I need help on picking a bible.

[wasite]

Okay. English is my second language. So i sometimes have trouble reading NIV. I find it quiet dry when i read the old testament. Do you guys think its appopriate for me to get The Message or CEV? The Mesage is like paraphrasing so i dont know if its good. Can someone jsut give me some advice. Appreciated!

 

[eves_child]

What is your first language?

If you can get a bible in your original language it would probably be better.

 

[ReUsAbLePhEoNiX]

try reading the Living Bible translation. Its a paraphrases version thats is meant to easily "flow" It reads like a continous book, with out the verse breaks or the outdated thees and thou's. The original was translated by a guy who wanted his young daughter to be able to read easily. since then its been retranslated to be more accurate, but still hasnt lost its character.
You will find reading the Living translation, you can read more of it at a one sitting, because its style is more "readable" A very good translation for those who have a hard time with english.

 

[eves_child]

I agree with you reusablepheonix. I own one and it is very readable. Mine is the students version. It is very helpful.

 

[Follower of Christ]

Although I have stopped using the NIV for personal reasons, it should be one of the easier to read versions on the market (although giving up accuracy).


http://www.sovgracepub.com/


Check out the LIteral Version or the Modern KJV on this site.
You can buy them cheap if you look at some the used book and auction sites.

I would have to agree with Eves Child that if you are able, you should just stick with your first language if there are trustworthy Bibles being printed in it.

 

[ChristianSoldier]

Try a Holman Christian Standard Bible "Personal Evangelism Edition". Otherwise try and find a "Scofiled Reference Bible" of old in good condition. Out of print but findable on ebay.

 

[parousia70]

My personal favorite is "Youngs Literal Translation", probably not the best if English is your 2nd language, but certainly the most accurate english translation available anywhere. Whatever translation you use, the YLT is invaluable for cross referencing.

I too gave up on the NIV (what I like to call the "Nearly Inspired Version") for personal reasons.

 

[Reader Nilus]

The Good News Bible or Today's English Version as it is also known was translated for people that have English as a second language, and it is a good translation.
Jeff the Finn

 

[revrobor]

The CEV is very readable, like the Living Bible, but is a translation, not a paraphrase. I gave up my NIV in favor of the CEV after having grown up on the KJV. So if you want to understand what the Bible says without having to translate the translation get a CEV.

 

[Mr.Cheese]

The NLT (new living translation) is a very readable translation. I recommend giving it a shot. It's not as dynamic as say, the Message either.

 

[rnmomof7]

Okay. English is my second language. So i sometimes have trouble reading NIV. I find it quiet dry when i read the old testament. Do you guys think its appopriate for me to get The Message or CEV? The Mesage is like paraphrasing so i dont know if its good. Can someone jsut give me some advice. Appreciated!

Those are not translations they are paraphrases and as such they lack the authority of the inspiration of Gods word

If you just want to read it and treat it like a regular book I suppose there is no harm But I would go on the internet and locate a bible in you native tongue for your study.

I happen to like the new American Standard and the New King James I own a NIV but it is too loose a translation for me.

You can go to google and punch in Bible on line and it will bring us sites that have many translations on line and you can take a "rest drive"

One is Bible gateway they have almost all the translations right there

 

[rnmomof7]

The Good News Bible or Today's English Version as it is also known was translated for people that have English as a second language, and it is a good translation.
Jeff the Finn

The Good News for Modern Man is a terrible translation. It is laughed at by most that know scripture. BUT

It is the one that led me to Christ. I still own it .

I had never owned or tried to read a bible. If I had tried a more difficult translation I may never have grown to love Gods word as I do.
In the end it is the grace of God making that word live .

 

[filosofer]

For English as Second Language ESL - CEV is good.

I also heartily recommend God's Word (www.godsword.org) even above NLT. The primary advisor was a missionary and missionary supervisor for 25+ years, so had a heart for translation that works in that environment. It is reflected in the language choice and style. Layout is visually helpful (one-column format, which is useful especially with the Hebrew OT).

 

[Athlon4all]

I would not recommend a paraphrase. Get a translation. Although I don't know if you would like it but the KJV, NASB, ASV, and NKJV are all good.

 

[filosofer]

I would not recommend a paraphrase.

There are really only two paraphrases today: The Living Bible (predecessor of the New Livint Translation) and The Message by Eugene Peterson.

Among translations there are two different approaches, but in reality translations are on a contiunuum.

1. Formal Equivalence (often mistakenly called "word-for-word"): Examples are NAS, KJV, NKJV, ESV

2. Dynamic Equivalence ("phrase for phrase", individual words have meaning in relationship to each other): Examples are GW, NLT, CEV, TEV

Some that fall in between these two: NIV, REB, NJB

For study, the best is to pick one Bible from each group and use to gain insight and nuances from the original text as expressed in each translation. In other words, one translation does not stand in judgment over all other translations - all translations are judged relative to the Hebrew, Aramaic and Greek texts.