Great discussion about English Bible translations

[Free]

Basically, any of the major English translations produced by a committee for Evangelicalism will be good; they all essentially say the same things. Use multiple translations when studying--at least one from each of the formal equivalence (NASB, ESV, KJV, NKJV) and dynamic equivalence categories (CSB, NIV, NLT), and maybe one that is a paraphrase (avoid those on the far right end of the spectrum: TPT, TMB, NWT, JST; see 6:25 in the video). Stick to one main one for reading and study, whether formal or dynamic equivalence, as it will make it easier to memorize. Something to try is when reading straight through the Bible, use a different translation each time.

 

[Hidden In Him]

Basically, any of the major English translations produced by a committee for Evangelicalism will be good; they all essentially say the same things. Use multiple translations when studying--at least one from each of the formal equivalence (NASB, ESV, KJV, NKJV) and dynamic equivalence categories (CSB, NIV, NLT), and maybe one that is a paraphrase (avoid those on the far right end of the spectrum: TPT, TMB, NWT, JST; see 6:25 in the video). Stick to one main one for reading and study, whether formal or dynamic equivalence, as it will make it easier to memorize. Something to try is when reading straight through the Bible, use a different translation each time.

Out of curiosity, Free, what do you favor: formal equivalence or dynamic equivalence?

 

[Free]

Out of curiosity, Free, what do you favor: formal equivalence or dynamic equivalence?

I'm partial to the formal equivalence side, with the ESV as my regular reading and study Bible. I used to think that formal equivalence was always better, so I got a NASB, but in trying to do more of a word-for-word translation, it gets more choppy to read. Probably not great for memorization that way, but whatever one prefers. Often the dynamic equivalence gets the meaning through better, which is why I also like the NIV and HCSB. When doing serious study as a layman it's good to reference around five or six versions along the spectrum.

 

[Hidden In Him]

I'm partial to the formal equivalence side, with the ESV as my regular reading and study Bible. I used to think that formal equivalence was always better, so I got a NASB, but in trying to do more of a word-for-word translation, it gets more choppy to read. Probably not great for memorization that way, but whatever one prefers. Often the dynamic equivalence gets the meaning through better, which is why I also like the NIV and HCSB. When doing serious study as a layman it's good to reference around five or six versions along the spectrum.

I prefer formal as well, because through a strict word-for-word translation I can often recognize the Greek wording being used with having to look it up. I had a friend on another forum who used to argue for dynamic equivalence all the time and I kinda saw his viewpoint. But for my own study purposes I want something that matches the wording more precisely.