Week 3: Gods Word

Feb 04, 2008 11:13 PM
I love the NASB and have really enjoyed my new ESV.
I ues the NASB for study. My ESV is a study bible with helps built in.
If I just want to read, I like the KJV. Old school I know, but my thoughts wonder less. It just makes for a good read.
I prefer a word for word translation over a phrase by phrase, thought for thought, and a paraphrase.

Feb 05, 2008 01:58 AM
Hello Lenni, It is nice to see you.
Genesis 3:9 But the Lord God called to the man, "Where are you?" NIV
Same verse, And the Lord God called unto Adam, and said unto him, Where art thou? KJV
I like the thee and thou, maybe because of my Pennsylvania Dutch heritage or because the KJV is the Bible of my childhood. When I need help I check Crosswalk online. They have about 10 commentaries for each verse, including Greek.

Feb 05, 2008 04:28 AM
I have a book shelf with just about every translation available - except for some of the really wacky ones. When a new translation comes out, such as the ESV or the TNIV, I will do some research on it to see if it is worth spending full price for a new copy, or whether I should wait for a copy to show up in the thrift stores.
With the ESV, I bought a new copy and it quickly became my preferred version (previously was NASB). I'll be honest, some things about how the ESV reads are not exactly flowing in my opinion, but I am enjoying having some fresh takes on favorite passages.
I find that my bible reading will become kinda rote if I don't switch versions every now and then. I slip into just "reading" the text and because I am familiar with how it reads I don't really engage the meaning as well. New translations really help prevent this.

I agree with Lenni, a word for word translation is best, although I do see the value in the other approaches - as long as the paraphrase doesn't go way overboard (sometimes I think the Message does this). I still go back to my JB Phillips paraphrase quite often just because it is really fun to read - you almost get a sense of that British humor poking out.

Feb 06, 2008 08:51 PM
The New Living Translation is my fave. My first bible was NIV Study Bible and I liked it at first, but I didn't like the study portion. So I picked up the New Living Application Bible and I LOVE IT! It's easier to read and I'm not one to struggle through trying to figure out what it says too much (like I did with the NIV), or I lose patience. My bad on the patience deal, but I'm working on it. Anyway... I continue to use my NLT, however I can't get past the fact that I LOVE the NIV's version of Psalm 139 better!!!

Feb 07, 2008 11:44 AM
The NIV study Bible is like a Chevy truck to me.

The Philips Bible is always enlightening, and the KJV can't be beat for beauty.

I think when teaching Biblical CONCEPTS to Allen Creek Allan, the NLV is the best.

The Message is the best paraphrase around and is helpful for starting discussions about broad concepts and ideas, and getting people engaged with the scriptures.

Frankly...the more I press into it (and I'm only a fraction of an inch deep here) the original Greek is becoming a real thrill to read...slowly, word by word, one...verse...at...a...time.

Feb 07, 2008 12:04 PM
Would you say that NLV is a paraphrase?
The original Living certainly was, but I've heard the NLV promises accuracy where the Living failed to provide it...

Feb 09, 2008 04:14 PM
Here are a few sources on the NLV and the NLT:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/New_Living_Translation


The NEW LIFE Version, available SINCE 1969 - continues to be the most readable and most understandable Bible without sacrificing accuracy. It is not a paraphrase, or man's idea of what the Bible says. Truths expressed in the original are in no way violated. Leading clergy from most denominations endorse and approve its use.

This unique translation is gender-correct (same as the King James Version). All pronouns referring to Deity are capitalized. Short sentences are used with the subject usually preceding the predicate. No contractions are used. Many paragraphs are preceded with captions which summarize the content. There are no confusing foot-notes. No obscene words are used in the text. Most Old Testament quotations in the New Testament are followed by the reference.

Most words are limited to one meaning - a must for new readers and people learning English as a second language! Example: To read "Paul stood before the court" could mean that Paul stood up first, then the court stood up. NEW LIFE Text would read "Paul stood in front of the court." The wording "A great storm came up" is never used. The word "great" is reserved for something good.

Other examples that make the NEW LIFE Text easy to read: To most unchurched people, the words "being saved" means from physical danger or death. The words used in the NEW LIFE Text are: "being saved from the punishment of sin," thus clarifying and preserving the important meaning.

* "For God did not send His Son into the world to say it is guilty. He sent His Son so the world might be saved from the punishment of sin by Him." John 3:17 NLV


Distances, measures and money are stated in such a way that they can be understood internationally. Example: dollars, gallons and miles are not used in many countries.

* "What if a woman has ten silver pieces of money and loses one of them?" Luke 15:8a
* "Six water jars were there. Each one held about one-half barrel of water." John 2:6a
* "That same day two of His followers were going to the town of Emmaus. It was about a two-hour walk from Jerusalem." Luke 24:13

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Feb 10, 2008 07:24 AM
Aha, so the New Living is, like the NIV, considered a thought-for-thought.
I suppose it has little in common with The Living Bible therefore, which was a paraphrase of the American Standard according to the author - Kenneth Taylor.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Living_Bible
"Largely in response to the criticisms, plans were made to supplant the paraphrase with a translation that would incorporate the simplicity of language of The Living Bible and yet address some of the issues. The result of this work is the New Living Translation, released by Tyndale House in 1996 and updated in 2004"