Friday, May 21, 2004

the English Standard Version

One of the 'mappers commented today that he was enjoying the English Standard Version. I've been reading mostly the ESV for a few months now and it's replaced my former preferences which were The New International Version in the OT and the New American Standard Bible in the NT. I think it hits a sweet spot between the more literal translations (KJV, NKJV and the NASB)and the more paraphrastic versions (NIV, NLT, LB). For some more info see faithmaps.org's section on Bible Translations.

5 comments:

levi fuson said...

im a big "message" guy, i understand the need for a literal translation, but don't know that it has any relevance to our current society if it is transalted in such a way that is confusing or unintelliglable to the common man.

from what i've read of the ESV it is readable yet there are still things that don't make sense to, lets say, a new follower or pre-christian.

l.

Stephen said...

fair point - what's your favorite translation for that purpose?

levi fuson said...

i've used NASB moslty. i get ya though in finding that balance between the two.

l.

Andii said...

My biggest problem with it is that it insists on using 'brothers' when 'sisters' are included and 'sons' when 'daughters'are part of the range of people covered. I have read their explanation, but I don't think it cuts it. I find it embarrassing when reading scripture to mixed groups of people my age or younger to feel like I'm linguistically excluding my sisters in Christ from the promises or responsibilities of Christian living. So for now I'm sticking with the NRSV which is fairly literalistic but also inclusive.

Stephen said...

i think that's a fair point. the esv is actually based on the rsv so is a brot....sister translation to the nrsv.

:)