Things to Consider Before You Buy a Bible

The Bible is God-breathed and life-giving. We should want to read it. A number of factors should be considered when selecting a Bible to buy. The suggestions touch on different types of Bible translations as well as including a tip regarding the King James Version.
Verses: Gen. 27:3; 41:5
Teacher: John Schoenheit
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[@daric_]

Great advice.

[@markmatousek9427]

As I've gotten older size of the type has become a more important issue. I personally prefer the NIV and ESV. Good video, good advice.

[@useurtimewell]

Thank you

[@farlowalexify]

Where I live Christian stores are closed for business I have to go on line for anything the last Christian book store in Madison closed a few years ago

[@KJSCalderon]

Personaly, Nothing Beats the NIV Bible. Because It's easy to understand

[@Returnality]

I would try the English Standard version. I think it's even easier to read than the NIV, and I also think it's a little bit more accurate too.

[@fishersofmen4727]

Its not bad, The HCSB is really good as well. The TLV is really as well.

[@JoeBird76]

Ahh what good timing. I just went to Barnes and Noble yesterday, because I had heard of "The Message." ..I just didn't like how the verses were not numbered one by one. They were just paragraphs with (example) Proverbs 4:3-7 written next to it. I like each scripture with its' own number by it!

[@zenmoto870]

the message was written by one man.

[@filoIII]

Why would someone need access to the greek vulgate?

[@datchet11]

I would love to read the bible for a hour or more everyday but with 2 young children it’s near impossible.

[@nigelpresume604]

Ask God to help you, and be sure to listen

[@Guitarmanjhc1]

I downloaded a program called Esword and with that i am able to download many versions but what it does not include is the NIV or the Amplified or the New King James It had a Modern King James and Easy to read version and many many more you can download NIV or Amp but they want to charge 20.00 to download it but if i replace my Pc they are history and backing up my back up drive is full. we are so dependent on computers today.

[@jasonwells3772]

E-Sword is amazing and free.

[@foolishdrunk2181]

If the king James was good enough for Moses and the apostle paul, then it's good enough for .....Ohhh wait a minute 😂

[@jakepokemonman1227]

KJV all the way. It has 0 errors

[@LlywellynOBrien]

Well it depends largely on one's preferences and what one will be using the Bible for. Few of the best scholars, from across the theological spectrum, claim that one is definitively superior to all others or only use one themselves (though many have a 'main' translation, a useful practice for building familiarity over years). Different translations have different strengths and weaknesses and qualities and need to be assessed according to what they are useful for, so one would probably be unwise to use a New Living Translation or a New English Bible (or the revised version of that) for close study, while much more literal versions quickly lose value for proclamation, devotional reading (unless one is happy to do the harder work, which is fine of course) or reading to young people or those with limited English skills. Another factor, as any KJV advocate will know, is how each translation treats the disputed passages (both the longer ones and the individual verses). If one takes a more inclusive stance then obviously something like the KJV and the NKJV or another version which notes that passages are disputed but either leaves them in the text or footnotes them are best. If one takes the more conservative view and doesn't want the disputed passages, then obviously a version which either puts them in the footnotes or omits them entirely would be preferable. While I acknowledge the problems around the disputed passages, I wouldn't use a Bible for frequent use that doesn't at least include them in a footnote or brackets etc. Personally I kind of enjoy collecting different translations but I use the RSV-CE second addition (I am a damnable Catholic you see) and the NRSV as my main two, with several other go-to versions for comparison (including a New King James, an ESV, a Douay-Rheims (Challoner) and an old RSV, I have been on the look out for a KJV but haven't found one yet).

[@PracticalBibleStudies]

MEV is much more precise. Such as the difference between kill and murder, or the different types of afterlife.

[@ryanpetner1030]

Actually it does. U see, when they were making it, they were simple English men, and got no help translating it

[@thebiblestudyhelper9389]

The kjv is full of errors

[@lleange363]

I decided that I would choose NIV.. it in the middle of word for word and thought for thought.. and would use NASB as reference if needed for critical text NJKV for Received text... i want NIV bec it speaks to me more of God's love law etc.. easy to read...

[@dantechick]

I got a bible with KJV beside of NLT, love it

[@SpiritandTruth]

@LizzielovesJC Well, kind of... It is best to read a version that is as close to the original text as you can get. There are some version available that have really moved away for the God breathed message. Try the ESV out someday. However, you are good to go on the NKJV. : )

[@RipRoarLB]

An honest Translator will tell you, to get closes to the original is still a dynamic translation. Because of words not being identical, syntax not being identical, because of idioms from one language to the next. The best is to choose a host of translations, one from each genre of translations. God Bless.

[@MyJanvic]

Which means, the best Bible version is the one you will read.

[@anonymousperson6462]

My preference is tyndale new testament modern spelling. There is a bit of the old testament from tyndale as well, but it's not complete.

