What is your preferred translation of The Bible and Why

I was referring to post #4 where you said it made you laugh.

I sent the link for this to my oldest son, who is not a Christian. He was utterly thrilled! He listed a bunch of fictional languages he thought the Bible should be written in, and we had a good discussion about the Bible being in your own language.

I've never seen any of the Geeks on Big Bang Theory quote this version of the Bible. Perhaps Sheldon might be able to read it, coming from a Texas Christian background.

I am current reading Holman's, which is a good study Bible, nice maps and historical details. It is just slightly a step away from word for word, and sometimes I do question their choices. I know it is being revised right now, my Greek prof is on the translation committee.

I am gradually switching to the NET, because of the footnotes.They explain all the word choices. I have just started the Psalms, and it is very interesting. But it does take time to read all the footnotes, I may have to cut back my Bible reading plan, if I want to read the footnotes, which I do.

I have read the NASB many times, and also the ESV. I found them both a bit stilted, too much following after the KJV tradition, rather than translating the Hebrew and Greek.

Most important is my UBS Greek NT, and my Masoretic Hebrew Bible. Those require a bit of extra work to understand, but there is so much to be gained from reading in the original languages.

Although I was raised with KJV, it is the only version I simply cannot get through. I just don't get the obsolete and archaic words, and the old grammar. Too much like work, and knowing how many mistakes there are in it, plus the fact it was based on corrupted manuscripts, it will never be on my "to read" list. Greek is seriously so much easier than early modern English!

I'm not making any judgement on those who prefer the KJV. To each his own. I'm only speaking for myself. Some verses sound lovely in Elizabethan English. It sounds wonderful when read aloud in church or in the town centre on a formal occasion. But yes, I find the KJV language funny in places and it can be distracting when it comes study. I don't expect everyone to agree. But honestly sometimes I laugh at the language. No big deal.

Job 15

26 He runneth upon him, even on his neck, upon the thick bosses of his bucklers:27 Because he covereth his face with his fatness, and maketh collops of fat on his flanks.

OK - since you asked.....

Here's Psalm 23 in Quenya:

1. Yáwë ná mámandillinya. Meruvan munta.
2. Salquëa nesselessë cariryen caita; ara mára senda nanda tentaryen.
3. Fëanya ceutas. Tulyaryen tiennar failaleva rá esseryan.
4. Ananta vantan nuruhuinenandessë, rucin lá ulcallo, an nalyë óni; tulwë ar vandilelya nar i nati yar asyar ni.
5. Manwal opo ni sarno opo queni yar tanar henulca nin. Millonen amániel casinya; yulmanya ná mai quanta.
6. Tancavë marië ar mára melmë intë sacuvar ni ilyë rer cuilenyava; ar maruvan coassë Yáweva tennoio.

^ Do you have anything in Sindarin?

Sorry, not Psalm 23, but here's the Pater Noster....


Ae Adar nín i vi Menel
no aer i eneth lín
tolo i arnad lín
caro den i innas lin
bo Ceven sui vi Menel.
Anno ammen sír i mbas ilaurui vín
ar díheno ammen i úgerth vin
sui mín i gohenam di ai gerir úgerth ammen.

I'm pretty sure if you were to Google it, you could find Psalm 23 in Sindarin, but written with Tengwar; you'd have to do the transliteration (unless, of course, you read the Tengwar).

When I was young was given a KJV, but preferred the RSV. Also like the NIV and few others, As far as study bibles I suggest learning the greek language as there are no perfect english bibles. Also I suggest using a Septuagint manuscript, although to check our Masorectic texts, these are the scrolls that Jesus read from ( OLD TESTAMENT ). The Masorectic scrolls were developed around 9 AD that our english bibles use today.

I prefer these days the kjv , but value the original niv also before they started changing it Constantly.

I believe each person should find a translation that is able to help them understand what’s there.

kjv is what I prefer now but for a very long time I preferred niv but as I learned more and found a love for the beauty of antiquated English I’ve really found a love for the kjv authorized

I also don’t find differences in what’s taught in either . Of course the words are different and updated to modern English in the others but the message remains the same

I used the Amplified for a while; but then I started to talk like the verses in it.

I prefer the kjv because I started with it.

Then, someone suggested that I use a modern translation; and I did. My walk with Christ went downhill.

When I returned to the kjv, my walk started looking up again.

But I think that the Amplified is good; you should continue reading it.

My preference is also the KJV, but any Bible should be sufficient for those who love our Savior. Because of my own experience in the Holy Spirit I have known and believed always that one will obtain all of the truth from Betty Crocker if it is the Father's will, though I do believe we should all have and learn from a favored version of the Word.

Personally, I believe that translations other than the kjv will produce spiritual anemia in the hearts of those who abide by them; as there are certain nutrients, in words taken away from the text, that are removed.

You said it correctly: that's your personal belief. You have no evidence whatsoever that reading other versions produces spiritual anemia in others. That's your experience but not mine.

How would you know whether or not other translations make you spiritually anemic if you do not have any kind of basis for comparison?

Have you done what I did; and gone from exclusively reading the kjv to exclusively reading one of the modern translations; and then back to the kjv?

You may think that you are getting perfect nutrition while you are depleting your red blood cells of oxygen.

The Lord knows that this is true of vegetarians in the natural.

Just see the modern church of today. There's your evidence.

I don't, that's my point. No one can know that without doing an extensive study. You say other translations do you no good; I believe you. However, that doesn't hold true for me and probably a for lot of other people.

The modern church is in the state its in because people quit reading their Bibles—any translation!

I notice that he never articulates what else was happening in his life. I suspect that his "anemia" has nothing whatsoever to do with the version he was reading. It's the fallacy of non-causal correlation.

If it holds true for me it very likely also holds true for you.