It may surprise you to know that the Bible has over 50 different versions of the Bible in English alone! Many churches and institutions around the world have their favorite version, as do I and am sure you do as well. For instance, I am currently reading through the NASB version, but I have read the NIV and the NKJV and grew up using the KJV. But when it comes down to what version should you use, I think the conversation has gotten pretty crazy. I've heard on podcasts, read on blogs, and heard it from friends alike. "You have to use the (insert translation) Bible because it is the only true translation!" I may be wrong - it does happen from time to time - but I think this viewpoint is pretty short sighted. And with some of the arguments I've heard it seems that people don't really understand how the different versions came about and why they are considered to be reliable/accurate and as such they are honestly not qualified enough to make a claim one way or the other. They are drawing 'lines in the sand' on this issue but do so out of ignorance and stubbornness. Some of my Mormon friends/family have said that the only Bible one should read is the King James. I tend to disagree. I think there are other translations that are equally reliable in portraying what God wanted us to know.So, instead of arguing and debating, I decided to just get some information about the other translations out there so you can decide for yourself.
Note 1: The Bible was not written in English. Shocker...I know! As such, a lot of the versions we have simply will not perfectly translate. For instance, the Greeks had several words for "love" while English uses, basically, one. Not to mention context of history and customs that we in the 21st Century are not familiar with makes it almost impossible to accurately translate the intended meaning and intent of the original writings. As such, no one version of the Bible can claim to be 100% accurate. But, with that being said, some versions are considered by scholars, pastors, educators, linguists, historians, etc. as being accurate and true to the original manuscripts.
Note 2: The pros and cons are not exhaustive, nor are they validated/recognized by both supporters and non-supporters of the respective translations. Some people love their version and attack with great ferocity towards the other ones out there. Just know, these pros/cons are collections from several different places.
Note 3: Most of these translations below, with the exception of "the Voice", are considered by the Christian community to be both accurate and reliable. This does not mean though that some versions that have not received a lot of scrutiny and animosity, because they have. However, none of these - as far as I could see - were placed in the ABSOLUTELY DO NOT USE category of scripture.
Note 4: I am not condoning every version of the Bible. There are some out there that do not accurately translate God's word. We need to be careful. Some versions take out key issues and insert their own theology. Be warned.
According to to the Christian Booksellers Association, the top ten Bible translations for 2014 are below. I am going to give a brief description of the version and history, and some pros and cons, and the translation of a verse just to show you the difference.
So, lets get to it!
1. New International Version (NIV)
- Description/History
- The NIV was created about 50 years ago when Howard Long tried to share some scripture with a non-Christian and he thought the King James version didn't connect. This led him on a journey to create a bible that would appeal to the people of 'today'. Instead of just updating an existing translation, they decided to start anew and create the NIV. Before the first publishing in 1978, more than 100 bible scholars to ensure it was without bias or fault. Today, it still undergoes close scrutiny from a self-governing body of 15 evangelical Bible scholars known as the CBT.
- Pros
- Most popular choice among churches/individuals
- Modern English language
- "thought for thought" translation
- Widely respected translation
- Cons
- It is shorter than other versions
- words &/or phrases removed
- Some say it is too "interpretive"
- Gender-inclusive language
- Gal 5:4
- "You who are trying to be justified by the law have been alienated from Christ; you have fallen away from grace"
- Description/History
- In 1604, King James I of England allowed a new translation of the Bible into the English language which was completed in 1611. The translation was performed by 47 scholars with instructions to guarantee the version would be true to the Christian theological perspectives, the structure of the Church of England, and the belief in ordained clergy.
- Pros
- One of the oldest versions written in English
- Many claim this to be the only reliable version
- Translated from Textus Receptus
- Seems to be the version all other versions are compared to
- Cons
- Archaic language
- Difficult to read/understand at times
- Not translated from the older manuscripts (Codex Sinaiticus and Vaticanus and the Dead Sea Scrolls)
- Commitment to "complete equivalence" resulting in the concepts behind literal words not being communicated adequately
- Gal 5:4
- "Christ is become of no effect unto you, whosoever of you are justified by the law; ye are fallen from grace"
- Description/History
- In 1975, the Thomas Nelson Publishers wanted to create a new, modern translation while still retaining the integrity and beauty of the King James version. So, after seven years, and the input of 130 Bible scholars, the NKJV was created. Along with trying to stay true to the KJV, this translation also takes into account modern scientific discoveries, as well as linguistic and textual studies.
- Pros
- Easier to read than King James
- Similar in form to the KJV
- Traslated from Textus Receptus
- Footones include the Majority Text and Critical text
- Essentially literal translation
- Cons
- Some of its translators are reported to believe that the Bible was not divinely preserved
- Not 'true' modern language/still confusing
- Has changed certain words from the KJV and lost the Bible's true meaning
- Gal 5:4
- "You have become estranged from Christ, you who attempt to be justified by law; you have fallen from grace."
- Description/History
- This is a revision of the of the Living Bible. It is meant to convey the meaning of the ancient Hebrew and Greek texts, the NLT is based on the most recent studies of translating the Bible. Creators wanted to have a version today that had the same impact on the ancient people.
