Bible translations

  • Christian Chat is a moderated online Christian community allowing Christians around the world to fellowship with each other in real time chat via webcam, voice, and text, with the Christian Chat app. You can also start or participate in a Bible-based discussion here in the Christian Chat Forums, where members can also share with each other their own videos, pictures, or favorite Christian music.

    If you are a Christian and need encouragement and fellowship, we're here for you! If you are not a Christian but interested in knowing more about Jesus our Lord, you're also welcome! Want to know what the Bible says, and how you can apply it to your life? Join us!

    To make new Christian friends now around the world, click here to join Christian Chat.
Jul 14, 2019
214
124
43
#1
So which is your favorite Bible translation? I've read the kjv, niv, and njkv. Mostly I enjoyed the niv.
 

Dino246

Senior Member
Jun 30, 2015
25,470
13,783
113
#2
I don't have a favourite. I use whatever is close to hand, though for regular reading I'm currently using an ESV.
 

Bob-Carabbio

Well-known member
Jun 24, 2020
1,603
804
113
#3
So which is your favorite Bible translation? I've read the kjv, niv, and njkv. Mostly I enjoyed the niv.
Since I learned to read in it back when I was 5 or 6, the KJV has always been my favorite squeeze. I'm used to the archaic language, and over the years I've learned the "Work-arounds" for the areas of lousy translation. My second choice would be the original "Living" paraphrase, and I've found some grammatical use for the "New World" version.
 

markss

Active member
Feb 10, 2020
112
53
28
#4
I've used a variety over the years, NASB, ESV, NLT, NKJV, NIV, those were the ones I've used for several years at a time. But I've come to prefer the King James. As I've compared all of these to the Greek texts over the years, for me, the KJV seems to best preserve the feel of the reading that fits the Greek.

(I have no skill or training in Hebrew so I'm completely at the mercy of hte translators)

Much love!
 

crossnote

Senior Member
Nov 24, 2012
30,742
3,670
113
#5
I use the KJV because I trust the body of manuscripts it is based on.
I like the easier reading translations (ESV/NKJV/NASB etc.) but have a hard time trusting them to be as true to the original manuscripts. That's just me, your mileage may vary.
 

Athanasius377

Active member
Aug 20, 2020
207
86
28
Northern Kentucky
#8
I prefer the ESV or the NASB 1995 revision. In fact, the bible I recommend more than any other is the ESV study bible. I purchased everyone in my Sunday school a copy earlier this year. It is in my opinion the best one volume bible and commentary there is. Other good translations are the NKJV, NIV '84 revision. Also the Christian standard bible is a really fine newer translation. The King James is a fine translation but I find most people who are strong proponents especially the younger they are struggle with the archaic language.
 

Evmur

Well-known member
Feb 28, 2021
5,219
2,618
113
London
christianchat.com
#10
I use the KJV because I trust the body of manuscripts it is based on.
I like the easier reading translations (ESV/NKJV/NASB etc.) but have a hard time trusting them to be as true to the original manuscripts. That's just me, your mileage may vary.
I like the RSV because of the manuscripts used but I PREFER the KJV because of the better theology of those who translated it.
 

Chester

Senior Member
May 23, 2016
4,314
1,442
113
#11
I mostly use the KJV, especially for any kind of deep study of the text. I also use the NIV often when doing devotional reading, especially in the Old Testament, as it makes the text and story much easier to follow and understand. I have also found the ESV to be a good standby when studying.

I have found all the squabbles about the original Greek texts to be mostly just that: squabbles!
 

oyster67

Senior Member
May 24, 2014
11,887
8,705
113
#12
Since I learned to read in it back when I was 5 or 6, the KJV has always been my favorite squeeze. I'm used to the archaic language, and over the years I've learned the "Work-arounds" for the areas of lousy translation. My second choice would be the original "Living" paraphrase, and I've found some grammatical use for the "New World" version.
Me too. KJV is very good for being 400 years old. It is not as difficult as some make it out to be. The Holy Spirit can easily lend aid and one does learn to use context. When I read other versions, I feel like I am feeding on predigested pablum. :sick: I get the feeling that they are just trying to stand on the shoulders of KJV.

My mother really liked the Living version. I find no fault with it, but I am familiar with KJV. Give James a squeeze for me. :giggle:
 
Jul 14, 2019
214
124
43
#13
I currently carry an esv. Can't wait to dive in. But I'm reading through the king James easy reader sword bible.
 

Lucy-Pevensie

Senior Member
Dec 20, 2017
9,386
5,725
113
#14
I use the NIV/CSB in parallel. Currently I use an NET along with them as a study aid.
 

markss

Active member
Feb 10, 2020
112
53
28
#15
Me too. KJV is very good for being 400 years old. It is not as difficult as some make it out to be. The Holy Spirit can easily lend aid and one does learn to use context. When I read other versions, I feel like I am feeding on predigested pablum. :sick: I get the feeling that they are just trying to stand on the shoulders of KJV.

My mother really liked the Living version. I find no fault with it, but I am familiar with KJV. Give James a squeeze for me. :giggle:
I seemed to get quite a bit out of the NLT for a few years, particularly alongside the KJV. It really seemed to clarify a number of passages, though losing a lot of the nuance, but then I'd go back to the KJV with more clarity.

Much love!
 

John146

Senior Member
Jan 13, 2016
17,128
3,689
113
#16
I seemed to get quite a bit out of the NLT for a few years, particularly alongside the KJV. It really seemed to clarify a number of passages, though losing a lot of the nuance, but then I'd go back to the KJV with more clarity.

Much love!
What do you get from the NLT that you don't get from the KJV? Just wondering...
 

markss

Active member
Feb 10, 2020
112
53
28
#17
What do you get from the NLT that you don't get from the KJV? Just wondering...
In particular it helped me to understand some of Paul's more difficult passages. I tend to go pretty deep, and Paul's writing is amazingly deep. The NLT would help me see the organization of his thoughts, or really, the Spirit's teachings, so when I returned to the more literal, or to the interlinear, I could follow it better. Romans 8 is a great example for me. The first 15 or so verses were very difficult at first for me to really get a handle on them. The NLT translation there is, to me, more of a summary than the full teaching, but still helped.

I don't use it anymore, mostly I just stick with the KJV. And I love my Holman version of the King James. It has few notes, but they are always on target!

Much love!
 
Jul 14, 2019
214
124
43
#19
I avoid the paraphrases. Seems to be alot of how the translator would word it instead of following Greek.
 

John146

Senior Member
Jan 13, 2016
17,128
3,689
113
#20
In particular it helped me to understand some of Paul's more difficult passages. I tend to go pretty deep, and Paul's writing is amazingly deep. The NLT would help me see the organization of his thoughts, or really, the Spirit's teachings, so when I returned to the more literal, or to the interlinear, I could follow it better. Romans 8 is a great example for me. The first 15 or so verses were very difficult at first for me to really get a handle on them. The NLT translation there is, to me, more of a summary than the full teaching, but still helped.

I don't use it anymore, mostly I just stick with the KJV. And I love my Holman version of the King James. It has few notes, but they are always on target!

Much love!
Ok, thanks for replying. Personally, I don't see anything in Romans 8 that is too difficult in the KJV.