Which Bible should I be reading?

Strawberry Soda · May 16, 2012

Hello again!

My very first Bible is an NLT Bible. I like it because it pops. It's easy to read, and for a first-timer, it's pretty good for trying to get through such a culturally challenging text.

I can see why people say that it's not the most accurate, though. I can see where the translation would cause that. So, once I've read it through and I've got a bit of a grasping, I'd like to grab a different type of Bible for comparison / for depth.

Which one should I go for once I've gotten through this one?

TheLionOfGod · May 16, 2012

Strawberry Soda said:
Hello again!

My very first Bible is an NLT Bible. I like it because it pops. It's easy to read, and for a first-timer, it's pretty good for trying to get through such a culturally challenging text.

I can see why people say that it's not the most accurate, though. I can see where the translation would cause that. So, once I've read it through and I've got a bit of a grasping, I'd like to grab a different type of Bible for comparison / for depth.

Which one should I go for once I've gotten through this one?

When you have mastered the obedience of the commandments of Jesus in the Book of Matthew, Mark, Luke and John then you are ready for another 1.

Radagast · May 16, 2012

Strawberry Soda said:
Hello again!

My very first Bible is an NLT Bible. I like it because it pops. It's easy to read, and for a first-timer, it's pretty good for trying to get through such a culturally challenging text.

I can see why people say that it's not the most accurate, though. I can see where the translation would cause that. So, once I've read it through and I've got a bit of a grasping, I'd like to grab a different type of Bible for comparison / for depth.

Which one should I go for once I've gotten through this one?

Great that you're reading the Bible!

The 1984 version of the NIV is more accurate and quite easy to read. The ESV is perhaps the most accurate, but a little harder to read.

Sketcher · May 16, 2012

What translation does your church use? When unpacking Scripture, it's easiest to learn if you're using the same version as the pastor/leader.

someguy14 · May 16, 2012

Strawberry Soda said:
Which Bible should I be reading?

God is The Only Answer.
Only God can speak for God.
Seek God and God only. He is The Only One that can lead you to the truth.

Strawberry Soda · May 16, 2012

Radagast said:
Great that you're reading the Bible!

The 1984 version of the NIV is more accurate and quite easy to read. The ESV is perhaps the most accurate, but a little harder to read.

Thanks! I don't mind a bit of a challenge, so I might compare the ESV and the NIV together in the book store.

Sketcher said:
What translation does your church use? When unpacking Scripture, it's easiest to learn if you're using the same version as the pastor/leader.

I haven't found a church yet But when I do find one, that's a really good idea! I'm definitely nowhere near through my NLT, so I'll be sure to pay attention to which version the pastor is using in the church I find. Thanks!

Radagast · May 16, 2012

Strawberry Soda said:
Thanks! I don't mind a bit of a challenge, so I might compare the ESV and the NIV together in the book store.

...or look at www.biblegateway.com!

Ephesians 1:3-10, NLT: 3 All praise to God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly realms because we are united with Christ. 4 Even before he made the world, God loved us and chose us in Christ to be holy and without fault in his eyes. 5 God decided in advance to adopt us into his own family by bringing us to himself through Jesus Christ. This is what he wanted to do, and it gave him great pleasure. 6 So we praise God for the glorious grace he has poured out on us who belong to his dear Son. 7 He is so rich in kindness and grace that he purchased our freedom with the blood of his Son and forgave our sins. 8 He has showered his kindness on us, along with all wisdom and understanding.

9 God has now revealed to us his mysterious plan regarding Christ, a plan to fulfill his own good pleasure. 10 And this is the plan: At the right time he will bring everything together under the authority of Christ—everything in heaven and on earth.

1984 version of the NIV: 3 Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in the heavenly realms with every spiritual blessing in Christ. 4 For he chose us in him before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in his sight. In love 5 he predestined us to be adopted as his sons through Jesus Christ, in accordance with his pleasure and will— 6 to the praise of his glorious grace, which he has freely given us in the One he loves. 7 In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God’s grace 8 that he lavished on us with all wisdom and understanding. 9 And he made known to us the mystery of his will according to his good pleasure, which he purposed in Christ, 10 to be put into effect when the times will have reached their fulfillment —to bring all things in heaven and on earth together under one head, even Christ.

ESV: 3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places, 4 even as he chose us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and blameless before him. In love 5 he predestined us for adoption as sons through Jesus Christ, according to the purpose of his will, 6 to the praise of his glorious grace, with which he has blessed us in the Beloved. 7 In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of his grace, 8 which he lavished upon us, in all wisdom and insight 9 making known to us the mystery of his will, according to his purpose, which he set forth in Christ 10 as a plan for the fullness of time, to unite all things in him, things in heaven and things on earth.

