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View Poll Results: Which (Christian) bible translation do YOU read most? | |||
KJV (includes all KJV editions, 1st, 2d, AV, 1873, etc...) |
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10 | 25.00% |
NKJV |
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9 | 22.50% |
NIV (includes all versions, 1984, 2011 etc...)) |
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4 | 10.00% |
ESV |
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3 | 7.50% |
NASB |
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9 | 22.50% |
RSV |
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0 | 0% |
NRSV |
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1 | 2.50% |
ASV |
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0 | 0% |
Message |
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0 | 0% |
Geneva (1560, 1599) |
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0 | 0% |
Catholic (including all versions etc...) |
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1 | 2.50% |
Other |
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3 | 7.50% |
Voters: 40. You may not vote on this poll |
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#1
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As the title says....
Also, this isn’t a debate about “my Bible translation is better than yours...” It’s just a simple survey to see what everyone here reads within the Christian faith alone. Some may think that a few of the Bibles listed in this survey are not even considered “real” bibles and I get that argument. So let’s try not to get too personal with one another on the issue, but discussing differences in bible translations are welcome. ![]() Thanks. *** Due to limited poll spacing as well as simplicity, I had to lump a few bible translations together, encompassing all versions of a particular translation. *** Edited on 12/19 to clarify the discussion “tempo.” ![]()
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![]() -I hate being bipolar its awesome. -Life member, NRA -Trump’s SCOTUS: 2 / Dems: 0 -ΙΧΘΥΣ <>< Last edited by TrailerparkTrash; 12-19-2017 at 10:08 AM.. |
#2
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KJV
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#6
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NASB, NA28 for Greek
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Pastor Bill “Unless I am convinced by Scripture and plain reason- I do not accept the authority of popes and councils [i.e. any man]- my conscience is captive to the Word of God…” Martin Luther |
#10
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I voted NASB because it's the one I rely on the most for Bible study.
If I'm just reading for the sake of reading I may use an ESV or Amplified Bible.
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“No Kingdom can be secured otherwise than by arming the people. The possession of arms is the distinction between a freeman and a slave.” - James Burgh |
#11
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I’m shocked at how few read the NIV. That was the #1 bible in the early 90’s and as far as sales went,it lead all Bible sales for over two decades.
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![]() -I hate being bipolar its awesome. -Life member, NRA -Trump’s SCOTUS: 2 / Dems: 0 -ΙΧΘΥΣ <>< |
#12
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NASB, NKJV
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Mark 16:16 |
#13
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That's my second go-to, and the NLT is my third. Having the bible app on my phone and iPad makes it easy to compare translations.
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#16
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When I decided to read the Bible cover to cover I wanted to read a version that had the least translations as possible that was in English.
My research said that the King James Version (KJV) was what I was looking for so I chose that one. Man, there are certainly quite a few versions out there now. One of the newer ones has translations that are gender neutral now. That is, the word he or man is replaced with a term that means man or woman. Does it matter? To me it does because I think that there has been enough meanings lost in translation already. Anyway, I voted KJV. |
#17
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Also, John MacArthur has dropped the latest NIV translation for his study Bible, since the publisher of the NIV refuses to sell any 1984 NIV editions anywhere, not even on website bible study tools etc... MacArthur switched his study bible over to the ESV as one choice and has maintained the NKJV as an optional translation. The ESV by the way is an excellent English translation. It’s very close to the old NIV-1984 edition.
__________________
![]() -I hate being bipolar its awesome. -Life member, NRA -Trump’s SCOTUS: 2 / Dems: 0 -ΙΧΘΥΣ <>< |
#18
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Mark 16:16 |
#20
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![]() I’ll see if I can edit my original post to clarify.
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![]() -I hate being bipolar its awesome. -Life member, NRA -Trump’s SCOTUS: 2 / Dems: 0 -ΙΧΘΥΣ <>< |
#21
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WASR10,
There I fixed post 1. Thanks for pointing that all out to me.
