There has been a lot of discussion around here lately about what is the best Bible. Some folks are supporters of the long-time favorite King James Version (KJV), number one on the charts since 1611; still others vote for the New International Version (NIV), published in 1978. Another favorite is the New Revised Standard Version (NRSV) published in 1989, which is a revision of the Revised Standard Version (RSV) of 1952. Then there is New American Standard Bible (NASB), The Message (MES), the Contemporary English Version (CEV), the English Standard Version (ESV), the New Living Translation (NLT), and about 100 others!
How can you possibly know which one is best?
Well, that all depends on what you want to do with it.
Each one of these translations has strengths and weaknesses, and if you know the strengths, then you can choose the best Bible to use for comprehension, study, or devotion.
If you want to read for comprehension – to get the general idea, then a version like the New Living Translation (NLT) or the Contemporary English Version (CEV) is a good choice. But these are not necessarily good study Bibles.
For a study Bible, look for a version that is more concerned with accuracy. The English Standard Version (ESV – published in 2001) is gaining acclaim in academic circles; the New Revised Standard Version (NRSV) is also a good translation. However, when looking for a study Bible, the “helps” are many times more valuable – the notes at the bottom of the page will let you know if there is a discrepancy in translations, historical and theological perspectives, as well as other information that can assist you in a critical look at scripture. Three study Bibles are at the top of the list: The New Oxford Study Bible (3rd Edition), published by Oxford, 2007; The New Interpreter’s Study Bible, published by Abingdon Press, 2003; and the HarperCollins Study Bible (2nd Edition), published by Harper, 2006. All three of these study Bibles use the NRSV. The ESV is coming out with a study Bible any day now (scheduled to be released October 15, 2008), so the jury is out on the academic value of the study helps.
For a devotional Bible, sometimes it is thought-provoking to have a translation that puts things in a fresh way. Eugene Peterson’s paraphrase The Message (MES) does just that. Notice the word “paraphrase.” Peterson doesn’t make any attempt to be literally accurate. Here is an example from Psalm 23:1-3.
God, my shepherd! I don’t need a thing.
You have bedded me down in lush meadows,
you find me quiet pools to drink from.
True to your word,
you let me catch my breath
and send me in the right direction.
This is slightly different from the KJV we all know and love! (Say it with me… “The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. He maketh me to lie down in green pastures…”)
There are some great resources on-line. A good place to check out many different versions is www.biblegateway.com. They even have a lot of Bible versions in other languages.
My favorite is the New Interpreters NRSV, but I am planning on getting an ESV study Bible as soon as it comes out. I’ll let you know how it is.
What version are you using most? Do you have a favorite? Thoughts on versions and paraphrases?
Blessings,
Julie
One Comment
I was raised on KJV, but I’ve been an NIV Study Bible user since the early 80s. Recently I purchased The New Interpreter’s Study Bible (NRSV) that you mention in the article, and I am really enjoying the commentary that is theologically different and thought provoking. I do believe that the inspiration of the Spirit is present at the time of the writing, interpreting, and at the time of the reading.
My dream Bible: a new parallel Bible that has KJV, NIV, NRSV, and The Message. Thank you for sharing your observations about the usefulness different versions of the Bible.