Question: What Kind of Bible is Best?

Here’s a practical guide to what makes each of today’s most popular Bible translations unique.
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[@ctrlaltshift]

Sorry Matt, you're wrong. The butter knife is THE BEST tool of all. Anyone who thinks otherwise needs to check where their heart is.

[@neilwilliams3639]

John h my point exactly. Just contradited himself. Butter knife is best tool simple logic. Same with King James Bible best and accurate

[@annamattos8627]

I'm gonna carve your heart out with a spoon! 😂

[@chkn-littlerebuking7168]

Duct Tape!! Rules!! 😂🤣

[@bbgun061]

I only spread butter with my hockey stick! It works just fine!

[@ghostl1124]

@@chkn-littlerebuking7168 Is your tongue still in your cheek?

[@Paldasan]

The best kind of bible is the one you read and not leave on the shelf to impress visitors.

[@jfm562]

Serendip well said. I lam enjoying reading different translations. KJV, NASB, ESV and Darby are what I have now.

[@lleange363]

amen.. I have NIV but I love NASB too

[@shaolinshowdown1123]

We should all go to a church closest to the bible, not closes to us 😉😊

[@Robertlavigne1]

Identity theft is not a joke Matt!! Millions of families suffer each year!!!

[@smartereveryday]

The music gets me every time.

[@jokermann100]

Think of it like this if you have a kid who hates to read yet you come home one day and he's reading a comic book, are you going to scold him because it's not Mark Twain? Should we think God cares more about the version of of his word we are reading or that we are reading his word.

[@gpaine]

This video is why YouVersion and Bible Gateway are great resources. Quickly being able to read multiple translations across the spectrum of translation is invaluable for study and understanding. ...And even then I'm sure I screw it up constantly. 😉

[@PyRexext]

Don't forget E-sword!

[@Matty0311MMS]

@@jesussaves8542 There do seem to be versions of the bible, that get some things nit quite right. That's why it's important to have multiple translations at hand in bible study groups, so you can find the real meaning. But since I'm not a native speaker, I didn't know where in the spectrum, which translation falls. However in my language it's the same issue with Dr. Martin Luther's Translation as the traditional standard version. Some have footnotes with alternative translations, and down at the bottom of the scale, there's the "Volxbibel" (in correct german it would be "Volksbibel", a contraction of "das Volk" - "the people" and "die Bibel" - "the bible".) Written in (somewhat) modern (youth oriented) german.

[@quickenedspirit]

@@jesussaves8542 You mean Jesus is not Lucifer? Huh!

[@DustinHarms]

I've been waiting for that intro since I've started watching your videos and listening to you on podcasts. This is a glorious day indeed.

[@MattWhitmanTMBH]

I feel like my work here might be done.

[@preston0808]

Nice work, great info. I like to wear out a Bible and try another version. I used NIV for 10 years when I was younger. It was a great bible. I recently got an ESV study bible. Also fantastic. I've read big sections of the KJV, and it was very cool. Poetic, grandiose, important feeling. A bit harder to comprehend sometimes. My girlfriend has an NLT that we read together, and it was refreshing and easy to read. People need to take your approach and put pride aside.

[@Laura-qp9iw]

I've been using NIV for years and I'm thinking about getting an ESV study bible too. I also think the NLT is very refreshing to read. One of my friends uses one and it definitely makes verses with complicated theological terms much easier to understand. I think I'll probably always go back to the NIV, but I think reading verses worded a little differently may help me to focus on the message more because it is less familiar, so I have to engage with it more.

[@MattWhitmanTMBH]

My brain functions in new International version just because that's what I memorized everything in as a kid, but I've also really enjoyed my ESV study Bible when I've cracked it open. It's big and unwieldy, so I don't use it as much but I'm very impressed with the work behind it.

[@DS-uo5ie]

One mistake I see in the NIV is,it says David didn’t kill Goliath!

