There are many various versions of the bible these days. So just how do you choose the one that is appropriate for you? Often it is challenging to know which translation to choose as you prepare to buy a bible. Sometimes learning a touch about each translation and how it came about might help.
Most Bibles fit into 2 groups; those which are translated with accuracy as the primary goal and those which are translated with readability in mind. Naturally both would be wonderful, but because of the manuscripts which the bible text is being translated from are ancient and generally culturally unique, very accurate literal translations are often hard for the average individual to read and enjoy. In many cases translator try to find a nice middle ground to make reading the bible enjoyable, and at the same time still attempting to preserve the integrity of the original writers message.
Here’s a little insight on 3 different rather well known Bible translations.
The Living Bible (TLB) The Living Bible is a paraphrased version of the King James Bible. This version was put together by Kenneth N. Taylor and finalized in 1971. It flows as a story book and once was immensely popular. Even though it’s often criticized for including a lot of commentary to the biblical text, it is a helpful tool for introducing the Bible to folks that are not familiar with it as well as much simpler for children to comprehend. Due to the fact it is to some degree slanted with the author’s theology it isn’t the most beneficial bible for an accurate, serious study. However it is quite simple to read and pleasant for both adults and children.
New Living Translation (NLT) In July of 1996, Tyndale House Publishers released the New Living Translation (NLT). Using The Living Bible as a basis, a team of ninety Bible scholars from various theological backgrounds and sects labored for 7 years in order to complete it. They carefully analyzed each verse using the Greek and Hebrew Scriptures to produce a true translation that is accurate and simple to comprehend. The New Living Translation (NLT) is a translation of the Holy Bible into modern day English. The New Living Translation was built on the latest scholarship with the aim of generating a clear, readable translation and at the same time remaining faithful to the original manuscripts. It seeks to preserve the freshness and readability of the original paraphrase and still provide the accuracy and reliability. The NLT focuses on generating clarity in the ideas of the text rather than creating a literal, word-for-word equivalence. It is a very readable translation which stays more faithful to the original texts versus the Living Bible, while attempting to maintain the story book form and readability of the Living Bible.
English Standard Version (ESV) The English Standard Version (ESV) was initially released in 2001. This version was created by a group of more than a hundred scholars having the objective of creating a very accurate word for word translation, while still being very readable. The ESV is a highly accurate version of The Bible which very closely reflects the original meaning of the original Greek, Hebrew, and Aramaic manuscripts in straightforward, readable, enduring English. Not only did the designers of the English Standard Version make every effort to guarantee accuracy, transparency, and clarity of the original manuscripts, they also tried to retain the personal style of each writer of the Bible. The ESV combines word-for-word accuracy and precision with literary superiority, elegance, and readability.
For anyone who is considering learning a little more about the Bible, read through a few of Jeff’s other bible articles to get useful Bible study tips along with information about buying bibles.