Which Bible to buy?

Question

I want to buy a Bible, but there seems to be several versions. I grew up with the King James version. Which version do you think is best and why?

Answer 1

Dear Dellboy,

Good for you!

Are you interested in reading the Bible from cover to cover?
Are you interested in using it in a Bible study?

Why not start by looking at the various Bibles in a book store.
You could also look in the library.

I have a large collection of Bibles (over 50) in various formats and translations. For reading the Bible from cover-to-cover I really like The Daily Walk Bible. It is divided up to help you read the entire Bible through in 1 year. The first time I read it I used the Living Bible translation but now I use the NIV.

Last year I read The Daily Bible in Chronological Order and really enjoyed that.

So you have to decide what you will use the Bible for, whether for reading or for study and what translation you prefer. I have the Precise Parallel New Testament. It has Greek plus 7 translations.

Please feel free to email me if I could be of further help.

For His glory,
JOYfilled

Answer 2

I would get the translation your Pastor uses for his messages.

If you don't have a church you attend regularly, the top 5 Bible versions are:

1 New International Version
2 King James Version
3 English Standard Version
4 New Living Translation
5 New King James Version

In addition, The New American Standard Bible and Holman Christian Standard Bible are very good.

Answer 3

Well the King James Version is usually seen as the most accurate of translations but it can also be very hard to understand as it was written like 400 years ago lol
The NIV (new international version) is widely respected as accurate and its a lot easier to read than the KJV.
If you wanted something a bit different then The Message is really good. It's not as accurate as other translations but it puts things into modern language and context.
Theres loads of different translations out there but if you ask at a Christian bookshop theres people there that could help you pick one that suits you.
God Bless!

Answer 4

Click on the Bible icon at the bottom of the page @ http://web.express56.com/~bromar/ and it will take you to a site where you can compare about 15 versions of the Bible.

The KJV is one of the best word for word translations around but the interpreters never claimed divine inspiration for their work. While the beauty and poetry of the KJV is superior to many other versions the wording and archaic language make it hard for a modern reader to understand some passages without pulling out a large dictionary.

Answer 5

Depends what you want the bible for: study, reading, or what? If you just want one to read, go with the New International Version. If you're one of those die hard KJV Christians, try a New KJV. It's exactly the same except for the thees and thous. The New American Standard Version is pretty good as well. Me, personally, I like to read out of the NIV, but memorize from the KJV. The choice is really up to you.

Answer 6

I like the New King James Study bible. One I grew up on King James. Two I love the study notes in it, it helps out a lot if I get confused.

Answer 7

I have a KJV, NIV, NKJV, & New American Standard. I use the KJV for church ( it's what the pastor teaches out of-from familiarity, not cuz it's divinely inspired) and the NASB for study. It has hebrew and greek lexicons ion the back to look up word usage, explanations of greek verbe tense, and is keyed to Strong's Concordande w/ an abridged version included. My wife got it for me when I went to bible college. It's an awesome tool.

The important thing is to get one that is a translation, not a paraphrase and that you're comfortable with and understand. Parallel bibles may be worthy of consideration. They give the same passage from 2 or more translations.

Please pardon my poor spelling, typing one handed w/ sleepy kid in my other arm.

Answer 8

King James was a solid choice for over 200 years, with a 5,000 word vocabulary - Now we have 25,000 + words

I like the New American Standard or the Revised Standard Version - Holman Press

Answer 9

I've been buying as many versions as i can find. i find it interesting there are so many different versions of the Bible. As a Muslim I find it interesting to read Bible and compare it to other versions of the Bible. I don't understand why some versions of the Bible are called " modern " if its a book for all man for all time, it would not need to be updated.

Answer 10

I recommend not listening to atheists about Bible purchases. The New American Standard (NASB) or New International Version (NIV) are the most accurate and widely accepted versions today. An inductive study Bible is a great tool to help you study things out for yourself, instead of depending on someone else's interpretation.