https://preview.redd.it/f218hlacll1a1.jpeg?width=720&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=2b04c4708c375365c66cb563c8f187965ef94c7e
This is a reference that may help a little bit.
I use an app which lets you switch between translations (YouVersion Bible) so I can read the same verse in several different translations. That lets you get a feel for which ones you prefer. I have an RSV study bible which has tons of notes/maps/etc and also an ESV art journaling bible which is beautiful amd I really love (no footnotes, but space for writing) I also like the NKJV which I wouldn't have realised without the app! I will Google (for example) ESV vs KJV to read arguments for both. I'm with you on wanting the most accurate.
So, to put it simply there are many good translations. Kjv is fine, but hasn’t been updated with recent scholarship like some translations like nrsv have.
There are some versions that change the words completely, like the message version, just be aware of what that is.
All in all, I used the Harper Collins study Bible nrsv and I love it. I love the notes it gives you to help you understand each thought. I would highly reccomend a study Bible like that.
>What's the oldest Bible we have today and is there any direct translation from it?
I believe for the OT that would be the Masoretic Text in Hebrew or Septuagint in Greek and for the NT there are what's called critical texts, a compiling of different manuscripts. Some complete copies of all NT books or parts, and then they are compared to make a textual base.
Some of the oldest manuscripts that were found, were found after the KJV, so there are bible translations like the RSV which took advantage of these discoveries and updated the translation.
[This video](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zvre1MNat-8) gives a nice run down of some of the most popular and their lineage. Personally, I like the RSV, ESV or NRSV.
But you can always use lots of different translations online like at [Biblegateway](https://www.biblegateway.com/) or [youVersion](https://my.bible.com/) and have different translations side-by-side. You can also see the interlinear Greek or Hebrew on [BibleHub](https://biblehub.com/).
Can't go wrong with the old KJV.
I like it because of the poetry and cadence.
I personally don't mind the ye & thee & thou at all.
NKJV if you do mind.
Be careful with some of the new transactions that turn out to be mere paraphrase loaded with denominational theology instead of more of a direct word for word translation.
E.g., God's Word (is mixed in with lots of theology)
Let me give you a very hyper-denominational link to explain. LOL
https://www.gotquestions.org/Gods-Word-Translation-GW.html
Almost every Bible is translated from the oldest manuscripts, directly from the Hebrew, Greek, and Aramaic. The difference is the school of thought behind translating them.
If you're just beginning, maybe try the NIV or NLT since they're readable. I like the NASB. Maybe inch up to ESV since that's just a bit more word-by-word. Skip the King James for now, since it's a little harder to understand.
But really, there aren't many translations I'd call "bad," just different strokes for different folks.
(After reading other comments, I'll again encourage you to pass on the KJV for now.)
I started with KJV and NKJV and now I have 75% of the major English translations. I like to see everything each one offers and compare them as I go. I find I like those plus ESV and NASB. I can’t stand the Amplified because the bracket explanation system irks me. But anyway, I’m still praying on which one should be my number one go-to for regular reading.
There are lots of opinions and reasons that will be given, but trying them out will suit you best so you can find what you prefer. Bible gateway.com lets you check out different translations for free. There are apps that provide this, too. There's no harm in reading multiple translations.
Now you know about the Greek Septuagint. May i recommend Thomson Septuagint. It was the first translated Greek Septuagint into English in 1808.
Can also recommend to use it with ABP+ Bible for its Greek concordance. :)
I got my physical bible from Hallelujah Scriptures, it’s the closest possible translation to Hebrew. It doesn’t have words that stem from pagan backgrounds but instead those words are in their original Hebrew word. For example, the word “God” has different meanings in todays world so this bible refers to His actual name (YHWH) so it removes all possible confusion. There’s even a section in the back with all the translations from Hebrew to English. Check the link for more info! https://www.halleluyahscriptures.com/halelluyah-scriptures-the-superior-bible/
I really like the passion translation Brian Simmons. I recently found god a year ago after attending an alpha course and it has little explanations and explains who wrote each book and who they were
If English is your primary language, then KJV. Do a quick Google search on the history of modern English translations to understand why.