This is one of the trickier passages in the Bible -- in the original Greek, Paul is so "on fire" that he dashes it off in one huge sentence.

TheLionOfGod · May 16, 2012

someguy14 said:
God is The Only Answer.
God is The Only One that can lead you to the truth.

I agree completely with this.

TheLionOfGod · May 16, 2012

God lead me to repenting from my sins and to stop doing evil.

I will have to say.

God gave me the answer to great success.

in his Kingdom.

Harry3142 · May 16, 2012

Strawberry Soda said:
Hello again!

My very first Bible is an NLT Bible. I like it because it pops. It's easy to read, and for a first-timer, it's pretty good for trying to get through such a culturally challenging text.

I can see why people say that it's not the most accurate, though. I can see where the translation would cause that. So, once I've read it through and I've got a bit of a grasping, I'd like to grab a different type of Bible for comparison / for depth.

Which one should I go for once I've gotten through this one?

The NASB Study Bible is a good one.

TheLionOfGod · May 16, 2012

Get the one that makes you do good deeds.

Strawberry Soda · May 16, 2012

Hmm... I think so far the NIV is my favourite, but the ESV is very similar anyway. I'll definitely have to go to the website linked and have a look at all the different kinds. Thank you guys!

HappierThanABird · May 17, 2012

I got overly wrapped up in which bible translation to use awhile back and learned that the ESV is a very (the most?) respected as far as accurate translation goes. That if you use NIV you need to make sure it is a 1984 version not the most recent translation because somebody got a little too politically correct.
I like both of them though and have a print verson of the NIV, and have a kindle version of the ESV (and lots of others), but I have been reading/listening to the ESV using youversion.com which is a really awesome site with phone apps that you should check out. I'm currently listening to Leviticus from the ESV on the youversion app and the guy reading it has a pleasant voice and I understand what is going on. =)

joycem · May 17, 2012

I just recently got The Living Bible on Amazon and I love it, it has commentary at the bottom of each page and also has fact sheets/pages on key characters and reading plans.

Radagast · May 17, 2012

joycem said:
I just recently got The Living Bible on Amazon...

The NLT is actually a revised version of "The Living Bible."

PROPHECYKID · May 18, 2012

Strawberry Soda said:
Hello again!

My very first Bible is an NLT Bible. I like it because it pops. It's easy to read, and for a first-timer, it's pretty good for trying to get through such a culturally challenging text.

I can see why people say that it's not the most accurate, though. I can see where the translation would cause that. So, once I've read it through and I've got a bit of a grasping, I'd like to grab a different type of Bible for comparison / for depth.

Which one should I go for once I've gotten through this one?

Good question. My answer is the King James Version. It is the most accurate of all and though difficult it is less intentionally misleading than any other. If you want an extensive explanation as to why this is better, you can start by looking at this video.

Walter Veith (13) Battle of the Bibles /Total Onslaught - YouTube

Radagast · May 18, 2012

PROPHECYKID said:
Good question. My answer is the King James Version. It is the most accurate of all and though difficult it is less intentionally misleading than any other.

Actually, speaking as someone who can actually read Greek, the King James Version is not the most accurate, and to say that other versions are "intentionally misleading" is just nonsense.

PROPHECYKID · May 18, 2012

Radagast said:
Actually, speaking as someone who can actually read Greek, the King James Version is not the most accurate, and to say that other versions are "intentionally misleading" is just nonsense.

If you look up the life of Wescott and Hort who's work has lead to many of these modern versions, you will see why it is intentionally misleading. The video covers all that.

Radagast · May 18, 2012

PROPHECYKID said:
The video covers all that.

The video is complete rubbish, and any criticism of Wescott and Hort (who died more than 100 years ago) is irrelevant to the modern Greek text from United Bible Societies.

Modern Christian translations are not "intentionally misleading," and to say that they are is just baseless slander. Do you read Greek or Hebrew? Have you looked up ancient manuscripts online? What makes you repeat nonsensical statements like this?

Peripatetic · May 18, 2012

Strawberry Soda said:
Hmm... I think so far the NIV is my favourite, but the ESV is very similar anyway. I'll definitely have to go to the website linked and have a look at all the different kinds. Thank you guys!

You can't go wrong with either of those. They both have good Study Bible versions too.

Which Bible should I be reading?

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