The NIV/NET appreciation thread.

Depends on how accurate your definition of "accurate." is.

 

Quite clever you are!

 

Or do we want precisuon over accuracy?

 

Generally speaking, the NKJV is a very accurate translation of the Scriptures. Actually, while I tend to read CSB or ESV or NIV, when I'm listening while I drive, I listen to NKJV.

 

Scientists....

pffffft

An excellent example of the importance of clarity in meaning of words. One can be precise, but very inaccurate. Or one can be accurate, but very imprecise.

Or, one can be inaccurate and imprecise, or accurate and precise.

Language.....

 

Seems to me you have no other choice, unless you're going to be suspect of the NKJV for no reason, but trusthworthy of those who tell you it's not accurate -- again, for no reason.

 

There are instances in the Bible where the phrase 'whiter than snow' is used. How would this render any meaning to someone from the tropics who have never seen or experienced snow?

 

Aaron, do you have any justified reason not to trust any translation you might read? Any "ball is blue" examples?

I did that extensive post on John 3:16. Even with the differences, the differences are small. It's not like John 3:16 says something completely different in any translation.

 

Don't be thick; you can easily find out which translation(s) are accurate. Here's John 3:16 in Greek:

οὕτως γὰρ ἠγάπησεν ὁ θεὸς τὸν κόσμον, ὥστε τὸν υἱὸν τὸν μονογενῆ ἔδωκεν, ἵνα πᾶς ὁ πιστεύων εἰςαὐτὸν μὴ ἀπόληται ἀλλ᾿ ἔχῃ ζωὴν αἰώνιον

Here's Bill Mounce to get you started: https://billmounce.com/greek (basically all you need to do is look up these words in a dictionary, https://billmounce.com/greek-dictionary).

Here's the NKJV rendering of John 3:16:

For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.

If your translation matches the NKJV (the word order will of course be different, and more repetitive), then you would know that the NKJV is accurate, for you've read and translated the Greek yourself. Then ask yourself: how many such verses do you need to translate, to compare to the NKJV, before you accept that it's accurate? As I said, you can't be lazy, and complaining like you're doing is lazy.

 

Where does the frustration come from though? If it's just the opinions of others, who cares. If it's someone who has a great knowledge of the original languages and presents a problem, then be concerned. But I don't believe that's the case.

 

And I might point out that many of the scholars that work on one translation worked on others.

Romans says the same thing whether I pick up a KJV, NKJV, NASB. NIV, ESV and CSB etc.

It's not like any of these have a different Romans (or John or Philippians etc.).

 

But frustration at what? You can easily learn to translate Greek yourself, then compare with existing translations, and know - rather than hope you know - what the original Greek actually says (hint: exactly what you read in your English translations).

 

James White says not infrequently that people will ask him what this or that means in Greek and he will answer "the same thing it means in English."

 

Do you use the Lumina website/app? It has 2 columns. Left side text, right side notes or commentaries.