Bible Translations We Recommend
The Bible was originally written in Hebrew, Aramaic, and Greek. English-speaking translators have come up with four basic methods of translating the Bible into English, and a wide variety of English Bibles exist today for us to choose from.
However, at God's Church in Christ Jesus, we believe that every word of God is both tested and pure (Proverbs 30:5). We think it is best to stick as closely as possible with the Word of God as it was originally written. Therefore, we strongly recommend that every believer chooses and uses an essentially literal or word-for-word translation written in up-to-date language.
4 Types of Bible Translations:
1. Essentially Literal / Word-for-Word
These attempt to translate the exact words of the original text of the Bible into English. The most commonly known one is the King James Version, which we do not recommend because some of the language in it is not up-to-date. Instead, we recommend the New King James Version, which contains updated English.
2. Dynamic Equivalence / Thought-For-Thought
These attempt to say the ideas of the original text of the Bible in the way that a modern English speaker would say them. However, quite a bit is up to the translator's interpretation, so we do not recommend these types of Bibles.
3. Mixed
These are a combination of #1 and #2. Sometimes they translate exactly, but at other times they try to find more modern ways of saying things in English. Since they are not consistent, we do not recommend them.
4. Paraphrase
These attempt to express the basic ideas of the Bible, instead of translating the exact words. These Bibles tend to differ greatly from the original text, so we don't recommend them.
Our Recommendations:
We especially recommend either the New King James Version (NKJV) or the New American Standard Bible (NASB), two modern essentially literal or word-for-word English translations. Bishop Haymon primarily teaches and preaches from the NASB.
For more information, check out the book Why Is My Choice of a Bible Translation So Important? by Wayne Grudem with Jerry Thacker, from which much of the information on this page was taken.
However, at God's Church in Christ Jesus, we believe that every word of God is both tested and pure (Proverbs 30:5). We think it is best to stick as closely as possible with the Word of God as it was originally written. Therefore, we strongly recommend that every believer chooses and uses an essentially literal or word-for-word translation written in up-to-date language.
4 Types of Bible Translations:
1. Essentially Literal / Word-for-Word
These attempt to translate the exact words of the original text of the Bible into English. The most commonly known one is the King James Version, which we do not recommend because some of the language in it is not up-to-date. Instead, we recommend the New King James Version, which contains updated English.
2. Dynamic Equivalence / Thought-For-Thought
These attempt to say the ideas of the original text of the Bible in the way that a modern English speaker would say them. However, quite a bit is up to the translator's interpretation, so we do not recommend these types of Bibles.
3. Mixed
These are a combination of #1 and #2. Sometimes they translate exactly, but at other times they try to find more modern ways of saying things in English. Since they are not consistent, we do not recommend them.
4. Paraphrase
These attempt to express the basic ideas of the Bible, instead of translating the exact words. These Bibles tend to differ greatly from the original text, so we don't recommend them.
Our Recommendations:
We especially recommend either the New King James Version (NKJV) or the New American Standard Bible (NASB), two modern essentially literal or word-for-word English translations. Bishop Haymon primarily teaches and preaches from the NASB.
For more information, check out the book Why Is My Choice of a Bible Translation So Important? by Wayne Grudem with Jerry Thacker, from which much of the information on this page was taken.
"Every word of God is tested;
He is a shield to those who take refuge in Him."
He is a shield to those who take refuge in Him."
Proverbs 30:5 (NASB)
"Every word of God is pure;
He is a shield to those who put their trust in Him."
He is a shield to those who put their trust in Him."
Proverbs 30:5 (NKJV)