NIV Frustration

It's been many years now and they still haven't finished the NIV OT interlinear! They should have finished it by now. All I can think of is that they did not allocate enough resources to do it. Logos' preferred translation (ESV) was completed many years ago. I cannot accept the excuse about the 2011 NIV update. The update is not THAT different from the 1984 version.

Listen , the NIV is still the most popular translation of the Bible, no matter how much ESV'ers would like to change that, it remains true. Incidentally, I like the ESV too, I just think they should have tried a little harder to get the MOST POPULAR translation done first.

I am not usually a complainer, but this has begun to frustrate me too much. Please, Logos, allocate more resources to finishing this essential task.

Find more posts tagged with

Comments

Josh Hunt

I agree. I'd encourage you to put this on the top of the list.

abondservant

would be interesting to see the metrics on the TOP bible translation.

I suspect amoung scholars NIV doesn't rate as high as it once did. Certainly I can think of no one at my seminary that uses NIV... In fact at my undergrad program, only one professor liked the NIV, and required we buy an NIV study bible for his class. Outside of that class I seldom /study/ from it. I am a frequent reader of it, but in deference to other more prized (by myself) translations (ESV, NASB, NET, HCSB, NKJV, then NIV).

IF modern scholarship is moving away from NIV, its possible that Logos userbase is as well, which would make Logos less inclined to work on it.

ESV seems to be the top translation here, with the odd NASB, or KJV (still a baptist school after all) popping up from time to time.

*Shrug* the experience of one seminarian from one seminary are hardly a consensus... But if it is reflective, there may well be financial reasons for them never having completed it.

MJ. Smith

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/426317#Comment_426317

Logos has responded on this a couple of weeks ago:

The NIV English-Hebrew Reverse Interlinear Bible is still being
worked on. It is nearing completion, we only have Numbers and
Deuteronomy left to align.

Suffice it to say, we have had a number of bumps (not to mention
chasms) along the road on this one. Some under our control, some out of
our control.

I wish it was different, and I wish this work was done and being used
by you folks right now. That is my goal, and what I want to happen as
soon as possible. But it is going to be just a bit longer. I wish I
could definitively say "It will be X weeks." But I can't.

Know that I'm well aware we haven't shipped this yet. It is not
forgotten. Know we are working on it. Know that we want it done just as
much, if not more, than you do.

Thanks for your patience with us as we work on completing this particular alignment.

Kendall Sholtess

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/426317#Comment_426317

I was speaking from experience in church. the ESV is gaining a lot among reformed types, for sure.

I am not trying to start an argument, but I grew up with the NIV, and the ESV language seems old and crusty to me. I read Greek, and I know of some wonderful, credentialed Greek scholars who support the NIV. Translation is a matter of preference, and in my opinion Logos has clearly made their preferences known. I personally know very few non-Calvinistic or non-reformed who use the ESV exclusively.

Actually I don't use interlinears too much, except to see which words or phrases the translators were translating when I am reading quickly for an overview, without having to scan the Greek text (it takes an extra 10 seconds, which add up over time).

I love Logos! I think they have done a good job overall. I just think they could work a little harder on this one point.

Kendall Sholtess

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/426322#Comment_426322

If they have the resources to roll out Logos 5, they ought to have the resources to finish what they promised when Logos 4 came out!

Keep Smiling 4 Jesus :)

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/426336#Comment_426336

Actually I don't use interlinears too much, except to see which words or phrases the translators were translating when I am reading quickly for an overview, without having to scan the Greek text (it takes an extra 10 seconds, which add up over time).

The morphological tagging in Interlinear and Reverse Interlinear resources can be used for visual filter highlighting so can quickly see range of expression in Englsh and Greek. Caveat: combing hundreds of search results for simultaneous display can take awhile; then scrolling is quick. Wiki has => http://wiki.logos.com/Extended_Tips_for_Highlighting_and_Visual_Filters#Examples_of_visual_filters

Keep Smiling [:)]

Ronald Quick

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/426437#Comment_426437

MJ - Does the "we" in your post indicate that you are personally involved in the development interlinear?[:)]

LimJK

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/426443#Comment_426443

MJ - Does the "we" in your post indicate that you are personally involved in the development interlinear?

Ronald [:)],

MJ was just quoting Rick from here http://community.logos.com/forums/p/54057/421557.aspx#421557

Kendall Sholtess

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/426352#Comment_426352

Wow, I can't believe myself. I really apologize for being so hot-headed.

I will learn patience now. Lord, help me be patient! If I walk by the flesh I will start a-cussing. If I walk by the Spirit I will learn patience.

Thanks for your patience, brethren! (Inclusive "brethren" including sisters, too)

abondservant

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/426848#Comment_426848

Yeah I'm definitely not trying to start an argument either... Also, while I agree that the reform types use that translation a lot, you would have an argument on your hands if Danny Akin heard that you think his seminarians are Calvinist lol.

