What is your favorite version on the Bible and why? I lead a women's Bible study every Thursday night and this is the main point of our discussion tonight.
What are your insights? You can find out more at my blog A Special Blend.
I love the NIV for its readibility for the modern reader whilst still retaining the authors' original meanings and it is the translation I use the most for study, but sometimes when I just want a fresh perspective, I'll read from The Message.
When I want to memorize, I use NIV. It's easier to understand than KJV, but more "rhythmic" (for lack of a better term) than New Living. For my quiet time, I use either NIV or NLT. My husband just bought me a purse sized NLT for Mother's Day, and I love being able to keep it in my purse for whenever I might need it.
King James Version for me, I can't even stand to read the "plain english" ones. The plain English ones to me seem more trite and the meaning is slightly altered, and I think that the interpretations can be skewed, so I like to stick to a more traditional version. It's more beautiful, poetic and meaningful.
I use RSV (Revised Standard Version) for Bible study and general scribbling in the margins stuff.
However in times of stress I always reach for the version of my youth, King James. The familiar words are comforting as a mother's hug.