lost in translations...

another common question i receive is..

How Should I Choose a Bible Translation?

• Should be based on the best available and most reliable
  Greek and Hebrew manuscripts.
  
• Based on the latest (most accurate) knowledge of
  language and culture.
  
• Maintains a healthy balance of accuracy and
  understandability.***
  
• Remains dignified. (no irreverence in the way
  content is treated or delivered)
  
• Avoids bias

***types of approaches to translations:

Formal Equivalency - a word for word translation (New King James, New American Standard, English Standard Version)

Dynamic Equivalency - a thought-by-thought translation (New International Version, New Living Translation)

Paraphrase – A translation based on a “how I would say it” approach not usually dependent on original languages. (The Message and the like)

as for me, i most often use the nasb or esv for bible study because i want to know word for word what was said. sometimes meaning can become less clear when translated thought by thought. this does not mean that dynamic equivalency is bad or useless. i will often read parts of the old testament (leviticus through deuteronomy and sometimes the psalms) from the new living translation.

regardless of which translation you use (assuming it is a valid translation-one of the ones mentioned above or based on similar criteria) the point is spending time reading, meditating and applying the scriptures. only then will we be "...transformed by the renewing of our minds"