Favourite Bible

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M

MaryM

Well-known member
#1
Nov 25, 2022
505
299
63
#1
Hi,
I am new here. I need people to discuss the Bible with as there is often so much that it is hard to unpack, at least for me. Many heads are better than just one.

I wanted to know, which version of the Bible is truly your favourite?

For me it has to be the St James, for beauty of language. Though I do possess several bibles for quick reference. Further to my question, does it matter which version is studied? There can be quite a lot of difference in wording.
 
Subhumanoidal

Subhumanoidal

Well-known member
#2
Sep 17, 2018
4,056
3,170
113
#2
MaryM said:
Hi,
I am new here. I need people to discuss the Bible with as there is often so much that it is hard to unpack, at least for me. Many heads are better than just one.

I wanted to know, which version of the Bible is truly your favourite?

For me it has to be the St James, for beauty of language. Though I do possess several bibles for quick reference. Further to my question, does it matter which version is studied? There can be quite a lot of difference in wording.
Click to expand...
This question may be better suited to the Bible Discussion Forum (BDF) rather than the section for introducing yourself.
And expect KJV onlyist vs everyone else answers. No agreement.
 
Magenta

Magenta

Senior Member
#4
Jul 3, 2015
59,937
29,304
113
#4

Welcome!

Christmas 2022
:)

I tend to gravitate toward the Berean Study Bible, but will also reference KJV and NIV, not necessarily in
that order ;) It may be helpful to understand why different translations choose different words. For example:

Different Bibles are produced with different objectives in mind.

Generally speaking, for English Bibles, there are two dominant translation
methodologies: formal-equivalence and dynamic-equivalence.

In formal-equivalence translations, translators attempt to translate
each word in the original language into an equivalent English word.

These translations are generally considered more “literal.”

In dynamic-equivalence translations, translators attempt to translate the message/
meaning of the original-language texts into an equivalent English word or expression.

These translations are generally less literal on a word-for-word basis
but still seek to capture the meaning of the original-language texts.

Having said all that, in actuality, all translations incorporate elements of both methods.

Even the most “literal” translations necessarily provide aids to the reader in the translation
because certain concepts in the original languages would be nonsensical to most English readers.

Likewise, even those Bibles that tend more toward the “paraphrase” side of things are often
quite literal for passages where the literal rendering gives a clear meaning in English. source

Having a reading partner or a group you can read with may also help, especially
if you each read from different versions and compare word differences. Using
a site like Biblehub.com and/or Biblegateway.com can also be very helpful
in aiding understanding, as they give context, cross references, and a concordance :)

See? https://biblehub.com/john/3-16.htm
 
HealthAndHappiness

HealthAndHappiness

Well-known member
#5
Jul 7, 2022
10,250
4,294
113
Almost Heaven West Virginia
#5
MaryM said:
Hi,
I am new here. I need people to discuss the Bible with as there is often so much that it is hard to unpack, at least for me. Many heads are better than just one.

I wanted to know, which version of the Bible is truly your favourite?

For me it has to be the St James, for beauty of language. Though I do possess several bibles for quick reference. Further to my question, does it matter which version is studied? There can be quite a lot of difference in wording.
Click to expand...
Welcome to the forum. You'll find many opinions on the subject here.
I hope you learn plenty of truth to strengthen your faith in God and His Holy Word.
When you have an evening free, you might enjoy This Documentary on the subject.
It has comparisons of wording and shows the historical origins from which the common translations are derived.
To your Health and Happiness!
📖🙂👍🍵
 
H

HopeinHim4ever

Guest
#6
#6
MaryM said:
Hi,
I am new here. I need people to discuss the Bible with as there is often so much that it is hard to unpack, at least for me. Many heads are better than just one.

I wanted to know, which version of the Bible is truly your favourite?

For me it has to be the St James, for beauty of language. Though I do possess several bibles for quick reference. Further to my question, does it matter which version is studied? There can be quite a lot of difference in wording.
Click to expand...
Welcome here and good to have you. It's wonderful you want to dig deeper into God's Word. I personally use King James also. But I'm not necessarily KJV only. I pray God leads you into all truth. Enjoy the discussions; I have so far.:)
 
oyster67

oyster67

Senior Member
#8
May 24, 2014
11,887
8,705
113
#8
MaryM said:
Hi,
I am new here. I need people to discuss the Bible with as there is often so much that it is hard to unpack, at least for me. Many heads are better than just one.

I wanted to know, which version of the Bible is truly your favourite?

For me it has to be the St James, for beauty of language. Though I do possess several bibles for quick reference. Further to my question, does it matter which version is studied? There can be quite a lot of difference in wording.
Click to expand...
Welcome to CC, sister Mary!
I like the King James version also. If you like it, then there is no need to look any further. :)(y)
 
TabinRivCA

TabinRivCA

Well-known member
#9
Oct 23, 2018
13,071
10,638
113
#9
Welcome MaryM and glad to have you joining the fellowship here at CC! You can ask all things Bible over at the Bible Discussion Forum, just be suited up with the armor of the lord😇 God bless you always🎉🥳✨
 
Athanasius377

Athanasius377

Active member
#10
Aug 20, 2020
207
86
28
Northern Kentucky
#10
I use the English Standard Version (ESV) personally. The other I recommend is the New American Standard Bible 1995 revision. As a teacher in my church I give each of my students a copy of the ESV Study Bible.
It is IMO the best one volume bible/study notes in print. In fact the notes are not just a thought or two but a concise commentary running through out the volume.
 