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![]() -I hate being bipolar its awesome. -Life member, NRA -Trump’s SCOTUS: 2 / Dems: 0 -ΙΧΘΥΣ <>< |
#22
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I got carried away. Interesting thread. Thanks. |
#23
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Mark 16:16 |
#24
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If anyone is wondering "how" to choose a translation, I've always used Dr. Robert Thomas' "How to Choose a Bible Version." He was the elder statesman Greek professor at seminary and did a couple versions of this book to keep it up-to-date. He just passed away a couple of months ago.
Translations run from (1) extreme word-for-word accuracy, to (2) total focus on message content. I'll ignore the ones that have agendas (e.g. gender-neutral, etc.). (1) Word-for-word accuracy gives you the closest, precise-est word for each Greek word (and Hebrew, but I'll use Greek for this post). This is awesome when also doing a Greek study or working with commentaries. The downside is readability. The term "woody" is used to mean that they read stiff and precise rather than flowing and smooth. Best modern examples are NASB and ESV. NKJV comes close but it's based on a much more recent Greek text and has "conflated" passages where at one point in history, scribes tried to fill-out similar passages to be the same - hence, longer readings. I don't include KJV since it is based on very old English English and many find that they have to do a second translation from old English to modern English. The NKJV is based on the same Greek text as the KJV. I heard that they were considering moving to the Greek text that NASB uses. Don't know the status of that. (2) Message content is called "dynamic equivalence." To help people understand what they are reading, the translators rephrase a verse to read with more understanding. This leads to much longer and wordy verses, but adds some context, simplifies phrasing, and reads easier. The obvious drawbacks are (1) you're buying into the translators interpretation as the text is more like a commentary than the original Greek text, and (2) it's harder to study with commentaries as they are "often" working off word-for-word translations. The best modern example of this kind of translation is the NIV (not the newest NIV, but the 1980s one). An extreme example of this kind of translation is "The Message." So, how do you choose? The first thing is to see what your pastor preaches with and your teachers in church use. Why? It's frustrating to sit there using an NASB (word-for-word) when the Pastor preaches from the NIV! Same for Sunday School or Bible Studies. Not impossible to deal with, but not as easy as "being on the same page" by using the same type of translation. You may just want to use the Pastor's translation. Second, consider having both types. Have a word-for-word for your studies and a message/content/dynamic equivalence for your devotionals. The only drawback with this approach is that it's harder to memorize and remember verses with multiple translations. Third, consider having a shelf of Bibles so that you can cross-reference translations. Even though I use Greek for my sermon prep, I learn a LOT from comparing NASB, ESV, and NKJV translations for each passage I work with. I also point out significant differences when I preach knowing that not everyone has my translation. I think I have a couple of dozen different English translations if I include my Bible Software (Logos and Bibleworks). Obviously, I've covered this from the perspective of "Protestant" translations. Catholics, Mormons, Jehovah Witnesses, etc. have their own translations and often require people to use only theirs. Many places in these Bibles, the translation is identical to protestant versions. Usually, there are a few particular passages that differ dramatically because of the church's theology. Note: I had no intention of attacking anyone's translation in this post. If I left yours out, sorry! I was just picking for examples from very common versions. A wise seminary professor once told me that there is more than enough truth in any Bible version for someone to be right with God! God bless and I hope this was useful to some. It's a topic I like!
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Pastor Bill “Unless I am convinced by Scripture and plain reason- I do not accept the authority of popes and councils [i.e. any man]- my conscience is captive to the Word of God…” Martin Luther |
#25
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Bill gave an excellent run down of the basic translation approaches. There are word-for-word, dynamic equivalent, and also there are paraphrases.
Dynamic equivalent translations change the wording just enough that it conveys the intent in an equal way, to be sensical for modern languages. Paraphrases take that a step further and actually reword the message to make the intent more apparent. Paraphrases aren’t actual translations but attempts to produce representations of what is thought to be the essence of the text, in a way people today can easily understand. The problem is, when we read these types of translations, we are subject to someone else’s idea of what is being conveyed. Word-for-word translations remove that element, yet take a little more effort to understand or to read with clarity. The intent of translation is, of course, to convey the word of God as He intended. If we are working to understand the Truth, then we must have the Truth before us. I have seen the study of certain translations or paraphrases lead to false teachings. This is why we must be careful to use a translation that will assist us in understanding exactly what God has revealed rather than an agenda or preconceived notion. I have studied ancient Hebrew, Greek, and Aramaic.; their syntax, idioms, colloquialisms, etc. I choose to study from the NASB and the NKJV. I have found them to be the most accurate English representations of what we know to have been written.
