What Bible version is closest to the original Bible manuscripts?

Answer 1

The New World Translation, published by Jehovah's Witnesses is considered the most accurate translation from original texts. One notable difference between it and other Bibles is that it uses God's name, Jehovah. It does this in the over 6000 places that it was wrongfully removed. Also this Bible has been translated to not only be the most accurate, but also to make it readable using modern day language. It has been translated, in whole or in part, to nearly 100 languages. Many Bible scholars outside of the Jehovah's Witness organization have spoken highly of this translation. Examples include, Edgar Goodspeed, Dr. Jason BeDuhn, Dr. Rijkel ten Kate, Dr. B. Kedar. Also the popular game show, Jeopardy, made the claim that this translation was most accurate.

While this Bible is not a word for word translation, this would be very cumbersome as grammar from one language to another differs, it does make every effort to translate not only the words but the points being made throughout the texts. Both Hebrew and Greek are very specific languages translating into modern languages that may have one word with many meanings or only one word where their words were many to convey different shades of meaning. The New World Translation makes every effort to consider those shades of meaning and then word their texts so as to give an accurate portrayal of what the writer was trying to say. This allows for easier reading as well as the opportunity to better understand this most valuable book.

No try NKJV

Answer 2

When you consider that there are more than 60 English versions of The Bible available today - each can divide them into three broad types: word-for-word, meaning-by-meaning and paraphrased. The word-for-word and meaning-by-meaning are referred to as translations, but the paraphrased are considered just that, paraphrases, not translations - the reader should refer to the introductory page of the Bible in question as this describes which approach is being used in that particular version.

Most biblical scholars and theologians find the word-for-word versions most accurately follow the Hebrew, Aramaic and Greek texts. True, they can be slightly harder to follow the meaning at times due to the word-for-word approach, but are generally slightly more accurate. The King James Version and its modern counterpart, the New King James Version, are word-for-word translations. The King James Version is a good translation. The NKJV is equally good, and it is easier to read which is the study Bible I use primarily. I find it is good to read difficult Scripture in other type of versions to help get a fuller understanding of what is being said.

Here is a listing of the 3 types of Bible by Name taken from the Vertical Thought Magazine:

"Word - For - Word Interlinear NASB - New American Standard Bible AMP - Amplified Bible ESV - English Standard Version RSV - Revised Standard Version KJV - King James Version NKJV - New King James Version

Thought - For - Thought HCSB - Holman Christian Standard Bible NRSV - New Revised Standard Version NAB - New American Bible NJB - New Jerusalem Bible NIV - New International Version TNIV - Today's New International Version NCV - New Century Version NLT - New Living Translation

Paraphrase NIrV - New International Reader's Version GNT - Good News Translation (also Good News Bible) CEV - Contemporary English Version TLB - The Living Bible MSG - The Message
The examples of Bible translations is not meant to be all inclusive, but rather a listing of some of the more popular."