Updated NASB/NIV Parallel Bible

Rating:
Summary: Good idea to use at least two different translations
Review: Apart from actually learning Hebrew and Greek (and Aramaic, a derivative of Hebrew), or knowing other foreign languages, a careful student of the Bible limited to English alone might come to better understand the Scriptures of his or her God by using different translations. And it's usually best not to use translations with essentially the same philosophy of translation: for example, using two literal, word-for-word (formal equivalence) translations such as the New American Standard Bible and the English Standard Version or the King James Version (Authorised Version) and the New King James Version. Or using two thought-for-thought (dynamic equivalence) translations such as the New International Version and the Revised English Bible. This is because there probably won't be much difference in how the translation committees rendered a certain verse or passage (the issue of mainly which Greek NT manuscript family is relied upon for the translation notwithstanding at this point; most everyone is agreed upon the Hebrew manuscripts). So it's best to use at least two different translations based on two divergent translation philosophies in your Bible studies; that is, it's probably best to use at a minimum two different translations, one based on formal equivalence and the other based on dynamic equivalence. A good choice for conservative Christians would be the NASB and the NIV, respectively. This way, the Bible student can compare two very different translations based upon two very different translation philosophies, hopefully see a certain verse or passage from different angles, and thus better judge what the original meaning or intent is. Or, at the least he or she will be less prone to error in interpretation by using at least two different translations as opposed to a single translation. Of course, if possible, it's still better to use three or perhaps even more translations, or even to learn Hebrew and Greek (which in many ways today is much easier than it ever was in the past), or if you understand another language to incorporate such a Bible version into your studies, but I would say that two translations in a single language should probably be the minimum when delving into more serious Biblical studies.

(By the way, I might get some flack for this, especially from those of the conservative Christian community, of which I consider myself a part, but I think also adding the NRSV as a third translation might prove helpful, since it's different enough from, say, the NASB and the NIV. It's neither overly literal nor overly free, as the Living Bible is, but sort of in the middle, although more literal than the NIV, which is likewise sort of in the middle of the Bible translation spectrum. Yet the NRSV offers enough unique interpretations of the text -- some might say "too" unique -- that it might illuminate your studies.)

Now, here in a single Bible are both the NASB (1995) and the NIV laid out side by side for the student to compare. The Bible is bonded leather, not genuine, but it looks and feels quite nice. The spine seems sturdy and overall the Bible likewise seems quite durable. The NASB is presented verse by verse whereas the NIV is presented in paragraph format, with the NASB on the left-hand side and the NIV on the right-hand side of the page. And for roughly $40, it's equivalent to purchasing a fairly nice edition of each translation on its own. Or purchasing a single study Bible. But since I personally think study Bibles are overrated, the only decent one in recent memory being the Zodhiates Hebrew-Greek Key Word Study Bible, as I like to get at the Biblical text as much as possible without what I deem to be superfluous or distracting notes and annotations, etc., I would prefer spending $40 on this Bible than on most study Bibles. (Plus, in my opinion the historical, archeological, geographical, theological, or other content included within study Bibles is almost always better done in actual historical, archeological, geographical, theological, or other books, of which I would likewise prefer to invest my money in over and above a single study Bible.) By purchasing the parallel Bible, you have the NASB and NIV side by side and don't need to hassle with finding the pages in two Bibles; you need only focus on turning the pages once, and presto! Two translations at the tip of your fingers. Very helpful, particularly in group Bible study sessions. And since both the NASB and NIV are respected in the conservative Christian community, with one or the other often used at a local church, you'll have both at your disposal in one book without the extra burden of lugging around two Bibles wherever you go, be it with Christian brothers or sisters at an informal setting, while visiting other churches, etc. Again, quite handy, and I would recommend it.