I hope you didn’t think I was going to give you my top ten translations.
My top five reasons for not listing my top ten translations.
- I don’t think others care or should care what my top ten translations are.
- I’m not qualified to judge which ones are the best.
- Related to number 2, it would mainly be my preference, which is what most top ten lists are anyway, which is what Douglas Mangum at Biblia Hebraica asserts.
- I’m determined not to be a “fan” of any one translation which would be my #1 translation.
- There are only two translations I’ve read all the way through.
I do think that for someone who is interested in choosing or switching, the top ten lists can be educational. Some that I have seen are:
Any others?
These are a little old and many of you have seen them but I thought I would point them out for those who haven’t.
Who Translated the New Living Translation? (And More Thoughts on Advocating English Translations) - Internet Monk (good comments too)
Speaking of the NLT, here is a feature on their web site where you can easily look up popular verses/passages. There are so many familiar passages making it easy to get a good feel for it. There are also three in-depth comparisons.
Update: And a newer post on the NLT.
One “Best” Translation? - living the crucified life (ironically, most of the comments may be contrary to what the post is about)
If you haven’t seen it, the first post is here.
I don’t really have any comments on this second comparison. I just like it. Except for one thing I notice about the Lattimore is that he’s not afraid to let Paul’s run-on sentences to be run-on sentences. He doesn’t seem to put as many periods in as other translations, although this isn’t the best example of that.
First the standard, which I like a lot also.
Colossians 1:9-12 NRSV
For this reason, since the day we heard it, we have not ceased praying for you and asking that you may be filled with the knowledge of God’s will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding, so that you may lead lives worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing to him, as you bear fruit in every good work and as you grow in the knowledge of God. May you be made strong with all the strength that comes from his glorious power, and may you be prepared to endure everything with patience, while joyfully giving thanks to the Father, who has enabled you to share in the inheritance of the saints in the light.
Colossians 1:9-12 Lattimore
Therefore we also, since the day we heard about you, never cease from praying for you. We pray that you may be fulfilled in your understanding of his will, in full wisdom and spiritual comprehension; so as to act in a manner worthy of the Lord and always pleasing to him, productive in every good work and increasing in your understanding of God; empowered with every power, by the supremacy of his glory, to be always steadfast and joyfully enduring, thankful to the father who made you fit for your share in the fortune of the saints, in the light.
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