KJV, NKJV or ESV for second language?

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K

Krasimir

New member
#1
Mar 18, 2022
8
8
3
#1
Hello,

which one is better for someone, who use English as second language (foreigner)

I will appreciate your help !
All the best !
 
ResidentAlien

ResidentAlien

Well-known member
#2
Apr 21, 2021
8,264
3,598
113
#2
Krasimir said:
Hello,

which one is better for someone, who use English as second language (foreigner)

I will appreciate your help !
All the best !
Click to expand...
Is this for yourself? If so, have you tried any of the English versions yet? If not for yourself, has the person you're asking for tried any English versions?
 
Magenta

Magenta

Senior Member
#3
Jul 3, 2015
59,912
29,293
113
#3
KJV may be very challenging for someone whose first language is not English, but it may be helpful still the same, and there are many free online resources making it easy to do comparative studies, such as biblehub.com and/or biblegateway.com; typing in a key word or phrase will bring all mentions of that key word or phrase up found in any available translation. I do prefer biblehub because they also display the Berean Study Bible along with close to 30 others. Some will tell you that the KJV is the only good or pure or uncorrupted version, but that is not true. Each version uses different means to translate from the original languages of Hebrew and Greek, such as dynamic equivalence, paraphrasing, or literal word for word, the latter which quite frankly makes for uneasy reading because our language and grammar structures vary vastly. Some translations are geared toward education level, also. God can speak through any version, so the best one to start with is the one you find easiest to read :)
 
Dino246

Dino246

Senior Member
#4
Jun 30, 2015
25,404
13,747
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#4
For someone whose first language is not English but who wants an English Bible, I would recommend either the NIV or the ESV.

I would definitely not recommend the KJV or the NKJV in this case, because of archaic words and phrases.
 
CS1

CS1

Well-known member
#5
May 23, 2012
13,006
4,313
113
#5
Krasimir said:
Hello,

which one is better for someone, who use English as second language (foreigner)

I will appreciate your help !
All the best !
Click to expand...
NKJV or the NIV pre 1984 :)
 
R

RichMan

Guest
#6
#6
The NIV is corrupt. Many of its verses totally change the meaning when compared to the KJV.
 
K

Krasimir

New member
#10
Mar 18, 2022
8
8
3
#10
Thank you !

I have NKJV , KJV and NIV 2011 in hard copies, since in Bulgaria there are not English Bibles in stores. I use also Bible apps on my phone.
 
CS1

CS1

Well-known member
#11
May 23, 2012
13,006
4,313
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#11
Krasimir said:
Thank you !

I have NKJV , KJV and NIV 2011 in hard copies, since in Bulgaria there are not English Bibles in stores. I use also Bible apps on my phone.
Click to expand...
just know the NIV has watered down some important verses like in John chapter 1 read in the NKJV will be fine :) NLT is good also. All scripture should be read prayerfully.
 
Dino246

Dino246

Senior Member
#15
Jun 30, 2015
25,404
13,747
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#15
RichMan said:
The NIV is corrupt. Many of its verses totally change the meaning when compared to the KJV.
Click to expand...
I knew someone would try to turn this into a KJV-only argument.

The KJV is not the standard against which all others are to be compared. Your comment is therefore empty of value.
 
J

John146

Senior Member
#16
Jan 13, 2016
17,109
3,686
113
#16
Krasimir said:
Hello,

which one is better for someone, who use English as second language (foreigner)

I will appreciate your help !
All the best !
Click to expand...
KJV. Modern day English is tough for a second language...no rules apply.
 
J

John146

Senior Member
#17
Jan 13, 2016
17,109
3,686
113
#17
Dino246 said:
I knew someone would try to turn this into a KJV-only argument.

The KJV is not the standard against which all others are to be compared. Your comment is therefore empty of value.
Click to expand...
Have you ever heard people comparing the ESV with the NIV? Not much, they are more likely compared to the KJV.
 
R

RichMan

Guest
#18
#18
Dino246 said:
I knew someone would try to turn this into a KJV-only argument.

The KJV is not the standard against which all others are to be compared. Your comment is therefore empty of value.
Click to expand...
Where did I say I was KJV only?
I did not say the KJV is the standard,
Just pointed out that the NIV is corrupt and often changes the meaning of what is said.
You are very quick to make unfounded charges.
But not unexpected seeing that is your habit to attack any and all that disagree with you.
 
Nehemiah6

Nehemiah6

Senior Member
#19
Jul 18, 2017
26,074
13,773
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#19
Krasimir said:
which one is better for someone, who use English as second language (foreigner)
Click to expand...
Hello Krasimir and Welcome. Depending on what your mother tongue is you can get the equivalent to the King James Bible in your own language. Just go to the Trinitarian Bible Society website and browse. However if you want to read it in English then stick to the King James Bible. It's been around for over 400 years (which speaks for itself).
 
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