What bible should I get?

[EazyMack]

None of the English versions are 100% accurate translations of the original Hebrew/Greek. Therefore, go with the one you best understand & let the Holy Spirit guide you. The more you seek, the more you'll find.

 

[Izdaari Eristikon]

No translation is perfect, and there is no specific ND bible, though individual ND congregations may have one they've settled on, most commonly the NIV as has been mentioned.

My own current favorite is the ESV, mainly because of the new ESV Study Bible, which I've fallen in love with. My top choices for an all-purpose translation would be: ESV, HCSB, TNIV, NASB, NKJV and NRSV. If I had to choose just one, I'd be happy with any of them as my sole bible.

A word about the TNIV: Mostly it's the same as the NIV, but the language is a little more gender-inclusive. That's not especially an issue for me one way or the other. The main reason I prefer it is that has more of the latest scholarship included. Zondervan has decided not to revise the NIV, but to keep the TNIV as up to date as possible. That's mainly because when they change anything in the NIV, they get too many complaints, but the TNIV has a much smaller user base, so they can revise it without taking so much flak.

And about the KJV: It's fine if you like it. For me, the archaic language is too distracting and annoying. But many who grew up on it are quite comfortable with it, and don't want to try get used to anything else.

 

[jroland]

i have a teen study bible its really easy to understand it breaks everything down for you i really like mine

 

[ranyhyn]

I had asked this same question a long while back. I was looking to buy a new Bible and wasn't quite sure what would be best. I finally decided on an NASB Life Application Bible. I really like it. To me the language is a lot easier to read. It doesn't have the thee's, thou's, etc that is in the KJV and nKJV.

I have been told numerous times that the best thing is to have multiple translations. That way you can get a better understanding of the overall meaning of the scripture. I currently have a KJV, NKJV, NIV, NASB. My suggestion for what you would use at the church you wish to attend is to ask around and see what most people have. Each translation has their own pros and cons.

Someone said it well in regards to getting one that you will read. If you get one that is difficult to read you could become discouraged and stop reading altogether. That's not what you want to happen.

Another thing to consider is whether you want a study Bible, life application Bible, devotion Bible, etc. There are many flavors to choose from. You may want to get a good concordance too for when you do research. Good luck and happy hunting. How about letting us know what you finally get and how you like it?

 

[tbird_energizerbunny]

Let me say this:

My mind frame is a big-picture kind of stance. I have a big-picture version, and the specifics of life don't really weigh me down at all. Therefore, I work best with a big-picture version of the Bible. I use the Message in my study. It works for me. Now I know a lot of people get all hung up in the specifics and the way that the Message is worded, but then again, they are specific-oriented people, whereas I am big-picture oriented.

For like a specific bible, one that I've used in the past is NIV or KJV. It all depends on the person.

 

[Brenlae]

I have a NIV, NRSV and KJV. So far, I like both the NIV and the NRSV. If you want easy reading, the NIV is the best bet. If you want poetic, then the KJV is the one you want. And if you want a bit of both then the NRSV is the choice.

 

[MARK777]

This might be useful;

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

Its an electronic bible, and you can download additional bibles as addons for this software here;

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

scroll down a bit and you got American Standard Version and many many other translations all totally free.


You will probably get a feel for which translation you are comfortable from this, it also has a download section on comentaries on the bible here;

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

I have found this very useful for general study, especially as it has the many translations such as King James Bible, 1611 etc

Hope this helps, God bless.

 

[the.Sheepdog]

note: Esword does not work on a Mac

 

[mohawk]

As already posted, there are places online to view bibles for free. Check your local library to see what bibles they have. Mostly, it wil come down to what you are more comfortable with...try the NKJV or the NASB...I would stay away from the KJV if you are not that comfortable with the english language yet.

 

[lgministries]

There are a great many Bible translations out there, all with their own merits. There is also a lot of debate amoung some Christians about which version to use, my advise to you is not to get drawn into such debates as the Bible is the word of God. All the versions avaliable are avaliable because of Gods will, he wants his word to be avaliable in a way accesible to all. A good place to start is your local Christian bookstore, they will be happy to take you through the avaliable versions in most cases so that you can find the right one for you. Better still try the church you are going to attend, your fellow belivers there will I am sure be happy to guide you.

I run an internet media ministry, and the version we use is the NIV because it communicates the word of God in clear English. This is important for us because we are an international ministry and have many members whose first language is not English.

In Christ
Pastor Joe
Legion of God Ministries

 

[Cris413]

This may seem like a naive question, but what kind of bible should I get for going to a non-denominational church? I'm going to start attending this Sunday.

