WHICH VERSION OF THE BIBLE Part II (Comparing versions)

SHEPHERD TO SHEEP

WHICH VERSION OF THE BIBLE Part II (Comparing versions)

Last time our emphasis was on the King James Version vs. the modern translations as well as the importance of accuracy (word for word) and readability.  Now let’s do a comparison:

KJV (King James Version, 1611): Word for word translation. Reading level (RL) 12. Well-loved and traditional favorite.  Difficult to read due to archaic language. Lovely for memorization.

NKJV (New King James Version, 1982): Word for word. RL 9. Purpose: to update and modernize the original KJV but preserve the KJV as much as possible.  Maintains poetry of the KJV.  

NASB (New American Standard Bible, pub. 1971/1995): Word for word.  RL 11. An update of the (ASV) American Standard Version into more current English.  Formal, readable, respectable.  

ESV (English Standard Version, 2001): Word for word.  RL 8.0. A literal update of the Revised Standard Version (RSV).  A good blend of accuracy and readability.  

NIV (New International Version, 1978): Seeks balance of word for word and thought for thought.  RL 7.8. Lively and readable.  Widely accepted and adopted by evangelical believers. 

NLT (New Living Translation, 1996): Seeks balance of word for word and thought for thought.  RL 6.3. Original language sought but goal was a vibrant contemporary English style.  

AMP (Amplified Bible, 1964): Word for word, amplifying word meanings.  RL NA. Brings out more light of Hebrew and Greek words.  Insightful but awkward to read with brackets.  

THE MESSAGE (MSB, 2002): Thought for thought paraphrase.  RL 4.8. Modern day American speech but holds to the meaning of the original language.  Ultra easy and relaxed readability. 

HCSB (Holman Christian Standard Bible, 2003): Seeks balance of word for word and thought for thought.  RL 7.5. Published by Lifeway Christian Resources of the Southern Baptist convention.  

I hope this Bible version comparison is helpful.  And you know it only scratches the surface of so many Bible translations out there.  And every few years another translation will be published if the pace keeps with the past.  But remember the point is to read your Bible and claim its promises daily!  

(2 Tim 3:16-17) All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness,  17 that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work.

Louie

WHICH VERSION OF BIBLE?

                                                            SHEPHERD TO SHEEP

WHICH VERSION OF BIBLE?

(Deu 4:2) You shall not add to the word which I command you, nor take from it, that you may keep the commandments of the Lord your God which I command you.

Do you ever wonder what translation of the Bible you should be reading?  Is it the good old’ King James Version (KJV)?  Or is one of the more modern translations the way you should go?  

I think for the everyday Christian we shop at a Christian bookstore and look for a Bible we have heard about that has a good reputation and one that is easily readable.  We make our purchase and then that becomes our personal Bible that we usually stay with.   But behind the translations is a debate amongst scholars that runs deep.  Let me explain it in a nutshell.

There are two basic families of Greek texts from which the New Testament is translated from.  The King James Version (and New King James Version) is translated from one Greek text family (Byzantine/Textus Receptus) and the bulk of the more modern translations are from another Greek text family (Alexandrian/Westcott & Hort).  The King James argument sees the Alexandrian text corrupted and influenced by early church heresy.  The modern translations argument say the Greek texts they use are more ancient and therefore closer to the originals that the apostles wrote (called autographs).  This school of debate among theologians is called textual criticism.  (By the way, we are speaking of the Greek New Testament.  There is really no valid argument against the Old Testament translation from the Hebrew because it was so well preserved and the Jewish scribes were so meticulous in their copying.)

So where does all this lead us?  Well, if you are into the debate I would side with the King James Version for varying reasons that make sense to me.  I personally use the New King James Version.  I switched to that from the King James Version because I was a Youth pastor for so long and just couldn’t teach those teenagers with all those thee’s and thou’s!   Then when I became a senior pastor I tried to go back to the KJV but just couldn’t handle the archaic language so I have stayed with the NKJV to this day.

So what do I think of the modern versions?  There are some good ones that I respect like the New American Standard Bible (NASB) and the English Standard Version (ESV) because they are so accurate in their translation but they are from the Alexandrian text.  Other modern versions like the New International Version (NIV) are loose translations (not word for word) so I stay away from them.  (Although I would recommend them for children until they are adults).   Paraphrase Bibles like the New Living Translation (NLT) are way too loose for my taste but could be used for evangelism and new believers.  Accuracy and readability is the key.  But remember the real issue is to read the Word of God and grow in your faith!    (Psa 119:11) Your word I have hidden in my heart, that I might not sin against You.

Louie

THE CHALLENGE OF MOTHERHOOD

 

                                                            SHEPHERD TO SHEEP

THE CHALLENGE OF MOTHERHOOD

(Luke 2:34-35) Then Simeon blessed them, and said to Mary His mother, “Behold, this Child is destined for the fall and rising of many in Israel, and for a sign which will be spoken against  35 (yes, a sword will pierce through your own soul also)…

Motherhood.  Bringing a human life into the world is such a privilege and even though the man is involved only she knows the special relationship with the child in the womb and then bringing that child into the world.  Moms have that nurturing instinct that is finely tuned to the needs of her child.  She feels so rewarded as a woman and as a mother for the joy of raising and giving her life for her child.  (Psa 113:9) He grants the barren woman a home, like a joyful mother of children. Praise the Lord!  But is it all joy and no sorrow?  The answer is obvious but one which is needful to address to encourage mothers when they are challenged in their parenthood.  

Mary was so thrilled to bear the Messiah!  We know the story of the angelic announcement of her virgin birth on to the humble delivery in Bethlehem.  There were the shepherds followed by the wise men.  But we also get a glimpse of the holy family as they make their way to the Temple for Jesus’ circumcision and then for Mary’s purification according to the law of Moses.  At the same time the parents were in the Temple an elderly man named Simeon was led by the Spirit to enter the house of worship.  He took the child Jesus in his arms and blessed God.  He was so happy that he had seen the Lord’s Christ before he died.  He offered praise to God. 

When Simeon was finished he blessed the parents and then spoke to Mary a prophesy about the effect Jesus would have on the people of Israel.  Some would fall because of Him while others would rise. With Jesus, there would be no neutral ground: people would either accept Him or reject Him. As Jesus' mother, Mary would be grieved by the many sorrows He would face.  As the prophecy continued, Simeon said a sword would pierce her soul.  Mary did feel “the sword” in her heart continually as she watched her Son in His difficulties during His ministry and then at the cross.

The motherly cherishing of a child seems to have no limit.  The joys are so gratifying and yet the sorrows are deep and cut to the heart.  Moms rise to glorious heights with their children and also sink to bottomless depths below.  If Mary had not been forewarned and sustained by her strong faith, she could not have endured the trials which came upon her Son; but God prepared her for it and the devout mother of the dying Savior was sustained.  She saw her Son risen and she even worshipped in the new Christian community! (Acts 1:14)

Mother, your faith will sustain you during times of your child’s trouble.  Mary made it and many godly women before you have as well.  Unsheathe the sword of God’s Word and let it heal your pain as you claim its promises for you and your child! (Heb 4:12; 2 Pet 1:4; Isa 54:13)  

Louie