Bible Translations

Translations

Which is the best Bible translation? Some Say NIV is the best, and they burn KJV because it has errors. Or they believe in the KJV because those who write the Satanic Bible also produce the NIV. So which one should we burn?

Good question! First, we need to look at how the Bible is translated and why we get so many different versions.

First, imagine a line. On the far left of the line is the actual word for word translation, which is difficult to understand. It would be something like this: Matthew 10:7-12 Going and proclaim saying Has drawn near the kingdom of the heavens, ailing heal dead raise levers cleanse demons cast out freely neither take along gold nor silver nor copper in the belts of you nor provision-bag for way, nor two tunics nor sandals nor a staff worthy indeed into whatever moreover anyhow city or village you enter inquire who in it worthy is entering moreover into the house greet it. As you can see we don’t talk that way in English. This is called a literal translation, and it would be on the far left of the line we are creating.

So we have to re-write it so that it is easier to understand.

King James Version writes it as: 7 And as ye go, preach, saying, The kingdom of heaven is at hand.8 Heal the sick, cleanse the lepers, raise the dead, cast out devils: freely ye have received, freely give. 9 Provide neither gold, nor silver, nor brass in your purses, 10 Nor scrip for your journey, neither two coats, neither shoes, nor yet staves: for the workman is worthy of his meat. 11 And into whatsoever city or town ye shall enter, enquire who in it is worthy; and there abide till ye go thence. 12 And when ye come into an house, salute it.

As you can see, this translated in 1611 and was an old English style of speaking, and today we struggle to fully get it’s meaning. For example, what does it mean to “salute” a house?

The NIV writes it as: As you go, proclaim this message: ‘The kingdom of heaven has come near.’8 Heal the sick, raise the dead, cleanse those who have leprosy, drive out demons. Freely you have received; freely give. 9 “Do not get any gold or silver or copper to take with you in your belts— 10 no bag for the journey or extra shirt or sandals or a staff, for the worker is worth his keep.11 Whatever town or village you enter, search there for some worthy person and stay at their house until you leave. 12 As you enter the home, give it your greeting.

The NIV is easier to understand, but maybe the words don’t as closely match as well as the KJV. Think about interpreting for someone. Sometimes the Interpreter listens for a period of time, and then interprets the idea and the message the speaker is trying to convey. Another way, is to wait only a few seconds and try to interpret every couple of words. In this way, those listening would struggle to understand what the speaker is trying to say. Although it might be considered “more accurate”, if no one can understand it’s meaning then the entire message is lost! Whereas a thought for thought message is easier to say, it may not be “exactly” what was said.

The question as to “which is the best” Bible translation needs to be defined based upon what it is being used for.

In 1946 there was a major discovering boy throwing stones into a cave. He heard and CRASH, and discovered that there were ancient scrolls in jars of clay (For fun, see 2 Corinthians 4:7). A group of Bible Scholars cross checked what was written on these scrolls with the King James Version and found that they were 95% exactly the same! The few differences were very minor, but because of these differences and the difficulty that some were having in understanding the Old English style of writing, the NIV was born.

For many years now, there have been many Bible translations produced. Some are more Word for Word, like King James, and even more so. Some are more Thought for Thought like NIV, and even more so.

It depends on what the Bible is being used for. If you are reading it and you are not getting it’s meaning easily, then you need a more thought for thought version. Also, if you are preaching you should use a more thought for thought version so that your listeners can easily understand.

However, if you are doing a serious Bible study, and you want to know, does Matthew 10:10 say to “not take any sandals” or to “not take an extra pair of sandals”, then you would want a more Word for Word translation, which is called Interlinear. This is where King James Version is really great.

What the NIV being produced by Satan worshippers? The truth is that the company selling NIV is a huge business and they bought the rights to sell the Bible. Yes, they also sell all kinds of books. Every kind, actually. They do also sell Jehovah Witnesses Bibles, Book of Mormon, and so on. It’s unfortunate, but it’s the truth. They do not, however, have anything to do with the translating or the printing of the NIV Bible. They have only purchased the rights to be the only ones to sell it. Therefore, it’s ok to buy and to use. We don’t need to like the company that sells it to enjoy the NIV translation!

NASB, NKJV, ESV, RSV are good Word for Word Bibles. Also, NLT is a good Thought for Thought Bible.