RSV vs KJV vs NASB vs NKJV vs NIV?

Question

who is the best here? I am open minded to all opinions, but I would like scriptural support of version preference. I'm looking for back stories of the texts used and politics involved. And just what you think of these bibles. If there is a better translation than one of these...please LET ME KNOW!!!! If you have not looked at all of these versions, please comment on the ones you have knowledge of. So overall, what is the best translation of these 5?

Answer 1

I have read then all and they all have strengths and weaknesses.



For accuracy NASB excels, however it is not very readable. NIV is readable, but takes some liberties in translation.

NKJV is really pretty good on accuracy and readability.



It is the one you read, and DO that matters.



Find also the ESV to be a very good translation.....



http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=john%201-10&version=ESV

Answer 2

The KJV and all these other versions were NOT translated from the same text! The KJV was translated from text recognized and used by the early church. The NIV is good for saying "some manuscripts say"---I really don't care what some say--- I want the truth. You will only find that in the KJV.

Answer 3

I support the KJV. If you take time to study all versions, you will find that every version except the KJV have multiple changes each time they are updated. GOD said He would preserve his word to ensure it would not be changed. The NIV is the most popular version today but has approximately 62,00O fewer words than the KJV. The critical text is the basis for most modern versions and was developed by Westcott and Hort from very few manuscripts. There are more than 5000 manuscripts to support the KJV. That includes the Dead Sea scrolls.

Answer 4

KJV is the only bible that has held true to the word of God

try doing a little research on who has written the other versions and their connections with other religions such as Catholicism, Hinduism, new age spiritualism, Pantheism, etc.

in almost all the new versions they take the name "Jesus" and "Lord" OUT!!, completely omit it. and then they also alter the meaning of scriptures setting it up for the one world government (that the KJV warns about) and the one world religion.

i'm not a "fanatic" about such things, but i only read the KJV after finding these facts to be true. i have friends who read other bibles but i cannot respectfully believe i'm reading the true word of God through those pages.

good luck and i hope you find the truth :)

btw, it is a few years old.... so please excuse her shoulder pads lol :)

Answer 5

** Of those particular 5 versions **



NASB - best for original language word study, shows some bias



NIV 2011 - best for accuracy and precision, shows moderate amount of bias and excessive inclusive language



RSV - excellent for accuracy and precision (though less than the NIV) and excellent for lack of bias; good for original language word study. Biggest problems: dated translation (1950s); lack of inclusive language (although none is better than too much)





The best translations:



** If you regularly engage in original language word study **



NASB - best 66-book Bible



RSV-CE - best if you are Roman Catholic





** for accuracy and precision, in order **



- New Jerusalem Bible (non-traditional wording excels at precision; note: Roman Catholic Scriptures included)



- Revised English Bible (available with and without Apocrypha)



- New Revised Standard Bible (available with and without Apocrypha and in Catholic Edition; excessive inclusive language)



- Holman Christian Standard Bible 2010 (some non-traditional wording; conservative Protestant bias; 66-book Bible only)



- New International Version 2011 (conservative Protestant bias; 66-book Bible only; excessive inclusive language)





** very easy-to-read Bibles **



- Contemporary English Version - has won awards; 5th grade level



- New American Bible - for Roman Catholics; claimed 5th grade reading level but I think at least 7th; good, easy-to-understand (Catholic biased) notes included in all editions



- Good News Translation - available with or without Apocrypha and Catholic Edition; I recommend this for adults who do not enjoy reading; very "smooth" and easy reading style without being too simple in wording. Most Bibles read like a history textbook; this does not.



New International Reader's Version - 3rd grade reading level, CEV is superior





More info and step-by-step guide:

http://www.BibleSelector.com/

Answer 6

They are all good, as long as you are capable of understanding the different types of English they were written in and, for some of the newer translations, be aware of the few mistakes.



While it is true that the KJV is the most accurate, it is also the hardest to read because it is written in early English. While some of the newer translations have minor mistakes, the pro's sometimes outweigh the cons. The newer translations are easier to read, easier to understand, and despite the few mistakes your actually less likely to misunderstand the passages/



@Andrew



Your not addressing the question. You just gave a long answer that is useless. Save your breathe for people who care.

Answer 7

I just don't understand why an all powerful god could not make its message clear enough that multiple versions and translations wouldn't be needed. It seems like a rather incompetent god to have so many variations of its message for people to argue over.

Answer 8

1

Answer 9

The Christian bible is the complete bible with all 73 books. The Protestant bible only has 66 because Martin Luther removed 7 of them.



The books Protestants will call the Apocrypha are actually called deuterocanonical books Tobit,Judith, Wisdom, Sirach, Baruch, 1 & 2 Maccabees. The Catholic bible also include chapters in the books of Esther and Daniel not found in the Protestant Bibles. They will say Catholics added them but they have always been in the Bible.



They can be found in the Greek Septuagint bible used by Jesus and the Apostles and the Codex Sinaiticus bible, the oldest surviving bible. http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/technology/4739369.stm -- http://codexsinaiticus.org/en/manuscript.aspx



The Greek Orthodox Church has had these books in their bibles since their split in 1054, 500 years before the council of Trent. They are also found in the dead sea scrolls from the 2nd century B.C. Kind of hard to say Catholics added them when they have been there all along.



The only record of Hanukkah is in the deuterocanonical books of 1 and 2 Maccabees.



1Machabees 4:56 And they kept the dedication of the altar eight days, and they offered holocausts with joy, and sacrifices of salvation, and of praise. 57 And they adorned the front of the temple with crowns of gold, and escutcheons, and they renewed the gates, and the chambers, and hanged doors upon them. 58 And there was exceeding great joy among the people, and the reproach of the Gentiles was turned away. 59 And Judas, and his brethren, and all the church of Israel decreed, that the day of the dedication of the altar should be kept in its season from year to year for eight days, from the five and twentieth day of the month of Casleu, with joy and gladness.



2Machabees 10:6

And they kept eight days with joy, after the manner of the feast of the tabernacles, remembering that not long before they had kept the feast of the tabernacles when they were in the mountains, and in dens like wild beast.



Douay-Rheims Catholic Bible

http://www.drbo.org/index.htm



Peace be with you



<<>>

http://catholicmyths.blogspot.com/

Answer 10

The KJV is the best because it is the first English translation from the original scripts that is as close as we can get to not adding to or taking away from the word of God. unless you learn Hebrew and read that.

Answer 11

BSV is the only true word of God