Bible in plain english

PoleStar

Hi

Might be a dumb question

Just wondering if there is a version of the bible in modern english not the english of 2000 years ago (and dont give smart answers such as its not english its hebrew, you know what i mean!!)

Akrasia

PoleStar wrote: »

Hi

Might be a dumb question

Just wondering if there is a version of the bible in modern english not the english of 2000 years ago (and dont give smart answers such as its not english its hebrew, you know what i mean!!)

there's a 'contemporary english version' of the bible available here
http://www.biblegateway.comversions/?action=getVersionInfo&vid=46

Fanny Cradock

Hardly relevant to the OP's question, Akrasia. Take your axe out back and grind it there

Anyway, PoleStar, you may want to consider The Message. I bought a mini pocket sized New Testament and Psalms for about £4 from Amazon.co.uk

wolfsbane

PoleStar wrote: »

Hi

Might be a dumb question

Just wondering if there is a version of the bible in modern english not the english of 2000 years ago (and dont give smart answers such as its not english its hebrew, you know what i mean!!)

As Akrasia indicated, http://www.biblegateway.com/ is the place to go. It has many versions, all free to search.

I use the New King James Version, because it is in modern English but also flows like the King James Version which I used for many years from my conversion and which many of my brethren still use.

I avoid trendy versions/paraphrases for they lack accuracy. They give you the compliers' interpretation - which may not be correct.

I used to use the New International Version, but stopped when I became too frustrated with its too often interpretation instead of translation.

Other modern versions that are well-spoken of are the English Standard Version and New American Standard Bible.

But if it just an initial 'feel' of the Bible you want, one of the paraphrases or the NIV would suit.

iUseVi

wolfsbane wrote: »

As Akrasia indicated, http://www.biblegateway.com/ is the place to go. It has many versions, all free to search.

I use the New King James Version, because it is in modern English but also flows like the King James Version which I used for many years from my conversion and which many of my brethren still use.

I avoid trendy versions/paraphrases for they lack accuracy. They give you the compliers' interpretation - which may not be correct.

I used to use the New International Version, but stopped when I became too frustrated with its too often interpretation instead of translation.

Other modern versions that are well-spoken of are the English Standard Version and New American Standard Bible.

But if it just an initial 'feel' of the Bible you want, one of the paraphrases or the NIV would suit.

Yeah plus, they also have the message version up there, if you want to check it out. You can easily compare them side-by-side - easily the best site.

Húrin

I like the New International Version, it's probably the most popular modern English Bible. I think the Message is too loose. I never really understood why the King James is popular in the north.

PDN

Húrin wrote: »

I like the New International Version, it's probably the most popular modern English Bible. I think the Message is too loose.

Bible translations fall into 3 main categories:
a) Paraphrases, such as the Living Bible or the Message, try to convey the sense of the text but, in order to be readable, basically 'put it in their own words'. Often this requires the translator to put more of their own interpretation into the finished product.

b) Word-for-word translation tries to translate the text as closely as possible, but this often makes the resulting translation less readable. It can also be confusing. For example, if you were translating "In 1965 my grandad kicked the bucket" into another French you might write: Mon grand-père a donné un coup de pied le seau. However, unless the French also use 'kicking the bucket' as an idiom for death your translation will confuse the reader. The New American Standard Bible is one of the best word-for-word translations. These kind of translations are good for in depth personal study of the Bible, particularly for the person who can't read the original languages at all.

c) A dynamic equivalence translation; like the NIV, is tighter than a paraphrase, but looser than a word-for-word translation. So, it might use a phrase more familiar to the French ('popped his clogs' perhaps?) to catch the same meaning as kicking the bucket. A dynamic equivalence translation is more readable but still strives to avoid making interpretation. Where a phrase is ambiguous in the Hebrew or Greek then the NIV tries to keep the ambiguity in the English translation.

I prefer the NIV for public use (preaching, worship etc.) because it strikes a good balance between accuracy and flow. I find the Message to be very contrived, as if the translator has tried to get in the Guinness Book of Records for cramming as many slang expressions as possible into each chapter. It ends sounding like somebody's grandad trying to talk 'hip' or 'cool'.

I never really understood why the King James is popular in the north.

Possibly because we Northerners love to declaim. The KJV can sound pretty impressive and poetic when declared from a pulpit - particularly if you roll your r's (that's the letter 'r' - not 'roll your arse).

While the KJV often does sound poetical, that is an indication of its inaccuracy, at least in respect of the New Testament. The NT was written in Koine Greek, the language of the market place, rather than the finer sounding classical Greek.

Sadly there is a big misinformation campaign out there (and very strong in the North) to convince Christians that the KJV is the most accurate translation. Anyone with even a smattering of Greek or Hebrew can readily see that such is not the case.

kelly1

PoleStar wrote: »

Hi

Might be a dumb question

Just wondering if there is a version of the bible in modern english not the english of 2000 years ago (and dont give smart answers such as its not english its hebrew, you know what i mean!!)

I'd recommend the Ignatius RSV (Revised Standard Version) bible.

http://www.amazon.com/Holy-Bible-Revised-Standard-Catholic/dp/0898704901

The translation is modern but not cheap.

God bless,
Noel.

TravelJunkie

PoleStar wrote: »

Hi

Might be a dumb question

Just wondering if there is a version of the bible in modern english not the english of 2000 years ago (and dont give smart answers such as its not english its hebrew, you know what i mean!!)

New International Version is probably the simplest, also Life Application Bible which is huge but it has explanatory notes on chapters too.

New King James is good to have; if there is a particular verse you're not clear on then you could cross-reference. Sometimes one word will differ in a verse.

philologos

The three I have are, NIV, NRSV, and Good News Bible.

wolfsbane

PDN said:

Quote:
I never really understood why the King James is popular in the north.
Possibly because we Northerners love to declaim.

Plus Tradition. Even the staunchest Protestant can have this bit of Romanism live undetected in his mind.

BrianCalgary

I use NIV for my reading, teaching and preaching.

When studying I look at KJV, RSV and NASB, plus refer to teh Greek and Hebrew.

I dont like the Message. It is far to loose and has tooo much of one mans interpretation as opposd to teh NIV which was done by many scholars.