[@DS-uo5ie]

II Samuel 21:19

[@andrewovermyer4345]

@@DS-uo5ie 2 Samuel 21:19 And there was again a battle in Gob with the Philistines Another battle with them in the same place: where Elhanan the son of Jaareoregim, a Bethlehemite, slew [the brother of] Goliath the Gittite; the word "brother" is rightly supplied from ( 1 Chronicles 20:5 ) ; where his name is said to be Lahmi, for not Goliath himself was slain, though some so interpret it, and take Elhanan to be David; so Jarchi, and with which agrees the Targum; but he was slain not at Gob, but in the valley of Elah, nor had David any such name as Elhanan; he was one of David's worthies, ( 2 Samuel 23:24 ) ; where he is called the son of Dodo, and in ( 1 Chronicles 20:5 ) , the son of Jair; and Lahmi there may not be the name of Goliath's brother, but, as here, the country name of Elhanan; for the words F26 there may be rendered, ``and Elhanan the son of Jair, the Lehemite (i.e. the Bethlehemite), slew the brother of Goliath the Gittite,'' and so perfectly agrees, with this: the staff of whose spear was like a weaver's beam; not of Goliath's brother, but of Goliath himself, ( 1 Samuel 17:7 ) .

[@carlhoepner5561]

I'm so glad I stumbled onto your channel!! Dear Matt, thank you for taking the time and making the effort to present so many contentious issues in such a level headed way! I truly value the way you present things and I hope I can be more like this. Will definitely start using your content as a teaching aid from now on! Be blessed, my friend!

[@keepbman]

Nailed it! You always seem to have topics that I have been thinking lately. I'm an NLT guy myself when I'm doing devotions and general reading but if i'm doing a sermon or come across a heavy passage, my NIV comes out as a compare and contrast tool. Great videos Matt! God is really using you in new and important ways.

[@howard3830]

Awesome! Really helps me to decide which English Bible to choose from, especially as a non- English speaker. Also, really appreciate it when you mentioned the manuscript evidence behind each translation! Thank you! 😀

[@DonSpeaksTheWord]

Very good the best short version of this subject that I have seen. Thanks.

[@ChristopherWelty]

I'm very much loving these latest videos! Keep them up! I'd also love to see more of you ruining treasured verses if you get the chance.

[@LilKrazy9292]

Thank you for sharing! When I first came to Christ, I used the NIV or ESV. Now I have NASB and I love it! I do agree that KJV diehards are looking for a fight; I had to leave several Christian Facebook groups because there would be an argument every week over the KJV being the best Bible. There are even folks that are mad because certain words or verses are missing in other translations (even though they're in the NASB).

[@TasJess]

Nailed it again, well done. There are perks to having several translations. When I'm in my super serious, pretend like I'm a theology student mode I have several versions out to compare and contrast. Having a lot of books on the table makes me feel smarter.

[@MattWhitmanTMBH]

That's my trick. Just piles of impressive looking books.

[@TasJess]

The Ten Minute Bible Hour I'm thinking of upping my pen choice. I'm thinking the Bic biro is the NIV of pens and doesn't convey how impressive and weighty my theological thoughts are. I'm interested on your recommendation although I understand if this controversial topic is to hot for this channel....

[@NotHisRealName]

This is exactly the video I needed. I've been thinking about getting a bible to read through, but didn't know where to start. Am going to start shopping for a NIV today. I really appreciate your approach to Christianity in these videos. You make it easy for an outsider to learn more.

[@3rdandzen97]

That opening - epic!!! Keep up the great work, my friend!

[@l.d.barneske8qbi5]

I really appreciate your whole approach, I found your channel today and have watched 5 video's. A parallel bible is a good resource for comparison. I'm glad in your other video's you included the Strongs concordance, mine is held together with duct tape. I see behind you is a Vines another must in ones toolbox. I really appreciate how you handle the bibles that are put together with a bias and you don't outright slam the differing denominations. What a breath of fresh air, thank you

[@nezumi6554]

We should start a Kickstarter project where Matt remakes an entire episode of The Office rewritten to focus on a Christian message or Bible verse. MAKE IT HAPPEN.

[@MattWhitmanTMBH]

You have good ideas. This is one of them.

[@nezumi6554]

Thanks! Said Matt's mom

[@tzadiko]

@@nezumi6554 be the KZbin you seek

[@TheRealJimW]

Just found you in Feb of 2020 and gotta say you are a great communicator. REALLY ENJOY your videos… just when you get a little heady you bring it back down.

