesus? The Quest one doesn't.

(Despite colour everywhere else!)

Knight · May 6, 2004

Not all do. I assume you are refering to the red-letter editions.

My NIV Spirit of the Reformation Study Bible dose not have the red-letter. Neither does my NASB Life Application Bible.

It's an asthetic thing.

Knight · May 6, 2004

BTW,

Zondervan does offer a KJV Study Bible:

http://www.zondervanbibles.com/0310918936.htm

There are also other KJV Study Bibles as I mentioned before.

Wisdom's Child · May 6, 2004

IMHO When considering which version to get for a "First" Bible, I recommend getting one of the "Modern Speach, or Plain English" varieties, the important thing is that you read it!

When it comes time to study, I highly recommend getting a Strong's Concordance.
They are the most usefull tool you can have, especially it's ability to cross reference.

You are about to embark upon a truely exiting path.

WelshJesusFreak · May 6, 2004

I would say that although i agree that the KJV is beautifully written the original language used in the new testement was the common kind of market language, and i've always found that an important decision when choosing... the NIV life applications meant to be great it's study mixed with as the name suggests, the best ways to incorperate it into your life...though important to question (as with any study bible) what it says...Good look!

Celticflower · May 6, 2004

I think the most important thing about picking which translation to get is "Which one will you really read?" While the language of the KJ is lovely, I tend to get bogged down in it (altho I do prefer it for Psalms). My brother has the Modern English- and hates the language in it. For study we each turn to the RSV or the NIV. I do have a copy of "The Bible as Living Literature" which is basically KJ but laid out more like a modern book (no columns, no numbers, conversations set like conversations etc). Lousy as a study Bible but perfect for times when I just want to read the Word.
Remember--no matter which translation you pick as your first, it probably won't be your last. Enjoy!

Celtie

gort · May 6, 2004

Hello Samantha,

I see that next to your avatar is says "seeking God". Me thinks He has shown something of Himself to you already.

May you have much joy in your search.

God Bless

<><

Krazeekkc · May 6, 2004

KJV!!! KJV!!! KJV!!!

King James Version is the best!!! It's the most acurate translation. I've been reading it since I was 7!!! Plus I find it just as easy to read and understand as NIV. I've actually found NIV to be harder and to change the meanings of verses.

Krazeekkc · May 6, 2004

[url]http://www.icr.org/bible/kjv.htm[/url]

http://www.jesus-is-lord.com/kjvdefns.htm

KJV

In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace;

NASB

In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of His grace,

NIV

In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of Gods grace

KJV

Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that believeth on me hath everlasting life.

Modern Translations (here NASB)

Truly, truly, I say to you, he who believes has eternal life.

Modern translations do not contain the phrase "on me" at this verse, causing Dr. Waite to comment, "To make salvation only a matter of believing rather than solely, as Christ said in this verse, believing on Me, is truly ANOTHER GOSPEL! If you were trying to lead someone to Christ with the NIV or NASV, using this verse, they could believe in anything and still have everlasting life whether in Santa Claus, in the Easter Bunny, in the Tooth Fairy, in Rudolph the Red-nosed Reindeer, or in any of the false world religions!" (emphasis in original).

KJV is eaisier.