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Mark 16:16 Last edited by WASR10; 12-19-2017 at 6:25 PM.. |
#26
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All good brother.
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![]() -I hate being bipolar its awesome. -Life member, NRA -Trump’s SCOTUS: 2 / Dems: 0 -ΙΧΘΥΣ <>< |
#27
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![]() -I hate being bipolar its awesome. -Life member, NRA -Trump’s SCOTUS: 2 / Dems: 0 -ΙΧΘΥΣ <>< |
#28
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***Billvau, what do you think of the Geneva Bible? I own a copy of a first edition 1560, with Calvin’s and his assistant’s notes printed in the margins on each page. Personally, I neither can read the old gothic Elizabethan English text, nor do I ascribe to all of Calvin’s beliefs. The biblical portion of the text uses the letters V as a U and I’s for J’s. For example, Jesus is spelled “Iesus.” King James himself read from the Geneva as a young man, until he became king and decided that he didn’t like the notes by Calvin, that constantly promoted God above any monarch ruler. Hence James commissioned the making of the KJV and several years later, it was finally published in 1611. The Geneva is considered really the first “study” bible. I also have a 1599 Geneva which eliminated some of the notes that Calvin published in the margins of the 1560, specifically calling the Pope the “anti christ” in Revelation. Besides the margin notes, I really like the Word of the 1599 Geneva, as it’s written in traditional Roman text and very similar to my 1st edition KJV copy. Although the 1st ed. KJV has the Apocrypha, while the Geneva does not. Oh, I forgot to add, personally I don’t think the “message” bible written by Eugene Peterson is “biblical” to say the least. But I have a few friends that would disagree with me on that subject. I also don’t think that the New Living Translation (NLT) is close to being a copy of God’s Word either. But that’s just me.
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![]() -I hate being bipolar its awesome. -Life member, NRA -Trump’s SCOTUS: 2 / Dems: 0 -ΙΧΘΥΣ <>< Last edited by TrailerparkTrash; 12-19-2017 at 8:45 PM.. |
#30
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I didn't comment on "The Message" because the OP asked we not start a translation war. ![]()
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Pastor Bill “Unless I am convinced by Scripture and plain reason- I do not accept the authority of popes and councils [i.e. any man]- my conscience is captive to the Word of God…” Martin Luther |
#32
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I'm sure other loose translations / paraphrases / message-oriented versions do the same thing in subtle ways. They're just applying their cultural bias onto the Bible. It becomes a commentary more than translation. This is why I give up some ease of readability for word-for-word translation. I can check the Greek and see if I agree with the English translation. I'm not perfect, but I am accountable to God for what I teach, so have to use every tool I can to be accurate in teaching the meaning of the text. Sermons take a LONG time! ![]()
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Pastor Bill “Unless I am convinced by Scripture and plain reason- I do not accept the authority of popes and councils [i.e. any man]- my conscience is captive to the Word of God…” Martin Luther Last edited by billvau; 12-20-2017 at 7:20 PM.. |
#33
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Thanks for the reply. I certainly appreciate the information. I’ve been using a NIV study bible, mainly because that is what was recommended to me when started studying and it’s what my church uses most. I have recently picked up a NKJV MacArthur study bible and use it in conjunction with the NIV, it seems to help me get a clearer picture and understanding. (note I said “clearer” not “clear”) Anyway thanks again. Mark Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk |
#34
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Pastor Bill “Unless I am convinced by Scripture and plain reason- I do not accept the authority of popes and councils [i.e. any man]- my conscience is captive to the Word of God…” Martin Luther |
#35
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LOL Love the disclosure! I enjoy listening to his podcasts and am currently reading his book, The Gospel According to Jesus. As I have told my wife, the book hasn’t necessarily made me “see the light” but it has definitely made that light brighter! Enjoying the book! I also have picked up his bible study book of Luke. I look forward to starting that very soon. Thanks for the recommendations. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk |
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