I give up

[ElainaMor]

I give up on modern versions. I kept trying to use them but found I was bouncing between translations every week. I could never stay satisfied with a translation so I'd switch, then I'd switch, then I'd switch, then switch back, ect. I was reading constantly on textual debate and translation debate, why this one is better or that one was better. So I just give up, I'm done with modern versions. The scriptures shouldn't lead to so much confusion or dissatisfaction. So I'm considering buying a Bible from Trinitarian Bible Society and was hoping anyone here could give me some suggestions for my purchase. Thanks!

 

[ebedmelech]

I give up on modern versions. I kept trying to use them but found I was bouncing between translations every week. I could never stay satisfied with a translation so I'd switch, then I'd switch, then I'd switch, then switch back, ect. I was reading constantly on textual debate and translation debate, why this one is better or that one was better. So I just give up, I'm done with modern versions. The scriptures shouldn't lead to so much confusion or dissatisfaction. So I'm considering buying a Bible from Trinitarian Bible Society and was hoping anyone here could give me some suggestions for my purchase. Thanks!

I would advise you first to settle down because there are perfectly suitable translations...but you have to understand what type of translation you have.

It's not always translations that are the problem...but many times people don't understand their translation and how it was developed.

I don't know that to be your case, but try reading these:
http://www.bhpublishinggroup.com/readthebible/downloads/cdrom/Week_01/Modern_Translations.pdf

Translation Comparison Charts

I hope it helps you...but don't feel bad about this. I have four translations.

I primarily use the NASB and the NKJV most.

I also use the New Living Translation as well as the NIV.

Stay in the word...

 

[Scott4Him]

Or I suppose you could learn to read the original languages. ;-)

 

[ElainaMor]

Or I suppose you could learn to read the original languages. ;-)

Ah, sarcasm instead genuine help.

 

[Unix]

If You are undecided regarding manuscript families, I recommend You the 1989 REB, see $24.95 Search & read the Deuterocanonicals (English Bible version You might not have)
... it's a great compromise, about the only compromise Bible version there is.
It also has little gender-neutral language, so it's much less gender-neutral than the TNIV, NIV11, NRSV and NABRE:

I was reading constantly on textual debate

 

[timewerx]

I found the parallel online Bible very helpful. It also contains translations from original Hebrew and Greek texts:

Genesis 1:1 In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth.

Sadly, even in the original translations, contradictions exist most notably in context between many verses.

Even if I still use the Bible mostly for studying God's Word and deem it the most important of all religious books, I really can't acknowledge its infallibility. And it is dangerous to assume it is infallible. When Christians say you need guidance of the Holy Spirit to understand the Bible, I think we should take heed of the advice very seriously!

 

[branchofthevine]

I just read a version that has an appealing sentence flow to me, so used to read the NLT but I lost that one, so now I read a NKJV because it is easier for me to understand what it is saying.

I don't read the ESV because how it is structured just throws me off. It is a great translation though.

Just find a translation that makes things clear to you.

 

[Noxot]

just relax and let God give you what you need =)

 

[Christopher M Nance]

I read the NIV because it is has an easier flow for me. I looked into the New Living Translation and the New American Standard, but it seemed much too watered down. I often refer to the King James Version, if I feel the need to better research any particular passage.

 

[hedrick]

I can understand why you'd be upset. But the fact is, there's no perfect translation of any document. You're going to have to live with the limitations of whichever one you pick. Fortunately you've got a lot working for you:

* Unless you choose a few translations that intentionally reject modern textual studies (KJV or NKJV), modern translations have very similar Hebrew and Greek texts underlying them.

* Just about all modern translations make use of what we've learned about the way Hebrew and Greek work.

Differences are in style, and to some extent in theological assumptions. But the theological assumptions affect very few passages.

If you don't have a good reason to pick a translation, I'd pick one that is used by whatever theological community you are involved in. (The main alternatives are mainline, evangelical, and Catholic.) I'm going to guess you're evangelical. It appears that NIV is still the best selling translation, certainly within your community, with NLT and ESV significantly behind it. (I'm skipping KJV and derivatives, because they don't use current scholarship.) As a mainline Christian I'm offended by the NIV, but its biases agree with that of most evangelicals. And I think it has a good balance between literalness and understandability.

NLT is a freer translation. ESV is fine as well, but it tries to stick closer to the wording of the original. If that doesn't bother you, I'd actually prefer it to the NIV. But I find the continuing drumbeat of "and" at the beginning of sentences in the Gospels distracting. It's a result of their view that a translator should retain even wording choice of the original where possible. Hence I'd classify it as a bit more literal than NIV. Too much so for me, but maybe not for you.

So if you just want to pick one and be done with it, I'd pick the NIV. The newest version is controversial because it tries to be gender-neutral, but it only does so where the original is also gender-neutral. Most current English in the US is written the same way, so I can understand their decision that a current translation should conform to the way that English is currently written.

If by chance you're mainline, NRSV is the only reasonable choice for a primary study Bible. CEB, Good News, and REB are all interesting second Bibles. I don't know the current situation for Catholics. I'd need to do more investigation.

