Scripture for the Day Nov 10th 2020: CLARITY -- Which Bible?

2 Timothy 3:16 NASB
All Scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness;

The word of God used to be undecipherable, religious mumble jumble to me. Even when Christ chose me and I confessed Jesus Lord, I still had a hard time understanding it all. It didn't help that I started with the King James Version. The KJV is beautiful, don't get me wrong, its poetic majesty remains unsurpassed. I use the KJV often and would not want to miss in my weapon arsenal. But the grandness of the language makes it also more difficult to understand. Its language derives from Old English, not a slang we are familiar with today unless you're a Literacy major or know the King James inside out. I am fond of it, and I prefer to memorize certain verses from the KJV. All of them, come to think of it.

But the King James isn't the most accurate Bible as many believe. Why is that? Because the translators chose poetics over the literal translation of words and phrases. Here are the KJV translations that used the KJV came about and what came after.

        ESV

         NKJV --> MEV

KJV 

        ASV --> NASB

Tyndale --> NLT

ASV American Standard Bible
ESV English Standard Version
MEV Modern English Version
NASB New American Standard Bible
NLT New Living Translation 

Yes, I am also using the ESV, and the MEV (which is lovely) for their simple language and fairly accurate rendering. I am personally not so fond of the NKJV, I used to have one.

The NLT has its place in my library, too. It's the leisure-reading version. The least literal, yet still accurate in its meaning. I also love to check the NLT if a passage in more literal versions makes little sense. The NLT will usually remove the veil.

The NASB, however, is my daily reading and study go-to translation. Its accuracy is greater than the KJV's, yet it is more readable than the King James. The NASB is also the most underrated word-for-word translation there is. It almost reminds me of the globalists' attempts to suppress free speech. The NASB deserves more credit than it is given.

So, the NASB for daily reading and study, the KJV when I feel lofty, the ESV/MEV for their easy language, and the NLT for leisure.

Having said all that, are any of these perfect? No! They are translations, after all. But there is the nuclear option for Bible study: the interlinear translations. They use the original Hebrew (religious), Aramaic (pagan), and Greek manuscripts to give accurate translations.

I am using the Blueletterbible and also Logos. These are amazing tools if you need to know the inside-out of a word or phrase. 

I pray this little guide helps you pick up different versions, so you and your loved ones may understand His Word with more ease.

Let's bow our hearts and pray!
LORD, thank you for our ability to have access to God's word. The enemies in China, North Korea, and other totalitarian countries want to remove the Sword that is our weapon altogether from Your People.
But You are greater than the despots and their minions.
LORD, protect the persecuted Christians around the globe and bring down those who declare themselves gods.
Lift up the Believers, O LORD, and crush the enemy to never rise again.
Even in the United States, despots, like governor Newsom, Cuomo, Whitmer, and others want to outlaw Your Word.
Forgive them, Father, for they know not what they do.
Have Your way with them, Father. Lead them to the RIGHT path, or destroy them for your children's sake.
How long, O LORD, do we have to suffer their evil?
Help us preach Your Word and honor You by abiding in Your Word now and always.
You are awesome, LORD.

In Jesus' name

Amen

#Devotional #Scripture4TheDay