Finding The Right Translation For Me/You

I plan on getting the New Revised Standard Version (NRSV) with the Apocrypha. I've heard it's a really good translation as I've been feeling disatisfied with the New International Version (NIV) version. However, I've also heard criticism of the NRSV including too much inclusive language and might be too politically "correct" so I need another Bible to complement it.

What would be a good Bible to complement the NRSV? Perhaps the original Revised Standard Version (RSV)?

My family has the King James Version (KJV), the New King James Version (NKJV), and the American Standard Bible (ASB). I will not read the KJV as it's based on inaccurate manuscript but maybe the latter two are good choices? Neither have the Apocrypha but I'll eventually have a version with the Apocrypha anyway.

DimEyesOpenHeart said:

With so many to choose from it's daunting and overwhelming. I have several editions I read & study from on my ereader most recently the ESV Women's Devotional I'm really enjoying it. I know there is a lot of elitism and contention regarding translations I don't want to stir that up. I'm just after tried and tested well recommended translations and commentaries not necessarily directed at women, although that would be helpful, but definately recommended by sisters in the faith.

Thank you!

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The "right" translation is the one you will actually read.

ThatGuyAgain said:

I plan on getting the New Revised Standard Version (NRSV) with the Apocrypha. I've heard it's a really good translation as I've been feeling disatisfied with the New International Version (NIV) version. However, I've also heard criticism of the NRSV including too much inclusive language and might be too politically "correct" so I need another Bible to complement it.

What would be a good Bible to complement the NRSV? Perhaps the original Revised Standard Version (RSV)?

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There are two obvious comparisons: The RSV 2nd Edition accepts that same kinds of critical judgements, but isn’t gender neutral. It is older, so not all differences are due to gender neutrality. Some are because NRSV has tried to improve readability. Others are because of changes in judgements on the original texts or the meaning of the texts.

ESV is another recent revision based on the RSV. It uses conservative critical and theological judgements, and more a literal translation approach. So it will show you where translations differ depending upon one’s theology. Of course which you consider more accurate depends upon your own approach to Scripture. Note the "politically correct" is judgement call. I think the ESV tends to adjust translation based on theological judgements, so I consider it politically correct. There's no way to avoid your own judgement on how to understand Scripture. The simplest question is whether you believe in inerrancy or not.

If you mean complement in a different sense you might be interested in either the Common English Bible or the Good News Translation. These are freer translations, but with the same general approach to text and meaning as the NRSV. (There are conservative equivalents, but I'm not the best one to suggest them.) I often see things when reading them that I don’t when reading a more literal translation such as the NRSV. However the NRSV is better for serious Bible study. Best of all is a computer program such as Logos, which can show you the Greek or Hebrew, link to lexicons, etc.

DimEyesOpenHeart said:

With so many to choose from it's daunting and overwhelming. I have several editions I read & study from on my ereader most recently the ESV Women's Devotional I'm really enjoying it. I know there is a lot of elitism and contention regarding translations I don't want to stir that up. I'm just after tried and tested well recommended translations and commentaries not necessarily directed at women, although that would be helpful, but definately recommended by sisters in the faith.

Thank you!

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You might consider the Orthodox Study Bible. It contains a modern translation of the Old and New Testament. The Old Testament is a translation of the Greek Septuagint version, which was the version of the Old Testament that the early Christians used.

Beware of newer translations of the Bible. They were translated by fallible humans and are not perfect. They omit words that are found in the older versions and they even change the meaning of other verses to teach heresies! It sounds like Satan got ahold of these newer versions and twisted the word of God through humans. You have been warned.

I suggest getting the 1611 KJV, it's the only Bible version my Church will use because they are aware of the fallacies of the newer versions.

JacquelineDeane said:

Beware of newer translations of the Bible. They were translated by fallible humans and are not perfect. They omit words that are found in the older versions and they even change the meaning of other verses to teach heresies! It sounds like Satan got ahold of these newer versions and twisted the word of God through humans. You have been warned.

I suggest getting the 1611 KJV, it's the only Bible version my Church will use because they are aware of the fallacies of the newer versions.

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And King Jimmies version was translated by infallible humans? LOL.

JacquelineDeane said:

Beware of newer translations of the Bible. They were translated by fallible humans and are not perfect. They omit words that are found in the older versions and they even change the meaning of other verses to teach heresies! It sounds like Satan got ahold of these newer versions and twisted the word of God through humans. You have been warned.

I suggest getting the 1611 KJV, it's the only Bible version my Church will use because they are aware of the fallacies of the newer versions.

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The ESV (English Standard Version) is a very reliable modern version.

Oh yeah stay away from those newer translations because we love unicorns and only the King James (KJV) has it.

Actually, the KJV is also a translation like any other translations, just written about 400 years ago in obsolete english, it's not an original.

Numbers 23:22
God brought them out of Egypt; he hath as it were the strength of an unicorn.

Numbers 24:8
God brought him forth out of Egypt; he hath as it were the strength of an unicorn: he shall eat up the nations his enemies, and shall break their bones, and pierce them through with his arrows.

Deuteronomy 33:17
His glory is like the firstling of his bullock, and his horns are like the horns of unicorns: with them he shall push the people together to the ends of the earth: and they are the ten thousands of Ephraim, and they are the thousands of Manasseh.

