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[Supremacist]

Is there a Bible version widely regarded to be the most accurate translation? I know KJV is still a very common one because... tradition? ESV and NIV are a couple other versions that I see a lot. Do any stand out as far as accuracy?

[jimwalton]

All Bible translations are an exercise in compromise. Do we translate the word just as it is, or do we translate it in a way that makes sense in our culture? In addition, of course, some words are pretty untranslatable if we don't have a similar word or concept in our language. At other times one Greek word may have four English words to express the same thought, or vice versa—which should the translator choose? One Greek preposition has 31 different English variations, so translation always involves some kind of interpretation.
And, of course, there are a few Hebrew and Greek words that we really don't know what they mean, and guesses must be made from the context. There are even some variant Greek renderings, and decisions must be made about which is the more reliable and accurate reading. While we can be more than 95% certain about the text we have, there are always educated decisions to be made in weighing the text.

For instance, for a simple and obvious example. In many places, the New Testament calls Christians "brothers." The word that is used is clear and obvious: "Brothers." But we know the author was talking to all Christians, viz., brothers and sisters. So should we translate it brothers (to be accurate) or brothers and sisters (to be accurate)?

Which translation is the most accurate? Some try for extreme accuracy (such as the NASB) sometimes to the sacrifice of readability. Some try for readability (The Message), giving priority over accuracy. The KJV was a very good translation, but it's old now. The meaning of some words have changed, and many many new things have been dug up by archaeologists that lead us to new understandings of terms and concepts. The NIV tries hard to strike a balance between accuracy and readability, but balances are difficult to get 100% consensus on. Each translation has an agenda that governs their decisions, giving priority to certain manuscripts, certain theologies, or particular goals.

I'm not sure accuracy is the most helpful word. The best way to study the Bible is with a few different translations, which bring out different nuances of meaning and various ways to look at the same text. By doing that you get a broader grip on what the text is saying. The different translations don't contradict, but they do vary. While we can't read every translation out there every time we read, having a few in front of you can be helpful.