Korean Job Discussion Forums

skindleshanks · Joined: 10 May 2004

I'm thinking of buying a Korean Bible, but I'd like to find one that I can actually read. The one my wife uses contains archaic language that seems rather useless outside of the church or Chosun-period dramas.

I know that a lot of Korean Christians are like the equivalent of KJV-only Baptists when it comes to Bible translations, so pastors I have asked haven't been much help--they try their best to discourage me from trying another translation.

My wife is not terribly knowledgeable about such things, not having grown up in the church, but she suggested that the newer Korean "translations" have been translated from English rather than the original languages. I find this a little hard to believe, since there are plenty of Korean Christian scholars around to do such work.

I want a Korean Bible that is fairly faithful to the "original" texts, but put in language that is relatively simple and modern.

Please no useless debates--I've been to seminary and understand well the reasons for and against using certain translations. I would like helpful information about what translations are out there, though.

Thanks in advance.

SuperHero · Joined: 10 Dec 2003 Location: Superhero Hideout

I too would like to find an easy to read Modern Korean bible.

MissSeoul · Joined: 25 Oct 2006 Location: Somewhere in America

Hmmmmm,
My sister married to a preacher and I was a Sunday school teacher when I was in Korea, but I am not sure there is EASY READING modern translation Korean bible like english bible. I know there is easy reading modern translation of english bible ( I have that one myself ), but I don't think korean bible have that kind of translation. Do you know some korean bible have English/Korean both ?
I brought that one to America.

Wangja · Joined: 17 May 2004 Location: Seoul, Yongsan

I have a Korean-English Bible. The English text is a so-called "New International Version". I would prefer a King James version missen ....

mithridates · Posted: Wed Jan 17, 2007 1:44 am Post subject:

Op: You want the 표준새번역.

fiveeagles · Joined: 19 May 2005 Location: Vancouver

I don't know what version this is, but its on the net,
http://www.godrules.net/library/SEAsian/korean/korean.htm
Maybe Mith can tell us.

Informal translation
http://www.ibs.org/bibles/korean/index.php

Here's another one
http://www.ccel.org/ccel/bible/ko.html

Cheers!

SuperHero · Joined: 10 Dec 2003 Location: Superhero Hideout

Fresh Prince · Joined: 05 Dec 2006 Location: The glorious nation of Korea

There are a lot of Bibles that have been translated via computer program rather than by bilingual translaters. These versions are almost impossible to read by the the Koreans since the program translates them incorrectly and they are not reviewed by a bilingual person.

skindleshanks · Joined: 10 May 2004

Thank you very much-- I will check into these-both the ibs version and the 표준새번역 look to be much more manageable than the Korean Revised Version my wife uses.

Now if I could only find a church where they speak like normal people. I get along pretty well in Korean at home an among friends, but am completely lost at church. My wife used to translate for me in whispers, but gave it up after being told to be quiet a few times. Now I just wait for the one-sentence summary while we walk home. Razz

RACETRAITOR · Joined: 24 Oct 2005 Location: Seoul, South Korea

I'm a purist. The Bible should only be read in ancient, out-of-date dialects.

/RACETRAITOR, what could you be implying..?

heydelores · Joined: 24 Apr 2006

I don't understand Korean, but my Bible has the English NIV and the Korean Revised Version. It's published by the Korean Bible Society. I prefer the NRSV to the NIV in English, but this is good enough.

Teufelswacht · Joined: 06 Sep 2004 Location: Land Of The Not Quite Right

I don't know if this helps, but you can download "e-sword" and then install the available Korean Bible (KRV) and some of the English language versions. After doing so, you can then select the option to view the versions side-by-side. You can also print selected verses in several different languages/translations (Korean/English, etc.)for your use.

http://www.e-sword.net/

Qinella · Joined: 25 Feb 2005 Location: the crib

On a related subject, does anyone know if the Korean translations are done from the source languages, or from English (or another language)?

Thiuda · Posted: Wed Jan 17, 2007 5:49 am Post subject:

I recommend reading "종의 기원," by 찰스 다윈, and "인간의 계보," by the same author. While we're on the subject of books, "De revolutionibus orbium coelestium," by Copernicus makes for an interesting read. His theory that the solar system isn't geocentric is pretty convincing, though I'm not certain it's been translated from the original Latin into Korean. A more recent book I enjoyed tremendously was "The God Delusion," by Richard Dawkins. I think you'll find it informative and well written, though unfortunately it hasn't been published in Korean yet. Daniel Dennet is another of my favourite writers; he's recently published, "Breaking the Spell: Religion as a Natural Phenomenon." I haven't read it yet, but can't wait to get my hands on it.

If you like listening to lectures by prominent scientists on the phenomenon of religion (and other really interesting stuff too), I recommend the following website, forwarded to me by a good friend: http://www.reitstoen.com/multimedia.php

It offers videos, transcripts and, best of all, interviews you can download onto your mp3 player.

Enjoy

fiveeagles · Joined: 19 May 2005 Location: Vancouver