[@jonathan19947]

I love the bible. Its fun to read.

[@dallors7672]

Jonathan Chuck amen brother

[@richardchileshe9910]

All translations are good (as long as it's easy to understand), but some are just a little better than others. If there is a particular scripture that interests me I use biblehub.com to compare many translations at once, and see why if there are large discrepancies. Another issue in some bibles like the King James Bible is that it promotes the trinity over the original writings and intended thoughts of the writers, and that is because the churches have deviated from Gods word since the 3rd and 4th centuries and substitute it for pagan ideals and false traditions that have permeated into Christianity, such as Christmas, Easter, The Cross and The Trinity Which is widely and independently documented. The Churches have become the new unfaithful Israel of old in that everything that the church teaches has become false. It even goes to blatantly say to its followers, they are not pagan, they are Christian teachings and celebrations, when in fact they are fully pagan and not from gods word. For example, the substitution of the name Jehovah to Lord, God, or any other title is there to purposely promote the Trinity and not the truth of Gods word and only serves the devil who is misleading the entire world. The link below is a short video of this point. www.jw.org/en/library/videos/#en/mediaitems/VODBibleTeachings/docid-502014331_1_VIDEO The New World Translation of the bible has set out to make the most accurate translation as I will link several short videos you can watch to prove this at the very bottom. Another way it has tried to do this is by adding the name Jehovah back to its original laces which appears in the manuscripts provided. By doing this it Solidifies the proof that Jesus is not God, and that the only true God Jehovah is not part of a trinity. Another such instance is on the subject of the Cross or Crucifix. The Greek word generally translated “cross” is stau·rosʹ. It basically means “an upright pale or stake.” The Companion Bible points out: “[Stau·rosʹ] never means two pieces of timber placed across one another at any angle . . . There is nothing in the Greek of the [New Testament] even to imply two pieces of timber.” In several texts, Bible writers use another word for the instrument of Jesus’ death. It is the Greek word xyʹlon. (Acts 5:30; 10:39; 13:29; Galatians 3:13; 1 Peter 2:24). This word simply means “timber” or “a stick, club, or tree.” The word cross was introduced to English in the tenth century as the term for the instrument of the torturous execution of Christ (gr. stauros', xy'lon), gradually replacing rood, ultimately from Latin crux, via Old Irish cros. Originally, both "rood" and "crux" referred simply to any "pole," the later shape associated with the term being based in church tradition, rather than etymology. I have also listed some independent sources which will verify this: The Washington Post: www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/five-myths-about-the-cross/2017/04/14/dae63c1a-1fa8-11e7-be2a-3a1fb24d4671_story.html Encyclopaedia Britannica.com: www.britannica.com/topic/cross-religious-symbol You will see that the same crosses used in Egyptian worship is used by many false Christians churches today. ABC NEWS: abcnews.go.com/GMA/jesus-christ-died-cross-scholar/story?id=11066130 Symbol Dictionary.com: symboldictionary.net/?p=2044 Wikipedia: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ CrossEncyclopaedia.com: www.encyclopedia.com/philosophy-and-religion/christianity/christianity-general/cross You may say there is also plenty of proof that the Cross is not similar or does not denote the same pagan god's but the true god in the bible? But if that is the case and Jesus was not Crucified, then why use this symbol at all. Why not use the symbol of an upright pole than the Cross? To ignore this fact is to ignore the accuracies of the scriptures. Romans 3:13 is accurately translated here by New World translation and the New International Version as - "Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law by becoming a curse for us, for it is written: "Cursed is everyone who is hung on a pole." In fact of the over 20 translations of Romans 3:13, only the New Living Translation translates it with the word cross, the others accurately use word pole or tree.... biblehub.com/galatians/3-13.htm Acts 5:30 also defines the way Jesus died was on a tree. Of the above 29 translations, only 6 pro Trinity bibles use the word cross. biblehub.com/acts/5-30.htm I commend these bible translations for accurately using the original text and not the traditional pagan understanding. However, in Ephesians 2:16 New World Translation (NWT) translates this scripture using the words "torture stake", but the same other 29 bibles above all translate this with the word "cross" or "crucifix". And only the Jubilee Bible 2000 translates it with the added Greek word stake, when it translates it this way: "and to reconcile both with God by the cross {Gr. stauros - stake} in one body, having slain the enmity thereby;". biblehub.com/ephesians/2-16.htm And again the same 29 translations above all translate 1Corrinthians 1:18 with the words "Cross" or crucifix", and again the Jubilee Bible 2000 puts in (Stake) as per Ephesians 2:16 above., but the NWT is the only one that translates it using the words torture stake and not mention the cross or crucifix in any of its translations.... In fact there are many scriptures in the above 29 translations that inaccurately include the words cross or crucifix to promote a false doctrine and idol of pagan gods perpetuated by the Church. Unfortunately it doesn't make the it right, and unfortunately many who honest hearted persons have come to believe this lie as the truth when it is not and are being mislead. As promised, here are some short videos that you or any one else will see to what extent the Jehovah's Witnesses go through to accurately translate the bible. www.jw.org/en/library/videos/#en/mediaitems/VODBibleTranslations/docid-502014271_1_VIDEO The ancient manuscripts: www.jw.org/en/library/videos/#en/mediaitems/VODBibleTranslations/docid-502018464_1_VIDEO The love in truthful translations: www.jw.org/en/library/videos/#en/mediaitems/VODBibleTranslations/docid-502016501_1_VIDEO Previous pioneers of bible translators: www.jw.org/en/library/videos/#en/mediaitems/VODBibleTranslations/docid-502017151_1_VIDEO Correcting latin translations: www.jw.org/en/library/videos/#en/mediaitems/VODBibleTranslations/docid-502017151_1_VIDEO