[@NoBite2]

Thanks, Matt. Another great, thought-provoking video.

[@billfucile1315]

Intro was the best EVER! Keep it up bro

[@passingforhuman5206]

I enjoy your videos so much, especially because you are proof that being Christian does not exclude the use of common sense. Thank you.

[@noahwilhelm9201]

Loved the fun music, and this is a very helpful video!

[@brandonburrell8517]

I'm a KJV guy. I also believe that the other Bibles preach the same gospel. Thanks so much for using Romans 8:35-39. God bless you.

[@gizmorazaar]

Thank you! I find the KJV extremely graceful in its linguistics, but it's just one of many. If I ever have kids one day, I'd probably be using something like the NIV or NLT. God Bless you, sir!

[@ezassegai4793]

the only issue with the kjv is that it contains the comma johaneum in 1 john 5:7 and the story about the adulteress in john 8 where Jesus supposedly told the jews to cast ther first stone .. you know the story, well that story is not found in manuscripts. Just like Dan Wallace said "its the most beautiful story of the Bible thats not in the Bible"

[@brandonburrell8517]

@@ezassegai4793 I don't believe that.

[@Airel17]

@@ezassegai4793 Dan said it so it has to be true.

[@ezassegai4793]

@@Airel17 who is dan

[@scotta.2967]

Matt, just discovered your channel...... Loving it! Thanks for presenting a well reasoned, well rounded approach to a complicated subject. You commentary on the KJV nailed it, there are so many things that we should be focused on. Thanks for the content!

[@MattWhitmanTMBH]

I appreciate the kind words Scott. Thanks man!

[@themotorcycleguy5980]

When i first got saved my first was a NLT, and God used it and showed me so much! It was so good for me and i loved it and read it all the time for a long time, then as i grew i slowly transitioned from it to the NKJV and like the ESV and CSB because they are better learning and studying from, but the NLT will always have that special place with me cause its the first translation that God used to really open my eyes and speak to me!!! God bless!

[@baoduong2203]

The Bibles I’m currently using: - RSV - Second Catholic Edition (great adventure bible) - NKJV (orthodox study Bible) - interlinear RSV New Testament with Greek - Douay Rheims with the Latin vulgate - NIV (life application study bible/my first bible)

[@AarmOZ84]

I have the Orthodox Study Bible! Really great for someone wanting to study first millennium of Christian theology.

[@TwoMules]

Doug rheims

[@blep301]

Loving this series!

[@EmethMatthew]

Love the description of the sliding scale. I had learned some of this before but was lacking in several of the details.

[@johngeverett]

A Very thoughtful presentation of the concepts.

[@davidmyers5224]

Lol. That was both creative, and probably a lot of work ;-) nicely executed.

[@EcclesiastesLiker-py5ts]

I've been binge watching these while writing evangelistic letters, thank you!

[@DillonLoomis]

This intro was amazing. So so good!

[@JayGarrickFlash]

Yo this intro is the best. God bless you!

[@Kylemathews1]

Thank you this is a fantastic video. I've been looking into this quite a bit lately and you explained it very well and made it easy for me to understand. I'm a new Christian, I have a nice really nice KJV but I find myself spending quite a bit of time looking up definitions and whatnot. I've decided to get an NIV to read along with my KJV to speed up my understanding.

[@Pastor4all52]

Thanks, Mat. Very informative video.

[@JamesLucasGilbert]

The intro 😍 I live in Brazil, and we have similar translations, like NIV, but we also have some other ones that I don’t really know where they fit on the spectrum. Now you gave me some home work to do and figure out how our translations are done :) Keep up the great work man. God bless you.

[@cristaolegendario6417]

A "Nova almeida atualizada" está muito boa. Outro lançamento é a "Biblia King James Fiel," também muito boa.

[@aslemke7341]

A Bíblia de Jerusalém é a melhor se vc quiser uma tradução mais literal. Mas, justamento por isso, pode ser um pouco cansativa.

[@davidtaylorsr]

This is the honest truth, there used to be a church in upstate SC I used to drive by called, "The First Church of The King James Version."

[@MattWhitmanTMBH]

Oh dear.

