A Thinking Reed

What Bible do you use?

Written by

Lee M.

in

I’m curious what translation of the Bible folks use most frequently and/or find the most helpful. I still read the beaten up copy of the Revised Standard Version with the red faux leather cover I got when I “graduated” from Sunday school at Hillside Presbyterian in 1984. It may be time for an upgrade, so I’m curious what version others use or would recommend.

Comments

6 responses to “What Bible do you use?”

  1. Marvin

    For sermon preparation I use a HarperCollins Study Bible, New Revised Standard Version, which I received as a graduation present from a seminary professor. I always consult the Good News Bible as well. The same professor said it’s good to compare a more literal translation, such as the NRSV, RSV or NIV, with what he called a “dynamic equivilent” such as the TEV.

    Sometimes the NRSV can obscure the meaning of the psalms and the prophets. The TEV gives you the sense of the meaning, while the NRSV preserves the paralellism of Hebrew poetry.

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  2. Michael Gilleland

    KJV.

    Reply
  3. Joshie

    I use the NRSV, but I really like the New American Bible (American Catholic translation) too. It’s quite good.

    As far as study Bibles go, Harper Collins and the Oxford Annotated are the two best IMO. The Oxford 2nd (Metzger) Edition is better than the 3rd edition but they’re both good.

    Yes it is good to compare literal vs. dynamic translations, but its better to learn Greek and/or Hebrew. Then you can make your own translation free of the politicized choices publishers make for their translation commitees.

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  4. Lee

    What about the ESV? I’ve heard it referred to as an updating of the RSV, but how does it differ from the NRSV?

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  5. Joshie

    http://www.esv.org

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  6. Joshie

    whoops forgot to add the rest of my comment there.

    I haven’t actually read it but it seems to be a conservative evangelical translation (judgeing by the almae mater of the people on the translation commitee) that attempts to be as literal as possible, whatever that means.

    How it differs from the NASB, a translation with basically the philosophy, I don’t know. Maybe it’s actually readible, unlike the NASB. They seem to take a “as gender inclusive as possible without offending our intended buyers” view on he/she issues.

    The ESV society is based out of Wheaton; do with that what you will.

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