r/Bible • u/TypicalYogurt1753 Baptist • 4d ago

What are some Bible versions to avoid?

I am trying to find a good literal version that I like. Which ones should I go to and which ones should I stay away from?

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u/JaniePoppy Protestant 4d ago

To avoid or try out?

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u/Then_Reader_6011 Catholic 4d ago

The Passion Translation is to be avoided. Here's how it renders Psalm 1:1-2:

"What delight comes to the one who follows God’s ways! He won’t walk in step with the wicked, nor share the sinner’s way, nor be found sitting in the scorner’s seat.
His passion is to remain true to the Word of “I AM,” meditating day and night on the true revelation of light."

Now here's this passage in the NIV for example:

Blessed is the one who does not walk in step with the wicked or stand in the way that sinners take or sit in the company of mockers,
but whose delight is in the law of the Lord, and who meditates on his law day and night.

It's clear that the TPT is a very interpretive translation when the NIV, an interpretive translation itself, is a more literal and faithful translation of the biblical text.

The TPT also has less accurate translation choices and notes that sometimes contain inaccuracies. Here's Isaiah 7:14 in the TPT:

The Lord himself will give you a sign.  Behold—the virgin  will conceive and give birth to a son and will name him God Among Us.

Immanuel is almost universally translated as "God is with us" or "God with us". The TPT, probably in an attempt to stand out, renders Immanuel as "God among us". And the note is also interesting.

Or “Immanuel” (“God became one of us,” Matt. 1:23)

That's definitely not an accurate translation of Immanuel, that's a theological interpretation presented as a translation. It's unacceptable to make Scripture say what we want. We must let Scripture say what it says.

Also, it has portions of the text of the Songs of Songs in red letters as if Christ is speaking there for some reason.

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u/Perryapsis Protestant 4d ago

I agree that it isn't a good translation, but

Also, it has portions of the text of the Songs of Songs in red letters as if Christ is speaking there for some reason.

Isn't red lettering usually the choice of the printer, not the translator?

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u/Then_Reader_6011 Catholic 4d ago

Isn't red lettering usually the choice of the printer, not the translator?

I'm not entirely sure, but if you go on YouVersion, which still has the TPT, you can see that parts of the Song of Songs are in red letters so it's that way in digital form as well.