Bible Translations

I used to have this sort of fear of changing Bible translations because I didn't want to miss anything.  I was worried that one may leave things out that another didn't.  What I've recently discovered though is that the translation isn't that big a deal to me anymore - it's the message that counts.

Now I know some people really get stuck on certain versions saying they are the only ones that are done correctly, but I don't really see anything wrong with replacing a word no one these days understands with a word that makes sense to them while including a footnote with the original word.

I guess the reason I bring this up is because I have recently started using the New Living Translation (NLT).  This is what my Pastor uses so I decided it would be good to have it for myself and be abel to better keep up with him.  What I discovered is that I really like the NLT!  It's easy to read, direct and straight to the point, and the language is just easier for me to digest.

Prior to the NLT I can say that I never much cared for the King James Version (KJV) with all its thees and thous (who talks like that?).  The New King James Version (NKJV) is nice for trimming down on that stuff, but it still tends to confuse me at times.  I've always enjoyed the New International Version (NIV) as it's pretty easy to digest, but it still leaves me wondering at times.

Anyway, what I have found is that no matter the translation the message received is still the same, at least for me.

Take this verse for instance...

Isaiah 12:2 NKJV

Behold, God is my salvation,
I will trust and not be afraid;
‘For Yah, the Lord, is my strength and song;
He also has become my salvation

Isaiah 12:2 NIV

Surely God is my salvation;
I will trust and not be afraid.
The Lord, the Lord himself, is my strength and my defense;
he has become my salvation.

Isaiah 12:2 NLT

See, God has come to save me.
I will trust in him and not be afraid.
The Lord God is my strength and my song;
he has given me victory.

You see that each has its own style, but in the end they are all saying the same thing - Our salvation comes from God.  We need to trust Him and not be afraid.  Our strength is from God, through Him is our salvation (which is the victory).

The devotional series I am doing right now uses the NKJV.  When I sit down to read I first read from the NKJV, then I read from the NIV, and then I read from the NLT.  By the time I get done reading I have a great feel for the passage, but when I go back to reread and read again (because I tend to read it over and over again all day) I always find myself going to the NLT now because it is just easier to understand.