I get asked from time to time, “Which Bible translation should I buy?” It’s a reasonable question. Over 50 modern translations exist in the English language. But that is further complicated by the many commentaries and versions added to the biblical text: The Women’s Bible, The Student’s Bible, The Oxford Bible, The Ryrie Study Bible, etc. These take one of the 50 translations and then add some commentary. So which to choose? Hard to say. If I were going out right now to buy my first Bible to study and take to church, I would probably buy the Life Application Bible in either the New International Version (NIV) or the New Revised Standard Version (NRSV). But the Bible I use these days is the English Standard Version with no commentary. I enjoy this translation especially for use in preaching as it avoids the old English of the King James, but still reads nicely. Plus, I believe it to be accurate in most cases.
Here’s an attempt from another pastor to give some help for Bible translations. http://www.firstpresb.org/translations.htm.
Bottom line when you are standing in Barnes and Nobles looking at the shelves and shelves of Bibles: find the one you think you will actually read. And then enjoy!
No comments:
Post a Comment