What is your preferred translation of The Bible and Why

  • Christian Chat is a moderated online Christian community allowing Christians around the world to fellowship with each other in real time chat via webcam, voice, and text, with the Christian Chat app. You can also start or participate in a Bible-based discussion here in the Christian Chat Forums, where members can also share with each other their own videos, pictures, or favorite Christian music.

    If you are a Christian and need encouragement and fellowship, we're here for you! If you are not a Christian but interested in knowing more about Jesus our Lord, you're also welcome! Want to know what the Bible says, and how you can apply it to your life? Join us!

    To make new Christian friends now around the world, click here to join Christian Chat.

Diakonos

Well-known member
Jan 19, 2019
1,381
434
83
31
Anacortes, WA
#61
My preferred translation is NASB.

Reasons:

1. Alongside the KJV, it is the most literal/precise (not just in word choice, but also word order and conjugation). This allows readers to identify correct associative details and intended patterns more consistently.

2. Cross-references in italics are parallel passages.

3. Asterisks (*) are used to mark verbs that are historical presents.

4. All pronouns attributed to God are capitalized.

5. Words that are added to the NASB that are not in the original text are italicized. Virtually all translations add words to help with readability. But the NASB is distinguished because it allows the casual reader to understand the passage AND helps the expositor know exactly what is (and is not) worthy of careful inspection.

6. All Old Testament references in the New Testament are in ALL CAPS. This allows Bible students to more easily recognize the Scriptural background of the New Testament.


There are more reasons, but these are the main ones I can think of.
 

Blik

Senior Member
Dec 6, 2016
7,312
2,428
113
#62
I'm certain that the Greek language is very much the same today as it was back then when Acts 12:4 was written.
To verify you statement you would need to delve deeply into the history of the time, several were written. You can't just say something is so based on what you imagine.

The creation of Easter to replace Passover has an involved, wide, and interesting history.
 

JaumeJ

Senior Member
Jul 2, 2011
21,465
6,722
113
#63
My preferred translation is NASB.

Reasons:

1. Alongside the KJV, it is the most literal/precise (not just in word choice, but also word order and conjugation). This allows readers to identify correct associative details and intended patterns more consistently.

2. Cross-references in italics are parallel passages.

3. Asterisks (*) are used to mark verbs that are historical presents.

4. All pronouns attributed to God are capitalized.

5. Words that are added to the NASB that are not in the original text are italicized. Virtually all translations add words to help with readability. But the NASB is distinguished because it allows the casual reader to understand the passage AND helps the expositor know exactly what is (and is not) worthy of careful inspection.

6. All Old Testament references in the New Testament are in ALL CAPS. This allows Bible students to more easily recognize the Scriptural background of the New Testament.


There are more reasons, but these are the main ones I can think of.
As long as you do not believe folks are lost because they read a different translation of the Word than do you, fine.

Otherwise you have become your own version of the law I suspect. God bless you, and I like to believe it is not otherwise.
 

John146

Senior Member
Jan 13, 2016
17,176
3,700
113
#64
Although I was raised with KJV, it is the only version I simply cannot get through. I just don't get the obsolete and archaic words, and the old grammar. Too much like work,
Too much like work? Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman who needeth not to be ashamed rightly dividing the word of truth. But then again, your Bible doesn’t have that verse does it.
 

JaumeJ

Senior Member
Jul 2, 2011
21,465
6,722
113
#65
Let us not lower ourselves into thinking our Bible is the only one, ok? I like the KJV, and becaue I have red several versions of the Word, I am satisfied they all are just fine when guided by the Holy Spipirit.

I confess, some of the more recent translations leave me entirely. I feel the KJV. Perhaps it is because it was my main reference to the preaching of my childhoood. I know if a person loves the Lord, Jesus, Yeshua, that person is just as fine as any other reading any version of the Word which does its best to adhere to the original transcripts.
 

ResidentAlien

Well-known member
Apr 21, 2021
8,434
3,684
113
#66
There is no intention of denigrating any other believer.

It is between you and God what Bible version you choose to read...

How then is the information given denigrating to you; unless you choose to divulge that you are stubbornly reading a translation that you know is going to produce within you spiritual anemia?

Even then, I am not denigrating you because I am only telling you what you need to know so that you will better be edified by the translation that you read (because you will hopefully choose to read a translation that will not result in spiritual anemia)

It is intended as a warning...so that you will read a translation that is "more nutritious" in what it includes in every meal that you will partake of when you read from that translation.
justified, if you believe God wants you to stick with the KJV and it helps you to have a closer walk with Him, then I'm all for it. I wouldn't dream of telling you to do otherwise. But your comments show you believe the KJV is the only "authorized" version which all believers must use. This is the sort of thing cults do.
 

ResidentAlien

Well-known member
Apr 21, 2021
8,434
3,684
113
#67
The Lord did not speak scripture to modern man. We need to know what the words meant to the men who listened to God speak, they were not modern men.
Amen. (y)
 

ResidentAlien

Well-known member
Apr 21, 2021
8,434
3,684
113
#68
I'm certain that the Greek language is very much the same today as it was back then when Acts 12:4 was written.
Did you suddenly acquire a knowledge of Greek in the few weeks since we last talked about it? If I remember you said then you don't concern yourself with Greek.
 

ResidentAlien

Well-known member
Apr 21, 2021
8,434
3,684
113
#69
I read Koine Greek well. I've had 4 semesters of Koine Greek, with one of the top Greek scholars in the world for my professor. He was also on many translation committees. He says that the KJV is the most corrupt version there is.
Out of curiosity, what translation do you prefer? And your professor?
 

