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Mar 20, 2014
So what is the Bible translation of choice for SI members? As if I don't know the answer.:)
Blaine
So what is the Bible translation of choice for SI members? As if I don't know the answer.:)
Blaine
OK, I'll bite...
Read Colossians 2:23 in the "original" King James ("It was good enough for Paul and Peter, it's good enough for me!") version, then read it in NASB.
For me, the NASB provides good readable clarity, but keeps the poetic rhythm of the old King James translation.
I also like to ponder individual verses, which makes it harder to read the full paragraph blocks of a translation like the NIV.
I have no background in Greek or Aramaic, I rely on those gifted by God to take the original languages and put forth the best translation they can. It is helpful to read the work of different translators, and get a feel for the range of meaning in certain passages.
I am also struck by the fact that while each of the authors of our bible unavoidably brought their own personalities into the text, God's approval is on each one. He has confirmed in my heart that it is His word, and that I can trust Him in it.
Bearmaster, You are taking a risk you know!:)
Anyway, I started with the NIV when I was first saved and for the first few years, then moved onto the NASB and then onto the NKJV. However always used the KJV for reference because of the many reference books associated with it.
I found the NIV to be too much of a paraphrase (not word for word), but amazingly God still spoke to me through it (shock, horror!). I found the NASB a bit clumsy in it's readability.
The NKJV I have settled on for many years now as it flows easily like the KJV and I think the original KJV was great and poetic and very accurate. However the NKJV takes replaces some of the archaic language and corrects some of the errors of the KJV where we there is now better understanding of the correct translation.
Now I'll duck out before the fireworks start!
Brothers thank you for your responses. Not trying to start an argument. Though on a subject like this there are bound to be fireworks.
I began my walk with Christ during the Jesus Movement. During the early years up my walk I used the older New American Standard Bible. It was the translation most favored by evangelicals during that time. Later I switched to the older NIV as I was giving it out in evangelism. When my digital Bibke containing the NIV 83 gave out. I looked to replace it. Only to find that Biblia was pushing the NIV upgrade And the 83 version was no longer available. Not liking the upgraded NIV I went back to the New American Standard Bible using the updated edition. Though I do like like the NKJV.
I have found the Bible translations that I have used to be a blessing. God has spoken to through these translations.
As I am posting this the thought occurs to me that irregardless of the translation one uses. We all come to faith and life in Jesus Christ. Though I am sure the KJV proponents would dispute this.
Blaine
I'm not a translation militarist. :)
I learned Christ in the KJV and still love it. But, I seldom read it in favor of the ESV. When I do read another version it is typically the NASB, which I place on level ground with the ESV for all their qualities, on the whole.
My memorization of Scripture, though, tends to KJV. That says something important to its credit. My preferences have little to do with the quality of he manuscript sources of the KJV (I will accept the Johannine comma as inspired even if it is not original because the statement it makes is true even if out of place, IMO) and has somewhat to do with the arcane words and phrasings and somewhat still to do with the publication of the KJV (and so many newer versions, too!) in columnar, listed verse format.
I own a leather ESV and a dozen probably KJV bibles and one NIV and one KJV/NIV/NASB/Message parallel bible. (Okay,the latter two belong to my wife but they are household available, and I bought them for her.) I have an RSV or two as well that I never open. I read mostly electronically now, You Vesion and OliveTree. I read my daily through the bible plan in YV, and devotional or study in Olive Tree. I got the leather ESV because I still think the hard copy is necessary and if we surrender our access to the written Word to atheistic, anti-Christ publishers or e-device manufacturers and ISPs, we are going to find ourselves in a bad way for access and suddenly.
There. I think that covers it. LOL!
So what is the Bible translation of choice for SI members? As if I don't know the answer.:)
The translation you can understand and obey. I believe MOST translations in english are 97% very similar towards expounding most if not all greek words in some way. The question is are we obeying and walking in the Spiritual truths of even 5% of the Scriptures.
New International Version
Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says.
New Living Translation
But don't just listen to God's word. You must do what it says. Otherwise, you are only fooling yourselves.
English Standard Version
But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves.
New American Standard Bible
But prove yourselves doers of the word, and not merely hearers who delude themselves.
King James Bible
But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves.
Holman Christian Standard Bible
But be doers of the word and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves.
