Translations?

After moving from the KJV to the NIV in the 80's I felt like the NIV was a translation that would help me to reach others and teach those for whom the KJV was a stumbling block in understanding.

About 15 years ago I began to embrace the HCSB and when they updated it in '09 I felt it was a translation created just for me. I know that may sound self centered, probably is, but I never try to promote it to anyone for their use, or convince anyone that it is the best, it just so speaks to me where I am in Christ.

Finally, my question, is there anyone else that feels this way about any other English translations?

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Comments

Mike Binks

Your post strikes a chord with me Skypeace.

When I reflected I found that there have been various phases in my journey.

When I was reading for my basically for my own sake, and actually noticed there were different translations I went through

NIV84, The Message, ESV, Amp, NRSV

as I started to think more about imparting the word...

ESV (still my basic study bible), Amp, NLT (still my 'go too' for weddings, baptisms and funerals), NIV 2011 (standard for worship leading)

Robert M. Warren

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/1225085#Comment_1225085

I had read only the KJV (and not very often) back when I didn't take things all that seriously (Translate: I wasn't born again). I had a ponderous 4-version parallel (KJV-RSV-Living Bible-NASB), but the pastor of my youth preached from the KJV. In the early 00s, in my mid-40s, I felt compelled to to get a new bible for the purpose of reading it all the way through, which I had never done. I bought a hardcover NIV Study Bible, which was the first bible i read to completion. Even though the ESV is now my main bible, I have a sentimental attachment to NIV84 and the old, original Study Bible (which I managed to import from Pradis into Logos in the early days of Personal Books). I also now have a new and better appreciation of the KJV, which I refer to frequently for historical perspective.

Pradis was my first bible software. When I decided to experiment with the ESV (I had heard R.C. talking about it), I bought an inexpensive 'outreach' paperback ESV to read on my daily bus and train commute. It had a postcard for a CD with free bible software. When I received the CD, it was for an odd-looking program called 'Libronix'.....

GaoLu

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/1225088#Comment_1225088

Preferences may be as varied as fingerprints. I have been reading a different version every year for many years and am always surprised at how valuable that is.

I‘m still stuck on KJV as my favorite because I cut my teeth on it (probably literally!). My early memorization was from the KJV so it’‘s just stuck inside me. For English speaking outreach to younger types, I like the NLT or CSB. For older or intellectual types with Christian background, I would go ESV. For group Bible study, I would use what others prefer but nudge toward ESV or CSB—I am a personal fan of CSB reading for enjoyment. For personal study, I would lay out a whole line of them. A lot of other variations are likely depending on the audience and opportunity. There are a handful to avoid.

skypeace

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/1225144#Comment_1225144

Wow! Much food for thought here and the diversity of experiences with translations is helpful in reflecting on my own journey, thank you so far as it is really a slice. [pi]

DMB

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/1225159#Comment_1225159

For just experiencing the excitement of the nearing endtime in the 1st century, I enjoy Hargood's Liberal Translation. When you see 'liberal', you expect 'literal'. But the 'liberal' refers to trying to re-create the excitement of the 'news' to a surprised world. And the wording constantly 'wakes you up', complete with cross-references to greek authors and the times.

Name that verse .... and who said it:

"But if the eye of reason be suffused with prejudice, or injured by vice, all thine intellectual powers will be lost in the shades of errour. Should thy reason itself, therefore, be thus obscured, in what dreadful darkness must thy whole mind be involved!"

MJ. Smith

Interesting how different my experience has been. I grew up with an AV version (we didn't call it KJV) with a touch of Phillips, was introduced to the EB in college, then to a four Bible comparison which led me to the JB, slowly added NABRE, CB, TLV and then went on a rampage of new (and old) versions the most memorable of which is the Tanakh by JPS. NRSV is my primary study Bible, NABRE my primary worship Bible.

Puddin’

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/1225171#Comment_1225171

I can’t help but chuckle when I look back over my own translation journey which appears to be similar to all of the others thus far.

In particular, early on in my born-again experience, I can remember being sooooo annoyed when folks would bring their “new” translations (i.e. anything other than the....yep, you guessed it, KJV) to Bible study. In my neophyte ignorance I thought it was the only genuine bible.

Now (& here’s the comical thing), after hopefully maturing & developing academically, I‘m the polar opposite & now encourage people to use contemporary translations such as NASB, ESV, NIV, etc.

Greg Corbin

Like many around my age, I was raised exclusively with the KJV in my home and church. As I studied and grew in ministry, I branched out into the original NIV and the NASB. For a number of years now, I have followed the practice of reading through the Bible each year in my personal devotional time. A few years back, I started changing up the version that I read through. I have read through NKJV, 2011 NIV, NASB, HCSB, CSB, and the ESV in recent year. This has been a great blessing in my life and ministry. At this point, if I only have one translation to use the rest of my life, it would likely be the ESV.

Doc B

My experience is likely similar to several others here. I grew up with the KJV/AV (but never read it). I was given an NIV in college (early 80s, when they were released) and read the whole thing that year. It was a game-changer for me.

Where I may differ from some is, I generally find almost any translation to be useful in a given situation. I carry an ESV to church because that's what our pastor reads from and what we use in worship...I love the ESV. I also use a NKJV (esp when I want to see what the TR said), a NASB (can't wait for the LSB as well), and I keep a NET bible on my desk at work, primarily for the TC notes as well as the readability.

I like how the CSB/HCSB handles the text as well, and occasionally use one of the paraphrase-versions when preparing a SS lesson. And on occasion, I even pull out a KJV to see how Shakespeare would have phrased a verse [:)] .

In short, keeping in mind that every translation is a commentary, I find a huge number of them useful.

skypeace

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/1225403#Comment_1225403

As a teen and high schooler I routinely skipped reading prefaces and introductions to books, but beginning with higher education I began a regular practice of reading them. As I began serious Bible study it became more important and every translation I pick up I want to know translation philosophy, source texts and methodology.

It is particularly significant that the 8-12 translations I might have used 35 years ago in text comparison are quite different from the 8-12 I use today. The CJB, TLV and reverse-Interlinear are now staples in my text comparisons while the original languages always have preeminence.

Kind of curious to see where the LSB will land in the above graph. If anyone has an update that includes it, please post.

Doc B

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/1225479#Comment_1225479

Kind of curious to see where the LSB will land in the above graph. If anyone has an update that includes it, please post.

I don't have an updated chart, but the LSB is simply the NASB with some word changes to reflect a slightly different translation philosophy. I would think it would lie in exactly the same place on the chart.

skypeace

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/1225494#Comment_1225494

Kind of curious to see where the LSB will land in the above graph. If anyone has an update that includes it, please post.

I don't have an updated chart, but the LSB is simply the NASB with some word changes to reflect a slightly different translation philosophy. I would think it would lie in exactly the same place on the chart.

Point taken.

Kiyah

I've had different translations in different phases of my life. I was raised on the KJV. When I was in college I started using e-sword which offered the ESV for free. I started reading the ESV because it was similar to the KJV but more understandable, and the ESV helped me transition away from the KJV.

Then when I started reading and studying the bible more at length as a lay person, I bought an NIV Study Bible. So the NIV was my translation for years, I grew up in the faith on the NIV so to speak, my churches used it too.

Then I went to seminary and got used to using the NRSV and it became my all purpose bible for reading, studying, teaching, praying, congregational reading/worship. My churches that I attend now use it. I use it in Logos along with the ESV as a kind of parallel bible since I still find the ESV helpful for study. I then pull in the NIV, CEB, CSB, and NASB for comparisons. But I'm mostly using the NRSV and ESV day in, day out these days.