Biblical translations

Chevalier Sombre · April 3rd, 2009, 07:55 PM

So recently, I decided that in my pursuit for knowledge, it'd be in my interest to further educate myself on spiritual matters. I'm an agnostic, but it's always nice to learn about different beliefs, even if I don't adhere to them myself. If I'm going to criticize something, I might as well know what I'm talking about.

I realized I never really read all of the Bible straight to the end, so I figured I might as well begin there.

I found this site filled with different translations, commentary, and other nifty things. Glancing through it, I was overwhelmed. There are countless translations of the book. Some of them are more figurative, some of them are more literal, some of them take more liberties, some try to stay as close to the original text as possible, etc.

My question to all of you is, which one do you use and which one should I read?

**Forever Atlas** · April 3rd, 2009, 08:04 PM

I use all sorts of Bibles for comparisons, reading, and study. My main one that I use is The New World Translation of the Holy Scriptures.

This website actually has a list of various translations you might want to look into. Put in a scripture and it comes up with that verse from various translations.

Vines Expository Dictionary Online

Now I have hard copies/ printed versions of a few of those translations but like I said the main one I use is The New World Translation. You can find that on that same website or another online version of it from here:

Read the Bible online: New World Translation of the Holy Scriptures

I find it easier to understand and pretty accurate regarding its translation from the original texts.

Jaxx · April 3rd, 2009, 10:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chevalier Sombre

So recently, I decided that in my pursuit for knowledge, it'd be in my interest to further educate myself on spiritual matters. I'm an agnostic, but it's always nice to learn about different beliefs, even if I don't adhere to them myself. If I'm going to criticize something, I might as well know what I'm talking about.

I realized I never really read all of the Bible straight to the end, so I figured I might as well begin there.

I found this site filled with different translations, commentary, and other nifty things. Glancing through it, I was overwhelmed. There are countless translations of the book. Some of them are more figurative, some of them are more literal, some of them take more liberties, some try to stay as close to the original text as possible, etc.

My question to all of you is, which one do you use and which one should I read?

Finally a thread like this comes up.

Yeah I agree with FA about reading the NT version. But when you start to get into it more, I suggest a King James study bible. I'll give you cliff notes at the bottom explaining passages of scripture.

**Forever Atlas** · April 4th, 2009, 07:03 PM

Just make sure it's one that stays accurate as far as translations from the original text (as there are many versions that take out and put in things) and one in which the language isn't difficult for you to understand.

Nevermore · April 4th, 2009, 07:40 PM

I've always felt that the less liberties a translation takes, the better. The further you get from the literal translation, the closer it gets to being a commentary on the Bible. Not that you can't get anything out of commentaries and other Christian books, but I prefer the Bible's translation be as direct as possible. So, I personally prefer the (New) King James Version and the New American Standard Bible.

A site you might want to look at is biblegateway.com. They have multiple translation available to read.

Firo · April 6th, 2009, 11:38 AM

I just read the standard american bible. Where did you find these translations?

**Forever Atlas** · April 6th, 2009, 04:54 PM

I just saw this article featured on the front page of a website I think you should maybe consider:

How Can You Choose a Good Bible Translation?

Reflection · April 6th, 2009, 05:10 PM

I'm a lector at my church [i read scripture every so often in the service] so I get a lot of different translations and versions of readings, and from what I've personally seen King James is going to have more "thy, thou, hitherforth" etc. old english, whereas if you get something like the New World Translation you don't get that so much. But that's just me and not wanting to stumble over weird words when I'm reading. XD
The one I personally use, and pretty much all the popular ones I've come across are the New International Version. I'm probably being naive but the differences I've found really aren't that big of a deal.

Katsuno_Hitomi · April 6th, 2009, 08:17 PM

I read the LDS version of the King James Version. It has tons, and I mean tons, of footnotes, translation notes, and cross-references. Very useful if you are searching for passages on a single topic.

