Which version of the Bible do you use?

[HaReb]

I have a number of different versions in my study - around 20 at the last count and it got me wondering which version you guys use the most - NIV, GNB, CJV, JPS1917, Living Water, JSB, KJ, BSI, HNV, Living Bible, NEB, Weymouth, BE, Phillips, Moffatt etc etc.

Anyone want to say which they use - and, briefly, why they find their version so useful to them? Let's avoid decrying the version(s) that others use!

I tend to use the Complete Jewish Version and the JPS1917 (Jewish Publication Society), mostly. David Stern has helped many to see the cultural implications of Scripture and his translation points to the Hebrew roots of our faith (his New Testament Translation is updated and corrected in the CJB). The JPS1917 is, simply, a good, and readily available, standard translation to read alongside Stern's work.

[varsity]

NASB. I've worn out two copies. It's a modern, scholarly, conservative translation. I can read Hebrew, so I can get the Hebrew flavor of the faith by reading the Tanakh in the original language.

I believe that the 1917 JPS owes much to the KJV.

[HaReb]

I believe that the 1917 JPS owes much to the KJV.


Yes, it does - that's why I use more than one Bible and often an interlinear, too.

[Kris10leigh]

The Harper Collins Study Bible (New Revised Standard Version)
It's easy to read and half of each page (literally) is taken up with footnotes that I can refer to.

[A_Pioneer]

The RSV is a word for word translation and does not use the ungodly word for Passover. Plus it doesn't have these dopey words that no one understands; Exhort servants to be obedient unto their own masters, and to please them well in all things; not answering again; Not purloining, but shewing all good fidelity; that they may adorn the doctrine of God our Saviour in all things.

Nuff said!:thumbsup:

[Lulav]

I have a number of different versions in my study - around 20 at the last count and it got me wondering which version you guys use the most - NIV, GNB, CJV, JPS1917, Living Water, JSB, KJ, BSI, HNV, Living Bible, NEB, Weymouth, BE, Phillips, Moffatt etc etc.

Anyone want to say which they use - and, briefly, why they find their version so useful to them? Let's avoid decrying the version(s) that others use!

I tend to use the Complete Jewish Version and the JPS1917 (Jewish Publication Society), mostly. David Stern has helped many to see the cultural implications of Scripture and his translation points to the Hebrew roots of our faith (his New Testament Translation is updated and corrected in the CJB). The JPS1917 is, simply, a good, and readily available, standard translation to read alongside Stern's work.
Sounds like my study and collection! I do have two copies of the CJB and a copyright 1948 JPS which I cherish that I use. I also make use of the Holman which I have that is giant print and helps ease the eyes. I have a Franklin which only has the KJV on it so I am keyed to looking up verses in that language, but don't think in it when I read it. I think my collection is about 30 at last count. I also use online comparisons to get as much from the word as possible.

But mostly for now my CJV is the most marked up, and I like it because the Torah is broken up into parashas, so that is a bonus.

Let me take a walk around my shelves and collect some names,.

Let's see, I have numerous copies and print sizes of KJV, aorund a dozen of those, I have the Hebrew/Greek Study version and Dakes version as well. A couple of NKJV, NIV, JPS, two, JNT commentary, the NLT, The Book, a couple of TLB's and a NT Living Waters and a New World Translation of the Holy Scriptures, and a Salvador Dali edition of the Jerusalem Bible.

Oh, and two Franklins. :)

Opps, edited to add I have a volumn of Greens Interlinear bible and am hoping to collect the rest.

[visionary]

Sounds like my study and collection! I do have two copies of the CJB and a copyright 1948 JPS which I cherish that I use. I also make use of the Holman which I have that is giant print and helps ease the eyes. I have a Franklin which only has the KJV on it so I am keyed to looking up verses in that language, but don't think in it when I read it. I think my collection is about 30 at last count. I also use online comparisons to get as much from the word as possible.

But mostly for now my CJV is the most marked up, and I like it because the Torah is broken up into parashas, so that is a bonus.

Let me take a walk around my shelves and collect some names,.

Let's see, I have numerous copies and print sizes of KJV, aorund a dozen of those, I have the Hebrew/Greek Study version and Dakes version as well. A couple of NKJV, NIV, JPS, two, JNT commentary, the NLT, The Book, a couple of TLB's and a NT Living Waters and a New World Translation of the Holy Scriptures, and a Salvador Dali edition of the Jerusalem Bible.

Oh, and two Franklins. :)

Opps, edited to add I have a volumn of Greens Interlinear bible and am hoping to collect the rest.No wonder we click... we could make a library with the books we have.

[MessianicShmuely]

I have several Bibles in my library, but I tend to favor the CJB, the HNV, the Aramaic Peshitta, the ESV & NLT.

I use the ESV or the NLT when speaking with my children or with the un-churched and those new to the Faith.

Some interesting additions to my library are a Yiddish and Hebrew parallel New Covenant and an Arabic Bible that has come in quite handy when witnessing to muslims.

I still have my 1st Bible, an old 1943 KJV Scolfield Bible that was given to me by my cousin when I 1st became a believer, although I am not a KJV fan, I love the beauty of it's words and it is one of my most prized books. It's worn out pages and broken binding have a place of honor on my mantel beside my Sefer Torah.

