What’s The Best Bible Version

Nasb Zondervan Study Bible

From the publishers website:

Over 20,000 notes, adapted from the bestselling NIV Zondervan Study Bible, draw on the knowledge of todays leading experts to provide valuable commentary right where you need it. No need to flip pages to obtain important insights on biblical words, verses, and passages. An exclusive, center-column reference system guides your study with over 100,000 references. In-text maps give you an instant feel for biblical geography.

Bible Translations Into English

Partial Bible translations into languages of the English people can be traced back to the late 7th century, including translations into Old and Middle English. More than 100 complete translations into English have been written.

The New Revised Standard Version is the version most commonly preferred by biblical scholars. In the United States, 55% of survey respondents who read the Bible reported using the King James Version in 2014, followed by 19% for the New International Version, with other versions used by fewer than 10%.

Which Bible Translation Is Best For Me

The best translation for you is the one you will read and study faithfully. Try to find a word for word translation with enough readability that youll stick with a daily habit of Bible reading.

If you read the Bible on your phone or device, check out Bible Hubs parallel readings of chapters using the NIV, ESV, NASB, KJV, and HCSB in columns. This will give you a better idea of how these five popular translations vary. Also, with Bible Hub, you can read just one translation, but click on the verse number, and it will take you to a comparison of that verse in numerous translations.

Find a translation you love and let God guide and speak to you through His Word!

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The Revised English Bible

The Revised English Bible updates the New English Bible, retaining the latters elegant literary style, but removing its archaisms. The REB employs a modest amount of inclusive language and is good for public reading. Like the NEB before it, the REB is a British translation, sponsored by all the main Christian denominations.

Best Bible Version For Beginners Matter

When youre shopping for the best bible version for beginners, Bible Gateway is a great resource to compare different translations. Remember, keep looking until you find a version that is easy to understand and makes sense to you!

Once youve selected your new bible, youll find the following posts helpful to grow in your faith!

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So What Is The Best Bible Translation For You Right Now

As Mark Ward says, the best Bible translation is all the good ones. But if you are trying to decide on one, whichever Bible translation you choose, make sure you pick one that you will actually use, read, and study.

With Logos Fundamentals , not only do you get the Text Comparison Tool , but you get four Bible translations to help you do it, including the Lexham English Bible.

Buying individual hard copies of these Bibles could run you a few hundred dollars. But having them all in Logos gives you a much lower price AND makes them portable, so you dont have to pack a trunk full of Bibles to explore different translations when youre traveling or running errands or studying at a coffee shop.

Abridged Bibles For Early Readers

As for reading the Bible themselves, weve often not started our kids on complete Bible translations but abridgedBibles. This is a great way to help them start getting in the habit of reading just a little something for their personal devotional time without being overwhelmed.

Here are some of our personal favorites

King James Version : 12th grade

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List Of Bible Translations

There is a list of Bible translations in English below to choose from when you are studying, reading the Bible, doing your research, or seeking help. You need to choose from the Bible translation you understand the most.

• King James Version
• New American Standard Bible
• New King James Version
• English Standard Version
• Holman Christian Standard Bible
• New Revised Standard Version
• Common English Bible
• New International Readers Version
• Easy-To-Read Version
• Good News Bible / Todays English Version
• Amplified Bible
• Todays New International Version
• New English Translation

How Do I Choose My Bible Translation

Many people find that they need more than one Bible and use different ones for different occasions. Due to the large number of translations available online for free it is very easy to have access to a wide range of different translations.

First of all, consider how you’ll be reading the Bible…

I’m new to the Bible

You might like to start with a translation that avoids too much technical language. Look for one described as ‘dynamic equivalent’**.

I’ll be reading the Bible aloud

A translation that focuses more on dynamic equivalence**.

I’ll be reading with other people

I want to study a passage in depth

A translation that focuses on formal equivalence* will be most helpful.

I’ll be reading big sections at a time

A translation that focuses more on dynamic equivalence**.

I want to get a sense of the complexities of the passage and what translators have wrestled with to create their translations

Read a range of translations, choosing at least two formal equivalence* translations.

* A formal equivalence, word-for-word translation gives priority to what the original language says and how it says it. It aims to be a literal translation.

** A dynamic equivalence, thought-for-thought translation gives priority to what the text means. It aims to make the text as readable for a modern audience as possible.