[@jasonpratt5126]

THEY _LIE!_ {/MontyPythonref}

[@DaveTaylorMP]

Well, looks like that's still a thing. Here's one down near Charleston SC goo.gl/9kv294

[@Punnybone55]

Is that where they sing "My faith is based on nothing less than Scofields Notes and Scripture Press"? ;)

[@nickharris370]

From upstate SC can confirm

[@ForgivenbyGod-t7p]

Thanks! This was very helpful!

[@mattierobertson8481]

Thank you for your note about the Message. I went away and found out more about it and have a copy coming in the post. All being well it will be my first read through the bible as I try and work out what's calling to me, if it's Christ, and if I'm going to answer. I appreciate you, thanks for your work.

[@dabeamer42]

*Really* good, balanced take on the King Jim. Nice job. And I like how Peterson's Paraphrase didn't make it on the screen.

[@fishersofmen4727]

Kim Jong Version only

[@mizuza12]

I am an NLT girl. I have loads of other translations for study and I appreciate them all, but for the readability and being able to get straight to my heart it's NLT all the way. I just love it.

[@the_boatswain]

Broseph!!! Where did you attend seminary, and THANKYOU!!! I LOVE YOUR CHANNEL and have learned a lot and have been challenged in a lot (NASB Man here). I want to attend Seminary one day, so I am always excited to see where folks hail from 😊

[@melodybrohinsky7242]

I'm a NASB fan, and I fit the description of the Christian who gets grumpy about expressions and versions I don't like. The Message makes me break out in hives, as do a few choice modern Christian Brandtastrophes(tm). In my fussy, literal way, I have a hard time fellowshipping in those cases, which is just plain bad. I find your style of honestly delighting in the diversity of thoughts and experiences without compromising on your values really helpful, Matt. Thanks for your ministry!

[@felixmarinjr.66]

Your example of comparing a butter knife to an x-acto knife is great. I have read and heard so many people attacking certain bible translations or translation approaches when they could be instead encouraging people to learn and benefit from the rich variety and range of translations we have available in English. I have a big collection of translations (40+) and currently I use the NLT side by side with the KJ3, I think the NLT is the butter knife and the KJ3 is the xacto. LOL! Talk about a contrasting combination. Anyway, thank you brother for your uplifting channel. God bless!

[@elainejan]

LOVE the intro . The rest of the video is good too 😊

[@mwj9080]

My favorite 4 translations are the NKJV, ESV, CSB, and the NASB. NKJV: I for one believe that this translation is grossly underrated. I understand that its choice of the NT text is not what the majority of scholars prefer (I too agree that the NA/UBS text utilized by most modern translations is superior). But in terms of its actual translation of both the Hebrew and Greek, I'd say that the NKJV/KJV is actually more literal in many places than that of the ESV and even the NASB. Now of course that's not to say that the NKJV is not without its flaws however, as I believe a lot of the choices were more influenced by the KJV (which in many cases isn't a bad thing) than the actual Greek or a more accurate modern English equivalent. Nevertheless, the NKJV in my estimation is a great translation and should be looked at more closely than it is. ESV: While the NKJV is my favorite translation to study from, the ESV has become my favorite translation to teach from. I think the ESV is one of the greatest English translations that was ever produced. It strikes a great balance between the accuracy of the Greek and Hebrew and readability for modern English speakers. The ESV is a very well-rounded translation. Given this, I can see why it has become the preferred translation for more conservative circles. CSB: This translation has been a very nice alternative to the NIV (not that the NIV is as bad as most makes it out to be). Starting with the HCSB, I always appreciated how that translation provided many unique features in terms its rendering of many passages, while still staying true to the Greek, Hebrew, and Aramaic. But now its revision the CSB, in many places takes this trait to another level. The CSB is perhaps the translation that the NIV should have been from the beginning. NASB '95: Lastly, the NASB is a translation that has been highly regarded as the 'most literal' translation. Unfortunately, I think this is a bit of an overstatement as I've mentioned above, in many places the NKJV/KJV, ESV, and even the CSB provides a more literal rendering in many places. Nevertheless, I've found the NASB does an exceptional job in picking up Greek tenses in many passages, that the others sometimes fail to do (see especially Romans 8:13-14). The NASB is undergoing a revision for 2020 (?) and of the changes I've seen so far, it appears that the NASB '95 is to be to preferred. So gather up as many copies of this edition while you still can. With that being said, from one Matt to another, I truly appreciate all that you do for the body of Christ. Grace and Peace!