[visionary]

My KJV is in bad shape too. I have bound it up and given it a place of honor too.

[ContraMundum]

HaReb....

Funny...I wanted to start a thread on this very topic today myself!

I have dozens of Bibles.

But, I've tended to stop using translations but still like the KJV, NKJV and the NASB for when I just want to read in the English and not want to study the originals- until now. No laughing out there but- I just bought a GNT (Good News Translation) which is the succesor to the Good News Bible. I said, stop laughing. You there, at the back, stop that snickering! Anyway....I absolutely love it. It's so easy to read, is pretty good on the translation and young people can understand it too. It's just a nice devotional Bible. It's user friendly. I wouldn't prepare a study from it, but then I don't prepare studies from any translation anymore (I find the translation that is best for the text/topic being studied and go from there). Of course, I have the edition with the extra books- I like value for money. :) OK OK.....stop giggling out there.

I also use Dave-o McStern's Jewish Bible but it seems a little gimmicky at times. It's good though and his commentary makes a great set to have.

In our church, we only use KJV because our whole service uses language from that era (actually, some of our readings come from an early missal translation that makes KJ's Elizabethan English look like Jive from LA).

I love it.

Actually, I love everything to do with Bibles.

[HaReb]

Lulav,

30 Bibles - one for each day of the month (almost) :)

I didn't count in duplicates of similar types - I have 5 NIV's for example - but I think sometimes that it's strange how you 'get' your Bibles; many of mine have a story behind, as to how/where I got it.

A number of them were presented to me by various people/institutions but the more expensive versions I have bought myself.

[ContraMundum]

I didn't count in duplicates of similar types - I have 5 NIV's for example - but I think sometimes that it's strange how you 'get' you Bibles; many of mine have a story behind, as to how/where I got it.

Same goes for a lot of us I'm sure. I have like 10 KJVs and perhaps 4 NIVs.

A number of them were presented to me by various people/institutions but the more expensive versions I have bought myself.

The most expeinsive Bible I ever got was a gift from a seminary.

My prize possesion in regards Bibles is a toss-up between my massive Family KJV and my LXX.

[HaReb]

CM - I obviously didn't do as well as you, or went to different theological colleges - I only got the cheap ones given to me!

The weightiest I have is the Hendrickson Hebrew/Greek/English interlinear with Strongs numbering for every word included. I bought it via a Messianic web site - cost a fortune in shipping!

I also have a number of Bibles on my laptop and pda - mostly from e-sword (they are free!).

[cyberlizard]

everyday read is CJB, wih occasional resources to NIV.

but i like my computer for study also and have a bucketload of bibles and texts.... one thing in do have and i think is very useful is soncino's talmud (to many pages to read for night time though).

Steve

[ContraMundum]

CM - I obviously didn't do as well as you, or went to different theological colleges - I only got the cheap ones given to me!

*chuckles* ^_^

The weightiest I have is the Hendrickson Hebrew/Greek/English interlinear with Strongs numbering for every word included. I bought it via a Messianic web site - cost a fortune in shipping!

My heaviest one would be that very same item! :thumbsup:

I also have a number of Bibles on my laptop and pda - mostly from e-sword (they are free!).

Ah- e-sword. I love it.

[Lulav]

Lulav,

30 Bibles - one for each day of the month (almost) :)

I didn't count in duplicates of similar types - I have 5 NIV's for example - but I think sometimes that it's strange how you 'get' your Bibles; many of mine have a story behind, as to how/where I got it.

A number of them were presented to me by various people/institutions but the more expensive versions I have bought myself. I gave a quick count, and including on CD and mini computer versions I still have in my possesion 36, no, make that 37, I just remembered I also have one in my car, just in case, then there is the mini one that you have to read with a microscope, so that's 39, hmm, one for each book of tanack! :)

I've actually had more, but I give them away whenever I can. Many I have, especially the duplicates are because I rescued them, you've heard of people rescuing animals? I rescue the word of G-d that people find no use for, so some of the ones I have are very fragile and some falling apart. I love the different versions that they have come out with, meaning back when, now it's a fashion statement and diminishes it so much. :(:sigh: I think one of the versions I have is a 'Light of the 'World' one and very nicely done. I have a few with famous artwork in them. My greatest find at an estate sale was the Jerusalem Bible with watercolors from Salvador Dali, which, last I checked it was worth over $300, I bought it not knowing, for $1. ;)

[HaReb]

Not only well versed, but rich, too! You did well there to buy that one. Lots of Jewish families follow the synagogue pattern - when 'Bibles' become worn, but still readable, and are due for a change, they bury them in the walls or under the floor of their homes, or place them in the attic etc. Protected against the various things that may destory them, the books lay there until the house is demolished. The idea being that the Word is preserved for future generations.

I can never quite decide, re those given to me at theological College or by fellowships I have served, whether I should actually use them, or just keep them. If I decide to use them (as they are all, basically, versions of the NIV (Nearly Inspired Version :D ) I suppose I should do it in rotation so that I do not favour one more than the others!

Then there are the Greek and Hebrew Bibles and derivatives thereof...!

[ContraMundum]

the NIV (Nearly Inspired Version :D )

"Necessary in Vineyard"- one guy I know calls it that. :D