BIBLE VERSIONS



BIBLE VERSIONS

ARE THEY AS GOOD AS THEY SAY THEY ARE?

The following shows how the more popular Bible versions, over the years, have been presented to the Christian consumer. This is only touching the ‘tip of the iceberg’ on the issue of Bible versions and their many gross errors. To the average Christian, though, it sounds quite appealing and maybe even logical. Beware dear Baptist; stand firm on the text that has been preserved throughout the ages!

(Remember, the statements made in quotes are from pro-Westcott & Hort theologians, not from KJV-only Biblicists)

Latin Vulgate 400

“Translated by Jerome. The Bible of the Western Church through the middle ages; still the official Bible of the Roman Catholic Church.”

Wycliffe 1385

“First translation of the whole Bible from Vulgate into vernacular, medieval.”

Tyndale 1525

“Translation of Greek N.T. [consulting Vulgate and Luther's German translation] and parts of Hebrew O.T. This fixed the English translation style.”

Geneva 1560

“Revision/collation of Tyndale's and the Great Bible; first English translation to use the division into verses; considered most scholarly of early English versions; commonly used for many years - especially among Puritans - and commonly brought to America.”

Douay-Rheims 1610

“This official Roman Catholic translation for those speaking English was based on the Latin Vulgate (4th century), and was intended to counter the large number of Protestant English Bibles which appeared in the late 16th century. It reads much like the King James Version”

King James Version (KJV) 1611 (Revised 1768)

“Commissioned by King James I of England, this translation is still recognized for the beauty of its language which dates from the time of William Shakespeare “

Revised Version or English Revised Version (RV or ERV) 1884

“First major revision of KJV; done by lengthy committee process including Anglican and most Protestant faiths but not Roman Catholics.”

American Revised Version or American Standard Version (ARV or ASV) 1901

“A re-edited version of the RV, basically the same.”

Revised Standard Version (RSV) 1952

“An attempt to improve the language of the RV/ASV; it became more widely accepted; but never supplanted the KJV.”

New English Bible (NEB) 1970:

“The first British Protestant Bible to be translated from the original languages since the King James Version, this is a thought-by-thought translation in modern British English. It has been replaced, for the most part, by the Revised English Bible.”

New American Standard Bible (NASB) 1971

“Conservative, fairly literal translation from mainly Greek texts; Especially popular among Evangelicals and others who want a word-for-word translation of the original manuscripts.”

2 Cor 2:15

For we are unto God a sweet savour of Christ, in them that are saved, and in them that perish: KJV

For we are a fragrance of Christ to God among those who are being saved and among those who are perishing; NASB

Living Bible 1971

“The most popular "paraphrase translation". This paraphrase of the American Standard Version was an attempt by Kenneth L. Taylor to put the Bible in language his children could understand. It is useful for introducing the Bible to people who are unfamiliar with it.”

Lk 11:1b

…one of his disciples said unto him, Lord, teach us to pray. KJV

…one of his disciples came to him as he finished and said, `Lord, teach us a prayer to recite. LB

New International Version (NIV) 1973

“A conservative, evangelically oriented translation from Greek and Hebrew texts. Called "international" because it is transdenominational and contains the work of many scholars from many English-speaking nations, the NIV is a straightforward translation in contemporary English.”

Isa 14:12,15

How art thou fallen from heaven, O Lucifer, son of the morning! how art thou cut down to the ground, which didst weaken the nations!

Yet thou shalt be brought down to hell, to the sides of the pit. KJV

How you have fallen from heaven, O morning star, son of the dawn! You have been cast down to the earth,you who once laid low the nations!

But you are brought down to the grave, to the depths of the pit. NIV

But, Jesus is the bright and morning star! Rv 22:16 I am the root and the offspring of David, and the bright and morning star (The NIV says basically the same).

Good News Bible [Today's English Version] (TEV) 1974

"Common language" translation from modern Greek/Hebrew texts; emphasis on effective and accurate communication to the common reader. A thought-for-thought translation theory called dynamic equivalence was used for this version. It uses common English throughout, and modern idioms are sometimes substituted for ancient ones in the interest of clarity.”

New King James Version (NKJV) 1982

“A revision of KJV to improve readability. This translation updates the language of the King James Version, changing archaic inflections and obsolete words, while preserving its basic literary structure.”