Currently, the only bible I have was given to my family when my grandmother died in 1976. It's a white leather "prince of peace protestant edition" in a cedar case.

So, I'll leave it at that. Input is appreciated.

I like to have several translations...my favs are the NASB and NKJ...

When I go to church...I like to take whatever translation is being taught from...easier to follow along that way.

 

[Sketcher]

I use the NIV for readability/memorization and the KJV to help when studying. There are a lot of good study resources which use the KJV.

 

[Cris413]

note: Esword does not work on a Mac

bummer...I love esword...it's the best study tool I've found to date.

 

[BereanTodd]

bummer...I love esword...it's the best study tool I've found to date.

Best FREE study tool. If you want to invest in something that puts it to shame, including incredible Greek and Hebrew resources - check out Logos software. I have been using it for a few years now, it's unbelievable.

 

[Cris413]

Best FREE study tool. If you want to invest in something that puts it to shame, including incredible Greek and Hebrew resources - check out Logos software. I have been using it for a few years now, it's unbelievable.

Thanks BT...I'll certainly check it out!


added comment: I looked at Logos...it is pretty incredible...I think my husband would love it. It seems a little pricey but considering the vast library...I imagine well worth it!

 

[Izdaari Eristikon]

Great info in this thread!

My favorite general purpose translation is the ESV, with the HCSB a close second, the TNIV a close third and the NLTse a close fourth. I'd be fine with the NASB, NRSV, NKJV, NAB and a few others as my sole Bible also, I just don't have as much affection for them.

The only popular translation I really don't like (and this is purely personal preference) is the KJV. I can understand it well enough, but I find the archaic English distracting and annoying. Still, if it were all I had, it would serve and I'd be grateful for it.

As for The Message (and other paraphrases), I like it just fine, but I think of it almost as more of a commentary than an actual Bible. Really, The Message is the Bible as retold by Rev. Eugene H. Peterson. That's cool with me, as I consider Peterson a sound pastor and scholar, and indeed a wise and insightful interpreter, but it is still one man's interpretation of the Bible, not the actual Bible unfiltered. One of my favorite Bibles is an unusual parallel edition: NASB and The Message. That way you have Peterson's paraphrase and one of the most accurate and literal translations side by side for comparison, making it hard to go too far wrong. Awesome!

 

[one11]

I personally like the NIV and the old KJV. For ease of read or for people who's first language isn't English, the NIV might be better, but then again you may read English better than me, so it depends! NIV and KJV are my two preferences, but once you get going with your church, it's easier to understand if read along with the Bible your Pastor is reading and in non-denominational it's usually NIV or NKJV from my experience. Also, if you are newbie in a non-denominational church, they may have a free Bible for you or one that costs about $5 U.S. dollars for a brand new one, so you may be able to get an inexpensive Bible in a different version or use one for free if you are visiting or just starting.

 

[Lexi]

I enjoy the ESV.

 

[MrSnow]

I have been to numerous non-denominational churches, and there is no consensus as to a "non-denominational bible". Some use the KJV, some the NIV, some the ESV, some the NLT, etc. It just really depends on the congregation.

I've found that a lot of churches (non-denom or not) have the Scripture passages in the bulletin or on a screen, and one doesn't really NEED to crack open the Bible the whole time.

So I would say one of two things regarding what bible to bring to a non-denom church:

1) If you really like the church and they use a particular bible, get that one and bring it with you. It's always nice to be reading the same thing that someone else is reading from;

-or-

2) They'll probably have the bible reading in a bulletin or on a screen, and it probably won't be the same version all the time, so get whatever one that floats your boat.

 

[Markus6]

Best FREE study tool. If you want to invest in something that puts it to shame, including incredible Greek and Hebrew resources - check out Logos software. I have been using it for a few years now, it's unbelievable.

Or if you do have a Mac then check out Accordance. It's pretty much the only bible software for Mac but from the reviews I've read it knocks the socks off Logos. I'm planning on getting it sometime this week and I'm quite excitied.

In terms of translations you might think about getting a parallel bible that has a number of translations side by side. I have one that has KJV, NIV, NLT and NASB. It's very useful for indepth study when you want to compare what the different manuscripts say and the opinions of various translators. The downside is they're pretty bulky. However, a bit of time with a parallel may help you discover which translation you like best.

And on the message, a friend of mine has just finished a run doing a dramatised version of Romans from the message. It was incredibly moving and real in a way that other translations struggle to be. However, like Izdaari says you're pretty much getting one man's take on it.