Top Ten Translations

I can't go past
1. KJV

 

You can invent contradictions in your mind and claim they are in my words till the cows come home, Sir, but unless you claim to be a mind reader, you have no idea what I think about the importance of sticking with the intended meanings of words.

Folks, do not let others tell you what you meant when you spoke your words, they are simply trying to bully you under the cover of PC. Stand firm in the faith.

 

That is so much bull that the horns are left sticking out.

You are the one who is re-defining 'liberal', as it applies in theological discussions. And this is a theological discussion, not a political one.

 

You are no Martin Luther Van.

Based on your logic is the NLTse more liberal than the NIV?

 

For once Rippon we can agree, I borrowed his phrase, but only a person with an agenda would equate that with a claim to sameness.

As for your second question, I do not know. I use, and they are here on my desk, a NASB study bible, an ESV study bible, and a NIV study bible. On my bookshelf I have my old trusty KJV. I look at verses in the NKJV and HCSB and NET and others on line. The best I can come to addressing your question is the NASB is more literal than the NLT and therefore the NLT is more liberal than the NASB.

BTW, in my copy of The American Heritage Dictionary, when I looked up liberal, guess what I found at definition number 7. Not literal, loose or approximate, i.e a liberal translation. Who knew?

 

Ok then if it makes you feel better- you're right according to the dictionary, but wrong theologically. :smilewinkgrin:

 

You didn't answer my question. I asked:"Based on your logic,is the NLTse more liberal than the NIV?"

Mexdeaf is more generous than I am. You are just plain wrong about using the word liberal to categorize the ESV in contradistiction to the NASBU.

Are you aware that there is a cross-pollination among various translations?A number of translators have worked on a variety of versions. Where does that leave your theory? That's right...on shaky ground.

 

You are right again, you must be on a roll, I did not answer your question, but I did provide a reason for not answering, I said I did not know the answer.

But your roll ended with a thud, I was not wrong, the ESV is more liberal (meaning less literal) than the NASB.

The ESV is wrong literally in its translation of Revelation 13:8 and Matthew 23:13. In Revelation 13:8, the ESV translates "apo" as before which is an errant rendering, and in Matthew 23:13, they translate "are entering" based on a "vp present tense Greek word (eiserchomenous)" as would enter. It is a great translation, but I like the NASB better because it is less liberal.

Here is the list of the my top ten translations.

1995 NASB - this is the one I study and rely on for grammar.
NIV - I do not read very well, so this is the one I read as I try to "abide" in His Word.
HCSB - this one provides an excellent cross-check, if it agrees with the NASB I feel confident the rendering is sound.
ESV - Provides a different take based on different presumptions as to what is being said.
YLT - After arriving at the big idea from the more friendly versions, this one helps to understand how the translators arrived at their more readable versions.
NKJV - vastly improved over the KJV as far as bringing the language up to date, but still based on a different Greek text mix than most other modern versions.
KJV - I still find this one provides the very best translation of some difficult passages.
NET - this one provides the apparatus, so you can see the thinking of the translators.
NLT - yet another take on what the translators think the passage is saying.
Darby (NT) - great example of one mans view of the text, as opposed to translation by committee.

 

1. KJV. I have recently returned to it, and am very happy with it.
2. NASBU
3. Amplified
4. ESV
5. CEB This is exciting reading. Keep pen handy to cross out such atrocities as 'Human One' for 'Son of Man' and other inclusive travesties.
6. Gods Word
7. NKJV. It just can't beat the 1769 KJV
8. RSV
9. NEB
10. NLT 07. Keep pen handy to correct inclusive language biases

 

Ladies and gentlemen! Introducing the NEW Noah Webster -- Van. You have personally changed the commonly accepted meaning of a word. The real test is whether or not your unique twist will be welcomed by anyone other than your friends and family...Yes the verdict is now in. So sorry Van,liberal in your sense has not exactly been received very favorably. Nice try though.

 

I'm surprised you listed the CEB as #5 if you hate it so much.The same goes for the NLTse.Why did you list it in your top 10?

You are aware that the ESV uses inclusive language at times,aren't you? And GWT uses it a lot more. Do you really like God's Word translation? Your list is puzzling.

 

I don't hate the CEB. I keep a ballpoint pen handy for correction of politically-correct, inclusive language, biased translations. Look how the NLT2 louses up the Book of Proverbs with the, 'my child' mess. Not in MY NLT. Mine says, My son' wherever it needed to be corrected.

 

Please answer my questions that I posed in post number 71.

 

CBA Best Sellers

April 2011 Bible Translations Based upon dollar sales

1 New International Version various publishers
2 King James Version various publishers
3 New King James Version various publishers
4 New Living Translation Tyndale
5 English Standard Version Crossway
6 Holman Christian Standard Bible B&H Publishing Group
7 New American Standard Bible update various publishers
8 Reina Valera 1960 (Spanish) American Bible Society and licensees
9 The Message Eugene Peterson, NavPress
10 New International Readers Version Zondervan

April 2011 Bible Translations Based upon unit sales

1 New International Version various publishers
2 New Living Translation Tyndale
3 King James Version various publishers
4 New King James Version various publishers
5 English Standard Version Crossway
6 Reina Valera 1960 (Spanish) American Bible Society and licensees
7 Holman Christian Standard Bible B&H Publishing Group
8 The Message Eugene Peterson, NavPress
9 New American Standard Bible update various publishers
10 New International Readers Version Zondervan

 

It surprised me that the NIV was the top seller, so I clicked on the link to find out what "CBA" is. I couldn't find the "un-abbreviated" form there, but by scrolling right to the bottom, I read:

This list is based on actual sales in Christian retail stores in the United States through February 26, 2011
​

So the figures only refer to sales in the USA, and I assume CBA is something like "Christian Boosellers of America."

I tried unsuccessfully to find comparable figures for the UK.

 

The NIV has been in the top spot in America for decades -- with CBA figures and other forms of accounting. I think it really is "international" as its title suggests. The NIV Explanation Bible is a huge seller in South Korea.

The 2011 NIV will continue its legacy.

 

I agree with you pretty much down the line. I do add the RSV original to the bottom just as a "reference" when I study although the ESV is almost word-for-word except bout every fourth verse. I rate the NASB as my highest to study seriously and the ESV seems to bring out things that I don't catch in others, but every question I've had about its accuracy was answered by comparing it to the Greek and it stands the test pretty well---so, it gives a slightly different English approach to its translation which is accurate, but not the same old copies of old translations.

You did good.

 

Why do you think the ESV only ranks #5 in terms of sales? The translation first came out in 2001. After 10 years, I would have expected it to rank much higher.

 

Wasn't it the NIV that W.A. Criswell burned from the pulpit back in the day, or is that a rumor?

 

It's probably the latter. Even the likes of David Cloud would not do such a disgraceful thing.

The RSV was burned a few times by pastors in the 1950's though.(The ESV is a lightly retouched RSV).