The Star of Azazel - Azazelin Tähti

If you are reading the Bible, which versions of it do you read? Which verses are most influential in your Work?

I don't read the bible, but I would like to do so at some point. I have been pondering which version is preferable, so this is a interesting topic.

But probably I am unable to abandon the norse text sources for the next ten years or so, and this bible-project will never occur

I have a copy of the English Standard Version on my Kindle. I went to a Church of England primary school so I assume I read either this edition, the King James or something similar when I was a child. I actually find this version really dull too, but as it's electronic and indexed well it's easy to search for key passages.

I know almost nothing about how the Bible is translated and the intricacies involved. It always struck me that this should have been more of an issue for Islam, but I've never investigated the issue.

I have a version of the Bible that’s called Today’s New International Version

I find king James version to be the most captivating, language wise, so that is the one which I read when I do these days.

Heith wrote:I find king James version to be the most captivating, language wise, so that is the one which I read when I do these days.

Oh ok nice! I’ve read the King James Version and had one when I was younger. I should look into getting a copy.

Frater Setesh wrote:

Heith wrote:I find king James version to be the most captivating, language wise, so that is the one which I read when I do these days.

Oh ok nice! I’ve read the King James Version and had one when I was younger. I should look into getting a copy.

There's some websites which compare different versions, so you can see what language feels nicest for you personally.

King James Bible is like a book of poetry, and a treasure house of poetic themes and images. But I always use Hebrew and Greek originals also. It is useless to try to make an accurate translation, so it is more important to make a poetic one. A real poetic translation is always somewhat inspired, and it coneys a sense of holiness.

There are many finw interlinear editions of the two Testaments. And The Strong's latest concordance is the best dictionary, I think, for both Greek and Hebrew.

I would also recommend reading the Quoran, because it is also a brilliant book of poetry, and in a sense it is like a "third testament" as the themes of the Bible continue therein.

obnoxion wrote:King James Bible is like a book of poetry, and a treasure house of poetic themes and images. But I always use Hebrew and Greek originals also. It is useless to try to make an accurate translation, so it is more important to make a poetic one. A real poetic translation is always somewhat inspired, and it coneys a sense of holiness.

I wondered if you - or anyone here - had ever read the Douay-Rheims translation? Many people who I've talked to consider it to be superior to the King James because of the more specialised terminology utilised, although I suppose this could easily remove the poetic sensibilities you mention.

I wouldn't say it's entirely useless to try to make an accurate translation. For example, I'm looking forward to reading David Bentley Hart's new translation of the New Testament, which he describes as "subversively literal" - by which he apparently means undermining many of the common assumptions academics and religious figures have regarding Paul. (A short article by Hart on the subject.)

In any case, I'm currently reading the Dutch Herziene Statenvertaling, a revision from the 2000s of an original state translation from 1637. I've never actually read the Bible from cover to cover, so I thought I'd finally get round to it. No ideas on the veracity of the translation or anything like that - I assume Hart would be unhappy as it was supervised by a committee of academics and religious figures - but almost every verse has a commentary in a footnote and links to other verses when applicable. There are also genealogies of basically everyone mentioned, as well as illustrations of e.g. the various temples constructed, which is incredibly useful considering how the Bible typically resorts to listing these things in a basically impenetrable manner.