Subject: What is the best version of the Bible? |
Bible Note: Indeed seek peace, and seek a translation that speaks to you. Many need to be treated as paraphrases, some are deliberately designed to promote a view. If you feel God speaks to you through a Bible, use it. In this day of heavy merchandising examine who brought the translation out and their scholarly and religious connections. I use the KJV mostly because nearly all the reference books are in the public domain now, and can be used for free. Most other translations are under copyright and you will pay for the references related to them. Few deny that the people who brought the KJV out were dedicated scholars, and some of the best of their day. The translation still has a great many very vocal advocates. My Sunday school uses the NIV, somewhat easier to use for the modern student, parallel with the KJ. Someone gave me the NIV reader's version, designed to be understood by younger children. This has become my bedside bible, surprisingly very good even though it uses short sentences and simpler wording. If a wording seems a little off to you, check the passage in a few translations to see which one lines up with what you feel is correct. Some of the 'Hobby horse' bibles deliberately promote a view and play up or play down some things. Vigorously exclude any bible that does not have wide acceptance among a very broad cross section of believers. I came from a KJ only background and realize that many modern students are not likely to use the older English style easily. I desire people to pick up a bible that they feel comfortable with. The very poor, highly sectarian bibles have passed away or have been called out by scholars for their errors. |