Which translation of The Bible should I read and why?

Answer 1

You need several.

Read the KJV because it's the noblest monument of English prose.

Read the Jerusalem and the Revised Standard because they're the pinnacles of contemporary scholarship.

Read the Revised English Bible because it has the best literary style of any modern translation.

And learn a little Hebrew and Greek and have an interlinear handy for the hard stuff.

Answer 2

New World Translation of the Holy Scriptures, available from Jehovah's Witnesses.

It is modern English as well well as several other major modern languages, translated accurately from the original languages of Hebrew, Aramaic, and Greek.

One of the most notable points about this translation is that where most translations have actually REMOVED God's personal Name nearly 7,000 times from his own Book, the NWT has restored it to its rightful place. That name in Hebrew is represented by YHWH, thought to be pronounced Yehowah or Yahweh or something similar.
It is translated into English as Jehovah. (Exodus 6:3; Psalm 83:18, KJV)

NWT is also one of the only Bibles around translated without a trinity bias.

We also have available the Kingdom Interlinear Translation of the Greek Scriptures which is a valuable aid to Bible Study.

You can read the online version at the first link below:

Answer 3

It depends on you. Personally, I have several preferences. I like to read the translation The Message, because of its clarity. I like to study the NIV, and cross-reference it with the KJV to make sure I get all of it. And when I want to go deeper, I use e-sword. It's the KJV of the Bible, but it includes the Hebrew and Greek translations.
But in all honesty, if you're not a Christian, I don't recommend reading the Bible at ALL, no matter which version (unless you start in the New Testament). The best place to start would be with the apologetics (Ralph Muncaster, Josh McDowell, C.S. Lewis, Lee Strobel, et cetera). Maybe throw some history in there, like St Augustine or Thomas Aquinas.

Answer 4

Must we get sooo caught up in the translation really? Isn't the message there in all of them? Even those who don't believe in Jesus being the son of God don't deny he was special and his life on this earth is a much better model for our lives than many of the models/heroes we look up to today. As for the message, it is so simple yet we have made it soooo complicated!!! Unconditional Love and Forgiveness for ourselves and others ( I know this seems impossible at times especially when we need to forgive ourselves ) however, judgement often prevents us from these gifts of love and forgiveness The Creator, Supreme Being, Greater Power, The I AM ( Names and Labels do not change the greatness) wants us to receive. We are loved and that is a GIFT we cannot earn only appreciate. There will always be those more and less fortunate than ourselves, good and bad in almost everything. We have been given the right to freedom of choice, please chose love as often as humanly possible because it seems to be the only thing we have left sometimes.

Answer 5

You are a BAD CHRISTIAN if you do any of the following:

Eat ANY fat or eat ANY blood: Leviticus 3:16-17

Eat lobster, shrimp, scallops, or clams: Leviticus 11:12

Eat any pig: Leviticus 11:7

Touch a woman who has given birth to a boy in the last 6 days, or a girl in the last 14: Leviticus 12:1-5

Fail to _MURDER_ your children if they talk back: Leviticus 20:9

Let homosexuals live: Leviticus 18:22, Leviticus 20:13

Let handicapped people into your church: Leviticus 21:16-23

Love any member of your family, including yourself: Luke 14:26

Let a witch live: Exodus 22:18

Burn and hate the religious symbols of other faiths: Deuteronomy 7:25-26

Fail to hate non-believers: Deuteronomy 32:19-20

If you fail to hate sinners: 2 Chronicles 19:2

Let a woman speak in church, or have any authority whatsoever: 1 Timothy 2:11-12, 1 Corinthians 14:34-35

Let your women braid their hair: 1 Timothy 2:9

Believe that pi isn't exactly equal to 3: 1 Kings 7:23, 2 Chronicles 4:2

Seeking medical attention from anybody except God: 2 Chronicles 16:12

Believe that the Earth is not flat and does not have four corners: Ezekial 7:2

If you fail to do ANY of those things, you are a BAD CHRISTIAN.

A proud atheist who knows his Bible better than nearly any Christian he's met,

Answer 6

First, I want to reply to tommybear...'s statement...

There is no such thing as a BAD Christian. You are either a Christian or not. "BAD Christian" is an oxymoron in term...

Now, to answer your question... You should read which ever translation that is easiest for you to understand. I have 4 translations. I use them all to confirm the other. I would suggest you try the same, but start with which one allows you to grasp the meaning of the scripture.

Answer 7

Whichever you can read most easily. I prefer the new king james, but that's me. I also think shakespeare is an easy read. Go t o a bookstore and page through them, whichever makes the most sense, has footnotes and cross references (down the center), with cheater tabs on the side- for an easier start - buy it and read it !

Answer 8

I like NIV Study Bible. I have several translations, they all tell the same story. Rainbow Bible is kind of neat too, different subjects with different colors. : )

Pray before you read, then it starts to open to you differently.

Answer 9

Learn to read Hebrew, Aramaic and Greek and read the original manuscripts in the original languages.

Why? No chance of translation/transmission error.

Answer 10

The NIV is much easier to read and understand.
Check out the different versions at any Christian Book Store.
God Bless You!