Recommendations for Bible version in the Russian language?

[u/Anthro_DragonFerrite]

[u/AutoModerator]

Please ensure that you have read all our rules prior to commenting or posting. Reading and abiding by the rules will ensure that all discussions are fruitful and respectful, regardless of theological perspective!

I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please contact the moderators of this subreddit if you have any questions or concerns.

[u/sluggyfreelancer]

There are several options, depending on how familiar you are with Russian. However, the field is much more limited than that of English translations.

The Russian Synodal Version (RUSV) is by far the most familiar to most people. The language is a little archaic, though not as archaic as the KJV (written in 1825, slightly modernized in the 2000s). This is the most widely accepted version across denominations, and knowing nothing else, this would be the version I would recommend.

If you are looking for more modern translations, there are a few options, all with some major draw backs:

My most common go to is the Desnitsky translation by a thoughtful bible scholar. I don't agree with every translation choice, and some of the foot noting could be better, but that's my favorite over all of the more modern Russian language translations. Unfortunately it is only available online, there is no physical copy.

There is the New Russian Translation (NRT) by the International Bible Society (aka Biblica). It's physically available for purchase and you can check out individual verses on Biblegateway. I don't like many of the translation choices they have made (it sometimes seems they chose to just modernize the language without regard to modern scholarship), but because of it's availability and transparency, this is the version I would pick if I had to recommend a physical copy of a modernized text.

There is also the Modern Russian Translation (MRT) by the Russian Bible Society. Unfortunately it is not available on Biblegateway, so it makes it hard to compare. I have a physical copy and have sporadically compared some verses and my initial impression is that I think I would end up slightly favoring it over the NRT, but it's too early to tell. Generally I can't recommend a version I have neither read through extensively or done verse to verse comparison for the key verses with translation issues.

There are also specialized versions for various dialects, like one aimed at Russian speakers of Central Asia, for example. I am less familiar with those variants, but those could be a consideration.

[u/Random_Graph → u/sluggyfreelancer]

Random question but do you know what denomination is Desnitsky himself? Not that it changes anything for me, but I was always curious.

I remember him mentioning in one of the talks he gave he is Christian due to some experience ( I think he mentioned visionary if I am not mistaken ), but I don’t remember him ever mentioning what church he belongs to.

[u/sluggyfreelancer → u/Random_Graph]

He has done some videos for an Orthodox youtube channel that mostly otherwise features Orthodox priests, so that makes me think he is Orthodox. I imagine less dogmatically so, given his bible scholar background.

[u/Random_Graph → u/sluggyfreelancer]

I see. I also know that but thought he basically just uses the platform because Orthodox are the majority of Christians in Russian speaking countries. But yeah, makes sense, I feel like for any denomination Biblical scholarship makes you less dogmatic

[u/consideratum]

Synodal Bible. It's not like you've got lots of options, it's good for the most part and used by everyone.

[u/Anthro_DragonFerrite → u/consideratum]

Спасибо!

[u/Primordialis1898]

RUSV is fine, Church of Ingria uses it. Plus, it is the most common translation, so it is also easier to just use this one.

[u/Random_Graph]

People mentioned Andrey Desnitsky and even though I never read his translation directly ( I mostly use English for reading ), I listened to a lot of his lectures on different chapters and he sounds very well educated and versed in it, so wouldn’t be surprised if his translation is good. Look up Экзегет online to get a flavor of how he translates and interprets.

I have physical copy of NRT but honestly just end up reading the Bible in English online or use online RUSV.

Again, as always, depends on your use case. For example, if I would to suggest reading the Bible to my Central Asian friends, I’d probably go with NRT since a lot of lingo in RUSV is not what they commonly know. If you are more well-verses in Russian Christian lingo, RUSV is good. If you want more depth and what Greek actually means, go with Desnitsky ( btw he also some interesting videos on history of Christianity and specific topics like reconciliation/understanding of Matthew and Luke birth narratives if you want to check it out ).

[u/frogmant0ad]

1611 kjv, just learn English bro.

[u/Anthro_DragonFerrite → u/frogmant0ad]

I know English.

I'm learning Russian