International Standard Version
Keep on being obedient to the word, and not merely being hearers who deceive themselves.
NET Bible
But be sure you live out the message and do not merely listen to it and so deceive yourselves.
Aramaic Bible in Plain English
But be a doer of the word and not only a hearer, and do not deceive yourselves.
GOD'S WORD® Translation
Do what God's word says. Don't merely listen to it, or you will fool yourselves.
Jubilee Bible 2000
But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves.
King James 2000 Bible
But be you doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves.
American King James Version
But be you doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves.
American Standard Version
But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deluding your own selves.
Douay-Rheims Bible
But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves.
Darby Bible Translation
But be ye doers of [the] word and not hearers only, beguiling yourselves.
English Revised Version
But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deluding your own selves.
Webster's Bible Translation
But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves.
Weymouth New Testament
But prove yourselves obedient to the Message, and do not be mere hearers of it, imposing a delusion upon yourselves.
World English Bible
But be doers of the word, and not only hearers, deluding your own selves.
Young's Literal Translation
and become ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves,
HeyDave....I know this is off topic but I want to say it to encourage.
Weeks ago you offered prayer for me when I shared some stuff here. I want you to know that I pray for you often and I appreciate you.
Hey Dolfan,
Thanks I truly need it. I also have been praying for you. How are things going with you?
I appreciate Greg's response. It is really irrelevant if we are not doers of the word. I use the KJV almost entirely and refer to other translations for comparison. Most of the good study materials such as dictionaries and lexicons are tied to the kjv, so it is a natural choice to use for study. And, I grew up with it, so all of me memorization is kjv. I would be lost if I tried to do a scripture search in niv or another version. What we have to realize is that every translation has the "flavor" off the interpreters to some degree and it is important to compare scripture with scripture and know how to use a lexicon and a bible dictionary as well.
I appreciate that part of his response (be ye doers) too, twayneb, but I don't know how to take the rest of it.
Hard cover: NASB (Ryrie study); NLT and Phillips; of course my old children's bible story book "The Bible in Pictures for Little Eyes" which I am still indebted to for ingraining Bible truths into my very young brain. When I read certain Bible stories even today, I still recall the pictures from that book. Now there is a new version of this book but I am talking about the one from the late 60s and early 70s.
Electronically: anything is fair game. It is so easy to line up different versions side by side in bible gateway that I do that a lot.
I read the bible through every year and pick a different translation each time to keep it interesting.
Our language is changing MUCH from where it has been.
Indeed! Language is CONSTANTLY changing. When it comes to the Bible, the last thing God’s people should do is form camps. It’s not about OUR favourite translations, hymns, or whatever is dear and near to our heart. Our calling is to love the world as Jesus did, and that requires us to be aware of language use and the need to pray for those who are diligently working on translation - those who are even today researching historical backgrounds, literary context, etc that can help to improve future translations.
On a personal note: I often use the online NIV 2011 ”“ and parallel it with the Greek, the KJV, and my old NIV. From what I have seen, the NIV translators have done a lot of work to improve fuzzy, inadequate, or outdated renderings. Praise God for these workers in the harvest.
It’s no small task - being a translator ”“ and it is nigh impossible to avoid the unconscious propensity to translate using words that accommodate one’s theological biases.
But thankfully the Bible is idiot=proof. The key elements are repeated over and over again ”“ in all kinds of ways, with all kinds of stories and metaphors. If you miss it once, you can get it elsewhere. The concern is not so much the details in the translation, but the reader who has blind spots and keeps missing the obvious ”“because it doesn’t fit their assumptions.
(Did you notice my modern use of English, which in the past would be considered bad grammar?)
Diane
Dave, Good. I have come to a place of peace about things. God given peace, not resignation. It is a gift, really. I now am holding onto 1 Corinthians 7:17
17 Nevertheless, each person should live as a believer in whatever situation the Lord has assigned to them, just as God has called them. (NIV)
17 Only, as the Lord has assigned to each one, as God has called each, in this manner let him walk. (NASB)
Only let each person lead the life[a] that the Lord has assigned to him, and to which God has called him. (ESV)
17 But as God hath distributed to every man, as the Lord hath called every one, so let him walk. And so ordain I in all churches. (KJV)
Just to keep us in the topic!!!!! ;)
Seriously, I can't put a finger on it except that it is the peace that passes all understanding. It is also a contentment with the not yet of God's work. We are seeking God deeply and He is opening doors.
