Which Translation of the Bible?

[Bessie]

Hi Everyone,

I was just thinking about the Bible and all the translations available. For a long time now I've used the New American bible because it is the official English translation of the Catholic church.

When I met with the Priest at our local Orthodox church he asked me which Bible I use. He said there is nothing "wrong" with the New American Bible, but he thinks the Jerusalem Bible is better. He doesn't like the New Jerusalem Bible, though. He also said the Revised Standard Version is good, but he doesn't like that they put the Old Testament all out of order. He says there is no official Orthodox Bible, although a couple attempts have been made.

Anyway, he gave me a copy of the Jerusalem Bible, and I've really liked it.

I was just wondering what you all use.

Bessie

[Dust and Ashes]

I have an old KJV that I use for regular reading but I keep a hardbound RSV on the home altar for daily readings. I prefer the RSV as it seems more understandable. There is an Orthodox Study Bible (http://www.lxx.org/) with New Testament and Psalms with Orthodox study notes available in NKJV. The full version is due out Pascha 2008 with the Old Testament translated from the Septuagint. I can't wait for it. It is also NKJV.

[EmperorConstantine]

For the NT, I use Orthodox Study Bible.

For OT, I just go onto www.biblegateway.com !

But will use Orthodox Study Bible when it comes out.

[buzuxi02]

There is no official "english" bible in the Orthodox church.
The Orthodox church uses the septuagint OT asofficial, but most of these english translations are archaic and possibly not too accurate. Soon the a Septuagint translation will be released by the people who brought us "The Orthodox Study Bible)

[Michael the Iconographer]

The Oxford Revised Standard Version with Deuterocanonicals.

[Ioan cel Nou]

The Oxford Revised Standard Version with Deuterocanonicals.
Me too. I am also looking forward to the OSB coming out, though. It was a great disappointment when it didn't come out this year as intended. I'm not sure if my recollection is correct but it feels like I've been waiting for it ever since my Chrismation over 5 years ago!

James

[FlyFast]

For the Old Testament I use Brenton's version of the Septuagint with Apocrypha. It is nice because it has both the Greek and English.
For more casual reading I have the Cambridge KJV w/Apocrypha.
As others have said, there is no "official" English version. I do plan to pick up an Orthodox Study Bible once the complete version is available.
Ignatios

[Michael the Iconographer]

I know this will shock many, but I can not stand the KJV.

[Ioan cel Nou]

I know this will shock many, but I can not stand the KJV.
I wouldn't use it myself, but it doesn't bother me overly. It just makes me feel like I'm having a conversation with a local from my home town (they still use thee and thou etc.), albeit one witha better than average education.

James

[eoe]

KJV for psalms NKJV for everything else but atht is my own personal preference.

[Bessie]

I really dislike the KJV as well. I do like the Douay-Rheims (RC equivalent from the same era as the KJV) a bit. At least it has all the books!

Bessie

[cobweb]

I have an Orthodox Study Bible (NKJV -NT and Psalms), KJV, and a NIV/Reina-Valera duple Bible (English/Spanish).

Most of the time I just use http://blueletterbible.com for study.

[RobNJ]

The Oxford Revised Standard Version with Deuterocanonicals.

The Orthodox New Testament from Holy Apostles Convent and Dormition Skete.

I have the above, plus the Douay-Rheims & the NKJV Orthodox Study Bible (NT & Psalms)

I also have a version of the KJV called the Third Millennium Bible (with Deuterocanonicals), on my PDA

[Shubunkin]

Mostly the NKJV - sometimes the KJV when I'm in the mood for it ;) ... I can't wait for the full OSB to come out!! I use my NT with Psalms a lot.

[JustinHesychast]

I love my OSB.

Which is better? OSB or Orthodox New Testament?

[ProfChrysostomos]

As an Orthodox priest, the English translation we use for the Gospel lectionary is the RSV. It is fairly decent although it often paraphrases the original Greek text, and in some cases more so than I would like it to do. For the Old Testament, there are some English translations of the LXX (Septuagint), but the texts I have come across in my doctoral work are archaic. I believe the NKJV is the translation used for the Orthodox Study Bible, which removes several of the Old English peculiarities. The Orthodox OT, which I believe will be a translation from the LXX, will hopefully be coming out soon, but I have not yet seen a release date.

[Mary of Bethany]

Last update I saw, it is at the publisher's, and should be ready next February or March.

I hope!

Mary

[RobNJ]

I also use "The Bible and The Holy Fathers For Orthodox" from SVS Press. It has the daily lectionary readings , with commentary.
For instance, today is Friday, 3rd week after Pentecost. It has Romans 9:6-19, followed by a commentary by St. John Chrysostom. Then Matthew 10:32- 11:1, followed by a page & a quarter of commentary by St. Cyprian of Carthage, and another half page by St. Chrysostom.

[Dust and Ashes]

One of the translators for the OSB goes to our mother parish and when I asked him about it, he said that they basically read the NKJV parallel to the Septuagint and correct the NKJV where they differ.

[Michael the Iconographer]

When praying in German I use the Einheitszueberzetsung.

[Qoheleth]

Of all the English translations available, I really don't see why the Douay-Rheims is not the better choice.


Q

[ClementofRome]

I use the New American Standard (NASB) for NT which is the most literal of the English translations of the NA/USB critical/eclectic Greek text,...and though I cannot really stand his translation work, I use Brenton's translation of Alexandrinus/Vaticinus for OT. If I had a bunch of money I would begin to buy the Gottingen critical editions of the LXX and do the work of translation myself!....but alas, I am poor and lazy. :)

[icxn]

... If I had a bunch of money I would begin to buy the Gottingen critical editions of the LXX and do the work of translation myself!....but alas, I am poor and lazy. :)
Or you can download the Greek LXX from here:

http://www.iak.gr/multimedia/palaia_diathiki.zip

:)

[ClementofRome]

Or you can download the Greek LXX from here:

http://www.iak.gr/multimedia/palaia_diathiki.zip

:)

Yes, I have the recognized Greek texts, but the work of the past 20 years to compile a critical edition of the Greek LXX has been reserved and is only found in what is referred too as the Gottingen edition...also, the U of Penn is working on their own critical edition of the LXX that promises much.

Forgive me.

[RobNJ]

Or you can download the Greek LXX from here:

http://www.iak.gr/multimedia/palaia_diathiki.zip

:)

Before I download this & end up hitting my head against the nearest wall.... this thing IS translated, right? preferably into English?
;)

[icxn]

Nope it is all Greek

:)