Preferred translations

[AnnaDeborah]

I use Bible Gateway for comparing different translations of one verse - you're right, it is really interesting to see how they differ. For most study, I prefer a 'real' Bible as I find it easier to read than a screen. I've been reading the ESV for the past couple of years and I love it - so clear and easy to understand.

 

[MMDave3]

Yes, I agree, I do ultimately prefer a real Bible for study as well. At the urging of a friend, I picked up a copy of the "New Interpreters Study Bible: With Apocrypha", it's in the NRSV translation. Abingdon Press puts it out, they are a Methodist publisher I believe. It's got an abundance of information in it, it's really one of coolest things I've bought in a long time.

 

[MarleneJ]

I'm reading the NET right now. (New English Translatlon) I bought the full notes version, which sometimes requires a magnifying glass for the superscripts! I have learned a lot of background and translational issues reading all the notes.

Before that I read HCSB, ESV before that, along with NLT and the Message at the same time, just to read them. And NIV a few times in there. Before that, I spent a good 20 years in the NASB. I found it very stilted and it finally left in, although I kept that Bible with all the notes, scriptures and the broken back. I also read the NAB, a Catholic one. In seminary, we had to read the Apocrypha for some historical background. It was a good translation, but the footnotes were all justifying Catholic doctrine when Scripture said something differently.

I've also read the whole Bible in French, and I am working on German, right now. I've also read the NT in Koine Greek and some of the OT in Masoretic Hebrew. I have probably read the Bible over 50 times, as well as doing a lot of work on background and hermeneutics.

 

[Stringfellow_Hawke]

Oh I would like to add, while the KJV is my go to translation and I will refer to the NIV 84 and NLT from time to time, I will also take a quick look at the ESV (as I have a 2011 edition), NASB, and HCSB if a passage is particularly difficult.

 

[SWIll]

I go back and forth. Used to be an NASB guy, now more NIV, ESV, and NKJV. Also reading the HCSB.

 

[gordonhooker]

I use both Accordance and Logos Bible software and I keep my open for special buys and now a great variety of translations. My favourite go to paper version is the NRSV followed by NIV and KJV. I still have my wide margin Cambridge reference KJV that I purchased back in 1970. It has all notes in the margins that I marked up during Bible studies all those years ago.

 

[Shropshire Anglican]

The NIV, ESV or NASB. The NRSV is also very popular.

 

[Rubiks]

I recommend the NRSV for studying the bible, whereas I recommend the NLT for pastoral use due to its easiness to read.

Avoid the KJV because its based on outdated manuscripts. The NIV because of the theological biases of its translators.

 

[Radagast]

I go back and forth. Used to be an NASB guy, now more NIV, ESV, and NKJV. Also reading the HCSB.

That's a very similar list to the one I was just about to post.

The only thing I'd add is that the updated version of the HCSB is the CSB.

 

[Radagast]

I recommend the NRSV for studying the bible, whereas I recommend the NLT for pastoral use due to its easiness to read.

Avoid the KJV because its based on outdated manuscripts. The NIV because of the theological biases of its translators.

Theological biases?

 

[BCsenior]

You will get a different perspective with
the New Living Translation (NLT).
Some things will be more clear and understandable.

Some problems with old versions, e.g. Matthew 24:25
KJV has "before" - some think it means "previously".
NKJV has "beforehand", which means "in advance".
The latter is correct.