Personally, I like all the thees and thous of the KJV. It gives it a more formal air, which I believe is important when talking about religious matters.

**Forever Atlas** · April 7th, 2009, 05:41 PM

^ Except most people today do not understand that language, so just reading it to read it and not understanding it doesn't help much. Not saying it's a bad choice, I use the KJV too.

wu tang goku · April 7th, 2009, 09:04 PM

i generally use the New American Bible translation, but i also have the New Jerusalem Bible. both are good but be sure to find a study bible (including footnotes) instead of just the core translation

other supplementary things which are very useful (also good to note that all of these is new testament stuff)

INTRODUCTION TO CHRISTOLOGY
by William P. Loewe

Barnes and Noble: Link
Comments: If you want to know where Christian Theology is today, this the book. It's also an intro (obviously) to studying the impact that Jesus had at the time and still has today, as well as a trip through all of councils (Nicaea, Ephesus, Chalcedon).

AN INTRODUCTION TO THE NEW TESTAMENT
by Raymond E. Brown

B&N: Link
Comments: Normally saying "It's Raymond Brown" is good enough, but I will add that he is one of the biggest advocates/influences for the use of the Historical/Critical method of interpreting the Bible, and probably one of the smartest men ever. This guy wrote a book 3-4 inches thick exclusively on the birth narrative in the gospel of John.

JESUS BEFORE CHRISTIANITY
by Albert Nolan

B&N: Link
Comments: Forget everything you ever knew about Jesus. Then read this. Probably a good idea to start with this one first. You'll get the most of the historical Jesus out of this one; it paints a picture of Jesus before EVERYTHING. Before doctrine, dogma, and ritual.

NEW COLLEGEVILLE BIBLE COMMENTARY (series)
by Various Authors

Amazon: Link
Comments: I have read through three of them (Matthew, Mark, Luke) and they are damn good. I only assume the rest are the same; WIDE VARIETY , also very contemporary. Different author for every book; the only problem I see is that it is all New Testament. All in all, beneficial all around.

THE LAST TEMPTATION OF CHRIST
by Nikos Kazantzakis (book), Martin Scorsese (film)

B&N:Link
Amazon:Link
Comments: Both the book and the film do a FANTASTIC job painting the portrait of a Jesus that is very human (and has all human temptations like lust, fear, anger) contrasting the high-descending christological point of view most of us were brought up with. You could probably find a youtube out there that shows how controversial these two were. Out of all of these materials I can say I've had the most impact from these two; it is very liberating from the overly divine persona that we always see Jesus as. The Passion was a shitty movie.

**Square Ninja** · April 8th, 2009, 03:43 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wu tang goku

The Passion was a shitty movie.

Jaxx · April 8th, 2009, 05:18 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Forever Atlas

^ Except most people today do not understand that language, so just reading it to read it and not understanding it doesn't help much. Not saying it's a bad choice, I use the KJV too.

Same here. Its the one started on so I've had years to get used to it. My mom thinks its the absolute translation though, because of what some bible may leave out/switch.

Bangkok Superpussy · April 8th, 2009, 06:03 AM

I firmly believe that the bible was written as an allegory and meant to be interpreted as such; most religious people don't, and those are the ones who bomb abortion clinics.

**The Lionheart** · April 8th, 2009, 06:08 AM

Main Page - LOLCat Bible Translation Project

pretty much use that one.

I kid. I use the NIV, which stays pretty close to the original text. I've grown up with it, and it's really the easiest for me to read.

This is the truest version I know of.

April 6th, 2009, 08:17 PM	#9
Katsuno_Hitomi Member Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Utah: The land of green jello Age: 21 Posts: 206 Rep Power: 1 Level: EXP:	Re: Biblical translations I read the LDS version of the King James Version. It has tons, and I mean tons, of footnotes, translation notes, and cross-references. Very useful if you are searching for passages on a single topic. Personally, I like all the thees and thous of the KJV. It gives it a more formal air, which I believe is important when talking about religious matters.

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