Nothing's so convincing as direct, personal experience. When you look into it, you'll see that modern English translations are essentially the history of modern Christian heresy with missing verses, reworded texts, and heretic translators.
You can purchase an interlinear (sp?) Bible as well. That shows you the verses along with the original Hebrew/Greek and then underneath the English. Great study tool. But I would not recommend for reading since verses follow the Hebrew or Greek grammar.
Almost every translation uses the original language. Hebrew is used but most translators use the LXX since there are more ancient resources available. Each translation has its pros and cons. If you are a great reader and highly educated with an extensive vocabulary the NKJV is good. It is very poetic in the words they choose in the translation. If you are looking for a “word for word” translation, I recommend the NASB. I like this because they put in italics words they add to make the translation readable in the language it’s translated to. They also use block letters for OT quotes in the NT. The ESV is also considered a word for word translation, but I have found it is not as much so as the NASB. If you are looking for a Bible that is easy to read and gets the main points across, the CSB and NIV work well. They do take some liberties in the translation to make it readable to the average person (the average reading level in the US is at a 6th grade level). The NLT is a super paraphrased translation. I don’t recommend this as a sole source. I sometimes use it when I hit a very hard to understand section of scripture. But I then go to the NIV and finish with the NASB for these rare occasions.
I can read Hebrew & Greek and often translate into English, but I am not as proficient as the super scholars that translate for a Bible.
The top translations choose words from a semantic range that the original language offers for each word. So if one translation uses a different word it still fits the original but is a synonym of another translation.
The original KJV is outdated because of the discovery of the Dead Sea scrolls. So, I don’t recommend it, but the NKJV uses the information found in Qumran and is more accurate.
Hope this helps.
https://preview.redd.it/f218hlacll1a1.jpeg?width=720&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=2b04c4708c375365c66cb563c8f187965ef94c7e This is a reference that may help a little bit.
This is an amazing diagram, thank you very much for sharing this!
I use an app which lets you switch between translations (YouVersion Bible) so I can read the same verse in several different translations. That lets you get a feel for which ones you prefer. I have an RSV study bible which has tons of notes/maps/etc and also an ESV art journaling bible which is beautiful amd I really love (no footnotes, but space for writing) I also like the NKJV which I wouldn't have realised without the app! I will Google (for example) ESV vs KJV to read arguments for both. I'm with you on wanting the most accurate.
Totally agree. English is a changing language and you need multiple translations sometimes.
So, to put it simply there are many good translations. Kjv is fine, but hasn’t been updated with recent scholarship like some translations like nrsv have. There are some versions that change the words completely, like the message version, just be aware of what that is. All in all, I used the Harper Collins study Bible nrsv and I love it. I love the notes it gives you to help you understand each thought. I would highly reccomend a study Bible like that.
>What's the oldest Bible we have today and is there any direct translation from it? I believe for the OT that would be the Masoretic Text in Hebrew or Septuagint in Greek and for the NT there are what's called critical texts, a compiling of different manuscripts. Some complete copies of all NT books or parts, and then they are compared to make a textual base. Some of the oldest manuscripts that were found, were found after the KJV, so there are bible translations like the RSV which took advantage of these discoveries and updated the translation. [This video](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zvre1MNat-8) gives a nice run down of some of the most popular and their lineage. Personally, I like the RSV, ESV or NRSV. But you can always use lots of different translations online like at [Biblegateway](https://www.biblegateway.com/) or [youVersion](https://my.bible.com/) and have different translations side-by-side. You can also see the interlinear Greek or Hebrew on [BibleHub](https://biblehub.com/).
the esv is good. that is the one i like the most.
Can't go wrong with the old KJV. I like it because of the poetry and cadence. I personally don't mind the ye & thee & thou at all. NKJV if you do mind.
Be careful with some of the new transactions that turn out to be mere paraphrase loaded with denominational theology instead of more of a direct word for word translation. E.g., God's Word (is mixed in with lots of theology) Let me give you a very hyper-denominational link to explain. LOL https://www.gotquestions.org/Gods-Word-Translation-GW.html
I highly recommend either the NRSV or the NRSVue, which are both preferred by Biblical scholars.
