Quick Comparison of Bible Versions

I think that the good folks over at chick's have an axe to grind and are unwilling to make an unbiased comparison to see if, in fact, these are real errors in the NIV.

Personally, I prefer the ESV, NASB, NKJV and the King James Version over the NIV. But not for any of the "reasons" listed here.

But that's just my two-cents worth, too.

Tim

 

<BLOCKQUOTE>quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by n2ChristJ:
When I read the bible I read the NKJV, because it is easier to read. But when I do a study I use the KJV and other Bibles for references. Because it is hard to translate sometimes what the KJV is saying, I go to other references to help understand it. I believe that any other Bible other than the KJV is just a reference book to help me understand what the KJV is saying.

Chris VZ<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

I am not mocking, but let's analyze your statement:

1. You read the NKJV for its clarity.
2. When you do study - which requires word-for-word accuracy - you use the KJV, which is harder to understand than the NKJV.
3. You then use other translations to interpret what the KJV says - because other translations are clearer than the KJV.
4. You believe other versions exist in order to interpret the KJV.

Do you see the problem here? You have replaced the KJV into the position of the original languages. Versions should not be used to translate the KJV: versions should be used to translate the original languages into our own language.

Versions exist so we can read the Bible in our own tongue. You have added an unnecessary middle man - the KJV - to the equation, which blocks understandability, and replaces the original languages.

 

n2christ,
Chris has some valid statements to you.
You sound confused about what Bible you wish to use. And that is not necessarily a bad thing. That is provided that you continue to search for the truth. I agree with Chris in that to use the other versions to clarify the KJV is not the answer, although I have different reasons than he does.
The KJV and other modern translations are not in agreement and are based on different foundational documents in both the Old and New Testaments. Using the other versions may result in an error in the information you assimilate into your belief system. You would be better off with a good concordance, Bible dictionary, and carefully selected commontaries from solid fundamentalists,i.e. John Rice,H.A. Ironside,Matthew Henry,etc.
Just my two cents worth.

 

<BLOCKQUOTE>quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by Chris Temple:
1. You read the NKJV for its clarity.
2. When you do study - which requires word-for-word accuracy - you use the KJV, which is harder to understand than the NKJV.
3. You then use other translations to interpret what the KJV says - because other translations are clearer than the KJV.
4. You believe other versions exist in order to interpret the KJV.

Do you see the problem here? <HR></BLOCKQUOTE>No, Chris, I don't see a problem. He reads the NKJV because of its clear 21st century grammar and syntax. When he wishes to study he uses the KJV because of it superior transmission of case/number and person of pronouns and verbs into English. However, once the case/number/person is determined, the grammar and syntax of the NKJV is more understandable to the average 21st century English speaker. To use multiple versions is a wise thing to do, you have even said so yourself, but, apparently what you really meant to say was "To use multiple versions is a wise thing to do, except it is unwise to use the KJV under any circumstances."

 

Dr. Cassidy,
How did you extrapolate that N2Christ used the KJV for pronoun study out of her post? She didn't mention that. Also, it's one thing to use translations for comparison to help discern the meaning. But using a translation to help you understand a translation is making things harder than they have to be.


n2Christ wrote:
<BLOCKQUOTE>quote:</font><HR> I believe that any other Bible other than the KJV is just a reference book<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>I'm not comfortable with that. To say other accurate translations of God's Word are mere books goes out of bounds.
By the way, I'd be careful about Chick publications, especially relative to Bible translation issues. They're not known for being the most accurate things in the world, mostly repeating tired old disproven bromides.

Y'all have fun. See you again on Wednesday!

[ February 17, 2002: Message edited by: TomVols ]

 

Try this one: KJV John 3:1-18

Compare with:The New English Bible

Compare with: The Amplified Bible

Then compare with the additional various versions of the Bible.

I would quote John 3 1-18 from all the versions spoken of in this thread but we all know that few, if any, would take the time to read them. Consequently, go to your favorite translation, If in your translation, Jesus Christ is telling you what you must do to be forgiven of your sins in order to spend eternity with Him, then your translation is as accurate and authoritive as another in which Jesus Christ is speaking to Nicodemus about what he must do to be saved and spend eternity with Jesus Christ.

If you do not find the way to salvation as described by Christ in your translation then you will do yourself a favor if you throw it away because it is only through Christ that the sinner will be forgiven.

It is the context of the words of Jesus Christ that describe the way to salvation as presented by Jesus Christ.

Let us not play the fool by asking what is meant by context.

John 3:1-13 (King James Version)

1 ¶ There was a man of the Pharisees, named Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews:
2 The same came to Jesus by night, and said unto him, Rabbi, we know that thou art a teacher come from God: for no man can do these miracles that thou doest, except God be with him.
3 Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.
4 Nicodemus saith unto him, How can a man be born when he is old? can he enter the second time into his mother's womb, and be born?
5 Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God.
6 That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit.
7 Marvel not that I said unto thee, Ye must be born again.
8 The wind bloweth where it listeth, and thou hearest the sound thereof, but canst not tell whence it cometh, and whither it goeth: so is every one that is born of the Spirit.
9 Nicodemus answered and said unto him, How can these things be?
10 Jesus answered and said unto him, Art thou a master of Israel, and knowest not these things?
11 Verily, verily, I say unto thee, We speak that we do know, and testify that we have seen; and ye receive not our witness.
12 If I have told you earthly things, and ye believe not, how shall ye believe, if I tell you of heavenly things?
13 And no man hath ascended up to heaven, but he that came down from heaven, even the Son of man which is in heaven.
14 And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of man be lifted up:
15 That whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have eternal life.
16 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.
17 For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved.
18 He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.

