Need clarification.

[Jmb1990]

Hey everyone,
So recently I've been looking for a modern bible translation but there are so many. Not only that I google the subject and there's so much bias. One guy says the kjv other guy says Niv or the lady says nlt I'm lost here. All i know is 1. I want to read gods word not paraphrased and 2. I want something that's a bit more in today's language. I've read Niv and enjoy it, NLT and really enjoyed the readability. Any body got some good advice. Bc every good review I read about a translation there another review saying that the translation is straight out of hell. Seriously that was the title to a review about the NLT. So please any advice would be greatly appreciated.

 

[Tigger45]

Unless you are reading from an interlinear all translations are paraphrased for readability. I prefer less over more paraphrasing. NKJV, NASB, EVS....

 

[Greg J.]

I recently posted this on this web site. It may be useful to you: Re: Translations Good for Bible Study.

 

[1watchman]

While I value the KJV as more true to the mind of God (without all the modern language, which can minimize God's intent), I think the NKJV is close and may be helpful for primary reading. For serious study I believe one will see more of what God expresses in the KJV, which in high quality editions shows any errors in the margins (as there are errors in all of man's efforts in some degree). I use the Old Scofield Edition of the KJV which is very good.

 

[farout]

Hey everyone,
So recently I've been looking for a modern bible translation but there are so many. Not only that I google the subject and there's so much bias. One guy says the kjv other guy says Niv or the lady says nlt I'm lost here. All i know is 1. I want to read gods word not paraphrased and 2. I want something that's a bit more in today's language. I've read Niv and enjoy it, NLT and really enjoyed the readability. Any body got some good advice. Bc every good review I read about a translation there another review saying that the translation is straight out of hell. Seriously that was the title to a review about the NLT. So please any advice would be greatly appreciated.

I have a unique suggestion. One Bible is not enough now days. Sometimes it helps to have different translations to see how each has done a verse. I mainly use the Holman Christian Standard Bible. It is fresh and very accurate in presenting fresh translation of words others have just ignored. Like LORD in most Bibles is the Holiest name of GOD which is correctly spelled Yahweh, which the HCSB uses in the Old testament. most Bibles uses Christ in all places, but there are places where Messiah should be used, and the HCSB does exactly that. The readability is far above the NIV or the NASB or the ESV and or any of the others I have.

having been a pastor I naturally have a large number of different Bibles. But for the most part I use the New American Standard Bible, and the 1985 NIV but with the Holman Christian Standard Bible as my main bible. I have the ESV and outer less popular Bibles. I would also encourage you to get the Study Bible in all the ones you choose as they have very good notes that help youi understand what you are reading. the NIV would be the last Bible I would get, and only the 1985 NIV because after that point the NIV made changes that I disagree with, gender neutral, inclusive language.


It is difficult to say much over the net, but look for your self at a good Bible book store. The Christian Book Distributor on the web has very good prices. I hope this helps you.

 

[Hawkiz]

I have a unique suggestion. One Bible is not enough now days. Sometimes it helps to have different translations to see how each has done a verse. I mainly use the Holman Christian Standard Bible. It is fresh and very accurate in presenting fresh translation of words others have just ignored. Like LORD in most Bibles is the Holiest name of GOD which is correctly spelled Yahweh, which the HCSB uses in the Old testament. most Bibles uses Christ in all places, but there are places where Messiah should be used, and the HCSB does exactly that. The readability is far above the NIV or the NASB or the ESV and or any of the others I have.

having been a pastor I naturally have a large number of different Bibles. But for the most part I use the New American Standard Bible, and the 1985 NIV but with the Holman Christian Standard Bible as my main bible. I have the ESV and outer less popular Bibles. I would also encourage you to get the Study Bible in all the ones you choose as they have very good notes that help youi understand what you are reading. the NIV would be the last Bible I would get, and only the 1985 NIV because after that point the NIV made changes that I disagree with, gender neutral, inclusive language.


It is difficult to say much over the net, but look for your self at a good Bible book store. The Christian Book Distributor on the web has very good prices. I hope this helps you.

^^^This is sound advice. Get more than one. And a concordance too (can help with study).

Peace in Christ

 

[RaphaCam]

NIV is often criticised for including a number of biases and a lot of verses with slight paraphrases. Although I'm not a native English speaker, I'm a big fan of KJV, which is neutral, neat, well-written and mostly precise. But since you mentioned you wished to read something in modern language, what about the NKJV? I haven't heard much negative criticism on it.

 

[farout]

NIV is often criticised for including a number of biases and a lot of verses with slight paraphrases. Although I'm not a native English speaker, I'm a big fan of KJV, which is neutral, neat, well-written and mostly precise. But since you mentioned you wished to read something in modern language, what about the NKJV? I haven't heard much negative criticism on it.

I can't overemphasize how good a translation the Holman Christian Standard Bible truly is. There were over 100 very conservative Biblical Scholars involved with making this bible. I believe if you would get one or order one on line from Christian Book Distributor, if you did not like it you could return it in a very short time that is.

Many of the King James Bible only people refuse to accept the NKJ, I have one, and it is similar to the KJV, but words have changed slightly, like thou to you and the like. I seldom use it, as it is tied to a Bible that is based on Historic events and years.

I think it is wonderful we have choices today. When I grew up only the KJV and the RSV were all that was in print, and Bibles were more expensive then. However from the age of ten I started getting Bibles and as new translations came out I would save up and buy one. At almost seventy one, and having gone to Seminary and now retired from ministry I now have a very nice Library.

No matter what Bible a person has, even if you had every Bible out for sale, reading one as your "home" or favorite Bible is important. But above all READING THE BIBLE is number one. The Bible is the best selling book year after year; but the Bible is the LEAST READ BOOK as well.

