Early Christian Writings

[2ndAmendment]

I tend to go with a handful of translations. The NIV, mainly because it is easy to read, widely used, and easy to get a copy of; the RSV, because I just plain like it; and either the American Standard or the New American Standard, because it's usually the most literally accurate. I refrain from the Authorized Version (also known as the King James) because while the words may reflect the meaning accurately, the *ENGLISH LANGUAGE* has changed since 1611, and it makes reading needlessly cumbersome. Jesus did not speak Elizabethan English any more than he spoke Chinese or the Vulgate Latin, and it's perfectly reasonable to prefer a modern translation. However, when I do use the Authorized, I use my Scofield, because it updates archaic words.

I agree with most of this although I tend to shy away from the NIV since it leaves out the word "blood" in many locations. "Blood sacrifice" is essential and to leave it out detracts from the seriousness of sacrifice in my opinion.

I use the New American standard since it is deemed to be the most accurate modern translation. When in doubt, I will look up the passage in the original language and then look at the possible translation of the words of the original. For instance, the Hebrew word that is translated sword can also mean destruction and when the word destruction is used instead of sword in one particular verse that I am aware of, the meaning becomes much more clear in modern context. I steer away from paraphrase versions.