Which is the best Bible version?

[Babiie_deE]

Niv!!!

[handmaiden97]

the best version of the Bible is the one that speaks the most clearly to you as you read it....providing you are using a christian translation not one of the those where words are twisted aroudn to teach a doctrine not of the Bible (exam the bible JW use)

When I first got saved the New living taught me a lot, as I grew in the Lord I often found the verses wer more presices in another version, I enjoy reading the NIV, NRSV, Most often I use the NKJV. I like it cause I can look up words in a strongs concordance still but I dont have to deal with the thees and thous

[mohawk]

The bible is my favorite book and I have several versions. I like the KJV for its poetic style, the NKJV because it is more to my language. I like the flow of the Jerusalem bible and the Duoay Rhiems. I think that each and every one has something to offer...

[lily00]

I used King James a long time and still use it sometimes, NKJV also, but my favorite now is New American Standard Version because it is in modern day english and I can understand it better.

[If Not For Grace]

NIV with Amplified close second.

[JesusFreak78]

I like the NASB bible the best because it is in modern easy to understand English and the most important of all, it's the most accurate translation. I also use the NIV bible.

[SpiritedWoman]

The New Living Translation, because I really connect with that version.
^_^

[Colabomb]

I like NRSV

[Kathryn13]

Whichever helps bring someone closser to the Lord.

[jerek]

NIV is a little easier to read. At least it is for me.

[Iosias]

NIV is a little easier to read. At least it is for me.

May I suggest you read: http://www.trinitarianbiblesociety.org/site/articles/niv.asp

[kiwimac]

And I suggest the following link in favour of the NIV

http://www.layhands.com/WhyDoYouUseTheBloodlessNIV.htm

[Scorcher505]

I dislike the NIV because people tend to think it is the "right" way to translate the Bible. It only has a bunch of buzz words in it. I think the NLT is a much more relatable version

[Samuel_Rigby]

I dislike the NIV because people tend to think it is the "right" way to translate the Bible. It only has a bunch of buzz words in it. I think the NLT is a much more relatable version

I don't know much about the NLT, but the NIV is a bad translation. It has some pretty critical errors in translation. Again, my favorites are the NASB and the ESV.

Another one which has not been mentioned is the Holman Christian Standard Bible. I do not like that translation either. The main reason is because I think it was commissioned and written for the sole purpose of saving money for LifeWay when they print their quarterly Sunday School lessons. I do not have evidence for this, it is only my opinion.

[SqueeG]

I use The Complete Jewish Bible, Amplified, The Message, Living and New Living, NIV, NAS, 21st Century KJ, New King James, and Dake's all for study and clarification. Though I prefer, and voted for, KJV as final authority as some of these don't always line up with it! Interesting and iritating to see how Jesus' blood and holiness can be downplayed and sometimes even eliminated! EEK!

[kiwimac]

The KJV is NOT the standard to judge other English Translations by. It was an acceptable enough translation for its time, it is sadly dated now.

[Iosias]

The KJV is NOT the standard to judge other English Translations by. It was an acceptable enough translation for its time, it is sadly dated now.

The argument is not really about the KJV but rather the underlying Greek Text that is used. The KJV was the last Bible version to be based purely upon the Textus Receptus which is the text the Church has always used.

The modern versions are wrong not because they are new but because they are based upon a collection of corrupted Greek Texts. Hence the article I linked above suggested:

1. http://www.trinitarianbiblesociety.org/site/articles/grktxt.asp
2. http://www.trinitarianbiblesociety.org/site/articles/lordgaveword.asp
3. http://www.trinitarianbiblesociety.org/site/articles/tk.asp


Dean Burgeon's classic work, The Revision Revised (http://www.amazon.com/Revision-Revised-Refutation-Westcott-Theory/dp/1888328010), is a must read.

[staveoffzombies]

I prefer Young's Literal Translation, but I don't see that in the poll options...

[Kazamataz]

well thats not fair it doesnt give you the option to vote neither!

all versions of the bible have there place and i dont belive one is better than the other or one is more holy than the other or one is more accurate than the other.

[kiwimac]

And AV1611, you are quite wrong about the alexandrian versions.

For those interested, try here: http://www.bible-researcher.com/majority.html

And here: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alexandrian_text-type

And also here: http://www.bible-researcher.com/kutilek1.html

[Iosias]

I am afraid not my friend :)

http://www.biblebelievers.com/JEcob1.html
http://www.cprf.co.uk/pamphlets/kjvofbible.htm
http://www.peaceprc.org/OurVenerableKJV.pdf
http://www.cprf.co.uk/pamphlets/archaisms.htm
http://www.cprf.co.uk/pamphlets/modernversions.htm
http://www.cprf.co.uk/articles/NIV.htm

[Iosias]

Indeed the bosts of the ESV and NKJV is that they are more closely based upon the TR.

[VonBarnstejn]

The first English Bible I had access to was the KJV, and YES it has beautifull but old fashioned language. Now in My collection of Bibles I count NKJV (for accuracy), NRSV (because it was prescribed at the School of Theology), two different prints of Martin Luther's translation (one going back to 1895 the other 1984). In addition I have copies of the NIV, NASV, NLT, The Bible Today, two Dutch versions and an interlinear KJV, NIV & Nestle's Greek New Testament. Additional I have some Greek versions on CD. BTW I also have a hard copy Greek NT by Aland et all.
What I am trying to say here that all of them have a place in my study, some for accuracy and others just for the pleasure of reading God's Word.

There are times that the English language fails me in interpreting what the (English) translation is trying to convey and thus I must fall back on other resources.

[OOArisma]

Niv

[On_Fire_4_God_Gurl]

Nkjv

[krys4ever]

King James Version

[Kirkhaven]

I prefer the NKJV

[Sadpenguin]

I get the feeling this poll could also be taken as a "where do you go to church" poll, lol. The thing that originally turned me off to the KJV was when I read on a website that many Christians who did not speak English as their first language had difficulty understanding the KJV.

[gameraofthebible]

The one God wrote, not man.

[Jade22]

New King James Version

[LovebirdsFlying]

I don't think one is more "genuine" than another, but I prefer NKJV as a matter of choice. I find versions such as CEV (not one of the original options) a bit too basic. CEV, along with NLT, etc, almost reads like an elementary school primer. That's good for young people, new Christians, those with weak reading skills or certain comprehension problems, or those for whom English is not their first language, but I like it a little more advanced than that without being archaic.

What I don't understand is why some people think the King James is the *only* acceptable version. "I read the King James because it says right there on the cover that it's the Authorized version." Who authorized it? Only King James himself. King James of England gave the authorization to the translators to make an English langauge Bible. "Authorized" doesn't mean that if it's not King James, it's not the Word of God.

[Speculative]

Well, I know a couple of good versions have popped up since this poll was started back in 2002:

1) The English Standard Version

and

2) The Holman Christian Standard Bible (which I'm using now)

Before the HCSB I used to use the KJV and the NIV. I found that using both of those was the best option for me :)

[Zealous Zeth]

I voted for Jerusalem, altough I perfer the Douay Rheims version as it's based on the Holy Latin Vulgate.