Dutchoma or anyone who knows - what's the best edition of the Bible to buy?

[Scootergrrrl]

I went to my first Bible study group today and want to look at the Bible more on my own but am slightly baffled by the choice on offer. Please help!

I like the NIV but check what the rest of your group are using - it might be helpful to have the same, or, if you prefer, it might be nice to see the differences in another version.

New International Version (NIV) is the one that I use the most - pretty straightforward English, but is a translation form the original, rather than a restricted vocab translation such as the Good News

New American Standard Version is pretty good too I believe

KIng James is the thees and thous

you can get a study bible NIV - has notes at the bottom of the page, or a LIfe Application NIV - has notes at the botom of the page with pointers how to apply the text to your life...both useful, but I sometimes find I spend too long on the notes and not the Bible passage

HTH

NIV for me too and that is what they use in our church.

Use the same version as everyone else, as long is it is written in plain and modern English. You can't really go wrong with the NIV.

Yep agree with NIV- its the Uni standard for us.

What about Today's NIV? Published more recently - what's the difference between NIV and Today's NIV?

Is baffling!

(Hi PandaG - thanks for email, will be in touch )

the one we have to have at Uni

NIV here. Strikes a good balance between readable and translating the original languages well. However, it does help if you have the same translation as the rest of the group, IMO. So if they are using something else see if you can get a copy of that.

Tip: Charity shops often have Bibles if you want to try out a translation cheaply before buying one!

Walnutshell: I think Today's NIV has slightly more modern language - e.g. replaces 'aliens' with 'foreigners', and more gender neutral language. As with everything to do with Bible translations this is contraversial in certain circles! I've not found the older NIV language a problem though.

Thank you pp. I have also heard that you can get a gender accurate version - ??!

I aagree with others - NIV is a good translation.

I also like having a fresh voice from the Contemporary English Version (CEV) or the JB Philips translation.

Dh would say the New King James Version is the best - he's a stickler for accuracy

I personally would go for the NRSV.

I think if you are going to split hairs between contemporary translations, then you should definitely go with whatever your group is using.

If you are doing serious study where you need to know the Greek, then you can do it all online using Bible Gateway.

There were at least two different versions today - including one which had the word trash in it - so I'd rather get one which I will enjoy reading without the thees and thous, as someone put it! Thanks for all the advice

To be honest, as a person who owns most versions and regularly translates from the greek and hebrew, I would avoid the NIV. The new american standard is really good, king james but if you cant handle it New King James. I would avoid any paraphrases like the good news bible if you are doing serious study.

The Nearly Infallible Version is very safe - no agenda, good for Anglicans (who profess the faith of the original and undivided church).

I'm with MaryBS on the NRSV

If you're still not sure, think about a passage (or 2) from the bible that means a lot to you and look it up on bible gateway

See which translation you prefer.

NIV is good, or my favourite is ESV.

Either of those, though NIV is most widely read/used i think so would probably be a safer bet.

The KJV is my favourite. You get used to the 'thee' and 'thou', after reading it for a while. The text has not been played about with, words changed, etc- more nearest to the original- which is very important to me. That though is my personal choice.

The KJV is my favourite. You get used to the 'thee' and 'thou', after reading it for a while. The text has not been played about with, words changed, etc- more nearest to the original- which is very important to me. That though is my personal choice.

MaryBS has a good suggestion there.

I think it's important to find a bible with language that YOU can understand and get to grips with. So what if most of the group of using the NIV - have a different bible will only serve to enhance the discussion of the passage you're looking at.

I'm boring - I was brought up a Methodist and still use my "Good News" bible that I got whenI was confirmed LOL.

Bibles really are translated for different purposes, so there's no 'best' overall. Depends if you want readability, accuracy, modern/trad language, beautiful poetry, etc etc. I use TNIV - just swapped from the NIV cos i preferred the gender-neutral language. Basically, i reckon if something bugs you about your translation ('he' all the time, or thee/thou, or a scholarly inaccurate translation) then you should pick another. Whatever floats your boat!

GET REAL "The KJV is my favourite.The text has not been played about with, words changed, etc- more nearest to the original- which is very important to me." I happen to believe that scholarship and research have developed a little in the past 500+ years as well as language evolving so NRSV or NCV gets my vote for the very reasons quoted!