Bible Translation Help

[bdeslaur]

So, I have been an avid bible reader until the past year or so. The only bible translation I have used is NAB and NABRE. I absolutely love how easy it is to read and understand this version. For some reason, I can't stand the versions that use old English, like the KJV. I know that NAB is considered a Catholic bible, which is fine with me, but I no longer attend mass. I am looking for a new church to attend. A sense of belonging and importance is what I really need. So, what bible versions should I try?

Thank you so much, everyone!

 

[Hizikyah]

I would reccomend using multiple and checking different readings against original language and what different reading are of different manuscripts, to be convinced in you own mind what is better and correct. I myself like versions that use YHWH's name and give footnotes showing what different manuscripts say rather than showing a single reading and leaving it there.

[FONT=Times New Roman, serif]Isaiah 34:16, “Search from the book of [/FONT][FONT=Times New Roman, serif]יהוה[/FONT][FONT=Times New Roman, serif], and read: not one of these shall be missing, not one shall be without a mate, for He has commanded my mouth. And His Spirit shall gather them.”[/FONT]

 

[Snoozy]

I can't stand the versions that use old English, like the KJV.

thats the best one right there.

 

[Dino246]

Hello Bdeslaur,
Perhaps the best way to look for a different translation is to select a dozen passages from your familiar translation, then look those up on a site such as biblegateway.com. You can compare dozens of English translations.

If you're looking for a more scholarly approach, there are web sites that address these concerns too. However, please be aware that any site of a publisher will "push" their translation. Also, there are many sites that present the idea that the KJV is the best, and that everything else is vastly inferior or even intentionally erroneous. Their arguments may use words like "corrupt" and "false" when describing modern translations (often without much in the way of factual support). It's best to do your own homework with an open mind.

 

[Prov910]

If you're looking for a recommendation, I'd suggest trying the NIV. It's written in straightforward language, yet closer to the original text than some of the more informal versions.

Really it boils down to what you want out of a bible. I use the NIV. But some passages just sound more poetic to me in KJV—like the 23rd Psalm for example.

 

[dcontroversal]

The one that you can understand and glean the truth from....and get a good Greek Hebrew concordance and study each word as it will help as well.........I like the New American Standard......King Jimmy, Tanach for O.T. etc.......

 

[Angela53510]

Like you, I do not like the KJV. It has too many archaic and obsolete words, and grammatical structures that do not exist in modern English. Beyond that, the manscripts used to translate the KJV were very recent, and corrupt. We have so much better manuscript evidence today.

I also started on the NAB. It was an excellent, fluid translation. I wasn't Catholic, although I began to suspect something when I saw the extra books, and the footnotes always supported Catholic doctrine, instead of what the words were actually saying.

I went to the NASB for 25 years, which was rather stilted. Then I switched to HCSB and then ESV. I also read the NIV a few times, and I went back to the HCSB, just because I find it to be a more open translation. I am waiting till the full notes NET comes out. This is a great new translation.

So, I would say do compare on Biblegateway.com. I would say ESV, NIV and NET would be your best bets for a readable translation. Don't listen to the KJV only people. They don't read Greek, which I do. They are brainwashed. Although, for some people that is the Bible they are familar with, and they like to read it, but don't think it is the ONLY version, that is ok. In the end, KJV is no more "inspired" than any other translation.

And welcome to CC!

 

[MarcR]

I prefer the KJV for its beauty of language. Because I read Shakespeare, Milton, John Locke, John Bunyan, and other Elizabethan and pre-Elizabethan authors; I am comfortable with the archaic language.

I find no basis for any claim of unique inspiration or even superior translation for the KJV.

 

[Magenta]

Why not continue with the one you have been reading from until you find
your new church, and then switch to whichever version they read from?

Are you considering leaving the Roman Catholic church entirely?

 

[trofimus]

I would try NIV. Its a decent translation, easy to read, not too literal.

Also, its the most sold translation, so you will not use something "exotic" and can communicate with other Christians easily.

---

I would sometimes use some literal translation to check whether the NIV translator did not go too free.

 

[Marcelo]

Don't listen to the KJV only people. They don't read Greek, which I do. They are brainwashed. Although, for some people that is the Bible they are familar with, and they like to read it, but don't think it is the ONLY version, that is ok. In the end, KJV is no more "inspired" than any other translation.

The Bible approved by my church is a Portuguese version of the KJV (it's based on the same manuscripts). It's filled with old-fashioned words and there are a few dozens of translation errors. Most brothers and sisters think that other versions have been tampered with and to some extent they are right. At church I use their preferred version and at home I use the NIV. When I have doubts about any word I go to bible hub. The best version is the Greek one.

 

[Angela53510]

I would try NIV. Its a decent translation, easy to read, not too literal.

Also, its the most sold translation, so you will not use something "exotic" and can communicate with other Christians easily.