R

Runningman

Banned
#12
Mar 4, 2020
8,614
3,691
113
#12
MaryM said:
Hi,
I am new here. I need people to discuss the Bible with as there is often so much that it is hard to unpack, at least for me. Many heads are better than just one.

I wanted to know, which version of the Bible is truly your favourite?

For me it has to be the St James, for beauty of language. Though I do possess several bibles for quick reference. Further to my question, does it matter which version is studied? There can be quite a lot of difference in wording.
Click to expand...
Give the Lexham English Bible a try.
 
Evmur

Evmur

Well-known member
#13
Feb 28, 2021
5,219
2,618
113
London
christianchat.com
#13
MaryM said:
Hi,
I am new here. I need people to discuss the Bible with as there is often so much that it is hard to unpack, at least for me. Many heads are better than just one.

I wanted to know, which version of the Bible is truly your favourite?

For me it has to be the St James, for beauty of language. Though I do possess several bibles for quick reference. Further to my question, does it matter which version is studied? There can be quite a lot of difference in wording.
Click to expand...
I'm not sure that many heads are always better than one. God is very able to guide a sincere seeker. I love the KJV.

Hi Mary ... welcome.
 
Evmur

Evmur

Well-known member
#14
Feb 28, 2021
5,219
2,618
113
London
christianchat.com
#14
Magenta said:

Welcome!

Christmas 2022
:)

I tend to gravitate toward the Berean Study Bible, but will also reference KJV and NIV, not necessarily in
that order ;) It may be helpful to understand why different translations choose different words. For example:

Different Bibles are produced with different objectives in mind.

Generally speaking, for English Bibles, there are two dominant translation
methodologies: formal-equivalence and dynamic-equivalence.

In formal-equivalence translations, translators attempt to translate
each word in the original language into an equivalent English word.

These translations are generally considered more “literal.”

In dynamic-equivalence translations, translators attempt to translate the message/
meaning of the original-language texts into an equivalent English word or expression.

These translations are generally less literal on a word-for-word basis
but still seek to capture the meaning of the original-language texts.

Having said all that, in actuality, all translations incorporate elements of both methods.

Even the most “literal” translations necessarily provide aids to the reader in the translation
because certain concepts in the original languages would be nonsensical to most English readers.

Likewise, even those Bibles that tend more toward the “paraphrase” side of things are often
quite literal for passages where the literal rendering gives a clear meaning in English. source

Having a reading partner or a group you can read with may also help, especially
if you each read from different versions and compare word differences. Using
a site like Biblehub.com and/or Biblegateway.com can also be very helpful
in aiding understanding, as they give context, cross references, and a concordance :)

See? https://biblehub.com/john/3-16.htm
Click to expand...
Dynamic equivalence is an attempt to translate what the writer actually meant. It is paraphrasing.
 
Evmur

Evmur

Well-known member
#16
Feb 28, 2021
5,219
2,618
113
London
christianchat.com
#16
Magenta said:
That's what I said... :geek:
Click to expand...
... not quite, there is a difference between interpreting what somebody said and what you think they meant

I would rather read what Peter said than what some backslidden theologian thought he meant.

George Fox who founded the Quakers and was a remarkable saint and prophet said "to understand the bible we must have the same Spirit that they had who wrote it."

I do not trust that committees of Catholics, Anglicans, Episcopalians, Methodists etc meet this qualification.

bluntly ... I believe they come across sentences which they find hard and they say among themselves "it can't possibly mean that .... "

How many of these people are like Westcott and Hort who gave us the Revised version who hated literalists but not publicly.
 
Magenta

Magenta

Senior Member
#17
Jul 3, 2015
59,937
29,304
113
#17
Evmur said:
... not quite,
Click to expand...
:oops:

Dynamic equivalence was identified as paraphrasing and juxtaposed against more literal translations.

Perhaps it was not as clearly communicated as it could have been.

Do we need a translator? :unsure::giggle:
 
Evmur

Evmur

Well-known member
#19
Feb 28, 2021
5,219
2,618
113
London
christianchat.com
#19
Evmur said:
... not quite, there is a difference between interpreting what somebody said and what you think they meant

I would rather read what Peter said than what some backslidden theologian thought he meant.

George Fox who founded the Quakers and was a remarkable saint and prophet said "to understand the bible we must have the same Spirit that they had who wrote it."

I do not trust that committees of Catholics, Anglicans, Episcopalians, Methodists etc meet this qualification.

bluntly ... I believe they come across sentences which they find hard and they say among themselves "it can't possibly mean that .... "

How many of these people are like Westcott and Hort who gave us the Revised version who hated literalists but not publicly.
Click to expand...
The translators of the KJV were Puritans, they were steeped in Reformation theology.

There were two types of Puritans.

There were the early 16th century Puritans, the Reformers themselves. They were a gentle people, persecuted, their theme was Grace and Mercy.
Then there were the 17th Puritans these were a different breed, harder having been through the civil war against Charles Stuart, they were very similar to the present day US evangelicals, extremely politicized. But they clung to the Reformed theology, and a goodly portion perhaps 70% of the KJV is a revision of William Tynedale's version, he was a BEAUTIFUL saint and martyr.

It is William Tynedale's gentle voice that speaks through those lovely KJ phrases and pithy sayings.
 
Mission21

Mission21

Pathfinder
#20
Mar 12, 2019
913
805
93
#20
Evmur said:
perhaps 70% of the KJV is a revision of William Tynedale's version, he was a BEAUTIFUL saint and martyr.
Click to expand...
Good point.
---
'The Daring Mission of William Tyndale'
- Steven J. Lawson
- Interesting & informative book.
 
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