He spent about 10 minutes on that in class, apparently someone had tweeted that Southeastern is the other Calvinist southern baptist school.

In reality, I'd guess he's about 4 out of 5 points.

I grew up with NIV at church as well. But have strayed from it.

I was just thinking in terms of Logos target audience (those of us who are pastors, or preparing to be. or missionaries, or preparing to be).

I can see where you would want to study in the translation your congregants would be reading.

Mike Childs

Regardless of patience or impatience, the bottom line is that the NIV OT Interlinear has simply not been a priority, or it would have been done. Any other conclusion is beyond credibility. As far as patience goes, what other choice do we have?

MJ. Smith

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/427037#Comment_427037

He's been out on other assignments during the political campaigns ... but it's time for him to get back to Logos:

David P. Moore

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/427101#Comment_427101

it's time for him to get back to Logos

[Y]

Travis Walter

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/428903#Comment_428903

Any reason the NLT isn't given much credit? Do the scholar's not like it? I've read the NKJV/NIV/NAB, I prefer the NLT. Actually reads cleaner..

Kevin Becker

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/429242#Comment_429242

Any reason the NLT isn't given much credit? Do the scholar's not like it? I've read the NKJV/NIV/NAB, I prefer the NLT. Actually reads cleaner..

The NLT is a much looser translation or depending on how you draw the line a paraphrase. While all translations/paraphrases involve some level of interpretation the NLT in general has more (scholars prefer to make those decisions for themselves).

Being a looser translation/paraphrase allow the NLT to have better English style and is easier to read (IMHO).

Mike Childs

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/429246#Comment_429246

The NLT is a much looser translation or depending on how you draw the line a paraphrase. While all translations/paraphrases involve some level of interpretation the NLT in general has more (scholars prefer to make those decisions for themselves).

Being a looser translation/paraphrase allow the NLT to have better English style and is easier to read (IMHO).

I rejected the NLT out of hand at first because I assumed that it was just an update of the old Living Bible paraphrase. That can serve a purpose, but not for me. I was wrong about that. (Yes, I am occasionally wrong - rare, but it happens.)

It is not a paraphrase, but a fresh and accurate translation from the Greek and Hebrew by outstanding Old and New Testament scholars - like John Oswalt for example. It deserves a fresh look. It has much more in common with something like the NIV 1984 than with the old Living Bible or any paraphrase.

That is my not so humble opinion.

tom

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/429246#Comment_429246

Any reason the NLT isn't given much credit? Do the scholar's not like it? I've read the NKJV/NIV/NAB, I prefer the NLT. Actually reads cleaner..

The NLT is a much looser translation or depending on how you draw the line a paraphrase. While all translations/paraphrases involve some level of interpretation the NLT in general has more (scholars prefer to make those decisions for themselves).

Being a looser translation/paraphrase allow the NLT to have better English style and is easier to read (IMHO).

I agree.

For me, at times, I do not like paraphrase translations because they miss the mark. But when they do hit the mark, they are simply amazing in what and how the bring scripture to life.

Travis Walter

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/429251#Comment_429251

I think that's the main problem. The common assumption I have seen is the NLT is just the TLB updated. Its not at all. Its a TRANSLATION, --- NOT a paraphrase.

Jerry Bush

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/429258#Comment_429258

I think that's the main problem. The common assumption I have seen is the NLT is just the TLB updated. Its not at all. Its a TRANSLATION, --- NOT a paraphrase.

Very much agree. I don't think it falls into the category of paraphrase at all - not even close. I think it the most underrated translation out today.

Jerry

Milford Charles Murray

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/429251#Comment_429251

The NLT is a much looser translation or depending on how you draw the line a paraphrase. While all translations/paraphrases involve some level of interpretation the NLT in general has more (scholars prefer to make those decisions for themselves).

Being a looser translation/paraphrase allow the NLT to have better English style and is easier to read (IMHO).

I rejected the NLT out of hand at first because I assumed that it was just an update of the old Living Bible paraphrase. That can serve a purpose, but not for me. I was wrong about that. (Yes, I am occasionally wrong - rare, but it happens.)

It is not a paraphrase, but a fresh and accurate translation from the Greek and Hebrew by outstanding Old and New Testament scholars - like John Oswalt for example. It deserves a fresh look. It has much more in common with something like the NIV 1984 than with the old Living Bible or any paraphrase.

That is my not so humble opinion.

Thank you to Kevin and Michael and Tom and all of you! *smile* I was using that translation for quite a long time about a year ago. For some reason (I have so many, many translations!)Iput it aside and haven't used it for quite some time.

I am truly grateful for this thread and know I will be enriched as I return to using it! Again, Thank You! Peace to all!

Travis Walter

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/429430#Comment_429430

Hopefully the NLT will get more looks.. It its a very easy read and the cornerstone commentaries are outstanding using it.

I'm not a pastor, but I have used the NLT for 10+ years now.