Text Comparison Tool

Michael Kinch
Michael Kinch Member Posts: 1,217 ✭✭✭
edited November 2024 in English Forum

I am curious about which translations you use in the text comparison tool. I currently use the ESV as my base text and then CSV, NASB, LEB and AMP for comparisons. I am wondering if there might be a better mix of translations to gain a fuller understanding of the text. Any suggestions are appreciated.

Comments

  • DMB
    DMB Member Posts: 3,086 ✭✭✭
    I use them ALL (maybe 40 or so). I have collections by english, greek, and hebrew. I use an old KJV with apocrytha as the lead, just in case. And my versions are prefixed by date, so I can see the translation trend over 5 centuries.
  • MJ. Smith
    MJ. Smith MVP Posts: 55,590

    I use as my primary comparison:

    • NRSV to set a broad canon
    • JPS for a Masoretic text
    • Douay-Rheims-Challoner for the Vulgate text
    • LES for a Septuagint text
    • Syriac Pesshita for the Pesshita text
    • Targums for the Aramaic "paraphrase"
    • LEB for a critical text version

    I sometimes add in a translation of the Patriarchal Greek New Testament or a Received text translation or even the Dead Sea Scrolls

    =============================

    When I want a very narrow English translation variations from essentially the same text, I use:

    • NRSV
    • NABRE
    • REB
    • JPS
    • NJB

    Orthodox Bishop Alfeyev: "To be a theologian means to have experience of a personal encounter with God through prayer and worship."; Orthodox proverb: "We know where the Church is, we do not know where it is not."

  • Gregory Lawhorn
    Gregory Lawhorn Member Posts: 986 ✭✭✭

    My interest tends to the historical, so for study it's:

    ESV (2016)

    NASB (1995)

    NKJV (1982)

    KJV (1900)

    Geneva (1560)

    Tyndale (1536)

    For sermon prep, to make sure I'm aware of possible significant differences, I'll compare the ESV, NASB, NIV, NLT, NKJV, KJV. 

    That being said, I do have a church member who uses a Geneva Bible . . . 

  • Dave Hooton
    Dave Hooton MVP Posts: 36,365

    I am curious about which translations you use in the text comparison tool. I currently use the ESV as my base text and then CSV, NASB, LEB and AMP for comparisons.

    I rarely use it for comparison at the verse level. I use the Translation section of the Info tool to see how a word is translated in different versions (as many as 15 in order of Prioritization). It also offers a TC with those translations!

    Dave
    ===

    Windows 11 & Android 13

  • Michael Kinch
    Michael Kinch Member Posts: 1,217 ✭✭✭

    Thank you everyone for your help.  Dave, where can I find help on using the info tool?

  • John Fidel
    John Fidel MVP Posts: 3,481

    I don't mean to jump in on Dave, but I use the information tool as well. 

    1. Go the tools menu and type information and you will see the tool. 

    2. I dragged mine to the tool bar so it is always handy.

    3. The information tool opens on the far right in a fixed pane. 

    4. Click on the three dots at the top right for options. I use click rather than hover.

    5. I also moved the sections around with the translation section at the top.

    Here are a few screenshots:

    Note I also like lexicon and bible word study to the bible so they also populate with the click on a word.

    Hope this helps