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Discussion in 'Bible Versions & Translations' started by annsni, Apr 2, 2013.

  1. annsni

    annsni Well-Known Member
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    We have a woman at our church who has severe learning disabilities. She really struggles with reading so someone gave her the Bible on tape but it's KJV and she has seriously no ability to understand it.

    I just found out that "Faith Comes by Hearing" is giving away free dramatized versions of audio Bibles on Amazon and they have KJV, ESV, CEV and NRV. I was thinking of those choices, CEV would be most suited to her. How is it as a version?

    Here's the link if anyone is interested:

    http://www.amazon.com/s/qid=1364312...s+by+hearing,p_n_feature_browse-bin:625150011
     
  2. Yeshua1

    Yeshua1 Well-Known Member
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    Isn't it like the old "Good news for modern man?"
     
  3. annsni

    annsni Well-Known Member
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    It's actually at a lower reading level than that, I believe.

    In reading through info on it, I think I'll skip it. I wish they had the NIrV!! But we'll get her the ESV (which we use at church) instead.
     
  4. Yeshua1

    Yeshua1 Well-Known Member
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    How about the NLT?
     
  5. Deacon

    Deacon Well-Known Member
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    Snippets from the
    Preface to the Contemporary English Version

    …the translators of the Contemporary English Version of the Bible have diligently sought to capture the spirit of the King James Version by following certain principles set forth by its translators in the document "The Translators to the Reader," which was printed in the earliest editions.

    This is the Word of God, which we translate

    …the Old Testament was translated directly from the Hebrew and Aramaic texts published by the United Bible Societies Biblia Hebraica Stuttgartensia, fourth edition corrected). And the New Testament was translated directly from the Greek text published by the United Bible Societies (third edition corrected and compared with the fourth revised edition).

    We desire that the Scripture… may be understood

    Today more people hear the Bible read aloud then [sic] read it for themselves! And statistics released by the National Center for Education indicate that "almost half of U.S. adults have very limited reading and writing skills." If this is the case, a contemporary translation must be a text that an inexperienced reader can read aloud without stumbling, that someone unfamiliar with traditional biblical terminology can hear without misunderstanding, and that everyone can listen to with enjoyment because the style is lucid and lyrical.

    In order to attain these goals of clarity, beauty, and dignity, the translators of the Contemporary English Version carefully studied every word, phrase, clause, and paragraph of the original. Then, with equal care, they struggled to discover the best way to translate the text, so that it would be suitable both for private and public reading, and for memorizing. The result is an English text that is enjoyable and easily understood by the vast majority of English speakers, regardless of their religious or educational background.

    Variety of translations is profitable

    The translators of the King James Version said, "… variety of translations is profitable for the finding our of the sense of the Scriptures" and "We affirm and avow that the very meanest translation of the Bible in English, set forth by men of our profession… contains the Word of God, nay is the Word of God." They even stated, "no cause therefore why the Word translated should be denied to be the Word, or forbidden to be current, notwithstanding that some imperfections and blemishes may be noted in the setting forth of it,"
    Each English translation is, in its own right, the Word of God, yet each translation serves to meet the needs of a different audience. In this regard, the Contemporary English Verison should be considered a companion—the mission arm—of tradional translations, because it takes seriously the words of the apostle Paul that "faith comes by hearing.

    Having and using as great helps as were needful

    The translators of the Contemporary English Version have not created new or novel interpretations of the text. Rather, it was their goal to express mainstream interpretations of the text in current, everyday English.
     
    #5 Deacon, Apr 2, 2013
    Last edited by a moderator: Apr 2, 2013
  6. Deacon

    Deacon Well-Known Member
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    The Contemporary English Version (1995)
    From: Bruce Metzger, (2001). The Bible in Translation: Ancient and English Versions (170–171)
     
  7. Rippon

    Rippon Well-Known Member
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    Getting her the ESV would be counter-productive. Even the NLTse might be problematic. The NCV or CEV would be less difficult to handle. However,the NIrV would be ideal for her.
     
  8. annsni

    annsni Well-Known Member
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    In reading the translators' notes, I'm not too keen on the CEV. I'm going to see if we can get an NIrV for her. The other choices for the free editions are KJV, NRS or ESV so since we use the ESV at church, at least it would be a little more familiar. I still think she will struggle with it though although I think it is a step better than KJV for language for her.
     
  9. DHK

    DHK <b>Moderator</b>

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    While I stick mainly to the KJV I sometimes use the CEV because it breaks away from standard terminology that other religions use (or rather misuse).

    A Charismatic keeps speaking of the "manifestation of the Spirit" for example, being for today. The expression in and of itself is meaningless when he uses it to refer to the sign gifts. What does it really mean?
    Almost every translation uses "manifestation."

    But the CEV:
    (CEV) The Spirit has given each of us a special way of serving others.

    The expression simply means that we all have different ways of serving God and the Lord has equipped us that way. It doesn't have to have a specific reference to the sign gifts of the first century. That is what the CEV points out, where other translations do not. It is simple English. But I use it very sparingly.
     
  10. Mexdeaf

    Mexdeaf New Member

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    I second the NIrV. Bought several cases for the Deaf in S. Texas and they were excited to have a Bible that they could finally understand.

    Personally, I love the ESV but the Deaf that I know struggle to understand it.
     
  11. Yeshua1

    Yeshua1 Well-Known Member
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    what about the 1984 edition of the NIV?
    Know that is still around, just getting harder to find!
     
  12. webdog

    webdog Active Member
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    I read through the entire NT in this version a few years back. There was nothing in it that would make me hesitate in giving it someone with a learning disability. Enjoyed it actually.
     
  13. annsni

    annsni Well-Known Member
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    You actually can't get it anymore and because they changed it enough for me to be concerned - but didn't bother changing the name, it's a bit too confusing. But if I could get an audio copy of the NIV84, I'd definitely get that for her! :)
     
  14. Mexdeaf

    Mexdeaf New Member

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    Christianbook.com has it on audio.
     
  15. Yeshua1

    Yeshua1 Well-Known Member
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    Think can still be ordered, 1984 niv bibles, from Christian Book distributors!
     
  16. annsni

    annsni Well-Known Member
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    Only if they had any in stock but I don't think there are any left.

    I checked the audio books at Christianbook and they are all the new one.
     
  17. Rippon

    Rippon Well-Known Member
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    There is only about a 7% difference between the 84 version and the 2011 model. Most upates of various translations are along the same line of differences between the older and the newer updates.

    Daniel Wallace,Rod Decker and a number of other conservative New Testament Bible scholars endorse the 2011 NIV. You should look at their reviews.
     
  18. Earth Wind and Fire

    Earth Wind and Fire Well-Known Member
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    Out of curiosity, what is your affiliation with NIV?
     
  19. annsni

    annsni Well-Known Member
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    Yes, I know some scholars endorse the 2011. I disagree with them as do many other scholars.
     
  20. Rippon

    Rippon Well-Known Member
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    The weight of actual New Testament scholars is on the side of the NIV.
     
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