1. Which one is the best for study?

2. Which one is more accurate?

The New Interconfessional Translation Bible 新共同訳聖書 or The Colloquial Translation Bible 口語訳聖書?

Comparison:

Colloquial version: 初めに言(ことば)があった。言(ことば)は神と共にあった。言(ことば)は神であった。この言(ことば)は初めに神と共にあった。すべてのものは、これによってできた。できたもののうち、一つとしてこれによらないものはなかった。

The New Interconfessional Translation: 初めに言(ことば)があった。言(ことば)は神と共にあった。言(ことば)は神であった。この言(ことば)は、初めに神と共にあった。万物は言(ことば)によって成った、成ったもので、言(ことば)によらず成ったものは何一つなかった。

3. Is there a better translation?

4. Is there an online version with furigana for any translation?

I have the 新共同訳聖書 and I like it a lot. I'm not sure exactly which version, but I got it off amazon.jp I think and it has full furigana. I can say that the language is in no way excessively difficult, and if you are familiar with the passages in English then its probably a lot easier than reading other native reading material.

Not familiar with the other one, sorry but from my English bible experience I always prefer formality of language and only have the King James, so I'd definitely recommend the first one.

Although as far as studying Japanese goes, it's generally best (I think) not to use things that have been translated into Japanese from some other language, because the Japanese used is not always the most idiomatic. It depends on your level, though.

I'm afraid my comment will not be of much help either, but...

When I was in Korea, I read a lot of Korean Bibles, and they were mostly written in a style that was prevalent before 1950. It was very far from colloquial or even textbook Korean: it was a different kind of Korean of it's own -- a strange mix of Old Royalty Speak Korean and an older form of colloquial speech that is only heard in historical TV dramas and movies these days. To use Korean the way it's used in a Bible for Korean would be very odd and peculiar for most Koreans, even if most people will understand you.

I think it's really interesting that the Bible, which is a familiar book (and content) to many has been translated into so many different languages, but I wonder if, for the Japanese version, like the Korean version, it is fairly dated in terms of language usage. There's probably a mountain of new vocab you could learn, but the style in which it was written would probably only seem "odd" to the general Japanese population (since only 1% openly declare they are of a Christian religion) and very significant/obvious to the 1% that is actually Christian and read out of the bible.

I'm not sure which bible would be the best. I haven't come across any Japanese bibles so far (however, I DO live in the states, so it's kind of expected) but I did see a "Read the bible, manga style!" on amazon a few days ago, which is here:
http://www.amazon.com/Manga-Bible-Story-...426401798X

It may be a fun way to experience the bible with manga Jesus....

PS. Don't mind the people who are/will be caught up about the political issues of Christianity. I am sure they don't intend to question or thwart your faith for any malicious purposes.

Both of the Bible translations mentioned in this post are written in non-archaic, non-literary language. Of course they have some Christian-specific terms and other uncommon vocabulary in them, and they're (IMO) a bit stylistically awkward because they're trying to mimic the verse division and even word order of the original Greek texts. But they're written in a very colloquial style on the whole.

For instance, Matthew 26:14-16:

The NIV:
Then one of the Twelve—the one called Judas Iscariot—went to the chief priests and asked, "What are you willing to give me if I hand him over to you?" So they counted out for him thirty silver coins. From then on Judas watched for an opportunity to hand him over.

And then from the 新共同訳聖書:
そのとき、十二人の一人で、イスカリオテのユダという者が、祭司長たちのところへ行き、「あの男をあなたたちに引き渡せば、幾らくれますか」と言った。そこで、彼らは銀貨三十枚を支払うことにした。そのときから、ユダはイエスを引き渡そうと、良い機会をねらっていた。

There's nothing even the slightest bit archaic about that that I can see.

Edited by 風

I think using an actual bible translation would be too archaic / boring (my opinion). Manga Jesus ftw though =D

bombpersons Wrote:Edited by 風
I think using an actual bible translation would be too archaic / boring (my opinion). Manga Jesus ftw though =D

I think it's disgraceful that you are encouraging such rude behavior.