NASB vs. KJV

=======================================================================
HARD WORD EASY WORD
(NASB) (KJV)
=======================================================================
Matt.1:11, 1:17 deportation carried away
--------------------------------------------------------------------
Matt.1:20 considered thought
--------------------------------------------------------------------
Matt.2:1, 2:7 magi wise men
--------------------------------------------------------------------
Mark. 2:21 unshrunk new
--------------------------------------------------------------------
Matt. 2:16 environs coasts
--------------------------------------------------------------------
Luke 3:17, Matt. winnowing fork fan
3:12
--------------------------------------------------------------------
Luke 11:33, Matt. peck-measure bushel
5:15, Mark 4:21
--------------------------------------------------------------------
Matt. 5:19 annuls break
--------------------------------------------------------------------
Matt. 5:21 murder kill
--------------------------------------------------------------------
Luke 5:29, Matt. recline at the table sat
8:11
--------------------------------------------------------------------
Matt. 8:32 begone go
--------------------------------------------------------------------
Matt. 9:13, 12:7 compassion mercy
--------------------------------------------------------------------
Matt. 9:17 wineskins bottles
--------------------------------------------------------------------
Matt. 9:18 synagogue official certain ruler
--------------------------------------------------------------------
Mark 5:25, Matt. hemorrhage issue of blood
9:20
--------------------------------------------------------------------
Matt. 9:20, 14:36 fringe hem
--------------------------------------------------------------------
Matt. 9:38 beseech pray
--------------------------------------------------------------------
Matt. 10:1 summoned called
--------------------------------------------------------------------
Matt. 10:10 tunics coats
--------------------------------------------------------------------
Matt. 10:16 shrewd wise
--------------------------------------------------------------------
Matt. 11:26 well pleasing good
--------------------------------------------------------------------
Mark 14:3 vial box
--------------------------------------------------------------------
Mark 14:3, 14:18 reclining sat
--------------------------------------------------------------------
Luke 1:22 mute speechless
--------------------------------------------------------------------
Mark 15:18 acclaim salute
--------------------------------------------------------------------
Luke 3:5 ravine valley
--------------------------------------------------------------------
Luke 6:17 descended came down
--------------------------------------------------------------------
Luke 5:5 bidding word
--------------------------------------------------------------------
Luke 6:22 ostracize separate you from
their company
--------------------------------------------------------------------
Luke 6:48 torrent burst stream beat
--------------------------------------------------------------------
Luke 6:49 collapsed fell
--------------------------------------------------------------------
Luke 7:2 highly regarded dear
--------------------------------------------------------------------
Luke 7:32 sang a dirge have mourned
--------------------------------------------------------------------
Luke 8:15 perseverance patience
--------------------------------------------------------------------
Luke 8:31 the abyss the deep
--------------------------------------------------------------------
Luke 8:33 rushed ran
--------------------------------------------------------------------
Luke 9:39 seizes taketh
--------------------------------------------------------------------
Luke 9:42 dashed him to the threw him
ground
--------------------------------------------------------------------
Luke 9:45 concealed hid
--------------------------------------------------------------------
Luke 10:2 plentiful great
--------------------------------------------------------------------
Luke 10:2 beseech pray
--------------------------------------------------------------------
Luke 10:20 recorded written
--------------------------------------------------------------------
Luke 10:21 well-pleasing good
--------------------------------------------------------------------
Luke 11:21 undisturbed in peace
--------------------------------------------------------------------
Luke 11:28 observe it keep it
--------------------------------------------------------------------
Luke 23:45 being obscured darkened
--------------------------------------------------------------------
(This has other implications. It states that the sun was darkened by
being obscured, implying the natural phenomenon of an eclipse
rather than a supernatural move of God.)
--------------------------------------------------------------------
Luke 18:40 questioned asked
--------------------------------------------------------------------
John 6:60 difficult hard
--------------------------------------------------------------------
John 7:6 opportune ready
--------------------------------------------------------------------
John 10:23 portico porch
--------------------------------------------------------------------
John 10:24 suspense doubt
--------------------------------------------------------------------
John 11:17 tomb grave
--------------------------------------------------------------------
John 11:57 seize take
--------------------------------------------------------------------
John 11:39 stench stinketh
--------------------------------------------------------------------
John 12:45 beholds seeth
--------------------------------------------------------------------
John 12:40 perceive understand
--------------------------------------------------------------------
John 13:12 reclined set down
--------------------------------------------------------------------
John 13:23 reclining leaning
--------------------------------------------------------------------
John 14:27 fearful afraid
--------------------------------------------------------------------
John 16:8 concerning of
--------------------------------------------------------------------
I Thess. 2:17 having been bereft of being taken from
you you

Krazeekkc · May 6, 2004

continued:

--------------------------------------------------------------------
I Thess. 2:18 thwarted hindered
--------------------------------------------------------------------
I Thess. 5:1 epochs seasons
--------------------------------------------------------------------
I Thess. 5:14 admonish warn
--------------------------------------------------------------------
2 Thess.2:3 apostasy falling away
--------------------------------------------------------------------
2 Thess. 2:3 lawlessness sin
--------------------------------------------------------------------
2 Thess. 3:2 perverse unreasonable
--------------------------------------------------------------------
2 Thess. 3:6 aloof withdraw
--------------------------------------------------------------------
I Tim.1:15 foremost of all chief
--------------------------------------------------------------------
I Tim. 2:8 dissensions doubting
--------------------------------------------------------------------
I Tim.2:9 discreetly sobriety
--------------------------------------------------------------------
I Tim. 3:2 prudent sober
--------------------------------------------------------------------
I Tim.3:2 respectable of good behavior
--------------------------------------------------------------------
I Tim. 3:3 pugnacious striker
--------------------------------------------------------------------
I Tim. 3:3 uncontentious not a brawler
--------------------------------------------------------------------
I Tim.3:8 sordid filthy
--------------------------------------------------------------------
I Tim. 5:12 previous pledge first faith
--------------------------------------------------------------------
I Tim. 6:3 advocates teach
--------------------------------------------------------------------
I Tim.6:4 conceited proud
--------------------------------------------------------------------
I Tim. 6:10 a pang sorrows
--------------------------------------------------------------------
2 Tim. 3:2 arrogant proud
--------------------------------------------------------------------
Titus 1:6 dissipation riot
--------------------------------------------------------------------
Titus 1:7 sordid filthy
--------------------------------------------------------------------
Titus 3:2 to malign no one to speak evil of
no man
--------------------------------------------------------------------
Titus 3:2 uncontentious to be no brawlers
--------------------------------------------------------------------
Titus 3:10 factious heretick
--------------------------------------------------------------------
Phil. 2:1 consolation comfort
--------------------------------------------------------------------
Phil. 2:30 deficient lack
--------------------------------------------------------------------
Heb. 2:17 propitiation reconciliation
--------------------------------------------------------------------
Heb. 5:10 designated called
--------------------------------------------------------------------
Heb. 7:2 apportioned gave
--------------------------------------------------------------------
Heb. 12:1 encumbrance weight
--------------------------------------------------------------------
James 1:2 encounter fall into
--------------------------------------------------------------------
James 1:11 in the midst in his ways
--------------------------------------------------------------------
James 5:11 blessed happy
--------------------------------------------------------------------
I Pet.4:4 dissipation riot
--------------------------------------------------------------------
I John 5:10 borne gave
--------------------------------------------------------------------
Rev.1:3 heed keep
--------------------------------------------------------------------
Rev. 1:9 perseverance patience
--------------------------------------------------------------------
Rev. 2:2 perseverance patience
--------------------------------------------------------------------
Rev. 2:3 perseverance patience
--------------------------------------------------------------------
Rev. 3:10 perseverance patience
--------------------------------------------------------------------
Rev. 2:23 pestilence death
--------------------------------------------------------------------
Rev. 4:1 standing was
--------------------------------------------------------------------
Rev. 5:11 myriads of myriads 10,000 x 10,000
--------------------------------------------------------------------
Rev. 6:8 ashen pale
--------------------------------------------------------------------
Rev. 6:8 famine hunger
--------------------------------------------------------------------
Rev. 6:8 pestilence death
--------------------------------------------------------------------
Rev. 7:15 spread His dwell among
tabernacle over
--------------------------------------------------------------------
Rev. 9:11 abyss pit
--------------------------------------------------------------------
Rev. 11:7 abyss pit
--------------------------------------------------------------------
Rev. 11:9 laid in a tomb put in graves
--------------------------------------------------------------------
(It refers to the two witnesses, so graves plural are needed.)
--------------------------------------------------------------------
Rev. 11:11 who were beholding saw
them
--------------------------------------------------------------------
Rev. 12:3 diadems crowns
--------------------------------------------------------------------
Rev. 13:1 diadems crowns
--------------------------------------------------------------------
Rev. 13:5 arrogant words great things
--------------------------------------------------------------------
Rev. 13:10 perseverance patience
--------------------------------------------------------------------
Rev. 16:9 fierce great
--------------------------------------------------------------------
Rev. 16:21 severe great
--------------------------------------------------------------------
Rev. 17:1 harlot harlot
--------------------------------------------------------------------
Rev. 17:8 abyss bottomless pit
--------------------------------------------------------------------
Rev. 17:16 harlot harlot
--------------------------------------------------------------------
Rev.18:1 illumined lightened
--------------------------------------------------------------------
Rev. 18:2 prison of every. . . cage
bird
--------------------------------------------------------------------
Rev. 18:7 mourning sorrow
--------------------------------------------------------------------
Rev. 18:8 pestilence death
--------------------------------------------------------------------
Rev. 18:11, 18:12 cargoes merchandise
--------------------------------------------------------------------
Rev. 19:12 diadem crown
--------------------------------------------------------------------
Rev. 19:20 seized taken
--------------------------------------------------------------------
Rev. 20:1, 20:3 abyss bottomless pit
--------------------------------------------------------------------
Rev. 21:8 cowardly fearful
--------------------------------------------------------------------
Rev. 22:7 heeds keepeth
=======================================================================

