advice on a new bible

[JArthur]

I somehow misplaced my bible so I am getting a new one. I am looking at either the NIV or NASB. Which would y'all recommend?

[NetHog]

Have in mind some chapters and read them in both NIV and NASB and see which style you prefer.

I came across NIrV for Children this week (makes some of the words easier).

Jamie

[FirstCor123]

Well if those are your two choices...NASB.

[thargett]

JArthur,

I used to work at a Christian Bookstore, so let me just tell you this to hopefully help you out.

The NIV was designed to be more readable and capture the MEANING of the original languages. The NASB is meant to capture the literal translation of the original languages, and is thus a little choppy and difficult to read at times, although from a literal, word-for-word perspective, it is more accurate.

The thought in translation behind the NASB was to translate word-for-word, while the thought behind the NIV was thought-for-thought.

Also, the NIV is written on a 7th grade reading level and the NASB is written on an 11th grade reading level (for a point of reference, your average newspaper is written on a 6th grade reading level and the KJV is written on a 12th grade reading level).

Once you decide which translation you prefer, if i may make some suggestions for the particular Bible that you get....

If NIV: The NIV Study Bible and the NIV Life Application Bible are very similar in their commentaries (same publisher), but the NIV Study focuses more on historical and archeological information, wheras the Life Application focuses more on how to apply passages and verses to your life. In addition, the biographical information is more developed in the Life Application than in the NIV Study (almost a whole page vs a small box with a few details).

If NASB: The NASB Study Bible and the NASB Life Application Bible are almost identical in their notations to their NIV counterparts, just with different texts. Again, this is made by the same publisher, which accounts for the similarities in the notations.

Most of the time, some of these 4 Bibles (more likely the NIV) are available at Wal-Mart or Sam's Club at a significantly cheaper price than your local Christian Bookstore (about $20 difference around here).

I hope that I've been of some help.

Tom

[CamelPower]

They may have improved on them, but NASV had much better study materials than did NIV, a concordance similar to Strong's, and a massive user base from those influenced by Campus Crusade.

[JArthur]

thanks for the advice. I think I'll get NIV because thats what I'm most familiar with.

[saved]

JArthur
of the two there is no real challenge. Choose the NASB. The NIV has badly changed many verses and made the text corrupt in many places. It may be easy to understand and read, but what good is that if you read and understand bad information. I would choose the NKJB, but of the two you gave the NASB is the best as far as being close to the origunal language.

[Aineo1]

I have used the NASB for over 20 years and prefer it to the NIV. That said, I also like the NKJB and the NLT. If you can afford it, you might find it beneficial to use more than one translation so you can compare them.

[psykon99]

Okay I know this is WAY too knit-picky of me but the Life App. and NIV Study are NOT put out by the same publisher. Well sort of not.

The NIV Study Bible is produced by Zondervan.

The Life Application NIV is produced by Tyndale in hardcover while
the leather versions are produced by Zondervan.

The NASB Study Bible is produced by Zondervan.

The Life Application NASB is produced by Tyndale in hardcover while the leather versions are also produced by Zondervan.

All other Life App. Bibles, whether leather or HC, are produced by Tyndale.

Sorry... I guess I'm knit picking. I too work in a Christian bookstore.

:)

[filosofer]

I would recommend the NAS (95) edition, too. I have used NAS as my primary English translation for 25 years.

But recently I have begun using the ESV (English Standard Version), which follows the pattern of NAS and NKJV. It's an excellent translation. For Meaning Based translation (dynamic equivalence) I much prefer God's Word (GW) translation.

[Xlcor]

For the absolute BEST, learn Hebrew and Greek and read the originals.:rollin

[Theophilus]

E.W.Bullingers "Companion Bible"

[CoreIssue]

Jarthur,

NIV with cross referencing with the NKJV and NASB on the internet on the deeper parts.

The 3 together are superior to any by themselves.

The KJV requires at least other for meaning clarity. The Old English blurs a lot of issues in the language of today.

[Alhere]

Hello JArthur,

You can't go wrong with a KJV study bible by Henry Morris-see www.icr.org

or a KJV study bible by John MacArthur at www.gty.org


Of course the notes are not infallible.

Wouldn't recommend the NIV or NASB other than for occaisional reference but of course this issue has been debated much before so I am not trying to start another one here.

God Bless in the Battle
Allan

[RapturiteSean]

Since we are yet again attacking Bible versions, perhaps we could reread previous debates.

[Hootmon]

Use at least 2 translations for real study.

I find the NASB a good 'general-purpose' translation. I also like the KJV w/Strongs (e-sword) for more in-depth study.

An online 'literal' translations, like Yooungs, is also useful.

[glorymj]

I use NIV for devotions because I love it's smooth flow (but not childish language).