[@percyvega]

Great video. Very informative, covering the whole range of translations. Thank you.

[@mrjasonsamuel23]

good message. i read the nkjv and bought a kjv for my friend who wanted a bible i wanted to by her a nkjv but God's Spirit told me to give her the kjv, and we do compare and see Jesus is LORD GOD.i don't use the nwt and niv because i find the words are down played. comparing the different versions and looking up the meaning of words expanded my vocab and ppl do ask me if i'm a pastor. stay bless and in Jesus' name

[@MaidOfPasta]

I love my ESV! It's small and simple, and it goes in my purse/bag thing, whatever I feel like carrying around that day :)

[@sammelnick6314]

Thank you sir

[@liskonkosto]

Just a little note, the closet thing u talked about, it means Tallit, a prayer shawl. :) Its just a miss translation.

[@deeman524]

I'm uncomfortable with Bibles that. Leave verses out, read like magazines, and change the so-called old english words into words that mean something totally different. The NKJV is my Translation

[@sunnygirlsense]

Does anyone know a good christian book store? i usually get my bibles from the family christian store. sadly that store is now going out of business.

[@HJKelley47]

If you find it difficult to locate a Christian bookstore in your area, go online and order one from CBD (Christian Book Distributors); Amazon; Ebay; or some other online source. Look for font size, paper used, binding; translation. I am nearsighted, therefore I like a giant font print (12-14 font). I also like a Bible that has wide side column to write my notes. I now have several versions which have helped me to understand over the years. My translation preference is the NASB/NASBU, though I also use the ESV, Amplified, RSV, Phillips NT, Messianic Jewish Bible, Holman's & NKJV. I recently picked up a brand new 12-font, CEV (Contemporary English Version) from the Goodwill for $1. CEV is fun for devotional reading, but not one I would study from without a more literal translation alongside it.

[@eddyrey1]

Biblegateway.com

[@omardcavagneri6097]

Amen.... Love Jesus... God bless you brother

[@Federico84]

in italian we actually say mais :)

[@ChaplainDaveSparks]

It depends on what you plan to do with the Bible. I'm a big advocate for reading the Bible through, repeatedly, to get an overview while simultaneously studying smaller sections in depth. A dynamic equivalence Bible, such as the NIV makes for smoother reading while a formal equivalence translation is better for in depth study, or even a parallel Bible with different translations in columns. As for "missing" (or "added") verses, some sort of notation of that is good. I can't think of any major doctrines I believe that depend on just one verse or translation. Indeed, that might be dangerous! One example is "serpent handling" (or drinking poison) based on the longer ending of Mark in the KJV.

[@mrsbfaithfitnessfun]

Brilliant and to the point. Thank you

[@rigvedasushrita6422]

I read 5-8 translations for each scripture I choose to study in depth then cross reference with the Strong's concordance if something seems fishy. Good example where KJV got it wrong is Jeremiah 17:10. In fact the only Bible that literally translated it was the Lollard bible of the middle ages called the Wycliffe Bible! I was upset when I found that out! Yet and still pound for pound I think the KJV is the most eloquent. The NLT and NIV paraphrase too much and take away too much...

[@fishersofmen4727]

Try the HCSB, TLV, or the ESV. All have been very good IMO.

[@ryanpetner1030]

Is the esv only a study bible

[@coatlicue2012]

I think the original King James Version is best. Unless you have access to the Greek Vulgate.

[@sljr.5669]

I enjoy reading the New World Translation of Holy Scriptures that Jehovah Witnesses use and non Jehovah Witnesses use. It's modern English. Remember, they used the King James Version for a long time until they realized as it was discovered that God's name was left out and only mentioned in the KJV like once or twice in Old English (Jehovah). Much more to it as well. I enjoy reading a BIble especially when the separation is made between Jehovah and Jesus.

[@fishersofmen4727]

You should try the HCSB or the TLV. Better versions that do not change the word of God. They they use the real names of God that the Israelite used.