John146

Senior Member
Jan 13, 2016
17,176
3,700
113
#70
Let us not lower ourselves into thinking our Bible is the only one, ok?
Let's not exalt our intellect to think we know what's best. God has preserved His words for us today in the KJV. If God has not preserved His pure words for us today, we must trust in our intellect to try and figure it out what is the truth. I'm so happy that is not the case. Study the word. Trust every word. Believe every word. Why this is so foreign and even wrong to people is very odd to me.
 

JaumeJ

Senior Member
Jul 2, 2011
21,465
6,722
113
#72
Let's not exalt our intellect to think we know what's best. God has preserved His words for us today in the KJV. If God has not preserved His pure words for us today, we must trust in our intellect to try and figure it out what is the truth. I'm so happy that is not the case. Study the word. Trust every word. Believe every word. Why this is so foreign and even wrong to people is very odd to me.
This response does not seem to understand the spirit of the post. My post gives credit , THAT IS MERCY, TO PEPLE WHO rea the Bible they feel is bst for each. I know my intent does not merit such a response.
 

JaumeJ

Senior Member
Jul 2, 2011
21,465
6,722
113
#73
Upon rereading the post to which I have just responded. Perhaps it would have been more caring to have said we should not destroy ourselves with what is falsely called knowledge.
 

ResidentAlien

Well-known member
Apr 21, 2021
8,434
3,684
113
#75
Please, tell me how? How is believing God's word is pure and holy and without error is a cult like belief? This is bizarre to me.
There's nothing wrong with it of itself. If you believe the KJV is pure and holy and without error then I say blessings and best wishes to you.

The problem is in saying that only one translation is pure and holy and without error; and that everyone else must use it or they will become spiritually anemic, fall away or fall from grace. That's what cults do. They alone have the truth and everyone must fall in line with them or be doomed.

That fact that you don't see or understand this indicates to me you're either totally ignorant (which I seriously doubt); or you're already thoroughly brainwashed.
 

Dino246

Senior Member
Jun 30, 2015
25,606
13,863
113
#76
Please, tell me how? How is believing God's word is pure and holy and without error is a cult like belief? This is bizarre to me.
That isn't what he is accusing you of doing. If you think it is, you're even less intelligent than I thought.
 

Dino246

Senior Member
Jun 30, 2015
25,606
13,863
113
#77
There's nothing wrong with it of itself. If you believe the KJV is pure and holy and without error then I say blessings and best wishes to you.

The problem is in saying that only one translation is pure and holy and without error; and that everyone else must use it or they will become spiritually anemic, fall away or fall from grace. That's what cults do. They alone have the truth and everyone must fall in line with them or be doomed.

That fact that you don't see or understand this indicates to me you're either totally ignorant (which I seriously doubt); or you're already thoroughly brainwashed.
There is a third option: he has chosen his ignorance willingly.
 

John146

Senior Member
Jan 13, 2016
17,176
3,700
113
#78
The problem is in saying that only one translation is pure and holy and without error; and that everyone else must use it or they will become spiritually anemic, fall away or fall from grace. That's what cults do. They alone have the truth and everyone must fall in line with them or be doomed.
Another bizarre statement in my opinion. You think it's ok for me to believe that God's pure and holy words have been preserved, but then want me to think it's ok to read other versions when I believe they are corrupt? If I believe that the KJV is God's holy word, then all the other ones must not be. If one is, then the rest cannot be since they contain different words and even different truths. God is not the author of confusion. There's only two choices:

1. God has preserved His completed word for us today in a book.
2. God has not preserved His completed word for us today in a book.

Which side are you on?
 

ResidentAlien

Well-known member
Apr 21, 2021
8,434
3,684
113
#79
Another bizarre statement in my opinion. You think it's ok for me to believe that God's pure and holy words have been preserved, but then want me to think it's ok to read other versions when I believe they are corrupt? If I believe that the KJV is God's holy word, then all the other ones must not be. If one is, then the rest cannot be since they contain different words and even different truths. God is not the author of confusion. There's only two choices:

1. God has preserved His completed word for us today in a book.
2. God has not preserved His completed word for us today in a book.

Which side are you on?
Verdict: Thoroughly brainwashed.
 

JaumeJ

Senior Member
Jul 2, 2011
21,465
6,722
113
#80
My preferred translation is NASB.

Reasons:

1. Alongside the KJV, it is the most literal/precise (not just in word choice, but also word order and conjugation). This allows readers to identify correct associative details and intended patterns more consistently.

2. Cross-references in italics are parallel passages.

3. Asterisks (*) are used to mark verbs that are historical presents.

4. All pronouns attributed to God are capitalized.

5. Words that are added to the NASB that are not in the original text are italicized. Virtually all translations add words to help with readability. But the NASB is distinguished because it allows the casual reader to understand the passage AND helps the expositor know exactly what is (and is not) worthy of careful inspection.

6. All Old Testament references in the New Testament are in ALL CAPS. This allows Bible students to more easily recognize the Scriptural background of the New Testament.


There are more reasons, but these are the main ones I can think of.
If you do not understand the English employed in the KJV, fine, this is true for many. If this is the case, then by all means read another translation you do understand, but do n ot make absurd allegations sounding intellectual about the grammar of the KJV for it is very well written and understood bby millions, just as your favorite is.