I use the NASB (and sometimes YLT) for study, as it is a very literal version.

I use KJV with strongs (e-sword) for word study and for memorizing.

I use CEV to read to the preschoolers in daycare.

I use NET, ASV, GNB, CEV, etc etc etc sometimes just to get a different perspective.

:D: :D:

[seeker42]

Neither one, but if you only had those two, the NASB is slightly better.

[My Abba's Child]

Originally posted by JArthur
I somehow misplaced my bible so I am getting a new one. I am looking at either the NIV or NASB. Which would y'all recommend?

There are some Bibles out there that you can get which have 2-4 translations side by side so you can compare the texts. :): Maybe one of those would suit you? CBD (Christian Book Distributors) has a few of these.

In His love,

[shkad14]

w/o reading the other posts I would say NASB

[Jeffer]

Buying a good Bible is a wise investment. Careful consideration should be given in selecting the Bible you intend to use.

If you are a serious student of God's Word you may want a reference Bible that has notes, chain references, a concordance, maps, etc. You may also want thumb indexing and a durable cover such as bonded leather or genuine leather so your Bible will give years of service.

If you don't know which Bible to buy be careful about asking the book store clerk for suggestions. The clerk can tell you which one is selling best (probably The New International Version) but modern English versions are not the most accurate.

Clerks may be influenced by advertising blitzes or Madison Avenue-type promotions designed to hype a certain version. For example, the first edition of The New Living Translation had a $2.5 million promotional budget and an endorsement on the back cover by Dr. Billy Graham.

Modern English Bibles are also based on less than five percent of available manuscripts that are reliable. They sometimes leave words out of the text, or add them, and sometimes leave out entire verses without making the reader aware of this. No one is to take away or add to God's Word (Deut. 4:2, Prov. 30:6, and Rev. 22:18,19.) Revelation states: (". . . If any man shall add unto these things, God shall add unto him the plagues that are written in this book: And if any man shall take away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God will take away his part out of the book of life . . .")

Consider that the Authorized King James (AKJ) has 790,685 words, The New International Version (NIV) has 64,576 fewer words, The New King James Version (NKJV) 19,755 fewer words, and The Revised Standard Version (RSV) 30,534 fewer. Obviously these versions have left out many words which were not all articles or thee's, thou's, thine's, and ye's.

[Don]

Staye away from newfangled translations such as the AKJ and KJV. What thou wantest to do is venture out and get thyself a nice olde Bishops Bible. The King James is simply a corrupte revision of this Bible. A Geneva Bible is also a trustworthy investement. If, like me, thou'st leery of this new "verse and chapter" numbering systemme the so-called "intellectuals" have added to the Holy Scriptures, stick with Matthews Bible or Myles Coverdale's Bible. I do not truste anything printed after 1600. Clearly the influences of corrupt moderne society have affected the translators of the new "modern English" Bibles like the King James Version. God speed in thy quest, good sir!

[Jeffer]

If you intend to buy a new translation because it may make the Bible easier to understand, you may be disappointed. The Holy Spirit is the One who unlocks God's Word not some interpreter who feels, based upon his knowledge and intellect, he is giving the intended meaning of a passage of Scripture.

[Don]

For simple joy of reading, nothing beats the New Living Translation. New King James is better for specific word definitions, though. It's best to remember that both more literal translations and the "dynamic equivalence" translations have their pros and cons. Literal translations can often miss the overall meaning of a passage, and details can be lost in a more paraphrased translations.

[Don]

Originally posted by Jeffer
If you intend to buy a new translation because it may make the Bible easier to understand, you may be disappointed. The Holy Spirit is the One who unlocks God's Word not some interpreter who feels, based upon his knowledge and intellect, he is giving the intended meaning of a passage of Scripture.
Why, then, do you advocate "corrupt revisions" of the King James Bible? You should be reading this:

http://www.kaejae-worx.com/~don/kjv.jpg

[Jeffer]

No matter which Bible one uses there is still no substitute for deep, diligent, prayerful study. In addition, the heart that is fully committed, gives Jesus Christ first place, and is empty of self will be able to discern more of what God is saying than the superficial Scripture surfer who is using the most popular version of the day.

[Paul]

Originally posted by Jeffer
No matter which Bible one uses there is still no substitute for deep, diligent, prayerful study. In addition, the heart that is fully committed, gives Jesus Christ first place, and is empty of self will be able to discern more of what God is saying than the superficial Scripture surfer who is using the most popular version of the day.

From the Board Rules that we all agreed to follow...

No "I'm a Better Christian than You" games - Some folks seem to believe that they are the only true Christian who has ever lived and are thus bent on "fixing" all who cross their path. While we highly encourage discussion of various topics, we do draw the line at the abject condemnation of others over non-essential issues such as spiritual gifts, worship style and holiday observance. Discuss at will but keep the attitudes in check!