- Pros
- Modern English language
- "Thought for thought" translation
- Huge improvement from the Living Bible
- Makes a good story book
- Cons
- Inserts text in places that address or seem to address modern issues
- Mild tendency in favor of distinctively fundamentalist teachings
- Too "interpretive"
- Gal 5:4
- "For if you are trying to make yourselves right with God by keeping the law, you have been cut off from Christ! You have fallen away from God's grace."
- Description/History
- The ESV "stands in the classic mainstream of English Bible translations over the past half-millennium" (BibleGateway.com). Each word and phrase was painstakingly compared to the ancient languages so to avoid under-translating, or any nuance that the original manuscripts had. The ESV was translated by a group of scholars representing a diverse group of denominations and is not affiliated with any denomination or Bible society.
- Pros
- Use the best texts, scholarship, and techniques that are available
- Essentially literal translation
- Do not render Greek gender-specific words
- Dignified
- Modern English language
- Endorsed by many Christian leaders
- Cons
- Too literal / unelegant
- Pronouns referring to Deity are not capitalized
- OT Quotes are not clearly marked
- Stance on social issues bias
- Relatively frequent revisions
- Gal 5:4
- "You are severed from Christ, you who would be justified by the law; you have fallen away from grace"
- Description/History
- 17 Denominations and 100 scholars studied the ancient texts and translated the HCSB, while keeping true to it's original meaning and intent of each word, phrase, and nuance.
- Pros
- Trusted "Original Translation" by academic standards
- Uses both "thought for thought" and "word for word" translation methods, where applicable
- Easy to read
- Modern English language
- No gender controversy
- Readily available
- Cons
- Young translation
- Some translated passages deemed unconventional
- Unsure of who oversees the revising of present/future translations
- Gal 5:4
- "You who are trying to be justified by the law are alienated from Christ; you have fallen from grace."
- Description/History
- This is a sort of different type of Bible translation. A collaboration of scholars, pastors, writers, musicians, poets, and artists with the intent of creating a Bible to help believers experience God's word. Scholars would translate words/sentences/passages and then let the artists mold it into something readable, familiar, accurate, and reliable.
- Pros
- Reads like a story
- Modern English language
- Cons
- Paraphrases scripture
- Not quite translation, but an adaptation/rendition
- Gal 5:4
- "You, and anyone else who seeks to be on the right side of God through the law, have effectively been cut off from the Anointed, circumcised from grace, and cast off from the favor of God."
- Description/History
- A project of the Lockman Foundation with translators from a wide variety of evangelical backgrounds. The NASB is thought to render as close as possible to the original Greek and Hebrew texts. It was updated in 1995 to read better and smoother than before
- Pros
- Considered the most literal translation
- Some regard it as the most accurate Bible in English
- OT quotes in the NT are in all caps
- Modern English Language
- Pronouns for deity capitalized
- Sincere effort not to function as interpretor
- Cons
- Follows Greek/Hebrew word order closely making it hard to read
- Does not fully take advantage of modern translation scholarship
- Still some archaic expressions/terms
- Difficult to read aloud
- Gal 5:4
- "You have been severed from Christ, you who are seeking to be justified by law; you have fallen from grace."
- Description/History
- This text is the most used by the evangelical Spanish-speaking church. It is the most loved and used because of it's traditional style of the Spanish languag
- Pros/Cons/Gal 5:4
- These items will not be discussed because this blog is in regards to the English Translations.
- I don't speak Spanish
- I still wanted to include it because it was part of the list and I didn't want to be seen as 'cheating' or 'altering' the Top Ten List. Some people get weird when you mess with lists.
- Description/History
- Based on the NIV, the NIrV is basically a simpler, easier read than the NIV is. In the process of creating this version parts of the NIV were used when it seemed to 'fit' with this particular translation. Translators used the best and oldest copies of the Hebrew and Greek manuscripts to ensure that what is contained in the NIrV is accurate and trustworthy.
- Pros
- Deemed easiest to understand by most Bible scholars
- Modern English language
- Cons
- Has a reputation for being the Bible for readers with a below-average reading level
- Too "interpretive"
- Gal 5:4
- "Some of you are trying to be made right with God by obeying the law. You have been separated from Christ. You have fallen away from God's grace."
So what does this all mean? Well, that's for you to decide. Some swear by their KJV. Others say they feel closer to God using the NIV. I've heard some say that the NASB is their Bible of choice because they like knowing they have the version closest to the original languages.
For me, this is not an issue to defend to the death. Even in writing this now, I realize that there are other versions that have done their best to accurately translate God's word into English and I am grateful I have a Bible at home to read, both in my own time and with my family.
If you are buying or looking to buy a Bible, do some research, pray, and just know what you're looking for. Also, if you're in doubt talk to someone. I'm sure you can find someone in your relational world that can recommend a version for you.
But that's just my two cents...and I'm broke...so...whatever.
Sources:
www.biblegateway.com/versions
gospelbiblepaths.50webs.com/index_7.html
www.biblehub.com
www.gty.org/resources/questions/QA167/which-bible-translation-is-best
www.wikipedia.com
www.jesus-is-savior.com/Bible/NIV/damnable.htm
www.chick.com/ask/articles/nkjv.asp?FROM=biblecenter
www.gotquestions.org/New-King-James-Version-NKJV.html
christianknight.wordpress.com/2010/11/06/esv-vs-nkjv (or) esv-vs-nasb
www.wels.net/sites/wels/files/Pros%20and%20Cons%20-%20Oct%2015.pdf
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