Try the RSV. It uses modern English, but in a formal style. I can’t stand reading the KJV because the language is so archaic now. Ou peut-etre une version francaise sera mieux?
Vlad/Igor
Perhaps, but i’ll definitely check out the RSV. Thanks for everything. Dieu bénissent.
I don’t want to hijack, but the NIV is not a paraphrase; something like The Living Bible is a paraphrase. The NIV undeniably lacks the magisterial tone of the KJV or RSV, but that’s because those use language that is different from everyday 20th century speech. I don’t think you’ll find many scholars that would say the NIV is an inaccurate translation. Obviously, though, use whatever is good for you.
Personlly, there are all sorts of things in scripture and in church teaching that rub me the wrong way and that I flat-out don’t like. But if I accept as premises that 1) scripture is the inspired word of God and that 2) I am a sinful and fallible human being, it sure seems to me that maybe I need to consider that the authority of scripture overrides my opinion, and I need to ask if maybe I’m just wrong.
And yes, Christians are all losers. That was deliberate and conscious part of the plan:
“For you see your calling, brethren, that not many wise according to the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble, are called. But God has chosen the foolish things of the world to put to shame the wise, and God has chosen the weak things of the world to put to shame the things which are mighty.”
Weak and too blunt are opinions, of course, but in fact it is far more accurate to the original texts than the KJV. Sorry, but there it is. And unless you’re a biblical literalist, any translation will probably carry some of the feelings of those who wrote it. And they’re all translations; it’s not like the Bible was handed down in English, the opinions of certain uneducated fundies to the contrary.
Don’t get me wrong: I totally understand hanging up on the language. I read a translation once that said, “And the angel told them, 'Don’t be scared.” And I thought, what the fuh?? “Don’t be scared”??? Sure, maybe it’s equally accurate, but where’s the majesty? "And the angel said unto them, “Be not afraid!” Be not afraid! Not, "Hey, guys, chill.
But seriously, if you ever want to study the Bible as a text, and read a reasonably unbiased translation of the message, you’ve got to go with the NIV. (IMO, of course.) If you are just reading for your own take on the message – and nothing whatever wrong with that, some people say it’s the only way to read the Bible – then go with whatever makes you comfortable.