Job 39:9
Will the unicorn be willing to serve thee, or abide by thy crib?

Job 39:10
Canst thou bind the unicorn with his band in the furrow? or will he harrow the valleys after thee?

Psalm 22:21
Save me from the lion's mouth: for thou hast heard me from the horns of the unicorns.

Psalm 29:6
He maketh them also to skip like a calf; Lebanon and Sirion like a young unicorn.

Psalm 92:10
But my horn shalt thou exalt like the horn of an unicorn: I shall be anointed with fresh oil.

Isaiah 34:7
And the unicorns shall come down with them, and the bullocks with the bulls; and their land shall be soaked with blood, and their dust made fat with fatness.






.

DimEyesOpenHeart said:

The Message is just too loose I don't like it or reccomend.

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Me neither.

I read the NKJV myself, but I know a lot of people love the NASB.

Checkout http://biblehub.com and use the "Paralell' option for a verse. It will show you 15 bible versions so you can compare, plus commentaries and related verses.

This is my Go to resource.

DimEyesOpenHeart said:

With so many to choose from it's daunting and overwhelming. I have several editions I read & study from on my ereader most recently the ESV Women's Devotional I'm really enjoying it. I know there is a lot of elitism and contention regarding translations I don't want to stir that up. I'm just after tried and tested well recommended translations and commentaries not necessarily directed at women, although that would be helpful, but definately recommended by sisters in the faith.

Thank you!

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Hi, my personal experience is which I you should be the owner both of the Received Texts (King James Version) and of the Critical Text (ASV NIV, etc.).
Me I compare many versions and I use also to check the original languages by using the dictionaries, interlinears, etc. which are present for free in some webpages for free, or in some sowtwares.
My favourite version is the King James because the New Testament is more complete and because it was translated by many scholars put together.
I can tell you which with every Bible you can get the Truth and understand the prophecies, the plan of salvation, Jesus teachings, etc.
So buy 1 cheap paper KJV and 1 cheap paper NIV and you can be happy comparing them when you get in a verse which calls your attention (that's what I do).
I bought a NIV archaeological Bible to my gf fo our first annyversary and it's a very expensive and amazing Bible, but the commentary is limited on explaining arachaeology, History, costumes, uses, coins, etc...
About commentaries there are many for free on web and you can check them whenever you wish and also as smartphone application, but don't expect which what the commentaries say it's the absolute truth, especially if it's about interpretation of prophecies or stupid comments like "the 7 days of creations are not literal" (false).
So if you decide to buy a Bible with commentaries, always use your discerning abilities.

I prefer the Thompson Bible because it's full of chain-references and topics which helps you to understand the Bible, quoting as many as possible bible verses for each argument; so this is a Bible with a self-understanding and self-explaining boost, but without commentaries of scholars.
I think you can find the Thompson Bible in different versions like KJV or NIV and others. Check on -biblegateway- for the version you are able to read in a comfortable way.
I hope I gave you a little help. God bless you

Just go with what you personally find easiest to read. I personally prefer the older type of English, like in the KJV, but sometimes I'll use the NKJV as it's a bit easier to understand in some verses. I agree that using two or three translations sometimes is nice.

Psalm3704 said:

Actually, the KJV is also a translation like any other translations, just written about 400 years ago in obsolete english, it's not an original.

Numbers 23:22
God brought them out of Egypt; he hath as it were the strength of an unicorn.

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The KJV has some very nice strengths, "unicorn" isn't of of them. To new believers, I'd only recommend the ESV or NKJV.

Another good idea is to look at a comparison of major Bible translations, like this link.

http://www.apbrown2.net/web/TranslationComparisonChart.htm

It takes each Bible translation and shows you on a scale each one from the most literal to the most paraphrasing. They show this by taking one Bible verse and showing how each translation phrases it. Just to give you an idea.

JacquelineDeane said:

I suggest getting the 1611 KJV, it's the only Bible version my Church will use because they are aware of the fallacies of the newer versions.

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Your church has a 1769 KJV. And, you should also get your church to fix the damaged cord on the water fountain in the south hall before a kid electrocutes himself. BTW, I like your haircut.

No matter what we always have the original language. Whether it is Aramaic, Greek or Hebrew.

ThatGuyAgain said:

I plan on getting the New Revised Standard Version (NRSV) with the Apocrypha.... However, I've also heard criticism of the NRSV including too much inclusive language and might be too politically "correct" so I need another Bible to complement it.

What would be a good Bible to complement the NRSV? Perhaps the original Revised Standard Version (RSV)?

Click to expand...

I read/study both the ESV and RSV-CE translations, as I like them best.

I read somewhere online that the ESV is fantastic for its OT translation and the RSV is best for its NT translation. (I recall there being some upset over the ESV leaving out certain lines of the NT, which is why that source believes the RSV is best for studying the NT.)

Unfortunately there's no good alternative to the NRSV. If you accept critical scholarship, ESV won't do it, and RSV is a bit out of date. NRSV only uses gender-neutral language where the original is gender-neutral. I'm actually not a fan of that language, but it's become common enough in American usage that I doubt it will cause you any trouble. NIV and others are moving in that direction too. I think we're stuck with it.

If you don't accept higher criticism then the ESV is a good alternative. As far as I know the ESV and RSV take similar approaches to the NT text. Did you have any specific passages in mind?