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09/30/2003 Entry: "Which version of the Bible"
Which is the 'Best' version of the Bible?
Last night I wrote a few words which amounted to "Read The Bible". One possible response might be, "Yes -- but which one?" There are a bewildering number of versions doing the rounds and no shortage of advice about which is the best one. So allow me to add to your confusion!
There are so many different versions of the Bible available that choosing one can be a problem, especially if you are new to faith.
There are still many Christians, old and young, who will have nothing other than the so-called King James Version, first published in 1611. I am not among them. There are times when the beauty of its language has a claim on us, but it is not a translation for everyday use. Its language is simply too far removed from modern speech for its meaning to be plain - believe me, 99 times out of 100, you'll do better with a modern translation.
A very popular modern translation is the New International Version. I often use it myself, but it is important to realise that sometimes its wording is chosen because of the doctrinal position of the translators rather than what is the best rendering of the original text. The same may also be said of the New Jerusalem Bible, a Roman Catholic translation. (It's always worth bearing in mind that in a real sense all translation is also interpretation, so comparison of different versions is no bad thing for study purposes.
For reading aloud the Good News Bible is hard to beat. Its language is clear and contemporary; technical terms are avoided as much as possible. Every English-speaking Christian should have one. I've also come to enjoy the New Living Translation, although it doesn't have the same place in my affections as the GNB.
For serious study I favour the Revised Standard Version and the New Revised Standard Version. If you wanted an unreserved recommendation, NRSV would be it.
The best advice I can give is to use more than one version. Most translations are available in inexpensive editions. Get several. Enjoy!
Replies:
For the longest time, I truly disliked the AV/KJV translation. I found the english "clunky" and so far outside of my own experience of the language that it was a barrier to understanding.
Until five years ago. At that time, the director of music at the chuch I serve asked me if we could celebrate Christmas with Nine Lessons and Carols in the tradition of King's College. We did.
Not only was the music beautiful, so were the scriptures. I suddenly realized - the AV/KJV was not written to be read... but professed. It was written to be heard, with all of the power and rhythm built into the english language.
I still don't use it as study bible... but there are times that the majesty in the sound needs to be read out loud.
Blesings and peace - Richard B.
Posted by Richard B. @ 10/01/2003 11:42 AM CST
A word in defence of KJV: the Jacobean English requires thoughtful and attentive reading, alright - but that's what you should be doing anyway! It's a good, careful translation, and free of the often unrecognised and always unacknowledged biases which infect all the modern translations. Also, it's been around long enough for its own faults to be recognised and allowed for. It's not a perfect translation; there's no such thing! - so I heartily endorse your advice to get several. But King James should be one of them.
Posted by Edward @ 10/01/2003 02:54 AM CST
My current favourite for personal reading and reading in worship (as opposed to study) is the Contemporary English Version or CEV. I find the language makes it very easy to read and the translation pays specific attention to phrasing to ensure that there are not any ambiguities when read aloud.
Posted by dan @ 10/01/2003 01:37 AM CST
I agree too Jan. I'm not a fan of study Bibles. I'm always glad of notes, but putting them alongside the Bible text blurs the distinction between text and note, if that makes any sense.
Posted by Richard @ 09/30/2003 11:09 PM CST
We used the NASB at college because it is more literal than many others. Not a translation for reading aloud. It's very wooden. I've always read RSV since it was recommended to me by Bill Dumbrell who was my pastor many years ago. (Bill wrote Faith of Israel and many other titles.)
For the last 5 years or so, I have used the NRSV and prefer it to most others. What I especially appreciate in this particular edition is that it is single column, like any other book and has wide margins.
And I second the warning about study Bible notes. I've crossed out a lot in mine.Shalom,Jan
Posted by Jan @ 09/30/2003 10:36 PM CST
Robert - I suspect that you find it easier to memorise from the KJV because the rhythm of its prose is unmatched. I love the sound of it. I don't really know the NASB, although i am aware of it. No surprise that it isn't much used this side of the Atlantic!
Jonathan - where did you get your dogma-meter? I've been meaning to get one. ;o)I quite like the NIV and i use it quite often. Sometimes the English seems a bit "wooden" though.
Richard - no I haven't seen either the Tanakh or the Scholars' Gospels. I'll have to look into rectifying both omissions.
Posted by Richard @ 09/30/2003 03:59 PM CST
My elders endorse the NASB and preach from it, so that's what I use.
I have noticed that I had a LOT easier time memorizing KJV than I do NASB. I don't know why that is.
Posted by Robert Williams @ 09/30/2003 03:31 PM CST
No kidding about the doctrinal position of the translators influencing the wording of the NIV. There are a couple places I've discovered recently that really change your impression of things because they've tweaked the wording to fit the way they want it to read. And the Study Bible edition...sometimes the notes basically tell you what to believe about a particular passage, rather than giving you background and context info.
Still, it's a pretty good Bible for reading and studying, as long as you remember to keep your "dogma-meter" handy.
Posted by Jonathan @ 09/30/2003 03:14 PM CST
Hi, Richard...
I was wondering if you've ever had a chance to look at the Jewish Publication Society's translation of The Tanakh. I think it might be my favourite english translation of the Hebrew Scriptures.
There are people who tell me I'm completely out to lunch, but I really appreciate the "voicing" that one finds in the Scholar's Version of The Gospels. (It comes from the translators of the Jesus Seminar.)
I, too, use the NRSV most of the time.
Blessings and peace - Richard B.
Posted by Richard B. @ 09/30/2003 01:10 PM CST