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What Is Your Favorite Bible Translation Let Us Know In The Comments

Jack Wellman

So true Ron. It seems that those things that are popular are not right and what is right is not popular but we are such a pragmatic nation and it fits well with our pragmatism . We rather like what we can do than what has already been done for us . I was told that Mormonism was the fastest growing religion in the worldbut so is Islam and so by their standard, that must be true too!

A Note About Study Bible / Application Notes

One quick note about the study Bible /application portions of both types of Bibles. The original biblical manuscripts are inspired by God, infallible, and should be obeyed in all circumstances.

The notes, however, are not inspired by God. They are written by men and women and are based on their particular interpretations of scripture. While their comments can certainly be helpful in understanding the text, they dont require obedience of any sort. Only the Bible itself commands that kind of obedience.

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Which Translation Of The Bible Is Closest To The Original Text

The Amplified Bible was produced with references made to various texts in the original languages. Just as the name implies, It was made to amplify words by using additional wording to bring out a clear meaning to the original texts.

The Amplified Bible has been published in six stages of Gospel of John New Testament Old Testament Volume Two Old Testament Volume One Complete Bible Updated Edition with the most recent publication in 2015 and known as the Amplified Holy Bible.

This version of the Holy Bible gives a different rendering of additional meaning to a word.

Essentially Literal Bible Translations

Essentially literal study Bible translations are those that seek to examine the original Greek or Hebrew word, then translate that word into English as literally as possible.

There are rare occasions when a literal translation will make zero sense to a modern English reader, and in that case, the translation attempts to be as close to the original as possible while still making sense to the reader.

Examples of essentially literal translations are:

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The History Of Bible Translation

Bible translations arent new. Theyve been around since before Christ. In fact, in the fifth century BC, after the priest Hilkiah rediscovered the book of the law of Moses in the temple , the Levites stood before Gods people and read the Scriptures aloud. Nehemiah 8:8 says:

They read from the book, from the Law of God, clearly, and they gave the sense, so that the people understood the reading.

The New International Version says the priests clearly explained the meaning of what was being read, and the Holman Christian Standard Bible says they read the book of the law of God translating and giving the meaning. Thus, they were explaining the first five books of the Bible for the people in a way they could comprehend.

They were translating.

In the third century BC, Jews produced whats known as the , a Greek translation of the Hebrew Old Testament for the Greek-speaking Jews living in Alexandria, Egypt. Ron Rhodes writes that this translation solved a big problem because many of the Jews who grew up in these cities could no longer speak Hebrew, but only Greek.3

Bible translation took off in the first century, Rhodes writes, as early followers of Jesus obeyed his words to make disciples of all nations:

And from there? Fast forward to modern-day, where Bible readers can choose among about 10 major English translation options.

Best Bible Version For Beginners: Children

Our children are ages 9 and 12 and we have been through several different bibles from the time they were babies until now. When it comes to children and the best bible version for beginners, I have a couple of recommendations.

Currently, my son uses the Adventure Bible NIrV and my daughter has used the NIV Ultimate Bible for Girls this past year and still thoroughly enjoys it. For us, these have been the best bible version for kids their age.

Personal Note: I have loved my bible and getting into Gods Word since I was probably around 10 years old. I distinctly remember why I loved reading my bible when I was younger: I thought it was so beautiful!

My bible had shimmering gold-edged pages, tons of girl-related devotionals, and Fun Facts, and I was given permission to write in my bible to take notes. This has stuck with me to this day.

Those extras are what drew me into reading my bible initially. It didnt take long to develop a life-long love of pouring into the word of God and seeing the bible come to life.

So, I apply the same notion with my children. Whatever age-appropriate bible appeals to them generally because of the extras I make the investment.

Bibles can be expensive but it never ever compares to the eternal value they bring. Consider that when you are shopping for the best bible version for beginners!

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Objections To Modern Translations

Only the KJV is Inspired

There is nothing in the Bible that would suggest that one particular Bible translation would be superior to others. Neither does it suggest that God would choose one particular Bible translation, in one particular world language, to be the most authentic version. The great majority of Christian denominations do not attribute any special accuracy or authority to the KJV.

Different Hebrew and Greek Manuscripts

The KJV was translated into English from a set of Hebrew and Greek manuscripts known as the Textus Receptus, put together in the 16th century. It was based on seven manuscripts that were available in Basel, Switzerland.

Since that time, the scientific method of paleography has been developed. By analyzing the paper, ink and handwriting, scientists can determine approximately when and where a manuscript was written. Some of the results of paleography have been tested and verified by accelerator mass spectrometry, a form of radiocarbon dating.