Knight · May 7, 2004

There are plenty of other threads with which to discuss the KJV-only issue. This was not the intent of the OP.

ChrisB · May 7, 2004

To begin with just find a version that speaks to you.

If you are a member of a church it may also be helpful to find out if they have a version they regard a their "official" one so that you don't get lost during Bible studies/sermons

sobresaliente · May 8, 2004

I really enjoy the King James Version. I used to read the New International Version and then I got a NKJV (I liked it alot better, but it would many times use Hebrew words in place of English ones, like instead of Hell they would say 'Gehenna' or 'Sheol'). I always felt like they were trying to deny Hell, then I found the good ol' KJV. I guess I kindove got sucked into the King James only group of christians, I have never found a Bible version more easier to read and many times I have simply been stunned by its simple beauty and profound truths that I never saw in other versions because many truths are 'watered down' so much in them. This has been my personal experience with Bible versions.

The First Scofield Bible is a good King James Study Bible, but I don't really get into dispensationalism, it's concordance and cross references are excellent.

May God bless you in your christian walk, and teach you as you read the Word of God daily,

Sobresaliente

thaiv · May 8, 2004

I would recommend the Recovery Version of the Holy Bible. It has extensive footnotes and cross references along with an easy to read, yet accurate translation from the original Hebrew and Greek manuscripts.

For more information: www.recoveryversion.org

You can also read the NT online at that sight!

Frankie · May 8, 2004

sedulous_samantha said:
Hello!

I haven't posted in this forum before, so check the New Member Introductions for a little about me.

In my search for Jesus and God, I am nearly ready to buy a bible. However, I am stuck for choice!

I have been looking at the NIV versions and whilst it's true that they are the most readable, I think that for me, this makes their word seem more of a story. When I read a little from a KJV version, it sounded far more like it was written as God's word 2000 years ago, and I was enthralled by the beauty of the words.

However, looking at an excerpt from an NASB version, it seemed far more modern in terms of ease of reading, but it is in fact closer to a word-for-word translation (source: zondervanbibles.com).

Would the KJB still be a reliable, word-for-word text to read? I was considering purchasing a parallel text - NIV and KJB.

But yet another dilemma - before the translation issue, I was thinking of a study bible (I love the Zondervan ones). But there are no study bibles with the KJV translation. So what to do?! I was thinking about getting a study bible with the NASB translation, but I know that the KJV is more popular. Perhaps I should get two bibles!

Thanks everybody. This is really .... exciting!

Hello! I like the NKJ study Bible, the NIV and NLT.

God Bless,
Frankie

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