The Biblica folks are currently releasing the 2011 NIV translation (New International Version, copyright held by Biblica, Inc.). According to their Web site, they plan to shift all their products to this new translation over the next two years.
Some of the content of the 2011 translation may raise problems for conservative Lutherans, including revisions involving gender and inclusive language. CPH has chosen to use the ESV translation for many recent products, including our Growing in Christ Sunday School curriculum.
I am generally quite satisfied with the ESV. It conforms well to the original languages (or so I'm told; I don't read Greek or Hebrew, though I often wish I could). Some CPH customers have complained about the reading level of ESV; our editorial department has not found a quantifiable difference between ESV and NIV in this regard. Others feel the ESV does not read as smoothly as the NIV, another fairly subjective issue. I have noticed that ESV, as it follows the original texts closely, does not break verses as conveniently at the verse numbers as some other translations. This causes me a little more work when I identify passages for reading or study. A great Bible memory verse in the NIV doesn't always work as well in the ESV.
In 2004, the synodical convention of the LCMS approved the use of ESV for the new hymnal, The Lutheran Service Book, in all Bible texts except for those imbedded in CPH translation of Luther's Small Catechism. Since that time, CPH has given some preference to ESV in its curriula and other publications.
Recent ESV resources include The Lutheran Study Bible (in all 16 of its editions), a new Faith Alive Bible (just released; check it out at cph.org), the Growing in Christ Sunday School materials, and many other resources. This trend will continue, especially since Biblia, Inc., will no longer support use of the 1984 translation.
What translation of the Bible do you prefer?
What version to you buy for use in your Sunday School classrooms, as you teach God's children His Word?
Why have you made these choices?
While the ESV is a great translation for those of us born and raised with excellent English language skills, I'm finding it very difficult for working with refugees and even modern teens.
ReplyDeleteWhile I know in some circles it is ill to speak of such, while we use the ESV in worship, with the youth I tend to use GOD'S WORD (oh no! Hey, it's basically an LCMS translation) and find that it communicates more effectively. I've gone to using the two translations in tandum: I use the ESV to check up on GW, but that way the initial reading makes more sense to those whose English consists more of LOL and OMG rather than "propitiation for our sins"...
Grace and Peace,
Randy
Randy, thanks for the helplful reminder about the God's Word translation. Too bad it comes with so much baggage.
ReplyDelete