: Re: What English version of the bible should I quote from? Say I want to quote from the bible in something I'm writing (think the famous passage in Pulp Fiction). What bible version should I quote

@Holmes449

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What is called the "King James Version" these days is actually the "Authorized Version of 1769." It is/has been the standard for quotations for a long time. The KJV is understood to be the source when a Bible text is given without footnotes. It persists today because it is in public domain and because it is still familiar to persons who have grown up memorizing Bible verses and the like. It does use a slightly different set of Greek manuscripts as its basis.

All non-KJV quotations are footnoted or mentioned as the translation in use at the beginning of a book or article (to avoid so many footnotes). Attribution by the translation's acronym in parenthesis is often used in more ordinary writing where there are few or no other footnotes. As an example, "Jesus started crying." John 11:35 (CEV)

The Revised Standard (1940s & 1950s) and New Revised Standard translations (1989) have many similarities to the KJV and thus still seem familiar to those who used the KJV. Persons who can handle Shakespeare can handle the KJV. I find this a good benchmark for deciding when and how to use the KJV.

Most Christian opponents continue to use the KJV for rhetorical reasons, in my opinion.

Most modern Christians use a modern translation or paraphrase. It is wise to analyze your target audience if you can. Also, most modern Christians are comfortable with consulting one or modern translations when they encounter the language clarity problems with the KJV. [After all, what are neesings?]

The ESV (English Standard Version) has become popular with a great many younger Christians, especially college grads and students in the last few years. Many of this same demographic and a bit older like "The Message," because of its modern language. I do not recommend quoting from it as a general practice because its readers are very much used to turning to it when they encounter other translations -- unless The Message's modern language helps you make your point, LOL.

NIV is the most common modern translation in the US because of their marketing over the last thirty years or so.

Speaking for myself I find that NRSV, ESV and CEV (my personal favorite for devotional and public use, but not scholarly use) are the ones I have loaded in my phone to have in my pocket.

I do not recommend quoting from the Living Bible or the New Living Translation (though they are very popular with many somewhat older Christians) because they are paraphrases, not translations, and have some problems as a result. These readers, too, are very definitely used to consulting their modern translation when encountering others.

Hope this helps.

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