What is the Right Bible Translation?

I am often asked the question, what is the best Bible translation for me to use? The answer is: as many as possible! As we will see below, reading a verse in a variety of translations can help us better understand what the verse SAYS, what it MEANS, and what it MEANS TO ME.

Through this practice we can discover that sometimes a less frequently used translation may actually come closer to the meaning found in the original languages. Let’s explore Jeremiah 17:10 as an example. Let’s start with the ESV, which happens to be my “go to” study translation.

“I the LORD search the heart
    and test the mind,
to give every man according to his ways,
    according to the fruit of his deeds.” 

Next, let’s read this verse in the NIV.

“I the LORD search the heart
    and examine the mind,
to reward each person according to their conduct,
    according to what their deeds deserve.”

As I notice different words or phrases, I like to get a highlighter out and highlight the differences. For example, “give every man according to his ways, according to the fruit of his deeds,” compared to “reward each person according to their conduct, according to what their deeds deserve.” Interesting, but’s keep going. Next, we will look at the NLT.

“But I, the LORD, search all hearts
    and examine secret motives.
I give all people their due rewards,
    according to what their actions deserve.”

This reads like a hybrid of the ESV and NIV! Fascinating!! Shall we look at a few more? How about the Amplified Classic?

“I the Lord search the mind, I try the heart, even to give to every man according to his ways, according to the fruit of his doings.”

Again, this appears to have incorporated elements of the ESV and NIV. Let’s look at one more: the NET translation.

“I, the LORD, probe into people’s minds.
I examine people’s hearts.
I deal with each person according to how he has behaved.
I give them what they deserve based on what they have done.”

It is interesting that this translation uses the words “deal” and “behaved.” Now – let’s take that the original language of Hebrew. If I go to Blue Letter Bible or another online tool, and here is what we find:

“I, the Lord, search through and explore the heart, I test the seat of their emotions and affections, to give to a man according to his character and moral action, according to the fruit of his life, according to the consequences of his doings.”

If we want to take the step of comparing each translation to how the Hebrew would be rendered, we might find one or two that we thinks comes closest. It is such an engaging practice, and as we sit with a single verse this long, God will certainly speak to us through His word. I could sum it up with this question to myself: how am I living?