The Updated ESV

"Somewhat updated" . From what I've seen the very minor fiddling doesn't deserve the name updating .

For those who appreciate the ESV -- more power to you . I just don't see a need for a retro-version . It does not use standard English . It's clumsy in the extreme sometimes . Fortunately , it reads quite nicely in other places . It's an uneven version . The 'translators" didn't work too hard on it -- in its initial edition and this mild "update" . The NRSV translation team which also used the 1971 RSV did a lot more work in their version . But the ESV team left too much of the RSV untouched . Tis a shame .

 

John Piper is a man I respect . But I have to take issue with him on his understanding of the supposed superiority of the ESV and its alleged word-for-word methodology . The claims fall short of the reality . And it's not all that accurate despite the hoopla .

The HCSB is to be much preferred to the ESV . People need to own both . Compare and see the vast difference .

 

And Another Thing ...

A number of men who helped with the ESV translation also were on teams working on the HCSB , TNIV , NLTse and ISV . There has been a lot of cross-pollination .

 

I just bought the Reformation Study Bible but I'm not sure if the text is the updated version or not. Can someone give us an example of a change so that I can compare it to my 1st edition ESV?

It has been mentioned on this forum before regarding the "literal word for word" concept with the ESV. As myself and others have mentioned there is a very thoughtful review of the ESV by a professor at Baptist Bible Seminary in Clarks Summit PA in which the author makes a good case for questioning the word for word publicity that the ESV is getting. Google "Rodney Decker" if you are interested in this viewpoint. His evaluation of the NIV and TNIV (within the context of the translation phlosophy of the ESV) is also interesting.

I consider the NKJV to be a modern translation and that is my main translation right now. I really cannot tell you why I use the NKJV, all I can say is that I just always reach for it when I'm ready to study. I don't know exactly why, but when I read the NIV or the NASB, I have very little trouble getting the concept/message internally without having to re-read a passage over and over.

I just received a bound edition of the NET Bible and I'm excited so far. Love the notes and the construction of the book is outstanding considering the price.

I think it is interesting how our opinions of particular MTs is colored by what others say about them. Even myself, I pick up a paticular version or translation and before I read even word one, I'm already thinking about the adgenda of the publisher or translators.

 

I'm a fan of the "retro" ESV and will probably check out the new version. I read through the HCSB last year, and while I mostly enjoyed it, I still prefer a more literal rendering for everyday study. I tend to agree with those who assert that dynamic versions like to "spell it out," not allowing the text to be difficult even when it is that way in the original languages. But that's just my taste. I have a pretty wide range of translations in my library, and they all have their place.

 

Hi AC . I think the accuracy of the HCSB is every bit as good as the ESV , if not better . Do you really think that the HCSB is that 'dynamic' ( functionally-equivalent ) ? The ESV does not employ radically different translational devices than the HCSB or the TNIV -- despite its marketing claims .

Just from a grammatical point of view the HCSB is better than the ESV by far . You should have noted that if you've covered the whole of that translation last year .The latter uses 'essentially archaic' ( English .

E = ESV ; H = HCSB

Ps. 55:3
E -- they drop trouble upon me
H -- they bring disaster on me

Ps. 55:9
E -- divide their tongues
H -- confound their speech

Ps. 119:32
E -- I will run in the way of your commands when you enlarge my heart .
H -- I pursue the way of Your commannds for You broaden my understanding .

Ps. 144:5
E -- Bow your heavens
H -- Part Your heavens

Ps. 146:3
E -- Put not your trust in princes
H -- Do not trust in nobles

Is. 50:6
E -- I hid not my face
H -- I did not hide my face

Is. 53:6
E -- All we like sheep have gone astray
H -- We all went astray like sheep

Matt. 7:1
E -- Judge not , that you be not judged .
H -- Do not judge , so that you won't be judged .

 

There is no such thing as a literal translation from any language to any other language.

 

Agreed . Who has said otherwise ?

 

The changes have so slight that I certainly wouldn't expect Crossway to call it ESVU or anthing like that . Do you really think the changes were as significant as the improvement of the 1977 NASB to its current form ?

 

I got a ESV (The Reformation Study Bible) this last Christmas.

I love it.