Bible Summary - John Meister

pg 53 Bible translations - NASB, NKJV, KJV, NET, TLB, NIV
New American Standard Bible (NASB) — Translated in 1971 by 58 scholars of the Lockman
Foundation, from Kittle’s Biblia Hebraica and Nestle’s Greek New Testament 23rd ed.,
which include the Alexandrian Family codices. It is said to be the most exact English
translation available.
New King James Version (NKJV) — 130 translators, commissioned by Thomas Nelson
Publishers, produced this version from the Byzantine family (Textus Receptus) in 1982.
This is a revision of the King James version, updated to modern English with minor
translation corrections and retention of traditional phraseology. This is a very good version.
King James Version (KJV) — Translated in 1611 by 47 scholars using the Byzantine family of
manuscripts, Textus Receptus. This remains as a good version of the Bible. It has been the
most reliable translation for over three centuries, but its Elizabethan style Old English is
difficult for modern readers, especially youth. This is still a good translation, the language
forces one to study the words and understand their meaning. Also excellent for memory
work because of the challenging language.
NET Bible (New English Translation) is a completely new translation of the Bible, not a
revision or an update of a previous English version. It is being completed by more than
twenty biblical scholars who are working directly from the best currently available Hebrew,
Aramaic, and Greek texts. The translation project originally started as an attempt to provide
an electronic version of a modern translation for electronic distribution over the Internet and
on CD-ROM. Anyone anywhere in the world with an Internet connection will be able to use
and print out the NET Bible without cost for personal study. In addition, anyone who wants
to share the Bible with others can print unlimited copies and give them away free to others.
The Living Bible (TLB) — A paraphrased rendition of the King James Version by Kenneth
Taylor in 1971. This is not a genuine translation, but is a type of phrase-by-phrase
commentary that was originally intended to help the author’s own children understand the
scriptures. It is useful for inspiration and commentary, but for serious Bible study it should
only be used in conjunction with a legitimate translation. This is an excellent version for
a first read. After reading this version reading either KJV or NASB makes the Bible
comes alive with greater depth and meaning. It was my first read and when I read an RSV
I couldn’t believe how much more was there. It was exciting!
New International Version (NIV) — Over 100 translators completed this work in 1978 which
was composed from Kittle’s, Nestle’s and United Bible Society’s texts, which include the
Alexandrian Family codices. This is considered an “open” style translation. It is an easy
to read version, but should not be considered as an accurate translation for research or
study. (BEWARE OF GENDER NEUTRAL VARIATIONS OF THIS VERSION - because
this translation uses a more liberal translation style, I do not like it or trust it.)
(see example of an error found in this translation in 2 Corinthians 10:3ff on the next page)
NOTE: Bible translation information above extracted from article found on:
http://www.victorious.org/translat.htm and edited.