Biblical translations

[Acceptance]

I think something similar to this has been asked here before but...

I have a question about which translation of the bible is the best (in your opinion ). I'm looking to buy a new one, but really want a very literal translation. I know literal translations are a bit more difficult to read, but I want a bible that I can cross check against so as to have as little translator bias as possible.

I checked out the NJB translation, because when BAChristian asked about this a while ago that seemed to come with high recommendation, but I read in the back of the book cover that it was 'translated for easier reading' (which I assumed to mean it is more of a dynamic translation).

Any recommendations would be great! Thanks

 

[Ken]

I really like a newer literal translation called the English Standard Version....

http://www.gnpcb.org/home/esv/

 

[Ken]

BTW, on the page I listed above, there is a series of interviews with one of the editors of the ESV, JI Packer, that you can listen to with either RealAudio or Windows Media Player... they are well worth the listen, he talks about dynamic equivalency and literal translation approaches...

 

[KennySe]

The Douay-Rheims Bible is the Catholic English language translation of the Catholic Latin Vulgate.

Check it out online for free. http://www.scriptours.com/bible/

The Anglicans have their KJV of 1611.
We have our DR of 1609.

What you'll notice is that the DR , imo, is easier to read thanks to Bishop Challoner's "tweaks" of 1749.

"This Revised Douay-Rheims version of the Holy Bible was revised in the year 1749 by Dr. Richard Challoner; moreover, the text was originally developed in different parts at dates between 1568 and 1610. The original Douay-Rheims bible was produced for the Roman Catholic church in the cities of Douay and Rheims, and the text was translated with the highest regard for the AD 382-420 Latin Vulgate of Saint Jerome of Bethlehem. Overall, with the Latin Vulgate being the official bible of the Roman Catholic church, the Douay-Rheims bible has become vastly important as the first official modern English bible of the Roman Catholic church."
Text courtesy: http://books.lulu.com/content/26491

Here is available the hardcover. (chuh-ching!)
http://www.catholicfreeshipping.com/douaybib.html
but I found it for less at: http://www.catholicshopper.com/products/tan_books.html
call them at 1-800-950-4928 and ask them about the softcover version
(see below)

I have the softcover , which cannot find online for sale now.
it looks like this and publihed by Tan Books and Publishers:

I have mine...maybe it is not currently available?

DR's NT
http://www.catholicfreeshipping.com/douaybib.html





******
IF you decide on the NAB, then I recommend the Catholic Answer Bible (NAB) which has these 24 neat inserts on Catholic topics [each insert is a catholic apologetic gem]

it looks like this:

 

[Acceptance]

I actually have a copy of a NAB Catholic study bible and a TEV, but I think both are pretty dynamic.

Thanks for the link to where to buy a Douay-Rheims, I looked at Borders but couldn't find one.

 

[BAChristian]

Ya know, I'll be honest -- I barely touch my Bible...

Mainly because I read the daily readings online, and if I reference any Scripture, I do so via eSword...

Only time I open my Bible is to "mark" things according to topic, such as Sin, Salvation, Justification, Purgatory, etcetera.

 

[Aaron-Aggie]

Ya know, I'll be honest -- I barely touch my Bible...

Mainly because I read the daily readings online, and if I reference any Scripture, I do so via eSword...

Only time I open my Bible is to "mark" things according to topic, such as Sin, Salvation, Justification, Purgatory, etcetera.

don't forget to throw it

 

[BAChristian]

Actually, I'm probably going to buy this hardcover Roman missal.

It comes with before and after prayers and devotions for each reading of the day.

Awesome!

 

[Aaron-Aggie]

Actually, I'm probably going to buy this hardcover Roman missal.

It comes with before and after prayers and devotions for each reading of the day.

Awesome!

I wonder if that is the new one ?

Any one know when the english translation of the new one is suppose to avaible?

 

[Preachers12]

Peace be with you.

Since nobody has recommended it, I'll have to add the Revised Standard Version, Catholic Edition. That is my primary use Bible. It has no commentary and the language tends to favor the literal more than the dynamic. I have found nuances using this Bible that I have not using others. But that is the wonder of having several different translations in your inventory.

As for the Missals, that is a great thing to have. I use mine daily. Unfortunately, they are expensive and the ones I bought required that you have one for the daily and one for the Sunday! But I can see why it would be so difficult to combine them. I use the Vatican II Missal, which follows the NAB used in the Mass here in the States.

God Bless,
P12

 

[prodromos]

If you don't mind not having the Old Testament, you might be interested in the Orthodox New Testament from Holy Apostles Convent and Dormition Skete.

The Orthodox New Testament (The Holy Gospels)
The Orthodox New Testament (Acts, Epistles, and Revelation)

THE ORTHODOX NEW TESTAMENT, two-volume set. THE HOLY GOSPELS and ACTS, EPISTLES, AND REVELATION. NEW AND ENLARGED SECOND EDITION AVAILABLE.

With so many English New Testaments on the market, which version is most faithful to the original Greek? How do you choose one that reflects Orthodox perspective and theological content? Our Orthodox monasteries, Holy Apostles Convent and Dormition Skete, labored six years, with a committee of contributors, to present this fully illustrated Orthodox translation, which has been diligently compared against the original Greek text, the authorized version (1912) of the Patriarchate of Constantinople, and the King James Version. There was no compromise of accuracy and reliability in this brand-new translation which echoes the rhythms and idioms of the original Greek. This promises to be an enriched reading experience that gives you an in-depth understanding of God's word, answering commonly asked textual and theological queries for vital and penetrating insights into God's word.

We have brought together a trustworthy and one-of-a-kind patristic commentary which draws from the whole spectrum of the authority of the Church Fathers for a rich, dependable, invaluable resource for devotional reading, Bible study, sermon preparation, and teaching. Explore the Scriptures with the champions of Orthodoxy with hundreds of succinct, reliable, and inspiring commentaries that elaborate on difficult passages, thereby providing a clearer understanding.

Gain a greater understanding of the shades of meaning in the original language with word studies stressing meaningful nuances in the Greek, but often lost in other translations. Even for those who do not know Greek, exegetical material gives critical analysis of key words, that is not overly technical, for both beginners and scholars alike.

I just received mine a couple of days after Christmas so I haven't had time to gain an impression yet, but the quotes from the Fathers in the endnotes are a great help as well as the reflections on the broader meaning of some of the Greek words. It does seem to be a quite literal translation which can sound a bit odd in English but does give a much more accurate sense of the Greek.

John.