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Pros and Cons of Eight Bible Translations

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Introduction
  • Psalms 119:169-176
    • Translation philosophies
    • On the left:
      • Word-for-word: Preserves original wording, English may feel less natural.
      • On the right:
        • Thought for thought: Takes liberties to emphasize readability and meaning.
          • New American Standard Bible; New King James Version; King James Version
          English Standard Version
          Christian Standard Bible
          New English Translation
          New International Version
          New Living Translation
          King James Version (1769)
          Pros
          • Highly accurate
          • Beautiful, nostalgic wording
            • Cons
            • Outdated words – I Thessalonians 4:15
            • Based on limited manuscripts
              • Sample verses
              • Philippians 2:6; I Thessalonians 4:4; James 2:1
                • New King James Version (1984)
                Pros
                • Still accurate
                • Modernized
                  • Cons
                  • Still mainly based on manuscripts the King James Version used.
                  • Starting to get a bit dated itself.
                    • New American Standard Bible (1977)
                    • The 2020 update for the New American Standard Bible added gender inclusive language. See Philippians 4:8, where NASB 2020 changes the rendering from “brethren” to “brothers and sisters.”
                      • Pros
                      • Extremely accurate
                      • Great for detailed study
                        • Cons
                        • Stiff, unnatural wording
                        • May not be best for casual or devotional reading
                          • New English Translation
                          • Published for free online, including 60,000 marginal notes from the translators.
                            • Pros
                            • Translator notes
                            • Very modern
                              • Cons
                              • Physical version is big
                              • Not widely used
                                • New International Version (2011)
                                • Best-selling translation in the world.
                                  • Pros
                                  • Highly readable
                                  • Widely available
                                    • Cons
                                    • Less precise
                                    • Some choices are controversial
                                      • English Standard Version (2016)
                                      Pros
                                      • Very popular
                                      • Sweet spot
                                        • Cons
                                        • Some awkward wording
                                        • Little transparency
                                          • Christian Standard Bible (2020)
                                          • Previously known as the Holman Christian Standard Bible, then rebranded.
                                            • Pros
                                            • Sweet spot
                                            • Very modern
                                              • Cons
                                              • Some non-traditional choices
                                              • A few quirks
                                                • New Living Translation (2015)
                                                Pros
                                                • Super easy to read
                                                • Very modern
                                                  • Cons
                                                  • Lots of interpretation from translators
                                                  • Much less precise
                                                    • Conclusion
                                                    • I Thessalonians 2:13
                                                      • ...more
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                                                      ScriptureStreamBy Mark Watson
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