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Top Ten Translations

J

jaigner

Active Member
Which translations form your personal "top ten list?" Obviously, placement of some may be a little arbitrary, but I want to give it a try.

Here are mine right now:

10. ESV - not bad, but not great
9. NAB - represents the best in Catholic scholarship, very good translation
8. CEV
7. NRSV
6. NJB
5. GNB
4. NLT - another fabulous contemporary translation
3. NIV - '84, though I like what I've seen from the 2011
2. NASU - always my first choice for serious word study, since I don't have access to original languages
1. TNIV - fantastic translation produced by fantastic textual critics and evangelical scholars
 
M

mandym

New Member
1.ESV My ultimate choice
2. KJV, NKJV OK

Don't have anything to add to the list. I run from all the others as fast as I can.
 
J

jaigner

Active Member
mandym said:
1.ESV My ultimate choice
2. KJV, NKJV OK

Don't have anything to add to the list. I run from all the others as fast as I can.
Click to expand...

Really? I'm just wondering why, with all the good modern translations available, would you choose the ESV?

I'm not attacking, just wondering.
 
R

Rippon

Well-Known Member
Site Supporter
jaigner said:
Which translations form your personal "top ten list?" Obviously, placement of some may be a little arbitrary, but I want to give it a try.

Here are mine right now:

10. ESV - not bad, but not great
9. NAB - represents the best in Catholic scholarship, very good translation
8. CEV
7. NRSV
6. NJB
5. GNB
4. NLT - another fabulous contemporary translation
3. NIV - '84, though I like what I've seen from the 2011
2. NASU - always my first choice for serious word study, since I don't have access to original languages
1. TNIV - fantastic translation produced by fantastic textual critics and evangelical scholars
Click to expand...

I was wondering why you rated the GNB above the NRSV,ESV or even the NJB and NAB. You know,the new NAB has been (will be)released this month. It should stand pretty well with the HCSB and 2011 NIV.
 
A

annsni

Well-Known Member
Site Supporter
I can't even go to 10. :)

1. ESV
2. NASB
3. NIV 1984
4. NKJV
5. KJV

That's pretty much it.
 
R

Rippon

Well-Known Member
Site Supporter
Let's see. This list of mine is subject to change.

1) 2011 NIV and TNIV (I don't have the newer one yet.)
2) MLB
3) NLT se
4) NAB 2011 (I have the older one.I don't have the new one yet)
5) HCSB
6) NET (I don't own a physical copy)
7) Norlie (N.T. only)
8) NASBU
9) Weymouth (N.T. only)
10) NIrV

Honorable mention :NRSV
 
Greektim

Greektim

Well-Known Member
jaigner said:
Which translations form your personal "top ten list?" Obviously, placement of some may be a little arbitrary, but I want to give it a try.

Here are mine right now:

10. ESV - not bad, but not great
9. NAB - represents the best in Catholic scholarship, very good translation
8. CEV
7. NRSV
6. NJB
5. GNB
4. NLT - another fabulous contemporary translation
3. NIV - '84, though I like what I've seen from the 2011
2. NASU - always my first choice for serious word study, since I don't have access to original languages
1. TNIV - fantastic translation produced by fantastic textual critics and evangelical scholars
Click to expand...
If you don't have access to original languages, then how are you able judge one translation to another?

Anywho... this is my list starting w/ #1, but it represents what I frequently read, not what I use in study (the HOT and GNT for that)

1) ISV
2) NKJV
3) NASB
4) ESV
5) NIV
6) NET
7) HCSB
 
Last edited by a moderator:
preachinjesus

preachinjesus

Well-Known Member
Site Supporter
Ah a great idea for a thread! Kudos to the OP!

1. NET (A fine translation that maintains nuance while offering good notes)
2. HCSB (This is my primary teaching text so I rather like it)
3. NKJV (My seminary translation, I refer to it often)
4. NASU (Learned to love it in undergrad Bible study methods course)
5. ESV (I'm not as taken by it as others, but maybe I'm not predestined to be so...)
6. NIV (Haven't gotten into the new one yet but grew up using the '84)
7. NLT (I enjoy this for devotional times)
8. TNIV (I have problems with how they translate things, they punt too often)
9. KJV (Will still refer to it as it is a staple in this category)
10. NRSV (An interesting history and solid translation)
 
J

jaigner

Active Member
Greektim said:
If you don't have access to original languages, then how are you able judge one translation to another?
Click to expand...

Hmmm, well, it is true that I don't know biblical languages, so I can't on my own make overarching judgments about each, although I am formally theologically trained and have read a good bit on textual criticism.

The list, however, is more reflective of my own preferences, based on what I am using currently. I don't, however, use a translation simply because I like it, but rather under the recommendations of scholars that I trust.
 
J

jaigner

Active Member
mandym said:
The only good modern translation I have found is the ESV.
Click to expand...

Does this mean it's the only one you like? Because I don't know any scholar who would claim the ESV is the only good modern translation. It's fine if you like it, but it seems odd that you would RUN from other translations that have been proven as viable as the ESV.
 
M

mandym

New Member
jaigner said:
Does this mean it's the only one you like? Because I don't know any scholar who would claim the ESV is the only good modern translation. It's fine if you like it, but it seems odd that you would RUN from other translations that have been proven as viable as the ESV.
Click to expand...


And some have proven that blue is better than green. (Not trying to be sarcastic just making a point)
 
M

Martin Marprelate

Well-Known Member
Site Supporter
1. NKJV
Because I prefer the textual basis and accuracy of translation.
2. ESV
3. NASB
4. NIV 1984
5. KJV

That's all.
I don't consider paraphrases or gender-inclusive versions.

Steve
 
Dr. Bob

Dr. Bob

Administrator
Administrator
Those using blends of very limited Greek texts so are fraught with problems and weaknesses:
1. Geneva
2. New KJV
3. AV1611 (NOT a KJV revision)
4. KJV1769 Oxford revision (I memorized much of it - thousands of verses)
5. Latin Vulgate (hey it WAS "the" translation for 1000 years)

Those using all the Greek texts and the best methodology for accuracy to the actual words of the Bible
1. ASV 1901 (NOT the NASB which I truly dislike as "poor" English)
2. ESV
3. NIV 1984
4. Holman (just starting to use it, comparing to the Greek; not bad)
5. GET Real Bible (incomplete, but I'm working on it daily - Griffin Expanded Translation)
 
R

Rippon

Well-Known Member
Site Supporter
Martin Marprelate said:
1. NKJV
Because I prefer the textual basis and accuracy of translation.
2. ESV
3. NASB
4. NIV 1984
5. KJV

That's all.
I don't consider paraphrases or gender-inclusive versions.

Steve
Click to expand...

Do you have access to the HCSB in your neck of the woods? It's only slightly more G-I than the ESV. A pretty solid translation.

I suppose you've never read from the Modern Language Version of 1969? I love it.

The REB and NJB are rather good second tier translations worthy of consideration though they are Roman Catholic. I will eagerly get the new NAB (another RC Bible) when I can.

How about the Norlie,the Weymouth,or the Darby translations?
 
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