1. Welcome to Baptist Board, a friendly forum to discuss the Baptist Faith in a friendly surrounding.

    Your voice is missing! You will need to register to get access to all the features that our community has to offer.

    We hope to see you as a part of our community soon and God Bless!

Top Ten Translations

Discussion in 'Bible Versions & Translations' started by jaigner, Mar 15, 2011.

  1. jaigner

    jaigner Active Member

    Joined:
    Nov 19, 2009
    Messages:
    2,274
    Likes Received:
    0
    Which translations form your personal "top ten list?" Obviously, placement of some may be a little arbitrary, but I want to give it a try.

    Here are mine right now:

    10. ESV - not bad, but not great
    9. NAB - represents the best in Catholic scholarship, very good translation
    8. CEV
    7. NRSV
    6. NJB
    5. GNB
    4. NLT - another fabulous contemporary translation
    3. NIV - '84, though I like what I've seen from the 2011
    2. NASU - always my first choice for serious word study, since I don't have access to original languages
    1. TNIV - fantastic translation produced by fantastic textual critics and evangelical scholars
     
  2. mandym

    mandym New Member

    Joined:
    Feb 3, 2011
    Messages:
    4,991
    Likes Received:
    0
    1.ESV My ultimate choice
    2. KJV, NKJV OK

    Don't have anything to add to the list. I run from all the others as fast as I can.
     
  3. jaigner

    jaigner Active Member

    Joined:
    Nov 19, 2009
    Messages:
    2,274
    Likes Received:
    0
    Really? I'm just wondering why, with all the good modern translations available, would you choose the ESV?

    I'm not attacking, just wondering.
     
  4. Rippon

    Rippon Well-Known Member
    Site Supporter

    Joined:
    Dec 12, 2005
    Messages:
    19,715
    Likes Received:
    585
    Faith:
    Baptist
    I was wondering why you rated the GNB above the NRSV,ESV or even the NJB and NAB. You know,the new NAB has been (will be)released this month. It should stand pretty well with the HCSB and 2011 NIV.
     
  5. annsni

    annsni Well-Known Member
    Site Supporter

    Joined:
    May 30, 2006
    Messages:
    20,914
    Likes Received:
    706
    I can't even go to 10. :)

    1. ESV
    2. NASB
    3. NIV 1984
    4. NKJV
    5. KJV

    That's pretty much it.
     
  6. TomVols

    TomVols New Member

    Joined:
    Oct 30, 2000
    Messages:
    11,170
    Likes Received:
    0
    10. Rsv
    9. Ceb
    8. Nkjv
    7. Nlt
    6. Nrsv
    5. Hcsb
    4. Niv 2011
    3. Net
    2. Esv
    1. Nasb
     
  7. TomVols

    TomVols New Member

    Joined:
    Oct 30, 2000
    Messages:
    11,170
    Likes Received:
    0
    Not sure why it wouldn't capitalize for me. Hmmmm....
     
  8. Rippon

    Rippon Well-Known Member
    Site Supporter

    Joined:
    Dec 12, 2005
    Messages:
    19,715
    Likes Received:
    585
    Faith:
    Baptist
    Did you pick the NET at #3 for the notes primarily,or the translational text alone?
     
  9. Rippon

    Rippon Well-Known Member
    Site Supporter

    Joined:
    Dec 12, 2005
    Messages:
    19,715
    Likes Received:
    585
    Faith:
    Baptist
    Let's see. This list of mine is subject to change.

    1) 2011 NIV and TNIV (I don't have the newer one yet.)
    2) MLB
    3) NLT se
    4) NAB 2011 (I have the older one.I don't have the new one yet)
    5) HCSB
    6) NET (I don't own a physical copy)
    7) Norlie (N.T. only)
    8) NASBU
    9) Weymouth (N.T. only)
    10) NIrV

    Honorable mention :NRSV
     
  10. Priscilla Ann

    Priscilla Ann Member

    Joined:
    Aug 8, 2002
    Messages:
    616
    Likes Received:
    0
    1. Niv 1984
    2. Nkjv
    3. Nasb
    4. Esv
    5. Kjv
     
  11. Greektim

    Greektim Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    May 22, 2010
    Messages:
    3,214
    Likes Received:
    138
    Faith:
    Baptist
    If you don't have access to original languages, then how are you able judge one translation to another?