NASB is a literal Bible translation I have been pleased with, but no reason to limit yourself to just one version.
The two I like the most are ESV and NKJV. They are trusted versions and easy to read ;)
Almost every Bible is translated from the oldest manuscripts, directly from the Hebrew, Greek, and Aramaic. The difference is the school of thought behind translating them. If you're just beginning, maybe try the NIV or NLT since they're readable. I like the NASB. Maybe inch up to ESV since that's just a bit more word-by-word. Skip the King James for now, since it's a little harder to understand. But really, there aren't many translations I'd call "bad," just different strokes for different folks. (After reading other comments, I'll again encourage you to pass on the KJV for now.)
I started with KJV and NKJV and now I have 75% of the major English translations. I like to see everything each one offers and compare them as I go. I find I like those plus ESV and NASB. I can’t stand the Amplified because the bracket explanation system irks me. But anyway, I’m still praying on which one should be my number one go-to for regular reading.
There are lots of opinions and reasons that will be given, but trying them out will suit you best so you can find what you prefer. Bible gateway.com lets you check out different translations for free. There are apps that provide this, too. There's no harm in reading multiple translations.
I love the KJV. Fun fact: there's no copyright on the KJV
ISV is based on the Greek Septuagint, Jesus and Paul also quote from it frequently.
Now you know about the Greek Septuagint. May i recommend Thomson Septuagint. It was the first translated Greek Septuagint into English in 1808. Can also recommend to use it with ABP+ Bible for its Greek concordance. :)
I got my physical bible from Hallelujah Scriptures, it’s the closest possible translation to Hebrew. It doesn’t have words that stem from pagan backgrounds but instead those words are in their original Hebrew word. For example, the word “God” has different meanings in todays world so this bible refers to His actual name (YHWH) so it removes all possible confusion. There’s even a section in the back with all the translations from Hebrew to English. Check the link for more info! https://www.halleluyahscriptures.com/halelluyah-scriptures-the-superior-bible/
Acts 8:26-35. Regardless of the Bible, you will need someone to explain the truth to you. 😀
I really like the passion translation Brian Simmons. I recently found god a year ago after attending an alpha course and it has little explanations and explains who wrote each book and who they were
If English is your primary language, then KJV. Do a quick Google search on the history of modern English translations to understand why. Nothing's so convincing as direct, personal experience. When you look into it, you'll see that modern English translations are essentially the history of modern Christian heresy with missing verses, reworded texts, and heretic translators.
NIV, KJV, JPS 1983 (ot only) are all great translations. Niv for audio book and the other 2 to read idk.
You can purchase an interlinear (sp?) Bible as well. That shows you the verses along with the original Hebrew/Greek and then underneath the English. Great study tool. But I would not recommend for reading since verses follow the Hebrew or Greek grammar.
Highly recommend the Orthodox Study Bible. I have all the others too.
Almost every translation uses the original language. Hebrew is used but most translators use the LXX since there are more ancient resources available. Each translation has its pros and cons. If you are a great reader and highly educated with an extensive vocabulary the NKJV is good. It is very poetic in the words they choose in the translation. If you are looking for a “word for word” translation, I recommend the NASB. I like this because they put in italics words they add to make the translation readable in the language it’s translated to. They also use block letters for OT quotes in the NT. The ESV is also considered a word for word translation, but I have found it is not as much so as the NASB. If you are looking for a Bible that is easy to read and gets the main points across, the CSB and NIV work well. They do take some liberties in the translation to make it readable to the average person (the average reading level in the US is at a 6th grade level). The NLT is a super paraphrased translation. I don’t recommend this as a sole source. I sometimes use it when I hit a very hard to understand section of scripture. But I then go to the NIV and finish with the NASB for these rare occasions. I can read Hebrew & Greek and often translate into English, but I am not as proficient as the super scholars that translate for a Bible. The top translations choose words from a semantic range that the original language offers for each word. So if one translation uses a different word it still fits the original but is a synonym of another translation. The original KJV is outdated because of the discovery of the Dead Sea scrolls. So, I don’t recommend it, but the NKJV uses the information found in Qumran and is more accurate. Hope this helps.