A Cup of Tea With Me

I posted this on another blog, that I am deleting. This blog is it’s replacement. I am making some changes, as I have learned some things and have had some conviction since my original writing.

I used to work at a Christian Bookstore, and I really learned a lot about the different versions of the bible. While I am not going to be covering all the translations, I will provide a link where you can see the same verse in most biblical translations. This is not meant to “sell” you on one bible translation nor is it meant to change your mind on the translation you use. I will tell you right now. It is all the word of God. I personally suggest that you find the translation that you feel the most comfortable with or the one that is used in your church or study group.

2 Timothy 3:16 (AMP)
Every Scripture is God-breathed (given by His inspiration) and profitable for instruction, for reproof and conviction of sin, for correction of error and discipline in obedience, [and] for training in righteousness (in holy living, in conformity to God’s will in thought, purpose, and action),

He was with the translators, translating these translations, putting them into words that people of that time period can relate to.

There are three different categories that the translations fit into, and that is what I am going to share today.

Word for Word
The first that I want to talk about is the word for word translations. This would cover bibles like Interlinear, New American Standard (NASB), Amplified (AMP) and King James Version (KJV). These bibles take the traditional text and translate it to English, or other language in a word for word manner.
~ Interlinear has the original Hebrew and Greek text with the English translation directly above the word.
~ The AMP offers text to help expand on the words, which can be helpful.
~ KJV is written in formal text and is a 12 grade reading level.
~ NASB is written in a slightly less formal text and is a 11 grade reading level.

Word for Word/Phrase for Phrase
The next I am covering is what is called word for word/phrase for phrase translations. These bibles take the traditional text and translate it word for word. The main issue with this is that not all words translate properly from Hebrew/Greek to English. They often loose their meaning in translation. When it comes to these words, the translators looked at the phrase and translated it. This would cover bibles like the Holman Christian Standard Bible (HCSB), New International Version (NIV), Today’s New International Version (TNIV), English Standard Version (ESV), New King James Version (NKJV), and New Living Translation (NLT).
~ NIV is the number one selling bible. About 50% of all the bibles sold in the US are NIV. It is very easy to read and understand. I believe NIV is about an 8th grade reading level.
~ HCSB is a relatively newer translation. It is backed by the SBC.
~ ESV is really closer to word for word than any other translation in this category. It uses less formal language.
~ NKJV is also closer to word for word than some of the others, and while it takes most of its translation from the KJV, it also takes into consideration some of the other documents found since the 1611 translation of the KJV, like the Dead Sea Scrolls.
~ NLT is closer to thought for thought than any other bible in this category, but it is a very easy to read and understand bible. Great for those who are just getting started.
~ TNIV Is a newer translations. I find that a lot of the younger - teens and twenty-somethings - really like this translation.

Phrase for Phrase
The last translations type is called phrase for phrase. This is where the translators took the bible and basically put it in their own words. Two of the most famous bibles in this translation type are The Living Bible (TLB) and The Message. Other bibles in this category are New Century Version (NCV), New International readers Version (NIrV), and Contemporary English Version (CEV).
~ TLB was translated by one man, instead of a team of men. It is only available in the original green hard back cover.
~ The Message is another very popular bible. It was translated by just one man. A lot of youth groups are using this translation to reach the youth.
~ NIrV is basically the NIV for the children who are just learning to read. It is said to be a 3rd grade reading level, but I know many children younger than that who use this bible.
~ CEV and NCV are like the TNIV, as they seem to appeal to young adults and teens.

What translation(s) do I use?
I am all over the place. I use my NASB most of the time. It is a Thompson Chain Reference Study Bible, and it has almost everything that I need at my finger tips. My second favorite translation is my AMP and you will find it is the one I quote out of in my blogging and other web writing, most of the time. I also use ESV, NIV, and KJV for text comparison and studying. I have a NCV, I just do not use it as much. There are times where it just does not speak to me as well as some of the other translations. I am saving up for a NKJV, NLT, HCSB and The Message. I look forward to the day that I can own a Hebrew/Greek translation, but right now that would be totally lost on me, as I cannot read, write or even understand the original languages. When I run across a verse or passage that I want to know more about, I pull out another translation, or all of them, and read it. This helps me to get a deeper understanding of what God is trying to say to me.

I hope this helps, and I look forward to any insights that you all may have. If anyone has any questions, let me know and if I do not know the answer, I will get the information.
God Bless,

This entry was posted on Thursday, January 18th, 2007 at 7:38 am and is filed under A Cup of Tea With Me, Bible. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.