---

I would sometimes use some literal translation to check whether the NIV translator did not go too free.

Just a word about this. My Greek prof is a translator on the NIV. He has concluded after a lifetime of studying Greek, (his father was a Greek scholar, and started him young!) and writing commentaries, that the receiving language is actually MORE important than directly translating the Greek directly into English. Because there are idioms, sayings, which mean nothing in English. To faithfully capture this, word for word, means you have actually lost the meaning of the words.

This is the same in any language! I'm studying German right now. We are studying idioms and sayings, because if you translated some of these things directly into English, it would have no meaning. You have to take the gist of the meaning, or find a saying in English which is similar.

Anyway, if anyone wants to check out some of Bill Mounce's insights on translational issues, here is a link. You can get emails of these blogs weekly.

https://www.billmounce.com/

 

[posthuman]

i think there is great benefit to understanding an idiom in another language just as it is. The problem of course is that many readers will (1) fail to recognise that they are reading an idiom in the first place and/or (2) misunderstand what that idiom is meant to convey.

It is not an easy thing at all, and you generally need someone who is intimately familiar with the culture and context to bring out the full meaning of such figures of speech. I worked and studied with a number of Asian exchange students while in school - very intelligent and well educated people - and apart from minor pronunciation problems that we can trace back to a lack of native speakers teaching in their homelands, idiomatic speech is the #1 hardest thing for them.

 

[trofimus]

Just a word about this. My Greek prof is a translator on the NIV. He has concluded after a lifetime of studying Greek, (his father was a Greek scholar, and started him young!) and writing commentaries, that the receiving language is actually MORE important than directly translating the Greek directly into English. Because there are idioms, sayings, which mean nothing in English. To faithfully capture this, word for word, means you have actually lost the meaning of the words.

This is the same in any language! I'm studying German right now. We are studying idioms and sayings, because if you translated some of these things directly into English, it would have no meaning. You have to take the gist of the meaning, or find a saying in English which is similar.

Anyway, if anyone wants to check out some of Bill Mounce's insights on translational issues, here is a link. You can get emails of these blogs weekly.

https://www.billmounce.com/

I could not find how to get to his blogs or articles. There are only classes, resources, personal, login in menu.¨

Wer zuerst kommt, mahlt zuerst.

 

[Atlanta_GA]

So, I have been an avid bible reader until the past year or so. The only bible translation I have used is NAB and NABRE. I absolutely love how easy it is to read and understand this version. For some reason, I can't stand the versions that use old English, like the KJV. I know that NAB is considered a Catholic bible, which is fine with me, but I no longer attend mass. I am looking for a new church to attend. A sense of belonging and importance is what I really need. So, what bible versions should I try?

Thank you so much, everyone!

I would say to stay away from organized church except for social reasons, not to learn the teachings of Jesus, basically all they know is brother Paul and miss so much, if you study, pray, and meditate you will so find that you (very soon) are the teacher and not the student, but remember that not very many people will listen to your words (Knowledge), because you teach truth and they only know the teaching of the organized church. I will also say to start using the Authorized King James Version; you will be able to convert the thee and thou etc., into today's language in no time and do not let it being written in the 12 grade + reading level intimidate you, this too the Lord will help you master.

 

[Bogadile]

the receiving language is actually MORE important than directly translating the Greek directly into English. Because there are idioms, sayings, which mean nothing in English. To faithfully capture this, word for word, means you have actually lost the meaning of the words.

Yes as someone who speaks multiple languages I can vouch for this and +1.

Often times I want to say some finnish idiom, but I cannot translate it to english in a way that makes any sense.

Everyone always talks about literal word for word this and that but how many people read a interlinear bible on their daily reading?
That would be a horrible reading experience!

I do not know about the NIV because I have heard it has some liberals translating it, but this is all just rumors I admit I have not wasted a second to research the issue.

 

[trofimus]

I could not find how to get to his blogs or articles. There are only classes, resources, personal, login in menu.

Nevermind, I found it.

 

[Bogadile]

I would say to stay away from organized church except for social reasons

True, church is a great place to find fellowship and someone to marry if one wishes to do so.

not to learn the teachings of Jesus, basically all they know is brother Paul and miss so much

Most sermons in confessional lutheran churches are from the Gospels so this point is moot. There is nothing wrong with "knowing brother Paul" since he was an apostle to the gentiles and had a huge impact, practically converting all of the roman empire. And may I ask, what do we "miss" in Paul's writings?

 

[posthuman]

Yes as someone who speaks multiple languages I can vouch for this and +1.

Often times I want to say some finnish idiom, but I cannot translate it to english in a way that makes any sense.

i want to hear the Finnish idioms ♥

 

[posthuman]

I would say to stay away from organized church except for social reasons

isn't it kind of weird to want to go to socialize with people that you otherwise want to stay completely away from?