[@playsball]

I grew up on the KJV and never understood a thing when attempting to read it. Now I have NKJV which I really like and I have NLT which I also like and just recently purchased the Amplified Bible to see what it was about. I like how it gives an introduction to each book before you start reading. I want what I read to be true to scripture so most of the time I'm jumping back and forth to make sure they all read the same way. It can be SUPER confusing! Great video!!

[@IsYitzach]

When I feel a need for word for word translation, I go for Amplified. That is more like word for words as they like translating a word to several synonyms at once in an effort to convey the scope of the word. But I'm not well versed in all flavors of Bible translations, so pointing out the NASB is so word for word is good for me to know.

[@x0four]

I am a fan of parallel bibles and especially the Bible gateway website. I find being able to easily read a section of the Bible interpreted in different ways really helps me to think about the Bible in different ways. For example if I read a section in the Message, and then reread it in The amplified version and then in like the NIV and then in the International Children's bible, they all present the document differently and I see a different focus, which allows me to feel like I am considering God from different angles.

[@joewyatt8413]

I agree and do use different versions although for just personal reading and study I’m really liking the CSB right now.

[@thewordshifter]

😂😂😂😂😂 that office intro tho

[@theRealBrianHunley]

That's my favorite office scene of all time!

[@philjones7351]

Thanks for this video. It's a very nice partner to the interviews you did concerning the NIV translation. I have a question: what's your opinion on the New English Translation? I love the footnotes in the NET.

[@AarmOZ84]

I am an indecisive guy, so I have a parallel Bible with NIV, KJV, NASB, and Amplified translations. LOVE IT!

[@gerryphilly53]

A great video. I’d like to toss something into the mix. If you’re familiar with current Catholic liturgies, you know that lay readers (sometimes referred to as lectors) read two of the three Bible selections prescribed for Sunday worship. When training for this readers are encouraged to look at different transactions in order to get an accurate sense of what the original Hebrew or Greek intended. Also the translation used in the liturgy varies by country - in the US New American Bible translation is used, Canada uses the Revised Standard Version, and the Catholic Church in the UK uses the New English Bible.

[@christianandhuman1008]

Very helpful!

[@slipmud84]

Which Bible is best? The one you'll read and understand the best.

[@ezassegai4793]

eh not really. some bibles like the HFA are absolute abominations and oyu can tell it was made by people who support the posperity health and wealth gospel

[@NoahPurdy]

Best intro yet! 😂😂👍🏼

[@misseli1]

The ESV is also the current rockstar Bible because of its single-column-text editions, its 6-volume edition (I have one actually), and the recent Illuminated Bible with art reminiscent of Medieval Bibles. In short, the people behind ESV are really stepping up their game in terms of Bible designs.

[@davidatwood3228]

Your thumbnail is genius.

[@MattWhitmanTMBH]

I'm hoping everyone who saw that thumbnail read the title in exactly the right voice.

[@JM-ig4ed]

hahaha - loved that opening!

[@jg2072]

The KJV was meant to be read to an illiterate audience. Read it aloud and notice how it flows. Much like reading Shakespeare versus speaking him aloud.

[@dougmorrison198]

Hi Matt. Thanks for this video. It makes a whole lot of sense to me. Have you even done a comparison of these Bibles to The Message version and the Passion Translation? There seems to be a lot of controversy about them.

[@Lolalogo]

My mom has helped translate poetry from spanish to english, and it was real struggle. I couldn't imagine how difficult it would to translate such a large text!

[@manub.3847]

Translating something from another language that you have learned is difficult, even professional translators often need extra information about specific expressions (for example, technology).

[@Punnybone55]

I bought a Spanish Bible in 8th grade. I didn't do well in Spanish, but I grasped certain concepts well enough that having that Spanish Bible actually helped me understand the true meaning of at least one verse FAR better and MUCH more accurately than I ever had before, reading it in(King James) English. :)

[@JamesSnapp]

Re: 5:40 - The ESV's New Testament base-text is specifically stated to be the Nestle-Aland (NA) compilation. The NA compilation is also the NASB's base-text. (So say their prefaces.) Occasionally the translators veered from NA but only a teensy-tiny bit.

