Is this version of the Bible accepted?

[Nate928]

I have a New Living Translation Bible that was given to me and wondered if the board would recommend this to new Born Again Christians?

[countryboy]

I believe this is a pretty good version of the Bible! It is very easy to understand!

[Nate928]

Yeah I really enjoy how they break down each section and explain it. I trust the person who gave it to me and the pastor who recommended it, but wasn't sure exactly if it was the "right" one to read.

[countryboy]

There are many opinions on which one is the right one to read. My former pastor from Alabama used to say when i went to his church that the most accurate version is the King James Version. I have read from many versions and have found they all basically say the same thing. I would only use caution when it comes to paraphrases such as The Living Bible and The Message. They are great for understanding hard to understand passages, however, they don't qualify as "translations" and not nearly as accurate since only one person did the paraphrase of each of those bibles. For accuracy the best versions are:
1. NIV
2. NKJV
3. KJV
4. AMP
5. NLT

For readabily:
1. NLT
2. God's Word
3. NKJV
4. NIV

[Nate928]

Right on thanks! I'm trying to be cautious about which bible I read or which church I go to cause it seems more and more false teachings is spreading from what I hear.

[iSong6:3]

Right on thanks! I'm trying to be cautious about which bible I read or which church I go to cause it seems more and more false teachings is spreading from what I hear.

That's wisdom!

I would strongly advise against reading this or giving it as a gift. It's just a *revision* of the Living *Bible* to make it more saleable. Please read this:

New Living Translation, second edition (2004)
http://www.bible-researcher.com/nlt.html

[Nate928]

Awe man really? Maybe that's why I found little motivation in reading it!

[IMSAVED]

http://family.custhelp.com/app/answe...ail/a_id/23712

These are the Bibles that Focus on the Family excepts:


Since Focus does not employ textual or translation experts, we have relied on outside scholars for advice regarding Bible translations -- notably the conservative leaders who signed the Colorado Springs Guidelines for Translation in 1997. (This link will take you to The Council on Biblical Manhood and Womanhood organization's Web site.)

Based on their input, we use or recommend the following Bible versions:

Gender-Specific Translations

Essentially Literal, "word-for-word" translations:

KJV King James Version
NKJV New King James Version
NAS New American Standard Bible
ESV English Standard Version
HCSB Holman Christian Standard Bible
RSV Revised Standard Version
NLV New Life Version


Dynamic Equivalence, "phrase-for-phrase" translations:

NIV (1984) New International Version 1984 Edition *
NIrV New International Reader's version (1998 revision)

* For a preliminary analysis of the NIV 2011 Edition, see the CBMW's review.

Gender-Specific Paraphrases* (culturally adapted imaginative renderings of the Bible)

LB The Living Bible (paraphrased by Kenneth Taylor)
MSG The Message (paraphrased by Eugene Peterson)

* Please note that if a paraphrase is used, it should always be in conjunction with one or more of the above "regular" Bible translations. Paraphrases can be helpful as a form of commentary or for inspiration, but they should not be one's only source of reading.


Gender-Neutral Translations

Focus on the Family does not recommend gender-neutral Bibles, including the following:

TNIV Today's New International Version
NRSV New Revised Standard Version
NLT New Living Translation
NCV New Century Version
CEV Contemporary English Version
NIVI New International Version Inclusive Language

[iSong6:3]

Awe man really? Maybe that's why I found little motivation in reading it!

[JoyJoyJoy]

How about the Amplified Bible?? What are the pros/cons for it? Anyone use it?

[Acts5:41]

Nate, if you're like me you're on an extreme budget.

I suggest you check out Walmart or your Bible bookstore, look at the various Bibles, read the same passage out of a couple different books, and see which one appeals.

I personally use NIV, NKJV, HCSB, and Good News (now God's Word - a paraphrase version) for bad brain days, low reading comprehension.

You can even check out thrift shops. Sadly, a lot of thrift shops have beautiful unread Bibles.

If you have a favorite version, you can always ask for a nice copy for a gift.

I'm always giving my Bibles away. So I get budget versions.

I know for a fact you can get ESV (a very good translation), NIV, NJKV, NASB, HCSB and others for very low prices, like less than $5 each, at a Christian bookstore. Look in the "outreach" section.

www.christianbooks.com is another good source.

[iSong6:3]

How about the Amplified Bible?? What are the pros/cons for it? Anyone use it?

I like it, it's not much for flow but it gives clarity to the words right in the text.

[penbrat]

How about the Amplified Bible?? What are the pros/cons for it? Anyone use it?

I use it for my study Bible and really, really like it. I use the NIV and the CEV for my reading translations. I know the CEV is not "recommended" but on days that my brain won't comprehend much I find it easy to get through. But the Amplified is really great for study.

[Hootmon]

NASB, with KJV for cross-check, for Bible study.

NIV for general reading.

[Acts5:41]

Amplified, one of the few I don't like.

That just means it's wrong for ME.

One thing I really liked about adding a new version to my Bible study: I had gotten so used to reading the Bible in two versions. An additional version really helped open the Bible up for me.

Plus, it was on sale and such a pretty color.

I'm such a geek. I have two pairs of everyday shoes and a dozen Bibles.

[JoyJoyJoy]

I use my NIV study for everyday. I love my Holman. It is so much easier to comprehend.

[Not Perfect, But Forgiven]

Nate, if you're like me you're on an extreme budget.

I suggest you check out Walmart or your Bible bookstore, look at the various Bibles, read the same passage out of a couple different books, and see which one appeals.

I personally use NIV, NKJV, HCSB, and Good News (now God's Word - a paraphrase version) for bad brain days, low reading comprehension.

You can even check out thrift shops. Sadly, a lot of thrift shops have beautiful unread Bibles.

If you have a favorite version, you can always ask for a nice copy for a gift.

I'm always giving my Bibles away. So I get budget versions.

I know for a fact you can get ESV (a very good translation), NIV, NJKV, NASB, HCSB and others for very low prices, like less than $5 each, at a Christian bookstore. Look in the "outreach" section.

www.christianbooks.com is another good source.

Great advice. I collect translations to compare for accuracy. Goodwill, A.R.C., and Salvation Army stores are all good places to find very good and sometimes never opened N.L.T. 2004's, KJV's, and NIV's. Price ranges are typically 99¢ to $3.00 from what I've experienced.

[Acts5:41]

Yeah.

One memorable time, I had completely cleaned both Bible bookstores out of economy New Testaments. I went to the thrift store and found 40, evangelism New Testaments. I handed about a third of them out on the way home.

[countryboy]

If you want to compare Bible translations, a free way of doing it, is by going to:

www.biblegateway.com

You can type in a bible passage and pick a translation. I love it!

[TheLordismytreasure]

If you want to compare Bible translations, a free way of doing it, is by going to:

www.biblegateway.com

You can type in a bible passage and pick a translation. I love it!

Yes, this is very good advice.. I personally trust only the King James Version as other versions are corrupt (in my opinion, which I feel strongly about)
Galatians 5:9 (KJV). Here is just one example, there are many, many more and you can check them with the parallels.. at http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/...ersion=KJV;NIV.. If you are going to use anything other than KJV, it should really only be used as a companion to aid in understanding..


1 John 5:7 King James Version (KJV)

For there are three that bear record in heaven, the Father, the Word, and the Holy Ghost: and these three are one.


1 John 5:7 New International Version (NIV)

For there are three that testify: