Is the GNT a good version to start with?

[Bonnie707]

I went through confirmation and Sunday School so I have read quite a few passages of the Bible. But I'll admit I've never read it cover-to-cover. I've started to read my Bible because I want to learn. It is the Good News Version. In fact I got it from the church as a confirmation gift. I know it probably isn't as authentic as other versions, but for my first time getting through the Bible it helps to have a standard English version.


I use this Bible when I go to Bible studies. But I think I need something a bit more traditional because the wording isn't the same as what the other participants have in their versions.


I'll stick with the GNT version for my first time reading the Bible. But I'll want to go back through it with a more traditional version. I'm think the King James Version. Does this sound good or do you have a different suggestion? But I've also heard that the KJV isn't the most accurate so I don't know if I should go with another version instead.


Thanks for your advice!

 

[hedrick]

Yes. I've used it. When I've checked with a commentary it's looked good. It's a modern-language translation that emphasizes meaning over literal form. For many people that's a good tradeoff. I'm now using the Common English Bible. It's a newer translation having many of the same advantages. But if you're comfortable with the GNT it's just fine.

Note that GNT and CEB are both critical translations, meaning that they use the newest scholarly texts, and critical scholarship. If your church gave you a copy, then presumably this approach agrees with your church's.

If you want a more literal / traditional translation I'd use the NRSV. The King James sounds more flowery, because that's how we react to the old-fashioned language, but it has no advantage over something like the NRSV or ESV unless you're in an exceedingly conservative church. There have been a lot of discoveries since the KJV was done, both new manuscripts and new understanding of the original languages. For a mainline church the usual choice would be NRSV; for a conservative church it would be ESV.

I tend to use a pair of translations, GNT or CEB when I'm reading a chapter for meaning, NRSV when I need to look at the details, which normally means I'm using it with a detailed commentary.

 

[americanvet]

I think that translation would be great!

In my mens Bible study I go to here is the breakdown of what translations are used by various people:

NIV-2
HCSB-1
NLT-2
KJV-1
CEB-1

I am one of the NLT guys. At home I have the KVJ, NKJV, NIV, NCV, NLT, Message, Voice, and CEV. I have read them all at various times and use them all at various times. However, the NLT to me is the best. I believe if you are seeking God you will find him. Are you following a Bible reading plan or are you winging it?

 

[Unix]

The Good News Translation is really good, my arguments can be found at: http://www.christianforums.com/t7653202/. There is a 3rd Edition in UK English, if You want to add Your voice for it to come in the Suggestions forum in a Bible study software: 1992 GNT-CE 2nd ed. preferably with Anglicized text and 1971 GNB 3rd ed. NT - Logos Bible Software Forums. Specify that it's the 2004 3rd Edition UK English that You want!

If You have a laptop and/or a tablet, I would recommend You the very recent katapi New Standard Bible, it would be a very close match to what You are asking for: http://www.christianforums.com/t7641923-post61566154/
... it is however only a linguistic modernization of the RSV, it doesn't change the meaning of it. The RSV was based on the best scholarship when it was made and has been very appreciated for a very long time. The katapi New Standard Bible doesn't come as a printed Bible I'm afraid. It doesn't have inclusive language, so it doesn't read "brothers and sisters" like the NRSV does. It does largely take new manuscript finds into account in the New Testament and Isaiah, but not in other books of the Old Testament and the Apocrypha. You read it through the link.
For an Old Testament other than Isaiah, based on new manuscript finds, perhaps NASU (1995 New American Standard Bible Updated).
Not all findings from Qumran cave 4 where yet implemented in any Bible versions by 1995. However I don't have any more recent Old Testament suggestion.
For a book about the Dead Sea Scrolls, look for: The Dead Sea Scrolls & Modern Translations of the Old Testament, by Harold P. Scanlin 1993. It is for example in Logos.
If You buy from Amazon.com, see the instructions in: http://www.christianforums.com/t7667112/:

I use this Bible when I go to Bible studies. But I think I need something a bit more traditional because the wording isn't the same as what the other participants have in their versions.

 

[Bonnie707]

Yes. I've used it. When I've checked with a commentary it's looked good. It's a modern-language translation that emphasizes meaning over literal form. For many people that's a good tradeoff. I'm now using the Common English Bible. It's a newer translation having many of the same advantages. But if you're comfortable with the GNT it's just fine.

Note that GNT and CEB are both critical translations, meaning that they use the newest scholarly texts, and critical scholarship. If your church gave you a copy, then presumably this approach agrees with your church's.

If you want a more literal / traditional translation I'd use the NRSV. The King James sounds more flowery, because that's how we react to the old-fashioned language, but it has no advantage over something like the NRSV or ESV unless you're in an exceedingly conservative church. There have been a lot of discoveries since the KJV was done, both new manuscripts and new understanding of the original languages. For a mainline church the usual choice would be NRSV; for a conservative church it would be ESV.

I tend to use a pair of translations, GNT or CEB when I'm reading a chapter for meaning, NRSV when I need to look at the details, which normally means I'm using it with a detailed commentary.

Hello hedrick and thank you for your reply. I'm glad to hear your thoughts on the GNT version. It has been working well for me just because this is my first time really studying and interpretting the Bible. I'll have to check out the CEB and NRSV versions as well. And thanks for your feedback on the KJV. I'm thinking I'll go with the NRSV version over KJV as originally planned.

I think that translation would be great!

In my mens Bible study I go to here is the breakdown of what translations are used by various people:

NIV-2
HCSB-1
NLT-2
KJV-1
CEB-1

I am one of the NLT guys. At home I have the KVJ, NKJV, NIV, NCV, NLT, Message, Voice, and CEV. I have read them all at various times and use them all at various times. However, the NLT to me is the best. I believe if you are seeking God you will find him. Are you following a Bible reading plan or are you winging it?

Hello americanvet and thank you for your reply. I'm glad you think the GNT will work great! I'm liking the feedback on the NLT version as well so I'd like to check that one out as well.

Right now I've just picked up the Bible and have been reading it cover-to-cover. But from what I've heard that's probably not the best way. Is it actually better to start with the New Testament first? Things probably would have made more sense if I used a reading plan. But I figure I'll get through the Bible just to get a basic understanding of it and go back with another version to futher educate myself of the passages. Do you think this sounds alright or do you have any other recommendations?

Thanks again!

 

[Bonnie707]

quote]

Hello Unix and thank you for your reply. You've given me some good resources to look into. This is new to me so I appreciate the help and explanations that you've given me. Thanks again!