I agree, I'm atheist but I would never condone comments like that.

Aye, bad form Yonosa, bad form.

i highly recommend this bible: http://www.amazon.com/Japanese-English-B...429&sr=8-1

the entire thing is in furigana with a side-by-side english translation

Wait, which is most accurate to what? The English version? Which English version? The Greek version?

QuackingShoe Wrote:Wait, which is most accurate to what? The English version? Which English version? The Greek version?

No, silly, which is most accurate to what God really meant!

ruiner Wrote:No, silly, which is most accurate to what God really meant!

I suppose this is the best place to ask for that, then.

Please, let's try not to turn a very neutral topic on Bible translation into a flame war.

*readies delete button*

Hey bra,
You like know Hawaiian Pidgin' trew da Bible?:
Da Jesus Book

bombpersons Wrote:Edited by 風

I've read many of your posts with a lot of respect. I wouldn't have expected this kind of reaction from you concerning an issue that is not provoking anyone.

bodhisamaya Wrote:Hey bra,
You like know Hawaiian Pidgin' trew da Bible?:
Da Jesus Book

Dude no way! That's too awesome. I've never been religious but knowing this exists makes me want to read it.

bodhisamaya Wrote:Hey bra,
You like know Hawaiian Pidgin' trew da Bible?:
Da Jesus Book

That's interesting; an amazing amount of effort went into that. I wonder how many people actually use it as their primary Bible. But from a linguistics perspective it's a great example of the actual usage of a creole. (Unfortunately I'm sure it's been criticized a lot and is probably looked at as a joke by many people...)

Um, I actually have studied a language by reading a Bible translation in another language. The Nova Vulgata is one of the most readable and entertaining works in modern ecclesiastic Latin. Makes sense to me. The basic principle of immersion is "do it in your target language." You want to read the Bible? You're in luck, it's the most-translated book in history. Isn't that something to celebrate, from a purely lingopedogogical standpoint?

If someone were asking about (linguistically if not philosophically) easy to understand 公案 and was met with comments like these, would they really be any more offensive?

atylmo Wrote:

bodhisamaya Wrote:Hey bra,
You like know Hawaiian Pidgin' trew da Bible?:
Da Jesus Book

Dude no way! That's too awesome. I've never been religious but knowing this exists makes me want to read it.

It really is a fun read. I looked through it several times at Wal-Mart. You can just imagine Jesus being a big Hawaiian guy "talking story" while carrying a surf board with his disciples.

montecristo73 Wrote:

bombpersons Wrote:Edited by 風

I've read many of your posts with a lot of respect. I wouldn't have expected this kind of reaction from you concerning an issue that is not provoking anyone.

Really sorry guys, meant no disrespect! Religion is something I feel very strongly about and I find it difficult to restrain myself (especially when there are other comments too), but you are all free to think what you like, so I shouldn't have said anything. Really sorry about that =(

I have to say, I fail to see why people are taking offense. All bombpersons said is that he thinks the bible is boring. Isn't that just his opinion? Since when is offering ones opinion on a book offensive?

And then he offers the helpful suggestion that there might be manga versions for those with short attention spans. :-) Actually a potentially interesting idea.

Where's the harm in any of that? I just don't see why anyone is getting offended. Is there something I missed?

C.J.

cjon256 Wrote:I have to say, I fail to see why people are taking offense. All bombpersons said is that he thinks the bible is boring. Isn't that just his opinion? Since when is offering ones opinion on a book offensive?

And then he offers the helpful suggestion that there might be manga versions for those with short attention spans. :-) Actually a potentially interesting idea.

Where's the harm in any of that? I just don't see why anyone is getting offended. Is there something I missed?

C.J.

An administrator modified and deleted some posts; originally there was a post that had a gratuitous insult to the OP which bombpersons agreed with before adding his own comments.

From the short excerpts there were posted, I liked the coloquial one more. It has "stronger" Japanese, in my humble opinion.

Thank you all.

And a special thanks for Hashiriya for the bilingual Bible with furigana.

What do you think about Jehovah's Witnesses translation? (The New World Translation of the Holy Scriptures)