It is now known that the manuscripts of the Textus Receptus date to the 10th century A.D. and later. Thus, they have been copied over by hand many, many times since the originals, with a chance of additional compounded errors each time.

Omitted Verses

Gender-Neutral Language

New Revised Standard VersionNew International Version

Copyright

Best Bible Version For Beginners

What is the best bible version for beginners? I have three to recommend! Each of these versions is the best bible to understand and included the New Living Translation , The New International Version , and The New International Readers Version .

Each version presents thought for thought translation and helps to provide in-depth study as well as personal development making each the best bible for beginners to understand!

New Living Translation Version This translation is accomplished by translating entire thoughts into modern English rather than word for word. The result is an easy to understand bible with our everyday language.

New International Version This translation was formed through many bible scholars seeking ways to best capture the original language and context into modern English and continues to be updated. The NIV is the most-read version of the English bible.

New International Readers VersionThis is based on the NIV but offers an even easier version of the NIV to read and understand.

I was introduced to this version when my children received an Adventure Bible For Early Readers with this translation. It boasted at getting kids excited about getting into Gods Word and I can attest that this is true. Yes, there are also NIrV bibles for adults, too!

A proper translation makes a world of difference!

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The Best Bible Translation To Read Is

For starters, the best Bible translation is whichever one youll actually read. 2 Timothy 3:16-17 says:

All Scripture is God-breathed and profitable for teaching, for conviction, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, fully equipped for every good work.

The Bible, as we see in these verses, is Gods very breath. Its the breathing out of God and His speaking to man. As we read the Word, we not only touch God as the Spirit, but we also breathe in more of who He is.

Not only so, but as we read the Word, were completed and equipped for our service to Him. We breathe in more of God Himself, and were prepared and furnished with the tools we need to serve the Lord.

Thus, when deciding which Bible translation you should read, consider which one you will actually read. If you have an NIV Bible at home on your shelf, you dont have to put off reading the Word because youre afraid its not the best Bible translation out there. You can always pray to the Lord about difficult or confusing parts. The point is to make sure that youre reading.

Every Christians goal should be to daily read Gods Word. In Acts 17:11, the apostle Paul said that those in Berea were noble for they received the word with all eagerness, examining the Scriptures daily. We want to be this kind of a Christian. We want to be ones reading and examining the Scriptures daily.

So Which One Is Truly The Best Bible Translation

Really, the best Bible translation is the one you enjoy reading.

The best Bible translation will be the one that, when you are reading it, you forget you are reading the Bible. The one that, when you are reading it, you dont have an urge to pull out a Bible Dictionary, or put together an outline for your next sermon. The one that, when you are reading it, you forget to look for the main point and just enjoy the story, the poetry, or the letter which is being read.

I suggest spending several hours , and go down to a local Christian bookstore, getting a cup of coffee, and pulling all the Bible translations off the shelf and then just flip them open and start reading. The one that you have trouble putting down is the best Bible translation for you.

Lots of people who have done this find that Eugene Petersons The Message is the best Bible translation for them, but I could never really get into that version.

For myself, I chose the New King James Version. I felt that it had the accuracy I wanted for my preaching, teaching, and study, the readability of some of the other translations, and the style of the traditional King James. This is the best Bible translation for me, and is the one I have been using now for almost 20 years.

A young girl once wrote a letter to C. S. Lewis complaining about silly adventure stories without any point. He wrote back , saying this:

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Choosing A Bible Version

There is no one way to translate a book as large as the Bible.

With such a cultural and linguistic distance between then and now, its really more of an art than a science: an art that seeks to communicate the Bibles truth to todays readers. That means that there are a number of different Bible translations out there. Nowadays, they are more commonly called different versions of the Bible. The two words, though meaning different things, are used pretty interchangeably. For ease, Im just going to stick with version.

The big stumbling block for people trying to choose a Bible is which version to pick. There are a lot to choose from. It also doesnt help that they almost all go by acronyms. How would you, as a new Christian, feel if you were asked to choose from NIV, ESV, NRSV, NLT, KJV, NKJV? Daunting, no?

To help you choose with speed and confidence, here is a quick run through four of the most popular versions of the Bible:

The New International Version Bible:Short for the New International Version Bible, the NIV is the most popular version of the Bible. Its written in pretty standard English and is the one youll most likely find in a Church. Its simple text means that it is often given away to new Christians. If you are looking for a first Bible, the NIV Bible would be a solid choice.