i first used a NASB then i went to a NIV for a lot of years and for the last decade or so it's been a NRSV since that's what we're also using in worship.
I currently use the Hebrew-Greek Key Study Bible the New American Standard Bible. At some point I would like to use the New (not sure if there is a new) English Revised Version but I can not justify buying a new Bible when I have a few already. So, even though I hear the translation is true to the original test and what was meant to say in English I will stick to my NASB until it starts to fall apart. A few sections are getting really worn out but my sword still has a long ways to go.
The first Bible I remember receiving was a NIV that I received from my childhood church for completing the course "Confirmation". I used this Bible up to the point of getting saved and then I switched over to the NASB when I was in my 4th year of college.
Well, let's see. Seeing as I am Austrian, grew up Catholic and then came to a personal faith in an evangelical setting, this is a bit complicated.
Growing up Catholic, I used both the German version of Good News for Modern Man (Gute Nachricht fuer Sie) and a more traditional Catholic Bible (Herder Bibel). Once I moved into the evangelical camp, my first Bible was a 1912 Luther Bible. When I moved to England, I began using mostly the KJV (which seems to be easier to read for native German speakers than native English speakers), but also RSV and modern translations like GN/TEV and LB.
Went to Bible School in France, and while there used mostly a NASB study Bible. Same thing when I moved to the US for five years.
Never really liked the NIV, because I had been raised on "formal equivalence" translations like RSV and NASB, so I was really happy when the ESV came out, which as far as I can tell cleaned up most of the complaints conservative evangelicals had about the RSV. I have been using it for the last 3-4 years.
Since coming back to Austria, when I am in a German setting, I use the 1985 Elberfelder Bible (in the tradition of the Darby Bible) or Hoffnung fuer Alle (the German equivalent of NLT, also sponsored/owned by IBS/Biblica).
But as someone said: with Bible Gateway etc, E-Sword, and the "Olive Tree Bible Reader" on my iPhone I end up using many different versions, because it is so easy to switch to a different version while looking at a verse, to get a "different take" on it.
I would really like to recommend the Olive Tree Bible Reader for mobile devices (smartphones and PDAs)-- their program is great, and as much as I keep moving between such devices, I have always been able to take all my free and purchased Bibles and other books with me to the new device, and even use them on more than one device at a time. Check them out -- www.olivetree.com.
Generally I use the NIV. It's the most universal English translation that the Christians I fellowship with use. I also tend to read the TNIV, HCSB, NLT, and sometimes the NRSV. Most of my memorization is from the NIV. My first translation was the KJV but I never really understood much. My mom bought me the Living Bible when I was in my early teens and God's Word just opened up my eyes. I could actually understand it! Not being an original languages scholar, and not understanding ancient Hebrew and Greek idioms, I shy away from the more literal translations, and instead use translations written in English by translators who do know original languages and can translate into idioms that I do understand.
Oh boy! First to comment.
ReplyDeleteWhat translation do I currently use?
The translation I use for study is the TNIV. For reading, I prefer the New Living Translation or The Message.
What was my first translation?
My first translation was KJV (60s) with the first Bible of choice being "The Living Bible".
Comments:
Because we have the wonder of BibleGateway, BlueLetterBible & e-sword, it makes having several translations for study more convenient.
I currently use the Complete Jewish Bible by David Stern.
ReplyDelete1st Bible...American Standard Version...1st that I actually understood was NIV...
But I have every version on my bookshelf.
The first I was given when I became a Christian at 18 was a KJV(Scofield Reference Edition).
ReplyDeleteI studied with a Jerusalem Bible Paperback Edition for years (early 70s) and currently carry a NLTV, Life Application, Red Letter.
I have lots and lots of bibles.
ReplyDeleteBUT, the ones in order that I use the most are:
My first REAL bible NASB...Still like it. It's the big boomer I carry to Church.
Bible I use in teaching NIV.... Seems pretty innocuous and universal.
Bible I use for study when I'm digging... Amplified
Bible I use in illustrations NLT.
I don't much use, KJV anymore
Living or New Living.
Only for occasional entertainment, the message.
One I am intrigued with, ESV.
I may migrate.
Currently use a NRSV.
ReplyDeleteFirst was an NIV my grandmother gave me.
I used that NIV until it fell apart, but I still have it on the shelf. Used a NASB until recently.
i first used a NASB then i went to a NIV for a lot of years and for the last decade or so it's been a NRSV since that's what we're also using in worship.
ReplyDeleteHi Steve,
ReplyDeleteI currently use the Hebrew-Greek Key Study Bible the New American Standard Bible. At some point I would like to use the New (not sure if there is a new) English Revised Version but I can not justify buying a new Bible when I have a few already. So, even though I hear the translation is true to the original test and what was meant to say in English I will stick to my NASB until it starts to fall apart. A few sections are getting really worn out but my sword still has a long ways to go.
The first Bible I remember receiving was a NIV that I received from my childhood church for completing the course "Confirmation". I used this Bible up to the point of getting saved and then I switched over to the NASB when I was in my 4th year of college.
I use a New King James version and sometimes a NIV translation-in my blogs I use a KJ version.
ReplyDeleteFirst was a KJV, then I received a fancy NASB as a gift when I was 16.
ReplyDeleteI now use the ESV in conjunction with a Greek-English interlinear New Testament.
ReplyDeleteI grew up on the KJV but after God saved me while in college, started using the NASB and used that translation for over 30 years...
This comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteWell, let's see. Seeing as I am Austrian, grew up Catholic and then came to a personal faith in an evangelical setting, this is a bit complicated.
ReplyDeleteGrowing up Catholic, I used both the German version of Good News for Modern Man (Gute Nachricht fuer Sie) and a more traditional Catholic Bible (Herder Bibel). Once I moved into the evangelical camp, my first Bible was a 1912 Luther Bible. When I moved to England, I began using mostly the KJV (which seems to be easier to read for native German speakers than native English speakers), but also RSV and modern translations like GN/TEV and LB.
Went to Bible School in France, and while there used mostly a NASB study Bible. Same thing when I moved to the US for five years.
Never really liked the NIV, because I had been raised on "formal equivalence" translations like RSV and NASB, so I was really happy when the ESV came out, which as far as I can tell cleaned up most of the complaints conservative evangelicals had about the RSV. I have been using it for the last 3-4 years.
Since coming back to Austria, when I am in a German setting, I use the 1985 Elberfelder Bible (in the tradition of the Darby Bible) or Hoffnung fuer Alle (the German equivalent of NLT, also sponsored/owned by IBS/Biblica).
But as someone said: with Bible Gateway etc, E-Sword, and the "Olive Tree Bible Reader" on my iPhone I end up using many different versions, because it is so easy to switch to a different version while looking at a verse, to get a "different take" on it.
I would really like to recommend the Olive Tree Bible Reader for mobile devices (smartphones and PDAs)-- their program is great, and as much as I keep moving between such devices, I have always been able to take all my free and purchased Bibles and other books with me to the new device, and even use them on more than one device at a time. Check them out -- www.olivetree.com.
Generally I use the NIV. It's the most universal English translation that the Christians I fellowship with use. I also tend to read the TNIV, HCSB, NLT, and sometimes the NRSV. Most of my memorization is from the NIV. My first translation was the KJV but I never really understood much. My mom bought me the Living Bible when I was in my early teens and God's Word just opened up my eyes. I could actually understand it! Not being an original languages scholar, and not understanding ancient Hebrew and Greek idioms, I shy away from the more literal translations, and instead use translations written in English by translators who do know original languages and can translate into idioms that I do understand.
ReplyDelete