I read and study out of a parallel Bible, KJV, NIV, NASB, and Amp and can attest that they all have their pros and cons.
Accuracy in my opinion goes to the KJV and NASB. I find some verses more accurate in the KJV and other more accurate in the NASB it just depends on the verse. Both have the Gospel message accurately told, so they both work for me.
The NIV is easy to read, but can certainly be wrong and more liberal, but it still preaches the Gospel message.
AMP is wonderful in its descriptive and learning (Greek) message, but it can be so wordy that it actually confuses the message at times.
Your mileage may vary, but this is what I have found in my study, God Bless.
You mention that some translations are more accurate in certain verses and other translations are more accurate in other verses.
My question is how do you determine which version is right and which version is wrong in any particular verse you happen to be reading?
Thanks to all for the many well thought out and informative responses. Contrary to the OP’s assertions, I AM interested in perspectives on various translations.
The title at the beginning of the original post states that the King James Bible Discussion thread is “Where we don’t change God’s word, His word changes us.” The implication being that the KJV is THE definitive version of God’s word, and that any other translation is inferior and suspect.
My whole questioning is based on the fact that God’s word is reflected in the original Hebrew writings. Anything in English, including the KJV, is a translation.
I don’t accept the premise that the KJV is a perfect reflection of God’s word, and any other English translation is second best. The KJV was created by English clergy 1600+ years after the fact. They undoubtedly did their best to translate the original Hebrew, but who is to say that the creators of the NIV, or NAS, or several other versions seeking to make the Bible more readable for a present day audience didn’t do their best either? What makes the KJV THE definitive version other than the fact it is older?
Unless someone can go back to the original Hebrew and categorically demonstrate that, say, the NIV version of the Bible is illegitimate because of specific things that have been misinterpreted, then i question the premise that the KJV is perfect and any other version is not.
my biggest fear is that i’m going to quote something wrong and you’re not supposed to change the words written in the bible i do a lot of bible discussion i can be wrong about anything else but quoting the lord’s word wrong is something i just don’t want to do !
Rev 22:18
For I testify unto every man that heareth the words of the prophecy of this book, If any man shall add unto these things, God shall add unto him the plagues that are written in this book:
Rev 22:19
And if any man shall take away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God shall take away his part out of the book of life, and out of the holy city, and from the things which are written in this book.
to me it would be horrible to make it all for naught !