Stargazer Posted October 2, 2018 Posted October 2, 2018 There are plenty of English language Bible translations out there -- many more than I had realized! I'm rather partial to the King James version, but sometimes I wonder if there might be better ones, as far as accuracy is concerned. I'm fine with the Joseph Smith Translation (JST), but I'm trying to keep this restricted to versions that are acceptable among a broad swath of people, including those who don't currently have a testimony of the Prophet. I recall that Joseph Smith once said that the German translation that Luther produced was the best one. I tried to locate this to quote it, but lds.org's search function appears to have some glitches today. So, what is your favorite translation of the Bible? And why? And just in case anyone knows, why does the German language lds.org not have a version of the Bible available online? Luther's Bible is public domain, so it can't be for copyright reasons.
Doctrine 612 Posted October 2, 2018 Posted October 2, 2018 I grow up catholic and when I joined the lds faith I had to not only gain a testimony of the Book of Mormon but I also needed to gain a testimony of the King James Bible as well. i do like the jst but it’s is more or less what many have made it out to be. it was a translation, clarification, commentary. also I believe not all English bibles are equal, I find it strange that the newer bible challenges Christ personality. also the Doctrines are changed through out, as well as placing doubts about the resurrection. luke 9:56 matt 5:44,9:13,18:11 john 6:16,47 mark 3:15,11:26 1 Corinthians 1:18 1 Timothy 3:16 just to start.
RevTestament Posted October 2, 2018 Posted October 2, 2018 6 hours ago, Stargazer said: There are plenty of English language Bible translations out there -- many more than I had realized! I'm rather partial to the King James version, but sometimes I wonder if there might be better ones, as far as accuracy is concerned. I'm fine with the Joseph Smith Translation (JST), but I'm trying to keep this restricted to versions that are acceptable among a broad swath of people, including those who don't currently have a testimony of the Prophet. I recall that Joseph Smith once said that the German translation that Luther produced was the best one. I tried to locate this to quote it, but lds.org's search function appears to have some glitches today. So, what is your favorite translation of the Bible? And why? And just in case anyone knows, why does the German language lds.org not have a version of the Bible available online? Luther's Bible is public domain, so it can't be for copyright reasons. This has been partly discussed before, but I am responding about Luther. Luther almost threw out the Book of Revelation, which the Book of Mormon makes direct reference to. So, I don't consider him to be particularly inspired. However, I can't speak to the quality of his interpretation. I mostly use the KJV, and have just learned to live with its quirks, and the old English(or technically the middle modern English). However, I have studied out of the Oxford Annotated, which I liked. It essentially utilizes the Revised English version for its text, and then adds annotations. I don't consider all the annotations to be accurate, however. Nevertheless, it is important to understand common interpretations, etc even if they are incorrect. I have not studied the most recent trends in Bible versions, but would say the best ones would be those which provide notes on non-standard changes or readings, and provide alternate readings.
Anakin7 Posted October 2, 2018 Posted October 2, 2018 (edited) New Oxford Anotated Bible is good on a scholarly level with commentary and footnotes by Professors/Scholars/Theologians that are objective. As for the KJV it is okay, many Fundamentalist Independent Baptist are KJV only, as a response to them see http://www.kjv-only.com/ The Atonement It is the Central Doctrine Washing My Garment in His Blood In His Eternal Debt/Grace Anakin7 LDS, Saint, Christian, Sentinel, Son Of Thunder, Kryptonian, Warrior Edited October 3, 2018 by Anakin7
HappyJackWagon Posted October 2, 2018 Posted October 2, 2018 Like you say, there are many versions. I'm not knowledgeable enough in the various versions to make a recommendation but I've found that reading new versions can be quite eye opening. A small variation in a phrase, the different translation of a word can really make an idea pop. Of course everyone is different, but I don't speak Kings English so I find myself really appreciating some of the more modern translations. Not only do I naturally understand the language, but it also helps me to compare with the KJV that I've grown up with. It's a good contrast/comparison tool. NIV or NIRV are pretty commonly used versions that are easy to read. 1
Storm Rider Posted October 2, 2018 Posted October 2, 2018 I have and use many versions of the Bible - I always come back to the KJV because I find the language to be so beautiful. I am not qualified to say which is the most accurate or by whose measure other than what we are taught in the Church. 1
halconero Posted October 3, 2018 Posted October 3, 2018 The New Revised Standard Version (NRSV) strives to be the most regularly updated with more original manuscripts, and to convey the original meaning in context. The New Oxford Anotated is the NRSV with commentary, footnotes, and maps to provide context. 1
strappinglad Posted October 3, 2018 Posted October 3, 2018 As I have said before, I am currently reading through the Oxford NRSV. The print is tiny, especially the footnotes. It clarifies some things and still leaves me with questions about others. Having been raised with the KJV , I find it a bit plain when it come to many verses. I am now reading the Apocrypha for the first time ever. Boy, the stories it tells . I can see why many churches don't regard it as canon. 1
Rivers Posted October 3, 2018 Posted October 3, 2018 Our scriptures contain alternate translations of words and phrases in the footnotes. So Latter-day saints shouldn't have a problem with different Bible translations.
Doctrine 612 Posted October 3, 2018 Posted October 3, 2018 10 minutes ago, Rivers said: Our scriptures contain alternate translations of words and phrases in the footnotes. So Latter-day saints shouldn't have a problem with different Bible translations. The alternate words come from the Greek or Hebrew. for example the word faith can be trust, confidence,
Kenngo1969 Posted October 3, 2018 Posted October 3, 2018 (edited) Happy Jack Wagon, Remember this, from December 8, 2014? What're you doing using the NIV, you Jack Wagon??!! P.S.: All in fun, HappyJack; all in fun! P.P.S.: RIP, R. Lee Ermey. Edited October 3, 2018 by Kenngo1969 2
champatsch Posted October 4, 2018 Posted October 4, 2018 Consider the ESV. See this, for example. Quote As an “essentially literal” translation, the ESV most closely aligns with a formal equivalent translation philosophy in that is “seeks as far as possible to capture the precise wording of the original text and the personal style of each Bible writer.” 1
clarkgoble Posted October 4, 2018 Posted October 4, 2018 I like the alternative translations as emphasizing the rhetoric and poetry more. I'm quite partial to the Jerusalem Bible in that regard. Although I frequently use the NRSV or NIV. 1
Stargazer Posted October 6, 2018 Author Posted October 6, 2018 On 10/4/2018 at 7:31 AM, champatsch said: Consider the ESV. See this, for example. I was interested to see that the ESV is to become the English version the Gideons will be transitioning to. From your link: Quote In 2013, Gideon’s International—a ministry that distributes free Bibles to locations including hotels, motels, hospitals, convalescent homes, medical offices, domestic violence shelters, prisons, and jails—announced it would be transitioning its modern English version from the New King James Version (NKJV) to the ESV. This change will make the ESV one of the most widely distributed versions in the world.
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