I just noticed on my stats page that one of the search engines directed someone here who had the following, amusing question:
Why should I buy an ESV?
Pshhhh….. I think the more important and pressing question is, Why shouldn’t you buy an ESV (English Standard Version Bible)? For English readers, there simply is no better translation of the Bible.
Do you have your ESV Study Bible yet? I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again — it’s simply the greatest resource in all English language Christendom to date. If you don’t agree, let me know what you think rivals it.
Let me begin by saying that I am not one of those “KJV only” persons. Now that that is out of the way….
I like the ESV. I believe it is the best MODERN English version. I prefer to study in the ESV and memorize scripture in the ESV and yes, I have my ESV Study Bible now. But I still like my Reformation Study Bible. It may not be as pretty or as extensive as the ESVSB but it is still a solid study Bible.
And I still prefer to read the King James in some cases. For example: 1 John 5:7&8
1 John 5:7-8 (KJV ) For there are three that bear record in heaven, the Father, the Word, and the Holy Ghost: and these three are one. (8) And there are three that bear witness in earth, the spirit, and the water, and the blood: and these three agree in one.
1 John 5:7-8 (ESV) For there are three that testify: (8) the Spirit and the water and the blood; and these three agree.
See what is lost there. What happened to “the three that bear record in heaven, the Father, the Word, and the Holy Ghost: and theese three are one.” and “there are three that bear witness in earth”, and “these three agree in one”, not just “these three agree”?
In some cases, as in this example, the KJV bears a stronger testimony.
Also the ESV actually OMITS some scripture:
Mark 9:44 (and Mark 9:46 which is the same) omitted (ESV)
Mark 9:44 (KJV ) Where their worm dieth not, and the fire is not quenched.
Mark 9:44 is a reference that Jesus is quoting from Isaiah:
Isaiah 66:24 “And they shall go out and look on the dead bodies of the men who have rebelled against me. For their worm shall not die, their fire shall not be quenched, and they shall be an abhorrence to all flesh.” (ESV)
So tell me, why should Mark 9:44&46 be omitted? I can’t think of any good reason.
Or what about Acts 8:37?
Acts 8:37 (KJV) And Philip said, If thou believest with all thine heart, thou mayest. And he answered and said, I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God.
Acts 8:37 is also omitted in the ESV
This is a testimony that Jesus is the Son of God. Why omit it?
In John 6:69 the testimony of Jesus as the Son of God is not as strong:
John 6:69 (KJV) And we believe and are sure that thou art that Christ, the Son of the living God.
John 6:69 (ESV) and we have believed, and have come to know, that you are the Holy One of God.”
Similar to this is John 9:35 also. The KJV says, “dost thou believe on the Son of God”, while the ESV says “Son of Man” instead.
Also, here is something peculiar: Most copies of the ESV include John 7:53-8:11 but they place a note above it that states: “The earliest manuscripts do not include 7:53-8:11. The text is the put into brackets [[like this]]. This may as well be an omission. Sure it’s in there but through this notation there is a suggestion that the earliest manuscripts must be better (which is a whole other can of worms0. It also suggests that the authors of the ESV did not want to include this portion of scripture. But they certainly couldn’t leave out 12 verses and not say anything, people would notice and question the validity of the ESV.
So here’s my question(s): Why has this happened? If you read the passage which is about the woman caught in adultry, you know that this is an imporatant lesson from Jesus. “There is nothing in it unworthy of sound doctrine” says the footnotes in the ESVSB. So why not just include it without the special notation? I think it is good that is still included but why raise doubt?
So let me just reiterate, I like the ESV, I endorse it, I own 3 copies (4 if you count e-sword). But I also like the KJV and I will always hold to the posistion that while I like the ESV, it is not the “end all, be all” and in some few instances, it is better to refer to the KJV.
Hi Nick:
Three of us now have the ESV Study Bible and love it! In fact, I am using the reading plan at the back of the Bible for this year. Also, re: your blog (the long one re: New Mexico, etc.) I have also joined the Calvin Institutes reading group. This’ll help to get through this classic. There is spiritual nourishment galore in there!
God bless you & Felicia this year!
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