Hi,

I'm hoping someone more knowledgeable than me can recommend the best version of the holy bible to read. I really would like to read what is most likely the most influential book ever, and even though I'm not a Christian, I can certainly get a lot of knowledge from reading it.

I've heard, by and far, that the King James version is the best, and it's what most churches use. I have no problem reading through the late/middle english language (hell, if I can brave the Longfellow version of The Inferno, the bible's no thang), but I was just wondering if there's a better version out there.

Thanks a lot.

From my experience, none of the available versions today are accurate to the original texts. A lot of Christians say that God's Word can't be corrupted and all...but a simple look at the variation in versions shows that such belief is retarded. I've yet to find a truly accurate version in English, but I'm sure there's one somewhere that is translated directly from the original writings.

You can find a Tanahk which is the Hebrew bible as it were (christian old testament) and it has been unchanged over the years. As for reliability go with a catholic bible (KJV is HIGHLY edited) and a version of the Apocrypha.

quote:

that the King James version is the best,

And youve heard right!

The King James 1611 has been the "Standard" for the past 400 yrs.The KJV is the most outstanding Bible ever produced! Its the only one without a Copyright...which means you can quote it all day long without asking anybody for permission...technically, you cant quote an NIV on totse without infringing copyright laws.

Also, The King James is the only Bible that a "Good Catholic" isnt supposed to read...cause its from the Protestant Textus Receptus. Which makes it a great Bible as far as Im concerned!

Now, there loads of "Conspiracy Theories" floating around the internet concerning the KJV...like Anglicans "Baby Sprinklers" etc.

Optimus Prime....you better know what youre talking about before you start posting those!

Prime's not wrong. You're wrong Colonel Sanders.

You see, regardless of there existing a widely accepted text (The King James)... it is still riddled with flaws, as with all translated Bibles, due to the problems arising during translation. If you know anything of Hebrew/Aramaic (Original Old Testamant), or Ancient Greek (New Testament), you will realise why the modern translated texts are riddled with ambiguity and omissions wrought by an inability to best convey the meaning behind the original language.

So don't go calling someone on something when they're far from displaying ignorance.

quote:Originally posted by Durell:

[B]Prime's not wrong. You're wrong Colonel Sanders.

You see, regardless of there existing a widely accepted text (The King James)... it is still riddled with flaws, as with all translated Bibles, due to the problems arising during translation. If you know anything of Hebrew/Aramaic (Original Old Testamant), or Ancient Greek (New Testament), you will realise why the modern translated texts are riddled with ambiguity and omissions wrought by an inability to best convey the meaning behind the original language.



Ambiguity? Omissions? List somes and the Greek texts theyre found in....

Here are a few links. Try searching google about the difficulty involved with translation; I don't have the time to go into Ancient Languages 101 for someone I have no affiliation with.

http://www.jeramyt.org/gay/gaytrans.html

http://www.zianet.com/maxey/Ver6.htm

http://www.bible.org/docs/soapbox/conspire.htm

http://www.people.fas.harvard.edu/~kuruvill/home/biblical_languages.html

The main problem with the original Hebrew and Aramaic is that it is simply the letters, very little punctuation at all. The Bible, the Quran, Talmud, and all that shit was written originally for people who knew it rather well already through verbal communication, so it was written down without the notation necessary for proper translations. The best people to get for translating the texts are those who have grown up speaking the language it is written in, as they can accurately determine what punctuation is missing.

quote:Originally posted by Durell:

[B]Here are a few links. Try searching google about the difficulty involved with translation; I don't have the time to go into Ancient Languages 101 for someone I have no affiliation with.

I ran your links and read their loose arguments.....Classic examples of "Depth of Depravity" the attempt to justify your own sin at the expence of Gods Word.....put why bother writing a Criteque....We dont have any affiliation...whatever that means...

I didnt think you would post any arguments of your own, just somebody elses work...cheap.

You guys (the ones who didn't give me advice) are dicks. Stop flaming each other. I just wanted to know what version of the fucking BIBLE to read, not to see fucking arguing.

