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Best Parallel Bible?

student ad x

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I use e-sword for contrasting translations, but if I were to get a parallel Bible, it would be the one LargeTrout linked to. The secondary option would be The Essential Evangelical Parallel Bible (NKJV, NLT, ESV & the Message).


 
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dies-l

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I generally prefer to stay away from parallel Bibles, because they all seem to have at least one junk translation in them (such The Message, Amp, NLT, etc.)

My preference for comparative study would include at least one of each of the following:

Formal equivalent: KJV, NASB, ESV, NASB, NRSV, RSV
Dynamic equivalent: NIV (I would also put the NLT here, but I can't stand it).
Catholic: NAB, JB, NJB, NEB, REB, or RSV(Catholic Edition).

I have yet to encounter a parallel that offers such a mix, so I try to find relatively portable versions of each of these. Currently, I use the RSV, NIV, and NJB, and I sometimes consult a digital version of the KJV and/or ASV.

Of the parallel Bibles that I have seen, the one that looks most promising is this one:

Amplified, KJV, NASB, & NIV Comparative Study Bible, Hardcover: 9780310903338: Christianbook.com

It has 3/4 of a solid parallel translation.
 
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faceofbear

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I use e-sword for contrasting translations, but if I were to get a parallel Bible, it would be the one LargeTrout linked to. The secondary option would be The Essential Evangelical Parallel Bible (NKJV, NLT, ESV & the Message).


Sorry, haha. I didn't see/forgot you posted a link already. Is there anything better/worse with the NKJV compared to KJV?
 
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dies-l

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I noticed one called Essential Evangelical Parallel Bible from Oxford, it has NKJV, ESV, NLT, The Message. Is there anything bad about the NKJV? I don't know much about it.

I don't use the NKJV, but what I have heard, it is all that is wrong with the KJV (inaccurate and outdated manuscripts) and none of the good of the KJV (the beautiful poetry of the KJV is removed).
 
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Communion

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The one on my shelf: KJV, NASB, NIV, Amplified Bible

Mine is an older version of this one:

51u0ZWCIFFL._BO2,204,203,200_PIsitb-sticker-arrow-click,TopRight,35,-76_AA300_SH20_OU01_.jpg
 
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DeaconDean

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What is the best parallel bible our right now? I'd prefer one with the KJV, but it's not mandatory.

I do not use a parallel bible. I preach and teach from the King James Version.

However, I do carry with me constantly both the KJV and The Interlinear Hebrew-Greek-English Bible, One-Volume Edition by Jay P. Greene.

ChristianBook.com has this at a very good price now:




The Interlinear Hebrew-Greek-English Bible, One-Volume Edition: Jay P. Green: 9781565639775: Christianbook.com

And of course, I always carry with me my Greek Lexicon:

75338.gif


Which is also at a very good price at christianbook.com:

http://www.christianbook.com/the-ne...on/wesley-perschbacher/9780943575339/pd/75338

God Bless

Till all are one
 
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dies-l

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I like the readability of the ESV better than NASB. Not that NASB is difficult, but the ESV flows better.

Fair enough. The problem with the ESV is that it is relatively new, so it has not had sufficient time to become a staple of parallel Bibles like the NIV, NLT, KJV, and so forth. Perhaps, it might be worth looking into whether you can find an RSV/KJV parallel (or even NRSV/KJV if you can tolerate the perceived liberal bias and gender neutrality of the NRSV). The RSV is the immediate predecessor of the ESV, and in my opinion is infinitely better than both of its progeny (the ESV and the NRSV). Unfortunately, you may have to look for a used copy, as I don't know that many Protestant Bible publishers still widely use the RSV.

You might look at the Layman's Parallel Bible. From what I can gather, the older edition is the KJV, Modern Language Bible, Living Bible, and RSV. The newer edition appears to include KJV, NIV, LB, and NRSV. Personally, I would be more inclined toward the latter, but I understand that the NRSV is somewhat controversial and mildly skewed towards a liberal/feminist bias (bear in mind that the ESV is also considered by many to be skewed toward a conservative/evangelical/calvinist bias). So, the former (which you would likely have to buy used) might be better for a more thorough and impartial comparison study. OTOH, the NIV and KJV might serve as a good counterpoint to the weaknesses of the NRSV (which I generally find as readable, if not moreso than the ESV).
 
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