[@timwilson8235]

Thank you

[@PracticalBibleStudies]

I’ll say this again and again, I like the MEV for Textus Receptus and ESV for Critical. I also have an NLT chronological on iTunes. It’s great for story-only reading in my opinion. Unless you’re a theologian, it probably doesn’t matter at all what version as long as its mainstream.

[@jaredbajer712]

I met an evangelist at Lowe's once. He was handing out tracts around the store and I thought that was great and everything. I told him, thank you and that I'm a born-again Christian. He then changed the subject from Jesus to KJV only doctrine and tried to tell me that modern translations are Satanic! Wow that's a stretch. I was shocked and disappointed that some KJV only Christians can be so divisive and cultish, so to speak believing their fellow Christians are reading versions inspired by the Devil! That's ludicrous. I didn't engage much with him on that but said I think KJV is an excellent default version but I definitely like to do side by side version comparisons, especially on my Bible app which is also a great "tool"! Thanks for this video!

[@theshakter]

I'm an ESV guy. My wife reads the NLT. It's what is easy for us to both understand. I always say any Translation is good aslong as it's not the The watch tower bible and book of mormon

[@cinnamondan4984]

Ted O'Neill The New World Translation is much better than I would have originally thought..:but yeah, no to being a JW

[@amosmgz]

I hoped you would talk about the HCSB! I really enjoy reading it, and I would've loved to hear what you have to say about it

[@jasonpratt5126]

Wait, did I just see Ultra Magnus on the shelf? Is that a reference to an older ep I haven't gotten around to yet? ...OR IS THAT A GUNDAM!?!? :D :D :D (I was going to make a joke about the card music being from an older mecha anime like Patlabor or something like that, and dang if I didn't notice that on the shelf behind the Bibles toward the end of the episode. I am forced to assume this video series reads my mind and spawns references in the background _while I am watching it!_ Well played, TMBH. Well played. Also, just in case: {goes to find crucifix to ward off the video})

[@seanohara1387]

Jason Pratt Check out the last NoDumbQuestions Podcast episode. I’m pretty sure that’s where the reference is.

[@MattWhitmanTMBH]

Very well done. I was hoping someone would make that connection.

[@MattWhitmanTMBH]

I'm impressed Jason. Most people are too consumed with the unimportant things of their lives to know the names of all the 1980s Transformers. #sad

[@MajorChisholm]

Hey Matt, have you had a chance to review the CSB Version yet? I would love to know your thoughts or see a video on that version. Merry Christmas.

[@GrammyGottaGo]

I have the She Reads Truth version and I like it. I have a tendency to add my notes from my study NRSV addition when I’m doing intensive study though. It has big margins so that’s easy!

[@610garage]

I'm not a good Christen. I don't know my bible very well. I read all of those passages, and I understood the concept. But man, the NLT made it quite clear. I agree with your opening statement. Err, about the tools. Not the black bible. :) A thought for thought bible is going to be easier to understand and maybe more precise. A word for word will be more accurate and easier to memorize since it dosn't change as freekently. So, you need to read and understand them all to gain both precision of ideas, and accuracy of words.

[@MattWhitmanTMBH]

I think the New Living Translation was clearest on that passage as well. I tried not to gush about it too much because I'm obviously biased in favor of it. Go check out the message translation of Romans 8. Eugene Peterson completely adds stuff that isn't in the original text to the list of things that won't separate us from God.

[@610garage]

Wow! There saying different things. To me, the message is saying that the world can't pull us from God. The NLT is saying that, despite what we may perceive as abandonment, God still loves and protects us. I don't know. I read it a few times. Bouncing between the message, NLT, NIV and NASB. It's like the message is close. So close, that it seems right on. But when I go back and forth. Rereading between the translations. I get an uneasy feeling reading the message. I can't explain it. Something seems iky to me. Maybe the passage in the message is just giving itself more authority than the others.

