What Bible Translation

bworthey · 11-01-2006, 02:55 PM

I have a question/looking for some feedback on what Bible translation you (the reader) uses and why. I grew up hearing/being taught that the KJV was the end all be all when I came to the Bible. I now know that some of the things that I was taught was not exactly correct. I currently use a NKJV and a NIV translation. I've heard other things about the people that did the NIV and I'm not so sure about that one now. What do you use, and why? Do you have any resources as to how to pick a translation. I do understand some of the different types of translations (direct or para-phrase), but just don't know why there are so many, why do we need so many, which one is closest to correct, etc. I hope at least some of that made sense! :evo:

Jeff · 11-01-2006, 03:05 PM

I used to read the New American Standard Bible because It was easier to understand. Now I read the King James Version.

Bluecollarchristian had asked this question before and here are the reponces: Bible Translations ?

Banarenth · 11-01-2006, 08:24 PM

I've always used KJV for ever and ever. Recently I did pick up an NIV, but still do my primary reading in KJV and use the NIV for sort of a "second opinion" when I don't understand something fully.

bworthey · 11-01-2006, 10:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Banarenth

I've always used KJV for ever and ever. Recently I did pick up an NIV, but still do my primary reading in KJV and use the NIV for sort of a "second opinion" when I don't understand something fully.

But why do you pick the KJV over any others? That's why I'm trying to get at, I guess. Why do you "trust" the KJV so to speak?

Liberty · 11-02-2006, 07:11 AM

I don't have any answers about which is best. I use KJV and NASB, but I'm glad that BibleGateway.com has so many versions available online. I'm no scholar, so I can't discern which is closest to the original language.
My comment about all the translations, is that it sure makes it hard to remember a verse. Back when all I used was KJV, I had some verses memorized. Now I hear them all different ways, and I get so confused. Of course, some of that might have to do with my age and feeble mind.(!!!)

Pastor Gary · 11-02-2006, 10:43 AM

Just throwing a couple ideas into the mix -

The Authorized King James Version Bible of 1611 is technically close to what was contained within the texts from which it was translated - The Hebrew, Aramaic and Greek language parchment manuscripts. If you wish to take the words from the King James Version BACK to those Original Texts, you can do so by using a good quality "Strong's Concordance". Most translations, including the King James Version, are full of errors OR deliberate falsehoods to suit man's agenda and biases rather than what God's original word actually said. The preface of the King James Version includes a statement from the translators that they knew that they messed up some translations because of their technology and linguistic limitations. Other Bibles do not include that statement because the authors do not want you to know that their versions are biased and do not follow the Original Manuscripts.

It takes a bit of getting used to in reading the 1611 KJV - because it is in a form of English that we are not accustomed to. Understanding eventually falls into place, especially if those KJV words are referenced back through the Strong's Concordance to what God dictated to His scribes and prophets when the original texts were being written.

ANY bible translation is better than nothing, but try to use the KJV as your study bible because it is statistically the most accurate, even with it's flaws.

.

Banarenth · 11-02-2006, 01:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bworthey

But why do you pick the KJV over any others? That's why I'm trying to get at, I guess. Why do you "trust" the KJV so to speak?

Honestly, I've been kinda wondering the same thing lately. I grew up with it, it "worked" for hundreds of years, and we never needed another version. When I read it, in my own mind it "sounds" more holy, more like the words of God. Particularly in the new testament, it just sounds odd to me to read Jesus talking without the thees and thous. But I also realize that was the intent behind the style and language used in the KJV since the language used was archaic even when the version was translated.

EDIT: Since I just noticed the discussion on Authorized KJV versus others, I went back and noticed that all of my Bibles are "Authorized" and "Translated out of the original tongues and with the former translations diligently compared and revised by his majesty's special command. Appoointed to be read in chruches." Aside from the NKJV, I didn't realize there WAS a different KJV out there, and I don't think I've ever actually seen one.

bworthey · 11-02-2006, 02:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pastor Gary

Just throwing a couple ideas into the mix -

Most translations, including the King James Version, are full of errors OR deliberate falsehoods to suit man's agenda and biases rather than what God's original word actually said.

ANY bible translation is better than nothing, but try to use the KJV as your study bible because it is statistically the most accurate, even with it's flaws.

.

I guess that's what I'm getting at. The flaws there. I've just started learning that here recently, that with the KJV there were things added so to speak to meet someone else's agenda. That concerns me. How do I know of the translations, which added, which didn't. Which had an agenda, which didn't? I don't know!

Banarenth · 11-02-2006, 03:10 PM

I followed this same line of questions not so long ago, and I have to say it doesn't really lead to a good place. In the end, you HAVE to accept that the Bible is truth (whichever version "speaks" to you), because as soon as you start doubting and thinking that parts of it were just "opinion" or "irrelevent due to context", you start questioning EVERYTHING. There has to be a line drawn somewhere. This is faith.

bworthey · 11-02-2006, 03:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Banarenth

I followed this same line of questions not so long ago, and I have to say it doesn't really lead to a good place. In the end, you HAVE to accept that the Bible is truth (whichever version "speaks" to you), because as soon as you start doubting and thinking that parts of it were just "opinion" or "irrelevent due to context", you start questioning EVERYTHING. There has to be a line drawn somewhere. This is faith.

Yeah, I get that and I don't mean that to sound bad. I guess some things have been tough for me since "growing up". I heard a clip from Frank Peretti one time that said faith does really become real for a person until they have tested it themselves. Basically what he was saying too is that when we are growing up our faith is tied somewhat to our parents and their faith and what they believe, it's not until we are on our own so to speak and we test it ourselves that it truly becomes real. When I heard this, I was like THAT"S ME, THAT'S ME! I grew up as a PK, my dad is a southern baptist preacher, one that believes that the KJV is the one and only one. He may have moved from that now, but I'm not sure. I am at a point that I'm questioning a lot of things, none of them involve my salvation or how that comes about, however. You do make a good point though, there even is some amount of faith that goes into reading someone elses translation of the Bible. A friend of mine made a point one time. If we were to find some old French manuscript, and we sent it to 10 different groups of people to translate it, shouldn't they all come back with the same translation into English? That makes sense to me. Why do we have so many translations of the Bible? You can change one word here or there and the verses will have a totally different meaning, to me they do at least. So that's where a lot of my confusion comes in. I know I don't understand the complexities of Greek, Hebrew, etc., but, I dont' know. I've started studying more, and feeling confident in that, so I don't know! I don't konw where all of this leads I guess! Thanks for the input though!

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