alexander284
Well-Known Member
I'd simply like to know what your thoughts are regarding the NKJV (e.g. strengths, weaknesses).
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New King James Version (NKJV)
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Reformed1689
Well-Known Member
Good translation, but does not use best manuscripts.
But it does in theory. Its Text is the Textus Receptus. The footnotes have the two other Texts, Nestle/Aland and the Majority Text. So if a reading in the Text is not correct the footnotes will have the correct Text. So in one edition you get the Text of 3 editions. All Bibles should use extensive textual notes.
37818
Well-Known Member
The NKJV has yet some issues. Still has a few mistakes against what it intended to do. That asided, it provides a modern KJV with footnotes of important textual variants in the New Testament Greek text in English. M <Majority Text>and NU <Nestle-Aland and United Bible Society> footnotes <mostly complete>.
I use it for all my private devotions and study.
It is not perfect - I am aware of some mistakes - but I think it is the best translation out there. To my mind it does use the best manuscripts.
Three other reasons I like it:
1. It italicizes words added to help the sense.
2. I can use it with a KJV Concordance like Young's and when I am reading older authors who use the KJV..
3. It gives Majority Text and Critical Text readings which I find helpful.
It is not perfect - I am aware of some mistakes - but I think it is the best translation out there. To my mind it does use the best manuscripts.
Three other reasons I like it:
1. It italicizes words added to help the sense.
2. I can use it with a KJV Concordance like Young's and when I am reading older authors who use the KJV..
3. It gives Majority Text and Critical Text readings which I find helpful.
Strengths:
It's in OUR English.
Does not have most of the old KJV's goofs, such as "Easter" in Acts 12:4.
Weaknesses:
Has a few goofs of its own, such as "difficult" insteada "narrow" In Matt. 7:14 (The way to salvation is narrow, not difficult.)
Summary: IMO, one of, if not the best modern English translation out there. Is a quantum leap aheada the old translations of 400-500 years ago.
Let us keep in mind that all Bible translations are the products of God's perfect word being handled by imperfect men.
It's in OUR English.
Does not have most of the old KJV's goofs, such as "Easter" in Acts 12:4.
Weaknesses:
Has a few goofs of its own, such as "difficult" insteada "narrow" In Matt. 7:14 (The way to salvation is narrow, not difficult.)
Summary: IMO, one of, if not the best modern English translation out there. Is a quantum leap aheada the old translations of 400-500 years ago.
Let us keep in mind that all Bible translations are the products of God's perfect word being handled by imperfect men.
Reformed1689
Well-Known Member
That is debatable as to whether that is a goof.
alexander284
Well-Known Member
The only copy of the NKJV Bible I have on hand happens to be a pew Bible.
It sounds as though I should purchase a copy of a NKJV Reference Bible, based on the comments I've been reading here.
It sounds as though I should purchase a copy of a NKJV Reference Bible, based on the comments I've been reading here.
does include the CT/MT variants readings, which is a plus!
Yes, as that is a great feature of the nkjv!
Yes, pick up a study/reference bible in it
Reformed1689
Well-Known Member
The same can be said for things like the ESV, contains alternate readings. I don't really base footnotes on my evaluation of a translation.
Eternally Grateful
Active Member
I use the NKJV Scofield Study bible as my main bible. And have for the last 40 years. I will probably use it until I die.
I has its own flaws. All english bibles do. But I have used it for so long, the other bibles sound weird to me..lol
I has its own flaws. All english bibles do. But I have used it for so long, the other bibles sound weird to me..lol
I had the 1967 Old scofield bile, which was the Kjv, but replaced archaic words with modern ones, and moved those older archiac ones to the margins!
Can only say "amen" to these comments. It keeps much of the beauty/lilt of language as the AV1611 but changes enough to be easily read in 2022. I used it extensively for many years and still have family devotions from it as my wife loves the old AV and I use the ESV. Good compromise.
(Compromise is not always a bad thing, you know. Especially after 50+ years of marriage
)
(Compromise is not always a bad thing, you know. Especially after 50+ years of marriage
)I was surprised on just how much the esv read like the Kjv!Can only say "amen" to these comments. It keeps much of the beauty/lilt of language as the AV1611 but changes enough to be easily read in 2022. I used it extensively for many years and still have family devotions from it as my wife loves the old AV and I use the ESV. Good compromise.
(Compromise is not always a bad thing, you know. Especially after 50+ years of marriage
The ESV is a revision of the KJV/RSV tradition (about 8% the same according to Wayne Grudem, head translator). So, some of the flow is the same.
But main reading, without any footnotes, is from the better Greek texts so not having to search for original words like the NKJV that puts that as notes in some editions. Hence my preference for ESV. I follow the NAA (Nestle/Aland/Aland) Greek manuscript compilation, not Stephanos or later TR, so it makes sense to use a modern English translation based on those texts.
Eternally Grateful
Active Member
bet that was nice!
Was, it fell apart, and do not think even published any more!
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