James B

Thank you for the helpful replies.

Sylvanus

I think it's because they have perfected the art of versatility with no real concern for accuracy. (men's version, women's version, student version, gender-neutral version, and the list goes on).

Because of an outcry from the translating community, they had to withdraw their gender-neutral version from sale, and because they had gone too far with it, they lost their reputation for integrity, which they had for so many years.
They are now trying to repent with the TNIV.

I think the plain NIV itself is OK though, is is not better or worse than any other.
(The NIV was my first Bible, from the Gideons )

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Sylvanus' shared Readings

Pastor Gary

For those who wish to read just one of MANY such reviews of the New International Version and why it does not have much favor with most Christians, I am providing a link to an in-depth review from a Baptist denominational writer. You can GOOGLE "Review: NIV Bible" for many more such criticisms.

http://www.av1611.org/niv.html

Those publishers who change the original Word of God through deliberate bias and 'political correctness' are no friends to Christian Bible Students. This NIV 'version' is just one of many that do not even resemble the Original words from the Hebrew, Aramaic, Chaldean and 'street' Greek manuscript texts and are deliberately misleading. I can not substantiate this (yet), but my personal opinion is that the NIV was produced by non-Christians or even Kenites.

Kevin

Try reading Acts 8:37 in the NIV. You might find it rather difficult (to find). Then read it in another translation. You will see how important it is. There are many more examples of this in the NIV.

I use the NIV for reading, but when I study the bible I use the KJ, NKJ and NLT.

There are different ways to translate the bible, one is to translate directly word for word and the other is to translate the meaning of the text. Hebrew is a very poetical language and to translate directly into another language one might miss the meaning and the emotion of the original text. An excellent bible which really captures the emotions and feelings of the writers is the Message, but do not use it for study purposes.

The best is to use different translations at once when studying, then one tends to get a better understanding of the word of God. Always pray for God to give you understanding when reading or studying the bible.

Ask God what He wants you to learn from His word. His word is a double edged sword and can really speak into your life.

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Isa 9:6 For to us a Child is born, to us a Son is given; and the government shall be on His shoulder; and His name shall be called Wonderful, Counselor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace.

Boanerges

While I had no trouble reading the NIV I did find it a bit bland. It is written on about an 8th grade reading level so it is easy to digest but doesn't seem to have the "flavor and richness " of some of the other translations, Still not a bad read though and I am not sorry to have read it.
In all honesty if you do a web search you will find at least some folks critical of every translation.

Sylvanus

Pastor Gary:
I think, personally, that you're a little harsh with the version.
I speak in pure objectivity.
The link you provided is a lot more bias than the NIV itself.....
Besides that, PG :

Kevin:
Try reading this verse with the Darby translation, and you will get the very same result, as it applies to many other versions too, just as the comment found on PG's link.

Over the years, I have read so many so called documentaries about Bible versions, and it comes down to only two things:

1)- The translation of the original Hebrew and Greek has absolutely nothing to do with the criticism, because it's not how they choose to translate that's the problem, but rather which text they choose for their versions.
Some use the Byzantine, some the Wescott and Hort, some the Alexandrian, some the Scrivener, and some choose others or a mixture of them all.
These versions are not deficiant in their translations, they are deficient in their choice of text. For all the critics, I say: Discuss the original documents instead of bashing your chosen version.

2)- Since all the versions using the text which is deemed deficient are by default deficient because of it, instead of bashing the accurate translation of the text, why don't they bash the original text instead, since after all, it is where the deficiency lies?????
It seem that they have a dislike for something else, and in that case, as per the link, their target seem to be Zondervand. and they do it with some eloquance too.

So why don't they say it straight?

You will find that as part of my translation, I use ALL original texts available, and annote the differences within the text, so that all can see. There is no need in translation to be bias, but to present the reader with all alternatives which are available, so THEY can make the choice...

Much love.

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Sylvanus' shared Readings

Boanerges

The Anvil¾God's Word.
Last eve I passed beside a blacksmith's door
And heard the anvil ring the vesper chime:
Then looking in, I saw upon the floor
Old hammers, worn with beating years of time.

"How many anvils have you had," said I,
"To wear and batter all these hammers so?"
"Just one," said he, and then, with twinkling eye,
"The anvil wears the hammers out, you know."

And so, thought I, the anvil of God's word,
For ages skeptic blows have beat upon;
Yet though the noise of falling blows was heard,
The anvil is unharmed . . . the hammer's gone.
Author unknown

avlight

NKJV

I also like the ASV and have looked online at ESV because many within the Reformed camp are praising it.

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I have come back

The significant problems we have cannot be solved at the same level of thinking with which we created them. -- Albert Einstein

John S.

Thank you, thank you, thank you. I am soooo leery of many of today's versions due to the amount of changes they must make to obtain a copyright and the many different transcripts out there that are used. I've always stuck to the KJV, but will be purchasing The Companion Bible very soon. There's an online version here if anyone would like to take a look.

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2 Corinthians 12:9: And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.

10: Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses for Christ's sake: for when I am weak, then am I strong.

slavetoChrist

I'm going to post the same link I posted on the other thread about versions.. I found this link to be very helpful.

http://www.propadeutic.com/faith/questions.html

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we know the way!
we speak the truth!
we live the life!
cause He's the Lord!