 

[Unix]

In case You want the old NIV84 66-book Bible in a Bible study software, go to: Only $59.99 - Logos 3.0 Bible Study Library (includes NIV84 and TNIV) | Truth is Still Truth I know the seller from Logos User Forums, I think he can be trusted, I've seen many of his posts. The registration link is in the bottom of the blog. If You have any questions whatsoever about Logos right now, PM me on stilltruth (my inbox on Christianforums is full due to that I used to pay for extra PM space and to get rid of ads). Or if You have questions about Accordance, perhaps ask hedrick if he has time to help You!

I was offered the NIV11 in the Bible study software in which I have the vast majoity of my books, FOR FREE but I didn't want it and I don't regret my choice:

So if you just want to pick one and be done with it, I'd pick the NIV. The newest version is controversial because it tries to be gender-neutral, but it only does so where the original is also gender-neutral.

Even though I respect hedrick, I would avoid the evangelical bias and go with REB as the REB also has less words and verses missing and is about the only modern compromise Bible version there is. The REB is approximately at a 6th grade reading level with slightly British language, but not bothersome at all for an American. So it reads at the same level as the NIV.

 

[ElainaMor]

I can understand why you'd be upset. But the fact is, there's no perfect translation of any document. You're going to have to live with the limitations of whichever one you pick. Fortunately you've got a lot working for you:

* Unless you choose a few translations that intentionally reject modern textual studies (KJV or NKJV), modern translations have very similar Hebrew and Greek texts underlying them.

* Just about all modern translations make use of what we've learned about the way Hebrew and Greek work.

Differences are in style, and to some extent in theological assumptions. But the theological assumptions affect very few passages.

If you don't have a good reason to pick a translation, I'd pick one that is used by whatever theological community you are involved in. (The main alternatives are mainline, evangelical, and Catholic.) I'm going to guess you're evangelical. It appears that NIV is still the best selling translation, certainly within your community, with NLT and ESV significantly behind it. (I'm skipping KJV and derivatives, because they don't use current scholarship.) As a mainline Christian I'm offended by the NIV, but its biases agree with that of most evangelicals. And I think it has a good balance between literalness and understandability.

NLT is a freer translation. ESV is fine as well, but it tries to stick closer to the wording of the original. If that doesn't bother you, I'd actually prefer it to the NIV. But I find the continuing drumbeat of "and" at the beginning of sentences in the Gospels distracting. It's a result of their view that a translator should retain even wording choice of the original where possible. Hence I'd classify it as a bit more literal than NIV. Too much so for me, but maybe not for you.

So if you just want to pick one and be done with it, I'd pick the NIV. The newest version is controversial because it tries to be gender-neutral, but it only does so where the original is also gender-neutral. Most current English in the US is written the same way, so I can understand their decision that a current translation should conform to the way that English is currently written.

If by chance you're mainline, NRSV is the only reasonable choice for a primary study Bible. CEB, Good News, and REB are all interesting second Bibles. I don't know the current situation for Catholics. I'd need to do more investigation.

I go to a Calvary Chapel here in my city and they preach from the NKJV and my pastor recommends the ESV. I've investigated the major modern versions, used each for a time and really don't care for any of them. The NIV is at the bottom of my list since I prefer a functional equivalent translation. None of the other translations really stuck with me. I have found I prefer the KJV, I prefer the textual basis and appreciate the careful attention to accuracy the translators made. I am really enjoying my time with the Bible now. I'm not bashing other translations or saying they shouldn't be used. Just for me, I was getting into a tail-spin over what translation to use personally and once I really gave the KJV a try it just spoke to me. I resisted for a time thinking that I should choose something more modern and that was causing the problem. The Lord clearly wants ME using this translation and I surrender to His will.

 

[Unix]

I used to use Catholic Answers Forum for a year until the other day. The most frequently recommended Bible version is definitely the Ignatius Bible RSV-2CE. It's in Logos but it's no longer on sale, it was until a few days ago. John Paul II and the previous pope Benedict used the RSV-CE, so that's one of the reasons why it's more popular among Catholics than Protestants:

I don't know the current situation for Catholics. I'd need to do more investigation.

 

[Anto9us]

I guess my favorite version is NRSV - since I have two copies of it and only one copy of anything else - NIV RSV KJV NASB - and as far as a Catholic Bible - I have to say I like THE NEW JERUSALEM BIBLE - a unique feature of it is that in the New Testament - not only outright quotes from OT but even allusions to OT are IN ITALICS - and it makes it really jump out how much stuff in NT is quoted from or an allusion to the OT.

Of course New Jerusalem Bible as well as my edition of NRSV (New Oxford Annotated Edition) include deuterocanonicals - occasionally Episcopalian liturgy will include something from deuterocanonicals - and good liberal commentary notes are good liberal commentary notes, whether Catholic or Protestant

but ya can't go wrong with KJV, Elaina - I mean if it was good enough for Paul and Silas...

just kidding