what bible do i need to read?

Question

hi, i have recently found god i am a christian. However, there a soo many different ones out there. can someone please give me the name for the 1st one to read thanks

Answer 1

I thank God you found Him. Myself, I like the New American Standard. It's a word for word translation of the original Greek text, in easy to understand language. Some like the NIV is a thought for thought translation, and paraphrases what is really said. NIV changes some texts, so I would avoid that one. Another good one is the New King James. If you attend a Church, talk to your pastor or one of the deacons. One to avoid, is the New World Translation. It's been changed to promote the beliefs of the Jehova Witnesses.
God Bless you in your walk.

Answer 2

Lindsay,
First of all welcome to the family! There are a lot of really good translations out there. The King James Version of the Bible is widley accepted as being the most acurate, however it was translated hundreds of years ago and uses language that you seldomly hear today. It was updated to the New King James Version making it a little more user friendly but it still sounds very old english and may not be a good first read. The New International Version was translated from the original greek and hebrew texts in the 1970's and is very accurate. I think it has the best balance of being understandable and true to the original language. The New Living Translation is what is called a paraphrase bible. It was translated with the intent of trying to capture the meaning of the scriptures and relating them to modern thought. I would probably recomend it for a first time read and then go for the New International Version. the real key to understanding the Bible is going to be asking God to give you his supernatural wisdom as you read it each time before you read it. Ask him to fill you with his Spirit because the Word says "The man without the Spirirt does not accept the things of God, for they are follishness to him, and he cannot understand them, because they are spiritually discerned." 1 Corinthians 2:14
Start with the New Testement first ( the second part). read it then go back and read the Old Testament, You can find a lot of good bible reading plans on-line that will give you structure and help to break up the Old and New Testaments. Be blessed as you seek God through his Word!

Answer 3

Congrats on becoming a Christian.

There are a lot of English language translations. Here are four popular ones in no particular order.

King James Version - This translation has been around for a few hundred years. It is an elegant translation that has stood the test of time. However, the language has changed somewhat since it was published. You may find some parts a bit difficult to understand. Nevertheless, it is still one of the best selling translations today.

New King James - It is a translation based on the King James Version but in contemporary English.

New American Standard - This translation is a more literal translation than most. Consequently it sometimes seems a little stilted in the language. However it is very accurate.

New International Version - This translation is not as literal as the three translations above. It is more of a thought for thought translation. This was done for ease of reading in English. It was translated at a 7th grade reading level. It is probably the best selling translation on the market today.

Answer 4

The Good News Bible is easier to read than most, and is more reliable than anything that has been published in the last 20 years. The NIV is good, but is a bit harder to read than the GNB.

You might in time want to get a Bible program with Greek and Hebrew interlinear on CD-ROM, which will give you lots of help, and you don't need to know a word of Greek or Hebrew to learn quite a lot. You probably won't bother much with translations after that.
.

Answer 5

Having worked for a Christian bookstore chain in the Books and Bibles section, I have seen your confusion many times with many people of many different reading abilities. Selecting a Bible is a very personal matter. There are several versions that are easy to read, but you must make the choice because no one knows what your reading comprehension ability is nor the questions in your heart and mind for which you seek the answers to. You are just going to have to visit your local Christian bookstore and sit down with a variety of Bibles to see which is just right for you.

Answer 6

I read the Amplified Bible. It tells what the words mean in Greek and Hebrew so that you can get the full original meanings of each word and therefore understand verses and chapters and get the true context.

From what the publishers of it say, "its genious lies in its rigorous attempt to go beyond the traditional "word-for-word" concept of translation to bring out the richness of the Hebrew and Greek languages. Its purpose is to reveal, together with the single English word equivalent to each key Hebrew and Greek word, any other clarifying meanings that may be concealed by the traditional translation method...the full meaning of the key words in the original text is available for the reader."

Oh, and a good first book to read is Romans.

Answer 7

really, any kind works. they're all the same, just written in different words. the NIV (new international version) seems to be the most common and easily understood, but many old-school christians will advise you to stick to the KJV or NKJV. revised standard is also a good version to start out with. The Message is the easiest of all, but many argue that this is not an actual bible, but a paraphrase of one. try several different versions on bible.com and see what works best for you.

Answer 8

If you want to read the Bible, find one of the earliest translations. All of the modern ones have been edited and bowdlerised to fit the sociopolitical agendas of the publishers, and as a result the meanings of many of the verses have been changed from their original meanings, often to the opposite of that which was intended.

Answer 9

Hi Lindsay...welcome into the fold...
You can look up bible gateway on-line and search through all the different versions before you buy...
My friend helped me choose when i was saved..NIV was the easiest to understand. God spoke to me through this bible so powerfully. Since then i have 8 or 9 different versions. I always admired my friend and the way she honoured The Lord..when i asked her which version she read, she said the Amplified...i went out and bought one and found my relationship with The Lord became stronger and deeper ( absolutely marvellous )..
I'm sure you will find the right one...

God Bless xxx Shalom

Answer 10

Any Bible is okay but the easiest ones to read are those written in familiar language...regularly used terms rather than the old world terms etc.

Personally I like the Life application study bible but as I said, any one is okay. Keep in mind that the Bible is a mere teaching tool but you need a good personal relationship with God in order to understand its teachings. Develop that relationship and trust in God and he will lead you. Good luck and God Bless.