Which bible version do you prefer and why?

[Healed_IHS]

Trying to narrow down which one to use, wanted your input

 

[calluna]

Trying to narrow down which one to use, wanted your input

The NIV is listed twice. It is popular!

The NRSV is missing, and it is probably one of the most popular among Anglicans.

 

[calluna]

ASV Archaic style. Used as a study Bible in theological institutions in the past because its word order is superior to that of the KJV, but dynamic equivalence can overcome the problem anyway these days.

Amplified Gives lots of shades of meaning, but often fails to shed light with the right one!

ESV Stilted English, successor to the KJV, successor to the Vulgate. For people who don't really like the Bible much. Some horrible heresies, too. Sure to be popular.

NASB The best for study without original languages and expository preaching. Difficult to read for devotional purposes.

NIVR Awful heresies, iirc. Reader type versions seem to be full of the devil's work.

NIV Very popular, so much so that it started the KJVO movement. Translates the way many readers of original languages translate. Has some egregious heresies, but fewer than most.

NRSV Good modern translation of the NT, though somewhat stilted in the OT. Fairly reliable doctrinally.

NKJV Controversial source-text issues aside, this is a likeable version, restrained and generally accurate.

KJV It has its good points, but they are too often hidden beneath the archaisms and errors that make this a version for sentimentalists and antichrists only! Popular with atheists, fundies and newspapers!

NLT Appalling heresy in the original edition, 2nd edition is supposedly better, though I haven't read much of it yet. Good, accessible English, and with the benefits of the latest research.

GNB The first of the popular modern versions, and still the best in many ways. Accessible and with fewer heresies than most. Good for devotions and teaching.

RSV An older but mostly accurate study Bible, still required as a base version in Anglican theological institutions, afaik.

 

[kiwimac]

Calluna,

Please explain what heresies the ESV, NIV, NIVR have in your opinion.

 

[calluna]

Calluna,

Please explain what heresies the ESV, NIV, NIVR have in your opinion.

What is the purpose of the question?

 

[0-2Continuum]

None of my favorites were listed.

I like the NRSV, it is the translation I hear at the Liturgy, and I am particularly fond of my Book of Common Prayer & NRSV leather-bound combo. Also the translation featured in most academic writing.

I also like the Revised English Bible (a British translation), colloquial (UK) English and very dignified and poetic. A lovely read for sure!

Third I like the New American Bible (the official translation of the Roman Catholic Church). Simple, plain, and high quality.

 

[kiwimac]

What is the purpose of the question?

Understanding.

 

[calluna]

Understanding.

A priest and theologian has need of that?

 

[0-2Continuum]

A priest and theologian has need of that?

there is no limit to how much understanding one can gain

 

[HereIStand]

I mostly use the NIV, NKJV, and KJV.

 

[kiwimac]

there is no limit to how much understanding one can gain

Amen! Calluna, how can I possibly understand your position, your understanding if you do not share it with me. I am a priest not a mind-reader.

 

[ebia]

ESV Stilted English, successor to the KJV, successor to the Vulgate. For people who don't really like the Bible much. Some horrible heresies, too. Sure to be popular.

I'm curious why you would make each of the statements in this. I rather like the ESV's English - I much prefer it to the NRSV, I'm not at all sure what you mean by "for people who don't really liek the bible much." And I'm curious what heresies you have in mind.

As literature I like New Jerusalem. For studying I like ESV - I find it a decent compromise on most of the issues and I like the way they tend to translate a given phrase the same way which helps me build connections.

 

[calluna]

Chacun à son goût.

'"When his parents saw him they were astonished; and his mother said to him, "Child, why have you treated us like this? Look, your father and I have been searching for you in great anxiety."' Luke 2:48 NRSV

'And when his parents saw him, they were astonished. And his mother said to him, "Son, why have you treated us so? Behold, your father and I have been searching for you in great distress."' Lk 2:48 ESV

'So when they saw Him, they were amazed; and His mother said to Him, "Son, why have You done this to us? Look, Your father and I have sought You anxiously."' Luke 2:48 NKJV

'When his parents saw him, they were astonished. His mother said to him, "Son, why have you treated us like this? Your father and I have been anxiously searching for you."' Lk 2:48 NIV

'His parents were astonished when they saw him, and his mother said to him, "Son, why have you done this to us? Your father and I have been terribly worried trying to find you."' Lk 2:48 GNB

And finally...

'When his parents saw him, they were shocked. His mother asked him, "Son, why have you done this to us? Your father and I have been worried sick looking for you!"' Lk 2:48 ISV/God's Word

 

[0-2Continuum]

Was this supposed to prove something other than that these translations are all slightly different?

 

[kiwimac]

Are you disagreeing with the "his parents" bit? Note that later on in the same verse Mary says to Jesus, "...Behold, your father and I have looked for you..."

 

[calluna]

Are you disagreeing with the "his parents" bit? Note that later on in the same verse Mary says to Jesus, "...Behold, your father and I have looked for you..."

Behold 'behold', eh.

 

[PaladinValer]

Actually, by Jewish Law, Joseph was Jesus' parent.

I don't see the heresy, especially when practically all translations make it clear that Jesus' true father is the Father.

 

[kiwimac]

Behold 'behold', eh.

The 'behold' is there in the Greek as well, "...και ιδοντες αυτον εξεπλαγησαν και ειπεν προς αυτον η μητηρ αυτου τεκνον τι εποιησας ημιν ουτως ιδου ο πατηρ σου καγω οδυνωμενοι εζητουμεν σε ..."

 

[0-2Continuum]

Behold 'behold', eh.

ummm.....
'behold' is quite a common word in the Bible, both in Hebrew and Greek. We may not use it all that often in English, but it's an appropriate word choice and hardly heresy.

 

[Timothy]

The 'behold' is there in the Greek as well, "...και ιδοντες αυτον εξεπλαγησαν και ειπεν προς αυτον η μητηρ αυτου τεκνον τι εποιησας ημιν ουτως ιδου ο πατηρ σου καγω οδυνωμενοι εζητουμεν σε ..."

Exactly. It's actually a marginally better translation of the greek, iirc. Mistranslating the greek isn't something the ESV gang would do much, since they had some of the greatest greek scholars of our time on that team.