Bible versions

Raquel - posted on 03/12/2009

I have a problem with the word "translation". The Bible is a tool to be used with our daily study of our Lord's commands for our life and a foundation for our faith. Many of us have heard the phrase "something got lost in the translation...". This is true with the Bible. So many get caught up in doctrine based on translation and forget the core in Christianity is a true belief (FAITH) in God. I think the appropriate question is not the "translation" of the NLT, but the impact it has on the ability of the reader to strengthen their faith,  better understand what God commands and helps them to stay focused on God's teachings. If the reader can answer yes to all of the above questions, then the NLT is an appropriate "translation" for them. I am a 38 year-old "old-school" reader. I still use the King James Bible, and will not use another translation. My children have both KJ and NIV. My husband was raised Lutheran and still uses his Luthern Study bible. The most important thing is that we are all reading God's word and sharing our thoughts and learning, from one another and various "translations", what God demands from us.

My advice...get caught up in the teachings of God, not the translation. Faith will lead you if listen with your heart.

Basic  Instructions Before Leaving Earth! The B-I-B-L-E, that's the book for me.

Krystle - posted on 03/12/2009

Quoting Heather:

Quoting Krystle:

Yes. I agree with the lady that says it really wasn't a translation. When she said that she meant it was a version of a translation; which isn't an actual literal translation. Like the website says for the NLT under the FAQs, most of the original scripture's are gone. Therefore the website contradicts itself when it said it was a literal translation.

Thank you for your imput. It is nice to know what she might have ment. I have read through the entire section on how they made this translation, and think that it is the best way to go. They used a combination of word for word and thought for thought to get the most exact meaning of what was written.

I have also been reading it side by side with both my NIV and KJV and have found that they really all do say the same thing. But again I do want to thank you so much for helping me to understand her way of thinking.

I pray that God uses you for wonderful things Krystle. Thank you so much for sharing with me.

Glad to help.  I keep my KVJ next to me everytime I'm reading different translations.  And thank you! I'll keep you in my prayers in hope that you come to understand God's Word clearly and keep him close at heart.  God is love.

Heather - posted on 03/12/2009

Quoting Krystle:

Yes. I agree with the lady that says it really wasn't a translation. When she said that she meant it was a version of a translation; which isn't an actual literal translation. Like the website says for the NLT under the FAQs, most of the original scripture's are gone. Therefore the website contradicts itself when it said it was a literal translation.

Thank you for your imput. It is nice to know what she might have ment. I have read through the entire section on how they made this translation, and think that it is the best way to go. They used a combination of word for word and thought for thought to get the most exact meaning of what was written.

I have also been reading it side by side with both my NIV and KJV and have found that they really all do say the same thing. But again I do want to thank you so much for helping me to understand her way of thinking.

I pray that God uses you for wonderful things Krystle. Thank you so much for sharing with me.

Krystle - posted on 03/11/2009

Quoting Diane:

Heather...The NLT IS a translation.  What makes it read differently from other translations is that the NLT is translated thought-for-thought, which makes it a little easier to understand in our day and time...as opposed to those which are translated word-for-word.  Perhaps this person in your Bible study felt it was a 'paraphrase', which is basically someone's rewording into modern language rather than going back and translating from the original manuscripts.  Paraphrases are good as long as you realize they are just that...paraphrases. But I believe the New Living Translation is truly a translation.  If you want to know more about your NLT, or any other version/translation/paraphrase, just google it and read up on it.  And may God bless you as you study His Word and seek direction from it!

I don't agree with this comment (obvious though my other comment), but also becasue the website for this bible does say that the text is word-for-word and a thought-for-thought translation.

http://www.newlivingtranslation.com/05di...

Krystle - posted on 03/11/2009

Yes. I agree with the lady that says it really wasn't a translation. When she said that she meant it was a version of a translation; which isn't an actual literal translation. Like the website says for the NLT under the FAQs, most of the original scripture's are gone. Therefore the website contradicts itself when it said it was a literal translation.

Melinda - posted on 03/10/2009

It is a translation. Some people have a hard time accepting newer versions of the Bible. I myself like the good old King James version but many people find it hard to understand. I personally do not own NLT but my Pastor has used it several times to give us a fresh perspective. We are so used to NIV or KJ that it's nice to hear it in different words and sometimes we may see something that we otherwise may miss.

Rebekah - posted on 03/10/2009

NLT - New Living Translation, is a version of the Bible and is easy to understand.  It's Biblical and is written in a way for even a child to comprehend.  It is a translation, all translations are great to read.  Every new translation that comes out is that much closer to the "real" context of what was originally written in Hebrew/Greek.  There isn't anything wrong with the translation you are reading.

As the Children's Pastor, I use the NLT over the NIV because NIV leaves out many verses, and it's still easy for the kids to understand what they are reading.  But when teaching in the adult service, I use amplified/NLT/NKJV/Message, etc.

Dawn - posted on 03/09/2009

The NLT is a literal translation.  The Living Bible is a paraphrase - not unlike the Message bibles.  The NLT is the New Living Translation, it is not the same as The Living Bible.  If you just got the new NLT Study Bible, read the notes in the front and it will tell you how it was translated. You can also go to www.nltstudybible.com for more information.  There are so many different translations and paraphrases that it's easy to get confused! And the NLT is so new, I think most people aren't familiar with it.

Amy - posted on 03/09/2009

Well said Dianne, exactly what I was going to say.

Diane - posted on 03/09/2009

Heather...The NLT IS a translation.  What makes it read differently from other translations is that the NLT is translated thought-for-thought, which makes it a little easier to understand in our day and time...as opposed to those which are translated word-for-word.  Perhaps this person in your Bible study felt it was a 'paraphrase', which is basically someone's rewording into modern language rather than going back and translating from the original manuscripts.  Paraphrases are good as long as you realize they are just that...paraphrases. But I believe the New Living Translation is truly a translation.  If you want to know more about your NLT, or any other version/translation/paraphrase, just google it and read up on it.  And may God bless you as you study His Word and seek direction from it!

Shelly - posted on 03/09/2009

NLT is new living translation.  And I love mine and for that woman to say that it's not a translation withno explination was wrong.  You nees to go to her and ask what she meant by that statement b/c we can guess at what she meant but we will only be guessing.  I also had an NIV and just didn't like the way it translated some things.  At church we use the NKJ and I like that one for church but for a study bible I love my NLT it puts things into lnguage I can understand.  Sorry I couldn't be more help...God Bless you on your journey with your new tool to learn his word

Katrina - posted on 03/09/2009

What does NLT stand for?  I am not familiar with that one.