Bible Study Question - What Version?

Hi Fellow Brothers and Sisters,

There is one question that has been perplexing me for a while now. Since I started becoming serious about my walk with Christ back towards the beginning of September, I've invested my money in accumulating a few translations of the Bible. I used the NIV translation for Scriptural study, but as I progress, I'm getting confused as to which translation is the most reliable. See, the NIV tends to leave some verses out of the whole (even though they are in footnotes).

There are many KJV-only enthusiasts out there who say it is the most reliable translation, but sometimes when I read it, the Old English both makes me appreciate how beautiful a translation it is, but it can also be quite confusing without having studied much Old English. The NKJV translation is almost the same, except it is more modernized in its English.

I also have the AMP translation, which puts the meanings of various words right in the middle of the text. I also purchased yesterday The Message //Remix, which is like the ultimate paraphrase Bible. Its copyright notice and its rules of how to quote it can also be a bit off-putting.

There are many other translations out there as well, and with many people out there saying "this is the true version" or "that is the true version", etc, how can I know which version is the most reliable?

I've prayed about this, and it seems the answer is that through reading multiple translations, I will gain a bit more understanding.

Would it also be wise to invest in a couple of language classes to learn Hebrew and Greek?

Please let me know your thoughts and guidance. Thank you and God bless.

Hi jmooney6...

See, the NIV tends to leave some verses out of the whole (even though they are in footnotes).

Personally, I use the KJV, NASB and NIV. I think that the KJV is a fine translation, but I agree that the version is certainly difficult to understand given its 17th Century English usage. In addition, I strongly disagree with the notion that the KJV is entirely [i]perfect[/i] down to the last "dot and tittle." I like the NASB as a very faithful and scholarly translation taken from sources similar to those consulted by the KJV translators. I think that the NIV is a faithful scholarly translation taken from the sources that it used.

I often compare the different versions for either clarity or simply to understand how the other versions (and sources) have read the same passages. In addition, I read the Word in Spanish. I also use interlinear Bible too.

Unfortunately, I think that there are people who have turned the question of Scripture translation and source reliability into a crusade that is based upon personal or sectarian prejudices. These are often based upon "evidence" that is in-turn based upon rumors or conjecture that is passed down from group-to-group via mutually agreeable books (rather than first hand sources).

There are plenty of opinions about this...and plenty of controversial accusations. In fact, I think that there are almost as many "Bible translation" threads as there are about any other subject here. I'll certainly be praying that you are led by God in this endeavor.

:-)

Having taken Greek in seminary, and having translated hundreds of verses in the Bible, I'd highly commend to you the NASB. I have found that it is the most accurate and literal translation of the Scriptures I have come across to date. I'm no expert by any means in Greek, but, having translated a number of difficult passages, I've seen how careful the NASB is in trying to preserve even the grammatical functions of the language, so as to make some very subtle nuances detectable to the trained eye.

Would it also be wise to invest in a couple of language classes to learn Hebrew and Greek?

This is great thing to do if you have the time and resources to devote to this. A semester of Greek is very time consuming and mentally taxing. It will make you truly appreciate and help you understand the work that goes into making a translation, and will generally destroy some of the insane arguments you come across on the internet from people who advocate KJV-only.

However, if you don't have the time and resources, I recommend just sticking with the NASB. I'm a bit of a lazy Greek student, and only seldom do I crack my lexicon and grammar to check out a verse that is puzzling me. And even then, when I do, I have found that after I've parsed and translated all my words that the NASB already did a very accurate job for me. And being that I work 55 hours a week, for right now, I take the easy route :-)

I hope this helps.

I do not get into discussions about which Bible translation is the best. But I did find something on the web that enthralled me. I found it by googling a Bible reference. I tried it by using Yahoo but it was a no-go there. Anyhow, you may find this one helpful - might keep you from spending too much money on something you later discover you have no use for.

Here it is:
http://biblos.com/

Blessings,
ginnyrose

I personally use the KJV almost exclusively, primarily because it is the version I memorized everything in when I was growing up. I would agree that it is one of the most reliable and accurate translations, but it is not the "version Jesus used", so I would not be too dogmatic about it. NASB is probably as equally a good one as well.

As to Greek and Hebrew, studying the languages does have its benefits, but the depth of that study can be limitless. A very basic course would probably be sufficient. I have found e-sword a great help. You can download practically any Bible translation (many of the older ones are free) as well as some really good lexicons like Thayers and Brown Driver Briggs. I would definitely download e-sword. There may be other computer based Bibles others use, but I like e-sword.

The most important thing you can do however is to take the advice of Smith Wigglesworth. He said something to the effect of, some people read their Bibles in the Greek, some in the Hebrew. I read mine in the Holy Ghost.

No matter what translation you settle on as your primary source, always do so asking the Lord to reveal truth to you from His word.

I have gone through a similar experience. Always read NIV, but somehow felt there could be a more reliable translation. After much research and consideration I went for the ESV study Bible. Do yourself a favour... do some internet searches on the ESV and see for yourself.

What is wonderful is that they dont try and break down other translations. If you would like my own research I can gladly mail it to you in a Word doc: joseph.greyling@gmail.com

Regards!

Hi Alive-to-God,

You may be interested to know that the publishing company which produces the NIV, also produces the Satanic bible.

