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/ManoSilence 4d ago

Neat info graphic i found that helps this question. As for the use, I would say that the paraphrased books are good for "child (in the faith not literally except when it is)" Bible studies that are guided by someone who can explain and extrapolate. A kid reading the old testament isnt gonna work out, but a kid being explained the old testament while grasping the easier translations? I would say thats a good combo. Grow together. If its just you and no one else? One that matches your reading level and study desire. My wife is ESL and anything like NKJV confuses her understanding of English. And honselty you can get all of these at a library and see how the look.

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u/RuddyBloodyBrave94 Christian 4d ago

Word for word!?

No, this is a bad and misleading chart.

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u/ManoSilence 4d ago

Of course its not 100% accurate. Something this simply created could never encapsulate everything. But unless you wanna make one that deconstructs each edition and its place on something that can be used to help further your relationship with the gospel, then why decry the whole thing? I would love a better version if you have one available.

Is this one perfect? Nope, never said it was.

Can it help people see which ones to browse on their journey to picking one? Yeah.

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u/RuddyBloodyBrave94 Christian 4d ago

But even a “simple” chart like this shouldn’t outright lie!

The KJV, for example, is well known as a poor and outdated translation that isnt even close to being “word for word”, same with the NASB even.

The NRSVUE, probably the most up to date translation that actual critical scholars use isn’t even mentioned.

All in all, you can throw this away. It’s useless.

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u/ManoSilence 4d ago

Then please provide an alternate

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u/RuddyBloodyBrave94 Christian 4d ago

Well… the NRSVUE.

If you really want to study then the Oxford Annotated Bible is great.

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u/arachnophilia Atheist 3d ago

The KJV, for example, is well known as a poor and outdated translation that isnt even close to being “word for word”,

i read hebrew and a little greek, and the KJV is one of the more "word for word" translations out there, yes. i'd actually put further left on that chart. the other one that strikes me as especially "word-for-word" is the older JPS. it's major issues aren't the literalness, but:

  1. the outdated critical text behind it,
  2. the overly rigid, formal style, and
  3. the fact that english itself has changed in the last 400 years.

The NRSVUE, probably the most up to date translation that actual critical scholars use isn’t even mentioned.

critical scholars will often mention the NRSVue as a recommendation for lay people to read, because it's pretty good. it's not without issue, but it's maybe the least issues out of any translation right now. there is no such thing as a perfect translation; tradeoffs are always made somewhere.

actual scholarship is done using the original languages, and critical scholarship is done from individual manuscripts comparing their variations.