[@IamGrimalkin]

I think the example you gave sort of works with the Message's translation philosophy. The essence of the passage could be interpreted as "nothing can separate us from god, and here is a list of random things I am using as examples:". Under a very thought-for-thought translation philosophy, it doesn't really matter what you put in the list, because the purpose of the list is just to give an illustration. I'm reminded somewhat of G & S performances being updated to make the political references work in the modern day. Of course, all of this hinges on the idea that the essence of the passage is that nothing can separate us from god, and it just lists a load of random examples to illustrate his point. If it isn't saying that nothing can separate us from god, only this list of particular things; or if Paul is saying that nothing separates us from god, but he highlights those particular examples for important reasons; then it doesn't fit. I think that's the problem with translations that go too thought-for-thought: a lot of the decisions are heavily based on opinion, and I would often rather make my own opinions than automatically defer to the Message or even NLT translation committee.

[@misseli1]

Because English is my second language, and because I grew up reading the Bible in Spanish, I don't really have any strong biases about the KJV one way or another. BUT I do like to compare multiple English translations, including the KJV. I often read the ESV or NIV, and occasionally I read the NASB or KJV.

[@joeldezwaan1149]

Preach it! Unity among Christians no matter what version you read. Exclusivity and superiority are not healthy mindsets for a Christian to have.

[@KingJamesBibleBeliever-de9fy]

There will be no unity among Christians as long as they all use different translations, just stick with the King James

[@thislittlelight5657]

God is against the pastors who divide His flock. Yet God said His own Truth would cause divisions. God is not against His Truth causing divisions, what He is against are Bible perversions, and the confusion which abounds that separates people into factions and denominations. We are supposed to come out of all unions which are against Him, and our unity is supposed to be with truth and love combined. Answering Kelly Clark... Jesus came to the lost sheep of Israel. There was so much false religiosity going on, where men would establish themselves over God's truth, just as the Roman Catholic church does and other cults, that the nation of Israel was led by heretics. The religious elite had Jesus (God in human flesh) put to death. He was a threat to their authority, and they didn't recognize Him as God, because they believed in falsehood rather than God's Truth. Traditions of God are fine, but traditions of men are not. Nothing should come above God's words. We are not even supposed to choose our families or our culture above the Lord.

[@AString95]

I’m a new believer in Christ, I bought the NASB reference bible for the literal translation. It reads weird at times, but it reminds me that I’m reading text that is 3000 plus years old! Love the references.

[@largadrive]

I do believe most translations have something to offer and I use a few of them.Comparing words being used and how they are faithful to the context really makes it interesting or how they reflect the translators is as well.

[@largadrive]

I do disagree about manuscripts though

[@BrKody]

I have a King James Bible and a NIV Bible. I have the Kings James version because I feel it's a good word by word copy of the original. But I have the NIV because it's easier for me to understand. If you want something more traditional get the King James. But if you want something easier for you to understand get the NIV. Both are great Bibles but it's up to you to choose which one will work for you. Keep up the great work I really enjoy your videos.

[@JamesSnapp]

11:42 - Re: manuscript-basis: Nonono; the NIV was based on the Nestle-Aland compilation too. After the TNIV was withdrawn and the NIV was drawn up afresh and reissued, a few small deviations were introduced (most notably in Mark 1:41) but the NA compilation was and is the base-text of the New Testament of the NIV.

[@WgtLoss]

Hey was wondering if you did a review for the csb? I just wanted your opinion also notice that they have missing verses. Thank you

[@calebgardner7274]

It is so easy for people if they don't know the history and background to mystify the bible so certain (english) words become holy even though they are translated after the fact. Thanks for explaining well and clearing up the waters.

[@johnmcafee6140]

Let's be honest here. The ESV is the current "Rockstar" not because of it's translation approach but more for the fact that it has been endorsed by guys like John Piper. ;)

[@lleange363]

yeah and crossway sells evs in a cheap price but quality

[@helpfulcreation8238]

I started collecting versions and found the Amplified Bible to be my favorite with the notes built in, and the context clearly laid out. Not a popular version, but one I've learned and grown the most from! CSB was a big let down, even though they have some stunning Bibles out. They changed a lot of the words, but for me, didn't add clarity. I think in the end the words and phrases aren't the problem in the reading, it's the message for the audience at hand that has the gap in my understanding.