[Christine]

Wow -- always late. :):

Jeffer, you have now also violated the "One True Prophet of God" rule for suggesting that anyone who disagrees with you is disagreeing with God Himself -- over a bible version, or that they aren't as "serious" as you in their studies because of it.

If the Lord spoke through an ass once to get His point across, what makes you think that people can't be saved by reading the NKJV or NIV?

I got news for ya -- it happens all the time.

Anywho -- I won't waste any more of your time. You need to find another site to preach at people as this is no longer welcome here.

:):

[Aineo1]

Originally posted by Jeffer
If you intend to buy a new translation because it may make the Bible easier to understand, you may be disappointed. The Holy Spirit is the One who unlocks God's Word not some interpreter who feels, based upon his knowledge and intellect, he is giving the intended meaning of a passage of Scripture. I agree with you. The Holy Spirit can use the NAS, The Living Bible, the NIV, or any other good modern translation to teach us what He wants us to learn day by day.

I found the NAS to be the best modern translation for my purposes and have stuck with it all the way through my sexual orientation transformation and recommend it over the archaic language used in the KJV.

I do like the NKJV but I still gravitate to my NAS. It is an old trusted friend with all my notes and I would not part with it for anything.

[glorymj]

Originally posted by Christine
If the Lord spoke through an ass once to get His point across, what makes you think that people can't be saved by reading the NKJV or NIV?

I got news for ya -- it happens all the time.
:freaked :spit :pound

[pilgrimian]

There are a few good literal translations...

I would first suggest New American Standard or the American Standard, 1901. As a personal preference I would go with the NASB prior to the 1995 Update, if possible (perhaps you could find a used copy on Amazon). The fact that Lockman has not italicized certain portions not in the Greek really irks me. And if I didn't have a number of translations (including a Greek Interlinear) I might find myself in the conspiracy theories of such folks like Jeffer and the KJV-Only crowd. Bathsheba simply isn't in Matthew 1:6, and her name ought to be italicized (or she should be in a footnote -- Matthew meant to leave out her name, I believe). Anyhow, I guess it's a pet-peeve of mine.

Women in Matthew's Genealogy of Christ (http://www.stupidgentiles.com/QR/WomenInMatthewsGenealogy.htm)

I would also suggest that the English Standard Version is a good translation, as is the New King James.

Dr. Joseph M. Stowell
President, Moody Bible Institute

The ESV is a joy to read. I appreciate especially its clear, concise accuracy, expressed in reverent, readable style, making the ESV ideal for preaching and personal Bible study.

Dr. John F. Walvoord
Chancellor, Dallas Theological Seminary

The ESV beautifully blends good, contemporary English with reverence and accuracy. I hope it will be mightily used of the Lord.

Dr. Erwin W. Lutzer
Pastor, Moody Church, Chicago, IL

Reading the ESV's purity and cadence of the classically satisfying text gave me more and more enjoyment. At the same time, the meaning came over clearly and with force, with the literary beauty of the text expressed in clear language for today.

I have enjoyed the New Living Translation...but would not use it exclusively.



Godspeed,
Matthew

[My Abba's Child]

I, personally, don't understand what all the fuss is about. I prefer NASB, but if you have a question, there are lots of Bibles available out there that have several different versions side by side for comparison purposes. Get a KJV/NIV/NASB Comparative Bible and get the best of ALL 'worlds'. :D: Then you can read the verses side-by-side and determine which version is most easy for you to make sense of; plus have the added convenience of seeing how the different version views and presents different verses.

In His love,

[pilgrimian]

Originally posted by My Abba's Child
I, personally, don't understand what all the fuss is about.

It's partly paranoia...and partly the problem of paraphrases and dynamic equivalence being skewed with theological winds. Having used the NASB for a number of years now I would never read the NIV exclusively again. Literal translations are the best.

[jerbear]

I recommend The Evidence Bible available on Ray Comfort's websight : Livingwaters.com :):

[CoreIssue]

Literal translations are the best.

There is no such thing as a literal translation. NASB, KJV and all the rest contain dynamic translation.

You could not read a literal word for word and it would be grossly inaccurate.

Being dynamic does not mean doctrinally translated. It means the literal meaning is translated.

An easy example is Christ being nailed through the hand. In the Greek he was. In the English he was not.

The Greek includes the wrist as part of the hand. The English does not.

So in the English through the hand is inaccurate. And has been the fodder of many refutations by atheists and others who know you cannot support a human body that way.

But it does reveal the falseness of the stigmata claims.

The best way to study is to cross reference. I use the NIV as my primary read and in deeper studies use the NIV, NKJV and the NASB. You will get a far more accurate understanding that way since no one translation can encompass all the translation meanings completely.