End of quotation

You wish to argue how to be saved, then argue with Jesus Christ - not me.

 

&lt; Try this one: KJV John 3:1-18 ... Then compare with the additional various versions of the Bible. &gt;

What are you getting at with this? Comparing the KJV to the NAS shows no difference except maybe one-- v. 16 in the KJV says "...that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life." In the NAS this is: "...that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life."

So if you think you "should" not perish if you believe, I am willing to skrap that, and that translation, and go for "shall" not perish.

 

Thomas and Tom, for future reference, you might like to know that n2ChristJ is a lady rather than a man, and therefore might prefer to be referred to as "she". I noticed that from her introduction in the "Welcome" forum.

 

Thanks RLVAUGHN. My apologies, n2Christ. I stand corrected

 

At my age the ladies gender is completely academic!

 

Clarification:

There is absolutely no connection between "Chick Publications" and "Chick Daniels."

On the issue of reading for clarity and translation theory, the best I have read is the chapter by Robert Milliman in One Bible Only? published in 2001 by Kregel. Milliman argues cogently for using a variety of versions to improve overall understanding. He says on page 150, "Does such a thing as an 'all-purpose' Bible exist? Probably not." No one English translation is right for all English speakers, and all English speakers should benefit from the wealth of variety available to us from translators with varying translation approaches.

 

Chick:

The book was obviously published before the ESV!

 

<BLOCKQUOTE>quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by Jude: I doubt that this message will last long... but I note that my previous post has been removed.
I am very disappointed in the CENSORSHIP of my previous post. Is this what gives some Christians a bad name? I think so. <HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

Jude, instead of making a public accusation, why don't you send a PM to the forum Moderator and if you don't get satisfactory answer then to the Webmaster. I for one do not see where you have been wronged, yet you are making a general statement and then people ought to take your word for it? Kindly follow the chain of command, get your complaints heard by the appropriate Moderator(s) / Webmaster, and if you do not feel that you have been treated fair, then you may air your grievances. To me, that would be the Bible way - don't you think?

 

Responding to - ChristianCynic posted 2-17-02 at 8:07 PM answering my post of 2-17-02 at 6:50 PM

Merely quoting Jesus Christ and what he is telling Nicodemus and people who read his word today. The only way in which they can have their sins forgiven. Only then can their spirit can enter into heaven when they die.

Are you one those who have been "born again" in accordance with the description Jesus Christ has provided to both yourself and Nicodemus?

If the message of salvation as presented in John 3 1-18 by Jesus Christ is present in whatever the translation one supports, it matters not the translation.

I you find the message about salvation presented by Jesus Christ to Nicodemus on a s**** of paper and have never seen a Bible and believe in Jesus Christ you are saved. If you never read the message on any paper, rock, piece of bark or whatever, but believe what another who does believe the message of salvation by Christ tells you about Christ and what he said you can become saved.

Curious thing how anyone became a saved person in the days of the disciples after Christ was crucified.

After all they had none of the translations that people on this board delight in arguing and picking nits over - only the testimony of 12 men to begin, later carried by other men who believed what they had been told, about how to become saved by the death of Jesus Christ.

Who among you is qualified to speak of the accuracy of a translation without having the knowledge of an omniscient & omnipotent Jesus Christ.

Amazing, is it not, that Jesus Christ was able to tell one of the men crucified with Christ, how that man would be with Christ in heaven - How is that possible?....the man did not have a correctly translated bible to lead him to Christ.... merely an inward knowledge & faith that the man on the cross beside him - Jesus Christ - was the Son of God himself, the Messiah, who took the form of a man while he was on this earth. Jesus Christ knew the innermost thoughts of the man with whom he shared an adjacent cross.

Jesus Christ also knows the innermost thoughts of every individual posting to this forum, knows if you have accepted him, knows if you mock him and knows where you will spend eternity. You may or may not know it but Jesus Christ knows even as you read this posting if you will be saved by Christ before you die...and die you certainly shall....what happens to your spirit is entirely up to yourself.

 

Re my Feb 21 2002 at 5:16 Pm by Legacy.

The word appearing as S**** should read "sheet". I am at a loss understanding why the spelling was changed when it was posted.

 

Legacy: "If you do not find the way to salvation as described by Christ in your translation then you will do yourself a favor if you throw it away because it is only through Christ that the sinner will be forgiven. "

Legacy: "Who among you is qualified to speak of the accuracy of a translation without having the knowledge of an omniscient & omnipotent Jesus Christ."

Combining these 2 quotes, the conclusions are: (1) A translation of scripture is not competent to faithfully show the 'way of salvation.' (2) Either everyone who has knowledge of Jesus Christ is qualified to "speak of the accuracy of a translation;" or, as we have limitations of our understanding in this world and much knowledge of Jesus Christ cannot be attained, then no one is qualified to speak of such.

 

<BLOCKQUOTE>quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by Legacy:
The word appearing as S**** should read "sheet". I am at a loss understanding why the spelling was changed when it was posted.<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

We have an automatic censuring device, which picks up on the spelled words. It is not fool proof, and sometimes it does make mistakes. Please note that if one of the Moderators or Administrators would have edited your post, then their name would have appeared in the bottom as follows:

[February 21, 2002: Message edited by: Legacy]

[ February 21, 2002: Message edited by: Barnabas ]

 

n2ch,
You're right in that there are verse differences in the translations, but these are due to the underlying mss from which the translations come from. One can just as easily say that they checked the KJV and the KJV added some verses or changed some words here or there.