What Bible Translation Is Really The Best?

[Metadyjital]

What Bible Translation Is Really The Best? Do you have personal favorite and if so WHY?

[MightyIsTheLord]

I dont know why but i prefer the KJV. Probably because the first bible i ever owned (and still own) is the King James version.

[O'Dannyboy]

I once spoke with a lady that worked at a local Christian book store. She had just returned from a pilgrimage to Israel where she learned that the Messianic Jews believed the NASB to be the most accurate translation compared against the Torah. I am somewhat partial to the KJV though I have been enjoying my experience with the new "living" translation. I have heard more bad than good when it comes to the NIV so I gave away my only copy long ago. Interestingly enough we now have access, via computers, to all the different translations and are able to view several translations at one time allowing for comparison. You can download E-Sword for free but I have been using a program called "theophilos" for many years. I use the software mainly for reference but we have an abundance of information and tools at our fingertips these days. I even have a DVD version of the bible which I can play on my television and read along with the audio. Sometimes I even like to listen while I sleep. Even so, we are back to which version you care to listen to read or reference.

[LadyRaven]

I like the KLV because that is what I memorised as a child so when I go to use a concordance and get the address of a bible verse, I know it will work with a KJV. However, I also like the RSV and the NASB. I have all three, plus a NKJV. When I am studying I tend to use them all.

[methinkshe]

I prefer the KJV because it was translated by godly men who were expert in Biblical languages as opposed to experts in Biblical languages who are ungodly, as seems to be the case with many modern translations which are churned out more to make money for the publishers than to shed light on the original manuscripts that comprise the Scriptures.

[mizzdy]

I like the KJV also, I like the language and I grew up with it too. I do use varying versions sometimes on the net too.

[Rick-Parker]

The NKJV is my favorite. When I read, I read through one version, switch to another version and read through it.

[Metadyjital]

So far so good

[ParanoidAndroid]

If there was an "Other" option, I would have chosen it. I don't think any one translation is "best" or true or accurate. Though based on the choices provided, the NASB is the most literal when compared the very earliest and ancient texts so this would be the text of my choice out of that list. The KJV was the first translation of the Bible, but (and i hope I don't offend some believers in this) is translated from inaccurate texts and written in a language 400 years old that just does not convey the same meaning to us today as it did to those people in those days. I do not use the KJV as a general rule, though occasionally it has provided some insight into early Christianity.

Personally, I use quite a few different translations, primarily the NIV (for readability) and the ESV for literal-ness. I don't have regular access to an NASB, but that would be my other choice of text if I had one. I also use several concordances, commentaries and dictionaries to help with my understanding of each and every passage.

[Leonard]

KJV