For example, in our weekly Friday night small gathering at our local church, we have begun simply meeting with open bibles, asking Jesus to be the head of our meeting and for the Holy Spirit to speak to and through all of us to one another to build up, exhort, encourage and learn. We have an open floor and no real point man, so to speak, as the center of attention. I tend to facilitate because this is strange to some of our little band of believers, but it is also something sometimes my wife will do. So far, the openness is growing and the free flow of the Spirit as we speak God's Word to each other is increasing. We have so much more to learn and do. But, it is encouraging. Our pastor came last week and is very excited by what he experienced as we met for almost three hours in this fashion. So, we continue to seek Him and obey him as we move along.
Professionally, circumstances are no different, but they are different in terms of sensing God's doing in these years of deep dissatisfaction. I do not have any idea what will happen in the longer term. But I am confident more than before that my assignment, so to speak from Him is doing what I am doing.
You?
I wonder what Bibles will look like in 20 years?
bearmaster wrote:
I began my walk with Christ during the Jesus Movement. During the early years up my walk I used the older New American Standard Bible. It was the translation most favored by evangelicals during that time. Later I switched to the older NIV as I was giving it out in evangelism. When my digital Bibke containing the NIV 83 gave out. I looked to replace it. Only to find that Biblia was pushing the NIV upgrade And the 83 version was no longer available. Not liking the upgraded NIV I went back to the New American Standard Bible using the updated edition. Though I do like like the NKJV.
I encourage you to seek out a used bookstore and look there for an older NIV version. At my local store, I have seen several older NIV's, i don't read NIV so I never bought them. let me know brother if you do not have a used book store near you and i will go look at mine!
God bless,
Lisa
Dolfan,
Great news! Thanks for the update it is very encouraging.
I am also finding more contentment in the place God has put me for now.
Rather than hi-jack this topic, you can e-mail me if you want. You can find it on my profile for a short time.
If God can speak through a donkey to ask a question, I personally believe he can take any scripture from any version, to speak to us spiritually. This is what most miss in trying to figure out all the scriptures, and spend a lot of their time trying to get folks on-board with what they think a scripture is really saying. The Bible is the "living" word, each scripture can minister to our spirit differentially, this is why you will never get everyone on-board with what you think it means. I set here and read all the disagreements with each other on scripture, when most don't even realize, it's "the Spirit of truth" "not man" that ministers the truth, apart from Him, men cannot know or understand truth.
by MrBillPro
If God can speak through a donkey to ask a question, I personally believe he can take any scripture from any version, to speak to us spiritually. This is what most miss in trying to figure out all the scriptures, and spend a lot of their time trying to get folks on-board with what they think a scripture is really saying. The Bible is the "living" word, each scripture can minister to our spirit differentially, this is why you will never get everyone on-board with what you think it means. I set here and read all the disagreements with each other on scripture, when most don't even realize, it's "the Spirit of truth" "not man" that ministers the truth, apart from Him, men cannot know or understand truth.
I love my King James, it's what I teethed on!! :) But since doing the jail ministry (6 years), I have come to love the ESV and the girls there enjoy it as well.
God bless,
Lisa
I wonder what Bibles will look like in 20 years?
That is a good point brother, there is definitely a down-ward spiral of strange versions with translators that lack the fear of the Lord.
One guess is definitely bibles that take out every reference to strong moral issues such as homosexuality, etc
If we think about it in the early mornings, we come to the conclusion that gender specific changes only signify the latest and current form of corruption. Where there is obvious corruption now, there is a self-evident testimony regarding the fact that it also happened before.
God does protect His words, nobody can mess with it. Think about it, nobody honestly can touch it. And the new versions testify about the fact over and over again that they are man's words that are today and always have been under the influence of frequent change. The policy to adapt to changes in society is a humanistic exercise, and by itself is a total non-respect of God's authority, that God that gave us HIS words.
That fact alone gives it away. Once we have a consequential line of thought we also appreciate the fact that there are absolutes, and there are no crossovers. Yes, there is no grey area on this subject, just inconsequential thinking of minds that do not fully understand the integrity of an almighty God that no human soul can touch. Yes, let's meditate on the integrity of an almighty God. That's a position of faith that is unshakeable.
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