[@allancoote1221]

Good stuff. Have you read the David Bentley Hart's literal new testament translation?

[@1001Guitarplayer]

I’m a CSB guy primarily but also have a parallel bible with KJV NIV NLT and NASB in it. My CSB bible is a study bible and it has a TON of footnotes and alternate translation notes which is very useful when trying to stay literal. The CSB is about 50/50 word for word vs thought for though but when in doubt goes word for word. It’s pretty plain English which is nice. It’s also updated from HCSB which is nearly the same thing but the HCSB is a lower reading level and is more thought for thought. I really, really like the CSB after growing up with the KJV which even as an adult I have a hard time understanding sometimes.

[@jerrychandler657]

You did not compare and contrast the differences between the Textus Receptus and the WH codexes which is arguably the most important aspect of this topic.

[@Adigulyas]

Hey Matt, are u sure the esv manuscripts are closer to kjv than to the others? To my knowledge most modern translation (including esv) use the minority (alexandrian) manuscripts as opposed to kjv's textus receptus which is similar to the majority, (byzantine) texts. Luv ya, your work, keep it up!

[@laudate2957]

You may already talked about this, since video is two years old, nevertheless, any thoughts on the NET? Love your content! Thank you!

[@jamesritter5078]

Me, personally, I like the NET for all the notes. It's not my 'go-to' Bible, but I like it.

[@jeffrappe5202]

Your topics are great, they are almost always on something I’ve wondered about at one time or another. I think the thought for thought translations are great for newer Christians learning about Jesus and what he did for us, where the word for word translations are good for those people who want to dig a little deeper, whether it’s just curiosity about a certain aspect of the Bible or they want to study the “Word of God” deeper to help disciple others. I can see it now... the year 2050 translation: Phil 4:13 - Yo! I can do anything through my BFF Jesus! Who gives me the Powa! 😇

[@Lolalogo]

I'm atheist, and I find these topics very interesting!

[@TruthSeeker52342]

@@Lolalogo Why would an atheist be interested in Bible translations?

[@Lolalogo]

@@TruthSeeker52342 I guess I'm just interested in how other people think and what they believe in? In general, I like learning!

[@TruthSeeker52342]

@@Lolalogo What do you believe in?

[@Lolalogo]

@@TruthSeeker52342 I wasn't aware I was required to believe in anything Dan.

[@cinnamondan4984]

The ESV is just the RSV with more conservative sensibilities. I recall reading both side by side and finding them to be almost identical in wording for reasons I have not explored. It is a a if the translators just modified the RSV somewhat as they did not like the NRSV

[@jesserichards5582]

Love your content, you do a fantastic job of explaining things without leaving the viewer feeling resentful towards christianity in the end

[@d_dave7200]

What I find kinda funny is that we can say, "Well, it's all a personal choice", but I can't help but notice that similar people tend to flock to the same versions. You are I have quite a lot of differences: culturally (having been brought up in Europe), politically (being a socialist), living in the country vs the city, etc. etc. Yet because we're both pretty academically minded people, we end up coming to the same conclusions. Some translations are just more helpful for really digging into this stuff down to the level of word choice. I spend the most time reading the NIV, but I use the NASB when I want a word-for-word translation for study. I just can't get behind a translation with fewer sources given the choice, so I tend to lean away from the KJV and ESV.

[@charlesj.murphy51]

Hey Matt I've been digging around your page. I want you opinion on the CSB. Cheers!

[@AdrianMoisey]

Good video, my boy

[@jacksneed123]

How would I research where the different translations get the texts that they use

[@MattWhitmanTMBH]

That's information that's published in the front of pretty much every Bible (which I'll talk about in my next video), and, though it might take a little digging, you can find almost all of that stuff in detail somewhere online.

[@noxabellus]

I was just starting to get really suspicious when you reached _inside_ your glasses and pulled them off lol

[@1hollyhock3]

You could totally cut a cake with that tape measure!

[@MattWhitmanTMBH]

I'm embarrassed at my lack of creativity. Thank you.

[@ianjohnson182]

Ever cut PVC pipe with a shoe lace? Fun times

[@twofriarsandafool]

What's your familiarity with the CEB translation? What's your take on it?