So, the King James Version it is. It's the most widely read, and so I don't care if it's censored/edited/porn or whatever, I just want to get the widest scope of Christianity possible, and this seems like the proper verdict.

deptstoremook,

I thought I would post some cool places to read in the Bible....everybody seems to think they can sum up the Bible with the "10 Commandments"....but really, theres some cool stuff to read in there like.....

Psalms 23 (http://www.blueletterbible.org/kjv/Psa/Psa023.html)

This is by far the mosted quoted text in the KJV! Hands down. Every funeral seen on TV quotes this.

Revelation 13 (http://www.blueletterbible.org/kjv/Rev/Rev013.html)

If youre interested in the Character of the AntiChrist , Revelation 13 is the place, especially the last two verses. Outside of the Christ, the Antichrist is most prophesied character.

Isaiah 53 (http://www.blueletterbible.org/kjv/Isa/Isa053.html)

If you would like a good example of the "Prophetic Nature" of the Bible, check this out. Note, this chapter is Speaking of the Christ long before he ever showed up, and of his sacrifice for mankind. Its kind of a poetic lovestory.

To me, it would be a trajedy to read the Bible and miss these verses.

quote:Originally posted by Sniper Piper:

deptstoremook,

I thought I would post some cool places to read in the Bible....everybody seems to think they can sum up the Bible with the "10 Commandments"....but really, theres some cool stuff to read in there like.....

Psalms 23 (http://www.blueletterbible.org/kjv/Psa/Psa023.html)

This is by far the mosted quoted text in the KJV! Hands down. Every funeral seen on TV quotes this.

Revelation 13 (http://www.blueletterbible.org/kjv/Rev/Rev013.html)

If youre interested in the Character of the AntiChrist , Revelation 13 is the place, especially the last two verses. Outside of the Christ, the Antichrist is most prophesied character.

Isaiah 53 (http://www.blueletterbible.org/kjv/Isa/Isa053.html)

If you would like a good example of the "Prophetic Nature" of the Bible, check this out. Note, this chapter is Speaking of the Christ long before he ever showed up, and of his sacrifice for mankind. Its kind of a poetic lovestory.

To me, it would be a trajedy to read the Bible and miss these verses.



Thank you. I do plan on reading it straight through. I know a lot of people say there's a certain order to read them in, but I'm no Christian so if straight through is good enough for every other book it's good enough for the bible.

quote:Originally posted by deptstoremook:

Thank you. I do plan on reading it straight through. I know a lot of people say there's a certain order to read them in, but I'm no Christian so if straight through is good enough for every other book it's good enough for the bible.

Actually, its not any "Other Book"...the reason everybody including myself suggest NOT reading it straight through is cause your gonna hit some Extremely Boring sections like "Chronicles" that list Geneologies...I personally dont want to read somebodies Family History.

My suggestion is to start in the 4 Gospels...but do what you want.

quote:Isa 46:9 ....I am God, and there is none like me, Declaring the end from the beginning, and from ancient times the things that are not yet done.....



[This message has been edited by Sniper Piper (edited 07-11-2004).]

Each church uses a different version, one of mine uses the good news bible, one uses the new living translation or king james, and i have an NIV

quote:Originally posted by mek777:

Each church uses a different version, one of mine uses the good news bible, one uses the new living translation or king james, and i have an NIV

I guess Im left to assume your point.... KJV isnt the standard in your Church? Some Churches it isnt....and some Churches are Radically KJV!

From my personal experience, 90% of the English speaking people use KJV. Ive been to alot churches and can personally verify that.

Alot of New Versions are basically "Watered Down" Versions of the KJV. Theyre attempts to make God look more up to the times...more "Politically Correct."

Through out history, and even in the beginning of time, theres always been an attempt to Change Gods word. For example....



quote:Gen 3:1 .... Yea, hath God said, Ye shall not eat of every tree of the garden? -The Devil

The Devil messed with Gods word and tricked Eve....6000 yrs later we're doing the same thing at the rate of two new English versions a year!