NIV? Tricky as far as the Greek texts used.
I’m not Protestant, but I like the NKJV and the ESV.
While I own a wide variety of translations the 1961 large print ed. of the NWT is the one I prefer for reading. A truly excellent work.
The best Bible translation is the one you’ll actually read. I tend to switch every year so I don’t gloss over familiar scriptures.
This year I’m reading the ESV, and it may be my favorite.
IHMO, serious students of scripture need to use NASB with KJV and Darby for reference. Along with Strong’s & Young’s concordances....commentaries are ok, but should only be referenced once one has done their own personal prayerful research first. Books by good authors (most of whom are not living) should be last.
So sad there is such a poverty of men and women who really know scripture cover-to-cover, and in depth.
Today’s Christianity is 100 miles wide and 1/8” deep, and 95% (or more) of what Christians believe is 2nd hand, pre-digested food - something they heard a pastor say, read in a book, or heard in Sunday School or a Bible Study. Living on pre-digested food will ensure that one is an immature believer all of one’s life. Even good commentaries and books are still “pre-digested” food, and what another has heard from God.
And how is one to discern when an author is “off” on something without knowing the scripture? Yes, the Holy Spirit can speak to one’s spirit, but one needs to know what scripture says to really know.
The lack of personal, direct knowledge of God’s word is perhaps the greatest need among God’s people, greatest lack. One who truly desires to know God personally and deeply will always be a serious student of scripture. True Christian maturity is impossible without this.
KJB for me!
I read the NIV (actually listened to Max McLean reading it) about four times. I might have done it a fifth time or just started it and got halfway through. I forget.
I’m now reading the New American Bible, a Catholic translation revised in 2011. I was apprehensive having tried an earlier version and found it difficult. But I love this version. I have it on my Kindle. Reading it on Kindle, I can highlight, take notes, bookmark, and not feel like I’m damaging a sacred book. I love it.
I can’t recommend too strongly, if you are interested in what the New Testament says go to your local college and take 2 years of Greek. The at least you will know what it says (but I won’t guarantee you will know what it means). I believe that you will also have a much deeper understanding of the text. Most English translations of the New Testament leave much to be desired. (Sorry all you guys that worked on the translations).
Anyone not familiar with the Revised English Bible (1989) should give it a try. It is a British translation that is clear without sounding breezy or colloquial. I’m surprised it is not more well-known and used.
The Jerusalem Bible is used for Mass throughout the world. Except in the United States.
This is really a biased poll of Bible users since it does not include Catholics.
Other Catholic Bible translations approved:
Vulgate — from where do you think you got your Bibles?
Douay Rheims
RSV
NABRE or Revised NAB
and others
Someone recommended the Scofield Bible to me. I plan to order one and check it out. Anyone have any thoughts about it they’d like to share, I’d appreciate your insight.
I almost always read Psalms and Ecclesiastes in KJV, but use many other versions for much of the rest.
The NLT is my favorite translation just to read.
I love the NKJV. In my opinion they succeeded in preserving most of the beautiful language of the King James, which has been such a treasure to the English-speaking world, while fixing some of the obvious problems with that version, and losing the archaic verb forms and such like.
And Thomas Nelson Company’s notes are first rate.
But if folks want to explore many different versions, they’re only a click away.
http://www.biblegateway.com/versions/
The KJB is still THE Bible.
Don't believe me check Heb.3:16 with Deut.1:35-38 and see that both Caleb and Joshua did not rebel, as correctly stated the KJB and wrongly stated by every Modern version, in contradiction to their own Old Testament readings!
KJV was what I memorized verses in as a child, for whatever reason any other translation seems off as far as favorite verses. It’s the poetry.
Up until recently I read the NIV as the KJV and NKJV are just too cumbersome to read on a regular basis, may be the over 50 thing. I’ve been look around lately and like the NET Bible, NASB, HCSB, and the ESV.
The ESV has some translation issues which I found put-offing, but I like the fact that it’s a free app, in a good format on my tablet and even has pop-up cross references. If it weren’t for the important translations/words they seem to leave out it would be my go-to Bible. I like how it flows, though. Just bought a NET Bible with all the translator notes, that was a mistake, as they overwhelm the Word.
Does anyone else have a problem with a Bible not capitalizing the pronouns referring to God and Jesus, or is it just me?
Where’s the Douay-Rheims in this ranking? Surely there must be some mistake.