Which Bible Translation?

4 thoughts on “Which Bible Translation?

  1. I have been doing the same searching for the last 10 years. Just when I think I have it figured out, I pick up a different translation and think that one says it better. I grew up with the KJV but seldom read it on my own because it used language that I didn’t. When the Living Bible paraphrase came out, I read it a lot. When the NIV came out in 1978, it became my primary Bible for the next 20+ years. It was translated by conservative evangelical scholars and was word for woed until it came to a place where word for word for word made no sense in Englsh, then it used an English equivalent (Amos 4:6 comes to mind). The bottom is that there is not one translation that is the best for everyone. For tose trained in original languages, why even bother with an English translation? Or if you do, then use the most literal (NASB) and explain to the folks what it really means. For those with English as a second language, probably the NLT or NIRV. For most of us, however, the NIV is probably the best ‘middle of the road’ translation for conservative evangelicals. It is the one most people use, so people are familiar with it and would probably read it. My problem with the ESV is it’s awkward English. Like you said, no translation is perfect, but if you are going to pick one to use not only in church settings but also in reaching people with no Christian background, a translation like the NIV. Something is always lost in translation. That’s what pastors and professors are for! I would stick with a translation that’s as literal as possible but also readable in English. For me, that’s the NIV. Anyway, my two cents worth.

  2. Very graciously written, much like your preaching Pastor Andrew. As for myself, it begins (but doesn’t end there) with how each version translates Is 7:14. Is the verse referring to a virgin or a young maiden, sometimes young woman. Jewish scholars will argue that this verse is not a messianic prophecy relating to the virgin birth of Jesus quoted in NT Gospel of Matthew (Matt 1:20-23) because the Hebrew word ALMAH is literally young woman. RSV & the NET Bible (not to be confused with NEB, New English Bible) does not render the Hebrew to virgin but young woman, although for the NET (recommended by Swindoll) will give much footnotes about the controversy. Good primer for Bible translations can be found here: http://bible.org/seriespage/part-iv-why-so-many-versions

  3. My in-laws bought my wife and me mhtnaicg ESV study Bibles for Christmas and we have been reading/studying from it primarily this year. Loving it! I grew up with King James, I read it in my youth,I read it in my Sunday school,It’s how I learned the truth (bonus points for anyone who can name that tune)But then I got into Bible bowl at age 12 or so and discovered NIV. Spent years and years there, then I realized I was allowed to read other translations. My wife just bought me a pocket-sized Holman Christian Standard Bible a week ago Saturday and I’m loving it, too!So now my favs are (in no particular order) ESV, NLT, NASB, NCV, HCSB, and the old standby, Mr NIV (I actually got to where I didn’t care at all for the NIV, but I think I was just burned out on it). I also dig the Message. I’ll have to try God’s Word version.Great post. May I steal your idea, Trey?

  4. Literal translations are an excellent resource for serious Bible study. Sometimes the meaning of a verse depends on subtle cues in the text; these cues are only preserved by literal translations. 

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