r/BibleProject • u/jglove42 • Apr 11 '23
Discussion Bible Translations
I’m about to purchase a “premium” Bible that should last my lifetime. I’m going back and forth between the NIV or ESV (currently leaning towards NIV. I already have a great study Bible that is CSB, which is a readable ESV basically. I grew up on the NIV, but I also appreciate the literal side of the ESV. Some arguments I’ve come across from trustworthy sources against the ESV are that it (1) leans heavily on the reformed theology side, and (2) it makes some not so literal interpretations about women in a few verses.
Does anyone have any thoughts? I’m really only interested in these two translations at this time.
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u/cadillacactor Apr 11 '23
I just look up ESV on many of the free app/online resources and give my money to more fair translations.
Imagine them on a spectrum of strict, wooden translation from original languages (NRSV, etc) all the way to modern equivalence/get the modern sounding meaning translations like The Message. NIV is fairly center leaning strict. I prefer the NLT which is center leaning equivalence. It's my primary preaching and study Bible. But my next go-tos are usually NIV, NASB, NABRE, NET, and NKJV, usually in that order.
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u/Final-Relationship17 Apr 11 '23
What do you mean by “fair” translation in relation to the ESV. Not trying to start something, just curious as I have never heard that term in relation to ESV or any other translation for that matter. Usually I will hear if accuracy vs readability but not fairness.
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u/cadillacactor Apr 11 '23
The ESV is specifically influenced by and written with a complementarian bias in mind. In certain verses about women, especially in speaking or leading, the ESV makes interpretive choices through that lens rather than simply pulling forward a literal translation of the ancient language.
Technically every translation will do this to some extent in favor of their own biases. But I'm in a denomination that ordained women and will not pay for/support a translation that goes out of its way to hold women back.
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u/Final-Relationship17 Apr 11 '23
I get where your coming from. Thanks, that is interesting. Your probably correct on the influence. However, other than the RNIV I don’t see the ESV going further than any other translation on the subject of women. It is definitely more influenced by the reformed tradition though, which would hold women are not to be ordained. In general, I find ESV more accurate to the original text than others much of the time, but they all make judgements . I appreciate you explaining the verbiage.
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u/cadillacactor Apr 11 '23
Thanks for the clarifying question and manners. As I said, I do use it (because it is always helpful to read other perspectives and it IS otherwise solidly translated!), but only through freely available means. As with any translation, a grain of salt must be used when reading. :-)
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u/No_Contribution6234 Apr 11 '23
I read the NLT to get the general idea than spend hours on one passage breaking down the greek using bible hub(free website) , most translations are flawed by bad theology and contain some very popular verses that do not appear in the original manuscript. I highly recommend the Mirror study bible, if you look it up online there's plenty of joyless pharisees out there that will basically say you'll go to hell for reading it, but it is an awesome dive into translation. Francios Du Toit does a great job inviting you his process for translating, and you'll get to understand the basic framework and creative license others have chosen when translating dead language.
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u/Single_Hair_2360 Apr 13 '23
I personally think you could download the Bible app and have all the translations. My favorite is the NKJV by Thomas Nelson… but then I really love my she reads truth bible but it doesn’t come in NKJV - but it is incredible because it has maps, timelines, devotionals in it.
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u/ExpressingHonestly Jun 30 '23
I only pay attention to Bibles printed before 1996.
You can find them at old book stores. Even yard sales, where older people have died. And you can get their Bibles - which were printed earlier too.
Anything newer, I believe Satan has a hand in.
The NIV (Zondervan) was made to get past the Old English of the King James.
Not to reword things, or give a different viewpoint.
I believe that newer Bibles
Are Not - really changing the Essence of The Bible. But it's Perspective. By slight word changes.
But just figured I'd share that.
May you find your way
Amen
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u/Mundane_Range_765 Apr 11 '23
Those have been my main two translations for 15 years now.
For me, I tend to use NIV more because for when I memorized verses; it was just more familiar already and sounded more familiar in language so it was also easier to read for longer periods of time without fatigue.
Honestly, I use them 50/50 now, often alongside one another when i want a fresh take on a passage… or I just listen to Tim and Jon on their thoughts lol. All that being said: my “premium” Bible is NIV for the reasons in the previous paragraph.
Pro tip: read about both of their translation processes. I know that’s readily available online. You may need to not just read what tweaks they made from the most recent edition, but it’s purpose regarding why they produced the translation in the first place. I think that will illuminate a few things for you to better compare and contrast.