I'm glad you asked.
Owning a Bible is powerful thing. God's Word is a gift not just for show, destined to be ignored and dusted periodically. It is not meant to be read once and discarded. Instead, think of the Bible as a love letter, written by God and sent to you. For that's exactly what it is: God pouring His heart and soul into something so precious that many (including Jesus Christ) lost their very lives to deliver those words of love to you.
When it comes to choosing a Bible, there are two basic questions:
- Which translation?
- Which features?
Does It Really Matter Which Translation I Choose?
Yes. To be useful, your Bible translation should be both accurate and clear, concepts that are sometimes diametrically opposed. A translation that is inaccurate, unclear, or both, is certainly not very useful at all. If you have ever used Google Translation, you know what I mean. You sometimes get a very literal translation but the words strung together don't make any sense.
Someone needs to understand the thoughts behind the words in the original language (Hebrew and Greek in this case) and structure a message that conveys that same meaning in English. Fortunately, God has blest us with talented folks throughout the ages to bring us God's Word in a language we can understand. Not all translations are created equal.
What Should I Look for in a Translation?
This is easy: Do you want Form Equivalent or Dynamic Equivalent? Don't let those terms throw you. They refer to loose classifications of translation "styles" or "methods." For your purchase decision, it really comes down to how you plan to use your Bible. Are you going to read it just for personal enjoyment? Or, are you going to try to make it (and God) a part of you through in-depth study of His Word? Maybe you want to have the same translation used in your church or Bible study class. The following table can help you understand the classifications:
| Form equivalent | Balance: Form & Dynamic | Dynamic equivalent | Paraphrase | |
| Definition | A "word-for-word" translation that closely matches the literal words and grammar of the original text | A "thought-by-thought" translation that bridges the form and the dynamic equivalent approaches | A "phrase-for-phrase" translation that interprets the meaning of the original text and converts it to modern English | A very loose and simplified translation, dynamic equivalent taken to an extreme |
| Examples | King James Version (KJV), Revised Standard Version (RSV), English Standard Version (ESV) | New International Version (NIV) | New Living Translation (NLT), Good News Bible (GNB) | The Living Bible, The Message |
Highlights | Formal and poetic style, ideal for in-depth study and public reading | Slightly less formal, less poetic, ideal for study | Informal, easy to read | Casual, everyday style, much less accurate |
| Psalm 23:1-2 | The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. He makes me lie down in green pastures. (ESV) | The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not be in want. He makes me lie down in green pastures (NIV) | The Lord is my shepherd; I have all that I need. He lets me rest in green meadows (NLT) | God, my shepherd! I don't need a thing. You have bedded me down in lush meadows (The Message) |
| John 3:16 | For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. (ESV) | For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. (NIV) | For God loved the world so much that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him may not die but have eternal life. (Good News) | This is how much God loved the world: he gave his Son, his one and only Son. And this is why: so that no one need be destroyed; by believing in him, anyone can have a whole and lasting life. (The Message) |
Obviously, I've given just a few examples of what is available under each classification, but I think you get the idea. Choose a translation that meets your needs or ask your Pastor for recommendations. You can even ask me, if you'd like. NOTE: If you are so inclined, you can even grab a Bible in Hebrew or Greek and translate it yourself!
Do You Want to Know Which Translation I Use?
Although I have a number of translations, I use two most frequently.
- For daily family devotions, the Revised Standard Version (RSV). The specific Bible my family uses today is the same one my parents used for their daily devotions for as long as I can remember. It helps keep me connected to my history.
- For my in-depth Bible study, usually in preparing for the Sunday morning adult class at church, I use my newest Bible: The Lutheran Study Bible. This is an English Standard Version (ESV), the same translation used in our Worship services. More on this particular Bible next time.
Stephen
Sola Gratia - Sola Fide - Sola Scriptura
Having been a Catholic, i used the Jerusalem Bible from high school through my early twenties. Upon my coming to Christ, I used the NIV, but abandoned that for the New American Standard when i began serious Bible study. I find the ESV and NASB to be very close and like both of them along with the NKJ. I will use Bible Gateway on line to make comparisons between/among different translations/versions.
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