First,some general observations are in order before we address
this question:
A. Remember, the original authors of Holy Scripture were inspired, but copyists and translators are not. There is not one, perfect English translation authorized by God to meet the needs of all English-speaking people for all times. On the other hand, God has promised us that His word will be preserved and that means accurately preserved (Mark 13:31;1 Pet.1:24-25).
B. We must never adopt an arrogant attitude in favor of a particular
translation. Most of us have a favorite translation, but it is
inappropriate to despise another brother or sister, or think of him as
spiritually inferior or immature because he uses a different version (Phil. 2:3-4, 12; Eph. 4:1-3).
C. Never confuse readability with accuracy! To put it another way, a translation may be difficult
to read and yet still be very accurate. Another translation may be very easy to
read and corrupt at the same time. A lie that is understandable is still a lie.
One of the tricks the Devil may use is to tempt us to drink deeply from a
spurious version of the Bible (I Pet. 5:8, 2 Cor. 11:14-15).
Think of the apocrypha included in the
Catholic version of the Bible. Think of translations completed by members of a
particular denomination for the sole purpose of espousing their
doctrine.
D. There are several excellent translations.
One can learn the truth from any of them. All translations, however, can be
broadly grouped into two
categories:
1. One group was
completed by men who believed that the thoughts and the
very words of the original text were inspired by God. Thus, these
men concentrated on rendering the specific words and phrases into an accurate
English translation. Such versions include: the King James, the
New King James, the American Standard, and the New American Standard.
2.The other broad group was completed by men who
believed the thoughts
of the original writers were inspired but not necessarily the words
(See I Cor. 2:13
for a scriptural judgment on this point). Because of this viewpoint,
these translations take a much looser reign with the original Hebrew, Aramaic,
and Greek. Such
versions include The Good
News Bible, the
New International
Version, and even the
Revised Standard
Version. This is not to say that these translations are
worthless and harmful in all respects, but it is to sound a warning against
using them as our primary study text.
E. Also, be wary of versions completed by a single individual, such as Kenneth Taylor's Living Bible (a paraphrased work) and Moffatt's translation. No matter how gifted an individual may be in rendering foreign languages into English, his prejudices and theology are bound to show. There is no good system of checks and balances when one man is responsible for the entire work. Committees make mistakes, too, but at least there are capable scholars examining and evaluating the work of their fellow translators .
F.There's no need to limit yourself to a single translation. Sometimes the best way to examine a difficult verse is to compare different translations.
G. Whatever translation you decide to use, read and study it! (Acts 17:11).