Bible Preference

[filosofer]

I have used the HCSB occasionally. From what I have checked, it is better than NIV and ESV. It correctly translates some critical passages (John 20:23, Acts 3:21, 1 Peter 3:21, etc.).

Only thing I didn’t like about it was the translation of the Hebrew word asherey (‎אַ֥שְֽׁרֵ&#1497, which is normally “blessed” (Psalm 32:1), but HCSB translates it as “happy.” It may be that they wanted to distinguish it in translation from the Hebrew word barack (‎וְנִבְרְכ֣וּ - “I will bless”). The Psalms are probably the least well done; they tend to lose any rhythm. Not a major stumbling block, but certainly surprising, if you expect something similar to a traditional rendering.

Psalm 103:1-2

NAS:
Bless the LORD, O my soul, And all that is within me, bless His holy name.
Bless the LORD, O my soul, And forget none of His benefits;

HCSB:
My soul, praise •Yahweh, and all that is within me, praise His holy name.
My soul, praise the LORD, and do not forget all His benefits.
​

If I had my choice, it would be a top contender for church use.

 

[latebloomer]

Thanks, Filo. Now, I wonder where I left that magnifier.

 

[DaRev]

I found this interesting:

It’s Hard to Believe That the WELS is Actually Willing to Endorse the NIV 2011 For Use in Its Congregations | CyberBrethren-A Lutheran Blog

 

[Zecryphon]

I found this interesting:

It’s Hard to Believe That the WELS is Actually Willing to Endorse the NIV 2011 For Use in Its Congregations | CyberBrethren-A Lutheran Blog

It is hard to believe that, especially since no official decision has been made yet and the WELS says that it is looking at and evaluating other translations. The Lutheran Study Bible is out apparently due to the LCMS involvement in the preparation of that, but I thought WELS translators were involved in that as well. But I could be wrong. But, if the WELS does choose the 2011 NIV to replace the 1984 NIV they're currently using, I'll still keep reading from my NASB and ESV. Their choice of Bible translation is only going to affect their publications. I believe in time, the WELS will see the error of their ways, if they choose to go down this road. However, from what I can tell, nothing official has been decided yet. We'll have a better understanding after our convention this month.

 

[seajoy]

How would Paul McCain know what is going on in the WELS?

 

[DaRev]

The Lutheran Study Bible is out apparently due to the LCMS involvement in the preparation of that, but I thought WELS translators were involved in that as well. But I could be wrong.

There were 6 WELS and ELS participants involved in the creation of TSLB.

 

[Tangible]

Of course, TLSB is not a translation ...

 

[filosofer]

How would Paul McCain know what is going on in the WELS?

There are many documents being written by WELS Professors and Pastors regarding translation issues. A few WLS articles. But there are others. I have downloaded several over the past few weeks.

Ah, here is the WELS on translations link I was looking for.

 

[filosofer]

I have been memorizing Scripture using NAS since 1977, so that would be my first choice, followed by NKJV. But there is a oral comprehension problem with both [and ESV] (try reading Ephesians 1:3-14 from either orally and have people listen who do not have the text in front of them).

There is something about oral cadence and its value in any text that is both read and spoken. Sadly both NIV and NIV 2011 miss this quality, and so does HCSB. Remember that when Lutheran Worship came out with the NIV, it was only because the ALC and LCA refused to allow LCMS to use the Psalms translation used in Lutheran Book of Worship. The LCMS used NIV because it could use it in the hymnal royalty-free. Zondervan more than made up for that in requiring fees for all Bibles, study guides, etc.

 

[TheDude28]

I will always be partial to the traditional King James. Which turned 400 this year.

 

[filosofer]

Yes, I think that came out just after I left grade school.

 

[CaliforniaJosiah]

If you're looking to buy a new bible, I would highly recommend The Lutheran Study Bible newly published by CPH. It uses the ESV which is a very good translation, and includes extensive study notes and essays.

The Lutheran Study Bible

It's what I'm currently using...




.

 

[Zecryphon]

It's what I'm using too, despite the WELS currently using the 1984 NIV. If they adopt the 2011 NIV that's their business I think the NASB or the ESV are superior translations, but no church or synod is perfect. If they choose to err in this way, to me it's not really all that differen from the whole Kieschnick/Ablaze debacle the LCMS had to deal with. I believe the WELS will eventually see the error of it's ways, if this in fact does come to pass.