Version of the Bible

There are two main lines of differences between translations of the Bible: translation source, and translation style. Let's take two popular versions of the Bible: the KJV and NIV. Both use different sources and styles in the New Testament. Translation source differences are pretty straight forward. In the New Testament, the King James Version uses the Textus Receptus, and the New International Version uses the Nestle text. The King James Version is a formal equivalance, the New International is a dynamic equivalance translation. So in John 1:18, when the King James Version says "only begotten Son" and the New International Version says "only begotten God," it's because they actually have different words in their Greek source. Where the KJV has "he hath declared [him]" and the NIV has "he has made him known," this is because they use different translation style even though they have exactly the same Greek words to draw from there. So you need to ask yourself two questions when choosing a translation: Do you care what your original source is, and how close do you want your translation to follow it. If you have a reason to prefer the Nestle text, the Majority Text, or the Textus Receptus, or any of a half dozen other versions like the Vulgate, then that sets one limit that direction. Most people don't care. Next, you have to know if you want something that will follow the text or be easier to read. Hebrew and Greek are vastly different from English, and the closer something follows the source language, the harder it will be to read. Seriously, if I told you that Saul was killed by the lip of a sword, how are you going to take that? No wonder they usually translate that as edge. The other side to how close does something follow its source, some translations will veer off their source to follow some other source for a while. I don't always understand why. When in doubt, I strongly suggest talking with your own pastor.

Hi agnescmary. First and foremost I would recommend any translation that is true to the original languages of the text, even in the smallest details. So much is missed when even a minor thing is changed. Years back, when I was in Bible institute, the New International Version was touted as the best. Well, I fell for that line. I really began to question the NIV when I was trying to witness to Jehovah's Witnesses. So I did my own research (I have a composite Greek text here) and discovered the NIV mis-translated several things. Well, let's get to the bottom line here. I recommend the KJV. If one finds the language too archaic then use the New KJV. I've been using the NKJV for my devotions and have that version now as the church version and I find no problems with it. I have heard of the KJV for the 21st century, but have not seen it myself. Somethings to look for are that the last phrase in John 1:1 reads "and the Word was God." The word "divorce" does not occur in 1 Cor. 7. Re 19:7 should read something like, "Let us be glad and rejoice, and give honour to him: for the marriage of the Lamb is come, and his wife hath made herself ready." -- not bride, but wife.

Check out the Recovery Version at http://www.recoveryversion.org/index.html and get a free copy at https://secure.rldbooks.org/Order.aspx?LangID=1

I use the King James Version although I do read the other versions and right now I am comparing the Nasb to the kJV. I think if you are a true Christan and grounded in the word you can read the other versions and still come up on top, but for a novice Christian or one that has not read the KJV before it becomes confusing. Many verses are missing, some do not express more fully the divinity of Christ, they do not exactly name the person - Lucifer, but refer to him as the morning star, leave out the tale of the woman caught in adultery, etc. That is why with these versions, they often have a study version with detailed explanation while in the Kjv all one needs is a dictionary or Strong's concordance because it is self=explanatory.

I am using the New International Version. My bible study leader recommends it to me because it uses the simplest form of English so it is very easy to understand.

I am using NIV Bible. My Bible leader says this version uses the simplest English so it is very easy to understand.