When you shop for a Bible, what characteristics do you look for? Have you found the ideal Bible for yourself?

Question

Translation? Portability? Book size? Text size? Reference, concordance, study, or chain Bibles? Red letter or not?

Answer 1

I love the King James Translation for the beauty and fluidity of the words, but I know it's sometimes hard to follow if you haven't grown up studying it. THE MESSAGE is very clear and accurate translation, although many will complain that it is not done by a "group" of translators. But I feel this is an honest, godly translator and I love the enthusiasm that he captured in the writing of the original authors, particularly the apostle Paul.

I feel that a Bible is my connection with God--Who He is and what He has to say to me, and when He speaks loudly to my heart, I want to note it! So I was thrilled when I found a WIDE MARGIN Bible--1" wide around every page for me to write notes to myself, insights, link texts, and on some of the most touching passages I even draw pictures. NEVER use a gel pen to mark your Bible. They run through the pages and will run on the pages if exposed to moisture. I love the colored pens and pencils. I also write dates of when a truth becomes very real to me, and notes about how that truth has impacted my spiritual life. Look for one with pages and pages of blank note pages, and always find one with a good Concordance. I'm leary of Bibles with commentary in them, because I have found some commentaries to be misleading and controversial. I use commentaries, but I don't want someone else's "opinion" clouding my studies. I want to study so that God may prove Himself to me. I never want to study to try to prove what I already believe. Red letter is sweet, but not essential. And since I'm over 45, I also carry a magnifying glass in case I forget my glasses...

Karen

Answer 2

Dear Heidiva,

Your question is one of my favorites simply because I've got so many Bibles now and I keep finding new ones that complement what I already have.

I think the first thing to do is determine what you want the Bible for. Personally I read the Bible from cover-to-cover every year but the format that is great for reading doesn't have the footnotes that a study Bible has.

The first Bible I bought for reading was The Daily Walk Bible and the first study Bible I bought was the Life Application Bible. I currently have about 50 Bibles in various translations and most of the translations are very close so I think the best way to pick is to look in a Christian bookstore at many different translations. When I looked at various translations in the past I always checked out Psalm 23 to see if it was as comforting as the KJV.

With Christmas fast approaching bookstores like Barnes & Noble and Borders will have a vast array of Bibles so you could spend a lot of time looking them over and seeing what appeals to you.

Please let me know what you decide upon.

For His glory,
JOYfilled

Answer 3

I was given the Bible I have. It is an unusual study Bible that is hard to find and worth $250.00. I've had it since 1992. It is in the New King James. If I were to look for a Bible I would look for a good study Bible with good footnotes from either John Wesley or Adam Clarke.

Answer 4

I prefer the New Living Translation or the New KJV. A concordance is a must! However, I once heard a great preacher say that the best Bible for you is the one that you will actually read. : )

Answer 5

I have several because each one has characteristics I like but I haven't found the perfect one yet. I like NIV and NLT, nothing too huge, standard text size so I don't need my reading glasses, a good concordance, red letter and thicker paper so I can write in it. All that would be wonderful.

Answer 6

I like the KJV. By using it with my Strong’s Concordance, I can take any word back to the original language.

Answer 7

ok if you are a brand new "baby christian" then id suggest something very understandable and easy....(cute and decorated DOES NOT MATTER!)
if you are a maturing christian then something that is more advanced but not complex
if you are a stronger christian who is really thirsty for good "nutrients" then id suggest a study bible - this is what i bought recently...usually a study bible has a "bible study" built in...basically that means it gives you a reading guide and such....it also generally give an intro before each book which tells about it and such....yah.....hope this helped!

Answer 8

I prefer:

1) Fidelity to the original texts and languages.

2) Readability in English


That leads me to the NASB for most bible study I do.

I also use the RSV

Answer 9

A KJV one and I would love someday to have a Study Bible, but they cost money.

Answer 10

instruct them the episode with Karl city as a youthful Hebrew this is tricking his father into believing he's listening to the voice of God. they are going to the two love you or throw issues on the television. tell them that Gabrielle is fairly Judith of the bible. the television instruct had to alter her call - copyright infringement warnings.