The Satanic Bible was published by Avon Publishing. Avon Publishing was owned by Hearst Corporation until it was sold to News Corporation in 1999.

I'm not sure of the motive behind including your remark within your post. I suppose that we could also challenge other published works as well. The copyright of the KJV is [i]still[/i] owned by the British Crown and licenses the publication of the KJV in the UK to only four publishers (including the same company that publishes the NIV). The KJV was actually revised many times by Crown-approved publishers over a period of 160 years (to the current edition published in 1850). The companies that published the KJV also published books of questionable "high church" prayers and liturgies too (some of which were embraced by some of the translators of the KJV). The KJV is also used and published by the [i]Mormon Church[/i] (and some of the passages actually appear verbatim in the [i]Book of Mormon[/i]). Should these things hold any weight in our esteem of the KJV or its translation?

A more accurate representation of your statement would be to claim that Keith Green's music is published by the same company that publishes the Beatles, Pink Floyd and The Rolling Stones. While it is true that the current company who publishes Keith Green's music (EMI) now owns the subsidiary that owns the right of Keith Green's music (Sparrow Records), it would be ridiculous to claim that there was any sort of "interference" by EMI within the creation or even publication of those songs. Rather, I believe that the work itself should be the one under scrutiny (and not the company that eventually came to own a right to publish it).

I think that if we feel the need to introduce such a claim, we should probably do so with as much clarity as possible. Otherwise, our incomplete statements could inadvertently influence those who read what we wrote and inject just a bit of bias.

However, I agree with what you write about our need to "hear" from God in regard to His Word. Someone already pointed out what Smith Wigglesworth said about the difference between reading the Word in Hebrew, Greek or "[i]in the Holy Ghost[/i]." It is, after all, the Spirit of God that leads us into all truth.

Krispy said:

The KJV has no copyright... it is technically "public domain". (Chrissss addresses this a little more in depth in the post before mine) You can print it, copy it, etc. at no cost and you don't need permission.

Write a book and quote the NIV... and you'll be sued in court... by a "Christian" publishing company... for thousands.

Is this true? Does this mean that if someone publishes a Christian article that quotes a few verses from the NIV translation, that someone is legally liable to Zondervan? Can anyone enlighten us on this?

Chris, your post is much appreciated. Thank you.

Zondervans Fair Use

Please note these guidelines apply to both commercial and non-commercial use.

* The NIV, TNIV, and NIrV text may be quoted in any form (written, visual, electronic, or audio), up to and inclusive of five hundred (500) verses or less without written permission, providing the verses quoted do not amount to a complete book of the Bible, nor do verses quoted account for 25 percent (25%) or more of the total text of the work in which they are quoted, and the verses are not being quoted in a commentary or other Biblical reference work. This permission is contingent upon an appropriate copyright acknowledgment, see ‘written use’ section below.
* All quotations must be completely accurate to the text, including all appropriate punctuation, capitalization, etc. unless specifically approved to the contrary prior to publication.
* Anyone who wishes to use the translations in its entirety must submit a request in writing with a self-addressed stamped envelope to receive our application through the mail, or submit a request electronically by using our permission request form.

No harm done, Krispy :-) . Thanks for the info, Christian.

You know what? Today, I was at my local Family Christian Bookstore, and I got the NASB Revised Edition. I searched high and low, and I could not find one regular NASB. I don't know what the differences are, really.

I also got a larger KJV for study purposes (as the one I currently own is pocket size). I like your sentence on looking up some words and studying Brother Krispy.

I was wondering where I was going to get a YLT version, since it literally translates the Hebrew and Greek accurately, but something told me to look for my old Bible software that I got a couple years ago. After installing the software, there was a list of versions to install, including the KJV, and the Basic English version, and to my surprise, the YLT! :-) A hidden gem right under my nose!

(Also, not to go OT, but they had The Shack at the store, 20% off. For some reason though, I didn't worry too much, knowing Jesus was in control. And guess what, Mom didn't even see it! It's as if Jesus blinded her to the fact it was there. Either that, or Jesus worked in Mom's heart. Either way, no Shack in this household! Praise the Lord!!!)

I love you all my Brothers and Sisters!

I too have taken the translation trek.

Prayed.
Asked advice from fellow brothers and sisters in Christ.
Read books about the issue.
Studied the texts, manuscripts and original languages…

[Insert some technical sounding mumbo jumbo that bolsters my opinion and lends credibility to my story here.]

I used to take the time to add this, but I stopped reading it in other people’s posts and got the info for myself.

Like most issues, everyone involved can cite multiple sources and claim divine insight as to the validity of their reasoning and choice.

I am fond of several translations for the same reasons many have mentioned already on this thread. But for me it ended when I read the ESV (I had already investigated it.) Oh, I still regularly read other translations, but the bulk of my general reading is done from the ESV. I also heartily recommend getting a parallel Bible.

Extra info:

Some say there is no actual document showing that King James ever "authorized" a new translation. He wanted one and got it, but the authorization actually came into play when he authorized a particular publisher to print it.

Many fundamentalist folk from my neck of the woods believe the "authorized version" means God Himself authorized it. (Yes, I am being serious.)

NKJV here.

Original NIV - and if I had the money, I would buy the copyright from Zondervan and provide an open license for everyone. Krispy is right. No one should own the rights to any version of God's Word.