 

[Job8]

One guy says the kjv other guy says Niv or the lady says nlt I'm lost here.

You will get a hundred different recommendations from a hundred different Christians. Do your due diligence while you hold on to the Bible that has been around for over 400 years (the KJB). You simply cannot go wrong with it.

 

[Tree of Life]

Hey everyone,
So recently I've been looking for a modern bible translation but there are so many. Not only that I google the subject and there's so much bias. One guy says the kjv other guy says Niv or the lady says nlt I'm lost here. All i know is 1. I want to read gods word not paraphrased and 2. I want something that's a bit more in today's language. I've read Niv and enjoy it, NLT and really enjoyed the readability. Any body got some good advice. Bc every good review I read about a translation there another review saying that the translation is straight out of hell. Seriously that was the title to a review about the NLT. So please any advice would be greatly appreciated.

Every translation is, in some way, a paraphrase. The best thing to do is to have one primary translation but to consult many translations. Ultimately it's great to learn the original languages if you have the time and resources. My primary translation is ESV, though I must admit that it takes more paraphrastic liberties than does the NASB or KJV. NASB or KJV will be more word-for-word literal. ESV is fairly literal but does do a good deal of paraphrasing. NIV does about as much paraphrasing as the ESV and is probably more readable. My "top bibles" are ESV, NASB, NIV, and KJV. I typically use them all, along with looking at the original langauges, when studying a passage.

 

[keltoi]

Ultimately it's great to learn the original languages if you have the time and resources.

Not to mention ability. It is very difficult for an native English speaking western mind to wrap itself around the scripts used.

 

[Tree of Life]

Not to mention ability. It is very difficult for an native English speaking western mind to wrap itself around the scripts used.

It is difficult. But it's also a discipline. I read a little bit of Hebrew every day. After a while you get the hang of it!

 

[keltoi]

It is difficult. But it's also a discipline. I read a little bit of Hebrew every day. After a while you get the hang of it!

My dad could do it, he was trained to, but even after 34 years I can't do it. I rely on transliterations unfortunately.

 

[Sundown]

Hey everyone,
So recently I've been looking for a modern bible translation but there are so many. Not only that I google the subject and there's so much bias. One guy says the kjv other guy says Niv or the lady says nlt I'm lost here. All i know is 1. I want to read gods word not paraphrased and 2. I want something that's a bit more in today's language. I've read Niv and enjoy it, NLT and really enjoyed the readability. Any body got some good advice. Bc every good review I read about a translation there another review saying that the translation is straight out of hell. Seriously that was the title to a review about the NLT. So please any advice would be greatly appreciated.

The HOLMAN CHRISTIAN BIBLE is a good translation from what I see, is like the American Standard, KJV, but appears to give you good translation from the original. Good english. I am just a KJV, but will be getting a HOLMAN CHRISTIAN BIBLE. As for the NIV I would stay away from that one.

 

[Radagast]

Hey everyone,
So recently I've been looking for a modern bible translation but there are so many. Not only that I google the subject and there's so much bias. One guy says the kjv other guy says Niv or the lady says nlt I'm lost here. All i know is 1. I want to read gods word not paraphrased and 2. I want something that's a bit more in today's language. I've read Niv and enjoy it, NLT and really enjoyed the readability. Any body got some good advice. Bc every good review I read about a translation there another review saying that the translation is straight out of hell. Seriously that was the title to a review about the NLT. So please any advice would be greatly appreciated.

I can't comment on the Hebrew OT, but I do read the Greek NT, and I can tell you that the ESV and the NIV both have good translations. Neither of those are "paraphrases." The NLT is a bit more of a paraphrase.

I've heard good things about the HCSB, but haven't read it enough to comment.

 

[Radagast]

To pick a random passage in the original Greek, with five translations:

Ephesians 4:1-3: Παρακαλῶ οὖν ὑμᾶς (I urge you, therefore) ἐγὼ ὁ δέσμιος (I, the prisoner) ἐν κυρίῳ (in the Lord) ἀξίως (worthily) περιπατῆσαι (to walk) τῆς κλήσεως (of the calling) ἧς ἐκλήθητε (to which you were called), μετὰ πάσης ταπεινοφροσύνης (with all humility) καὶ πραΰτητος (and gentleness), μετὰ μακροθυμίας (with patience), ἀνεχόμενοι ἀλλήλων (bearing with one another) ἐν ἀγάπῃ (in love), σπουδάζοντες (being diligent) τηρεῖν (to keep) τὴν ἑνότητα (the unity) τοῦ πνεύματος (of the Spirit) ἐν τῷ συνδέσμῳ (in the binding-together) τῆς εἰρήνης (of peace)·

ESV (very literal): I therefore, a prisoner for the Lord, urge you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling to which you have been called, with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love, eager to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.

NIV (reworded very slightly to split one long sentence into three): As a prisoner for the Lord, then, I urge you to live a life worthy of the calling you have received. Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love. Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace.

HCSB (also very literal, and translating the last verse very nicely):Therefore I, the prisoner for the Lord, urge you to walk worthy of the calling you have received, with all humility and gentleness, with patience, accepting one another in love, diligently keeping the unity of the Spirit with the peace that binds us.

NLT (paraphrasing quite a bit, not quite saying the same as the original): Therefore I, a prisoner for serving the Lord, beg you to lead a life worthy of your calling, for you have been called by God. Always be humble and gentle. Be patient with each other, making allowance for each other’s faults because of your love. Make every effort to keep yourselves united in the Spirit, binding yourselves together with peace.

KJV (literal, but very archaic language): I therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, beseech you that ye walk worthy of the vocation wherewith ye are called, With all lowliness and meekness, with longsuffering, forbearing one another in love; Endeavouring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.