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Best Translation

Discussion in 'Bible Versions & Translations' started by jeben, Jan 28, 2011.

  1. jeben

    jeben Member

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    What is "THE" best translation and why do you think it is the best translation available for us today.
     
  2. annsni

    annsni Well-Known Member
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    Probably the 'best' translation would be the NASB but it's a little clumsy to read.
     
  3. Ruiz

    Ruiz New Member

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    Agreed. It is a little wooden but if you study greek, you understand why it is the way it is.
     
  4. BobinKy

    BobinKy New Member

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    Whichever translation you are reading.

    ...Bob
     
  5. mets65

    mets65 New Member

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    Yeah as long as your in the Bible that's a good thing. I personally prefer the NASB, but I think the ESV, HCSB, KJV, and NKJV are all solid translations, among others. I try to steer clear of the NIV and TNIV.
     
  6. Baptist4life

    Baptist4life Well-Known Member
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    I've been reading the KJV for over 50 years, so it's the best for me. I, too, say the best version is the one you'll read, study, and learn from. There are some to be avoided though, IMHO. The Message, NWT, etc.
     
  7. annsni

    annsni Well-Known Member
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    I wouldn't use the Message for studying or anything but it's a nice Bible to sit and just read. I've done that before and find it enjoyable. I don't let it take the time away from my regular reading though.
     
  8. mets65

    mets65 New Member

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    I completely agree with that. It's not a study bible or one to teach from.
     
  9. Amy.G

    Amy.G New Member

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    I

    I've heard this a lot of times but I used the NASB for several years and never thought it was wooden or clumsy. Maybe my brain is wooden and clumsy. :laugh:
     
  10. jbh28

    jbh28 Active Member

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    LOL
    A nagging spouse is like
    the drip, drip, drip of a leaky faucet;
    You can't turn it off,
    and you can't get away from it.
    Proverbs 27:15-16 Message

    vs

    A constant dripping on a day of steady rain
    And a contentious woman are alike;
    16He who would restrain her restrains the wind,
    And grasps oil with his right hand.

    Proverbs 27:15-16 NASB

    So, this verse is good for a laugh, but other than that, not much good out of the message. I definitely wouldn't form any doctrine there and such don't see any need to read it. I have an ESV

    As for the OP question, i would say the ESV as overall. It's reliable and readible. The NASB is best for being literal.
     
  11. annsni

    annsni Well-Known Member
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    I think if you are used to the KJV, the NASB is easier to read than if someone came from the NIV to the NASB.
     
  12. jbh28

    jbh28 Active Member

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    I read Paul's epistles through three times in college. I did it the first time with the KJV, then the NASB and it was much easier than the KJV. Then of course the ESV was the best of all three. Going back to the NASB isn't as easy. So I know exactly what you are speaking of here.
     
  13. jaigner

    jaigner Active Member

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    I love the NASB because it's what I'm used to. The ESV is good, but I find it more clumsy than the NASB, even though it's even more wooden.

    But for most practical use, I use the TNIV. It's a great translation (even though it was blackballed by some folks). NIV and NLT are great too.
     
  14. Askjo

    Askjo New Member

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    It is the KJV since 400 years because of its accuracy and superiority over modern versions.
     
  15. TCassidy

    TCassidy Late-Administator Emeritus
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    There is no one translation that is "best" across the board. Several have strong points but also suffer some weaknesses.

    As I prefer a bible (NT) translated from the Byzantine textform I like the KJV, NKJV, MKJV, KJV-2000 etc, but they all also have weaknesses (KJV outdated language and syntax, NKJV how they translate the present passive participle, MKJV so literal as to be wooden and inflexible, etc).

    Of the bibles (NT) translated from the Alexandrian textform I like the ASV and NASB for their fidelity to verbal and formal equivalence but sometimes, as already mentioned, at the expense of style (IE "wooden").

    ANY translation that you read, believe, and live by is better than one that sits in the book shelf except for a brief outing on Sunday.
     
  16. Rippon

    Rippon Well-Known Member
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    I think people use the term "wooden" in reference to the old NASB --the one pre-1995.However,the 95 update got tagged with the wooden label out of habit. The NASBU is a bit better and flows more smoothly than the ESV a good deal of the time. I've made threads on that in the past. The ESV is superior to the NASBU occasionally in spots.
     
  17. mets65

    mets65 New Member

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    There is just something about the NIV that I don't care for. I know this is wrong but I think it is because people buy it first without even knowing the pros and cons of other versions.
     
  18. Rippon

    Rippon Well-Known Member
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    And by what means have you made the determination that its accuracy is so superior to all the English versions which came after it?
     
  19. Rippon

    Rippon Well-Known Member
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    Okay,you know that thought of yours is wrong.

    Do you think that it is possible that many folks buy a KJV without realizing its faults?
     
  20. mets65

    mets65 New Member

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    Yes I do think that. Like I said I know it's a wrong thought but it's my first instinct.
     
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