Reading the several threads on this forum regarding Bible translations, I thought I gather some info on all the available options (that I know of) and briefly review each, pointing out the pros and cons. Please note that I'm writing from the perspective of a "Bible collector" and amature textual critic. Descerning which is the "best translation" will depend largely on what you want to use it for. Some translations are very literal which make them great for study but not so great for liturgical use. Some are translated from unsuitable source texts, while others lack the complete LXX Deuterocannon. So below is "the list" of available English Bible translations which are either suitable or unsuitable for Orthodox Christians. Do feel free to add to the list others which I might not be aware of. For all those who keeping asking for advice on which Bible translation they should use, give them the link to this thread.
1. KJV & NKJV
These two well known "mainstream Protestant" translations are very popular amongst Orthodox Christians. They are accurate, literal and formal which make them great for both serious study and public reading. Orthodox Christians tend to prefer the KJV & NKJV over other "mainstream Protestant" translations like the NIV, because the base text for the NT is a Byzantine text not an Alexandrian text. However the KJV & NKJV have their disadvantages which, IMO, far outweigh their advantages, these are:
a) The base text for the OT is the Masoretic Hebrew text, not the Greek LXX.
b) Most editions that include the Deuterocannon seldom include the complete LXX Deuterocannon.
c) The base text for the NT is the Textus Receptus which, while Byzantine, contains some interpolations from the Latin Vulgate and is not as close to the official Greek NT text of the Orthodox Church as the Byzantine Majority Text.
Conclusion: not bad but not the best.
2. The Roman Catholic Editions of the RSV & NRSV
Far fewer Orthodox Christians use these two translations, and they are, IMO, completely unsuitable for both clery and laymen. Not only do they not contain the complete LXX Deuterocannon, they were translated from unsuitable source texts - Masoretic text & Alexandrian Greek NT.
Conclusion: to be avoided.
3. NAB, NJB (Roman Catholic) & REB (Anglican)
Same scenario as the one above.
Conclusion: to be avoided. And avoid all other translations of the Masorectic & Alexandrian texts (NIV, TNIV, NIRV, NASB, HCSB, NET, ISV, ESV, CEV, GNB, GWN, NLT, NCV, MSG).
4. Brenton's LXX Translation:
A true classic which has been the "standard" LXX translation for some 150 years. For those who like "KJV-style" English I would recommend using this instead of the KJV, for both study and liturgical use.
Conclusion: better option than the KJV.
5. Thomson's LXX Translation:
The earliest English transltion of the LXX, as in formal "KJVish" English. Apparently not as literal as Brenton's, though I think it's still good enough. It's quite rare but it can be downloaded
here.
Conclusion: better option than the KJV.
6. The Orthodox Study Bible
I haven't personally seen it (apart from a pdf sample) but so far I'm not impressed. The reviews are mixed, there seems to be equal support and opposition. In the end though I think this translation is best for new commers to Orthodox Christianity, but not so great for other uses. For a critical review, see this page:
http://www.geocities.com/Heartland/Pines/7224/Rick/Septuagint/sp_OSB_notes1.htm.
Conclusion: surely Orthodox Christians can do better than just adding Patristic commentary to a Protestant translation (NKJV).
7. The Orthodox New Testament
Another translation with mixed reviews. What's great about it is that it was translated from the official Orthodox Greek NT text, and that it's very accurate. What's not great about it is that the translation is so literal (and eccentric!) that it's makes for very cringe worthy public reading.
Conclusion: really only useful for scholars of NT textual criticism.
8. New English Translation of the Septuagint
A recent translation of the LXX in very readable modern English. It was translated by the Institute of Septuagint and Congnate Studies and published by Oxford University Press. Which means that this is a "scholarly" translation, and therefore great for study but unsuitable for liturgical use.
Conclusion: for scholars and semaries, not for parishes and laymen.
9. World English Bible
A very accurate and readable, public domain revision of the ASV to conform to the Byzantine Majority (OT is Masoretic though does contain some of the Deuterocannon). View and download in various formats
here.
Conclusion: better option than the NKJV.
10. The English Majority Text Version
By Paul W. Esposito. A fresh translation of the Byzantine Majority Text. Overall very good, view it
here.
Conclusion: better option than the NKJV.
11. The Analytical-Literal Translation
By Gary F. Zeolla. Very literal and accuarate, great for study, but perhaps too literal for public reading (though not as bad as the ONT). More info
here.
Conclusion: best English translation of the Byzantine Majority Text. Excellent for study, can be read publically if bracketed [] words are skipped.
12. Fan S. Noli's New Testament Translation
A 1960s translation of the official Orthodox Greek NT text by an Albanian Orthodox Bishop. It's in very informal English and quite paraphrasic, much like the GNB or the NLT. If you prefer a literal translation then steer clear, but if you want an Orthodox translation to read in "simple English" then this is the NT for you. I don't recommend this for liturgical use or serious study, but it's perfect for children. If you teach Sunday School or Catechism for children, I highly recommend using this translation. It's quite rare but I have found it in pdf
here.
Conclusion: for children and for those who like "simple English".
13. The Apostolic Bible Polyglot
If you want to study the Greek NT then this is a must have. It's an interlinear translation of the both the Greek NT (Textus Receptus) and LXX (without Deuterocannon) all keyed to Strong's numbers, complete with Lexicon and concordance. Download pdfs
here.
Conclusion: for those who want to learn Greek.
14. Holy Orthodox Bible
By Peter A. Papoutsis. A very nice "KJV style" translation by a native Greek speaker and Orthodox Christian. Only drawback - he's yet to complete it. For info on which books are available, go
here.
Conclusion: excellent but still in progress.
15. The Eastern Orthodox Bible
The NT, revised from the WEB to conform to the official Orthodox Greek NT text has been published and is also avaible for download. The NT also contains some appendices on Orthodox dogma, and is therefore the one I recommend the most. The OT, which contains an extensive intro, is revised from Brenton's LXX translation, and is still in progress. They need editors to help complete the project which will hopefully be released next year. For info and download go
here.
Conclusion: the only English translation (when complete) that is worthy of official sanction. It's accurate, readable, informative and 100% Orthodox. The only drawback is that the complete translation is published in 3 volumes, so a "Parish edition" (one volume minus the footnotes & extras) will need to be published.
Thoughts? Hope you find the above helpful.
Be blessed,
Nazarene.
(Request to moderators: please delete my previous post. Thanks, God bless).
Completed as requested. -YtterbiumAnalyst