Hebrews 2:16

For verily he took not on him the nature of angels; but he took on him the seed of Abraham. KJV

For indeed He does not give aid to angels, but He does give aid to the seed of Abraham. NKJV

New Revised Standard Version (NRSV) 1989

“An update of the Revised Standard Version (1952), this translation incorporates changes resulting from archaeological and textual discoveries in recent decades.”

1 Jn 5:7

For there are three that bear record in heaven, the Father, the Word, and the Holy Ghost: and these three are one. KJV

There are three that testify: NRSV

Twenty-first Century King James Version (KJV21) 1994

“An updating of archaic language, punctuation, etc. of the original 1611 KJV for 21st Century readers, that safeguards the integrity and beauty of the original KJV.”

*No major errors, but there were lots of changes: The KJV21 modified 2,200 of the 3,779 verse -- nearly 60% of them!

New Living Translation (NLT) 1996

“Using Kenneth Taylor's paraphrase, The Living Bible, as a base, a team of 90 Bible scholars worked for seven years, carefully comparing each verse with the Greek and Hebrew Scriptures to produce a true translation that is accurate and easy to understand.”

Col 1:14

In whom we have redemption through his blood, even the forgiveness of sins: KJV

Who purchased our freedom and forgave our sins. NLT

English Standard Version (ESV) 2001

“The ESV uses the classic principles of word-for-word translation and literary excellence as exemplified by the KJV and most recently the RSV. Highly accurate, the ESV closely reflects the original meaning of the text in clear, readable, enduring English.”

2 Sam 21:19

And there was again a battle in Gob with the Philistines, where Elhanan the son of Jaare-oregim, a Bethlehemite, slew the brother of Goliath the Gittite, the staff of whose spear was like a weaver's beam. KJV

And there was again war with the Philistines at Gob, and Elhanan the son of Jaare-oregim, the Bethlehemite, struck down Goliath the Gittite, the shaft of whose spear was like a weaver's beam. ESV

Today’s New International Version (TNIV) 2001

"The NIV is an extremely accurate Bible text, the best the CBT could produce as of 1984. The TNIV is an even slightly more accurate Bible text, the best the CBT could produce as of 2001."

Luke 4:4 And Jesus answered him, saying, It is written, That man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word of God. KJV

Lk 4:4 Jesus answered, "It is written: 'People do not live on bread alone.’ TNIV

The Message 2002

“Pastor and biblical scholar Eugene H. Peterson's aim in developing this contemporary language version is to transfer the informal and earthy flavor of the Greek into the rhythms and idiom of everyday English.”

Mt 6:9-13

After this manner therefore pray ye: Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil: For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever. Amen. KJV

Our Father in heaven, Reveal who you are. Set the world right; Do what's best - As above, so below. Keep us alive with three square meals. Keep us forgiven with you and forgiving others. Keep us safe from ourselves and the Devil. You're in charge! The Message

FAVORITE VERSIONS OF PASTORS

The research was conducted by ‘Ellison Research’ and was taken among a representative sample of 700 senior pastors of Protestant churches throughout the United States.

Among all Protestant pastors, the version most likely to be rated as excellent by pastors is the NIV (rated as excellent by 42% of ministers), followed by the New King James (33%), the NASB (32%), the King James (31%), and the NRSV (23%).

The Bible versions ministers are most likely to recommend against for their congregation include the Living Bible (26%), Today?s New International Version (which is not the same as the NIV ? 18%), The Message (15%), and the King James Version (15%). The King James is the only one among the 12 included in the study to be listed as one of the most recommended and least recommended.

Which versions ministers would recommend differ strongly by denomination. For instance, the New Revised Standard is considered excellent by 60% of Methodists, but only 5% of Pentecostals; the Holman Christian Standard Bible would be strongly recommended by 20% of Southern Baptists, but virtually no Lutherans.

Here are the top recommendations from six different major denominational groupings:

Southern Baptists:

New American Standard (43%)

New King James (41%)

New International Version (38%)

Other Baptists:

King James (56%)

New King James (40%)

New International Version (38%)

Methodists:

New International Version (61%)

New Revised Standard (60%)

Today?s New International Version (23%)

Lutherans:

New Revised Standard (40%)

New International Version (25%)

New American Standard (18%)

Pentecostals:

King James (56%)

New King James (49%)

New International Version (36%)

All other denominations:

New International Version (44%)

New American Standard (35%)

New King James (28%)

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