    Anywho... this is my list starting w/ #1, but it represents what I frequently read, not what I use in study (the HOT and GNT for that)

    1) ISV
    2) NKJV
    3) NASB
    4) ESV
    5) NIV
    6) NET
    7) HCSB
     
    #11 Greektim, Mar 15, 2011
    Last edited by a moderator: Mar 15, 2011
  12. mandym

    mandym New Member

    Joined:
    Feb 3, 2011
    Messages:
    4,991
    Likes Received:
    0
    The only good modern translation I have found is the ESV.
     
  13. preachinjesus

    preachinjesus Well-Known Member
    Site Supporter

    Joined:
    Feb 9, 2004
    Messages:
    7,406
    Likes Received:
    101
    Ah a great idea for a thread! Kudos to the OP!

    1. NET (A fine translation that maintains nuance while offering good notes)
    2. HCSB (This is my primary teaching text so I rather like it)
    3. NKJV (My seminary translation, I refer to it often)
    4. NASU (Learned to love it in undergrad Bible study methods course)
    5. ESV (I'm not as taken by it as others, but maybe I'm not predestined to be so...)
    6. NIV (Haven't gotten into the new one yet but grew up using the '84)
    7. NLT (I enjoy this for devotional times)
    8. TNIV (I have problems with how they translate things, they punt too often)
    9. KJV (Will still refer to it as it is a staple in this category)
    10. NRSV (An interesting history and solid translation)
     
  14. jaigner

    jaigner Active Member

    Joined:
    Nov 19, 2009
    Messages:
    2,274
    Likes Received:
    0
    Hmmm, well, it is true that I don't know biblical languages, so I can't on my own make overarching judgments about each, although I am formally theologically trained and have read a good bit on textual criticism.

    The list, however, is more reflective of my own preferences, based on what I am using currently. I don't, however, use a translation simply because I like it, but rather under the recommendations of scholars that I trust.
     
  15. jaigner

    jaigner Active Member

    Joined:
    Nov 19, 2009
    Messages:
    2,274
    Likes Received:
    0
    Does this mean it's the only one you like? Because I don't know any scholar who would claim the ESV is the only good modern translation. It's fine if you like it, but it seems odd that you would RUN from other translations that have been proven as viable as the ESV.
     
  16. mandym

    mandym New Member

    Joined:
    Feb 3, 2011
    Messages:
    4,991
    Likes Received:
    0

    And some have proven that blue is better than green. (Not trying to be sarcastic just making a point)
     
  17. Priscilla Ann

    Priscilla Ann Member

    Joined:
    Aug 8, 2002
    Messages:
    616
    Likes Received:
    0
    The ESV has only been around for about 10 years. Which translation did you read prior to the publication of the ESV?
     
  18. Martin Marprelate

    Martin Marprelate Well-Known Member
    Site Supporter

    Joined:
    Dec 18, 2010
    Messages:
    8,817
    Likes Received:
    2,106
    Faith:
    Baptist
    1. NKJV
    Because I prefer the textual basis and accuracy of translation.
    2. ESV
    3. NASB
    4. NIV 1984
    5. KJV

    That's all.
    I don't consider paraphrases or gender-inclusive versions.

    Steve
     
  19. Dr. Bob

    Dr. Bob Administrator
    Administrator

    Joined:
    Jun 30, 2000
    Messages:
    30,285
    Likes Received:
    507
    Faith:
    Baptist
    Those using blends of very limited Greek texts so are fraught with problems and weaknesses:
    1. Geneva
    2. New KJV
    3. AV1611 (NOT a KJV revision)
    4. KJV1769 Oxford revision (I memorized much of it - thousands of verses)
    5. Latin Vulgate (hey it WAS "the" translation for 1000 years)

    Those using all the Greek texts and the best methodology for accuracy to the actual words of the Bible
    1. ASV 1901 (NOT the NASB which I truly dislike as "poor" English)
    2. ESV
    3. NIV 1984
    4. Holman (just starting to use it, comparing to the Greek; not bad)
    5. GET Real Bible (incomplete, but I'm working on it daily - Griffin Expanded Translation)
     
  20. Rippon

    Rippon Well-Known Member
    Site Supporter

    Joined:
    Dec 12, 2005
    Messages:
    19,715
    Likes Received:
    585
    Faith:
    Baptist
    Do you have access to the HCSB in your neck of the woods? It's only slightly more G-I than the ESV. A pretty solid translation.

    I suppose you've never read from the Modern Language Version of 1969? I love it.

    The REB and NJB are rather good second tier translations worthy of consideration though they are Roman Catholic. I will eagerly get the new NAB (another RC Bible) when I can.

    How about the Norlie,the Weymouth,or the Darby translations?
     
Loading...