What is the Best Bible?
Question:
What is the best bible version? What would you recommend?
Response:
Anyway, for someone beginning to study the Bible, I would recommend getting a copy of the New International Version ["NIV"]. The NIV is much easier to read than most popular bible versions since it was designed for a teenaged audience. Consequently, having been written on a teenage level, the NIV is much more comfortable to read for the general population, than say the King James Version ["KJV"]. I would not describe the NIV as a scholar's bible, since there are some well known translation errors. For example, if you come along a passage such as Deut 22:28-29 [a horrible and obvious mistranslation], you may want to reference a different bible version to double check the passage's meaning.
In terms of bible versions for more advanced students, I would recommend the English Standard Version ["ESV"], the New American Standard Version ["NASV"], or the New Revised Standard Version ["NRSV"]. All three of these versions attempt to give a literal presentation of the original ancient texts. None of them is perfect, but they are all very good.
You may also want to consider getting a study bible. I really like the Reformation Study Bible, an ESV bible which also provides useful commentary. Another good one is the Archaeological Study Bible, an illustrated NIV bible with interesting pictures and commentary on the Ancient Near East.
Finally, you may want to consider getting an audio bible, such as an MP3 bible. There are some "free" versions of the KJV, which you could probably find with a Google search. You can also purchase audio versions of the Message, NIV, ESV, and other popular versions. If you are trying to work your way through the entire Bible, an audio Bible may help you do that more efficiently than a written verison.
As for places to purchase these bibles, I know that Amazon, Borders, and Barnes and Noble, all carry the above referenced versions in various sizes, colors, and bindings.
I have copies of all the bible versions and study bible versions I just mentioned. However, I generally use the ESV, as you probably observed in class. The ESV is the most recent edition of the "literal" bible versions and is rapidly gaining popularity amongst the more conservative Christian community.
I hope this helps! In Christ, Marty
What is the best bible version? What would you recommend?
Response:
I get asked this question alot, so I thought I should post my answer. First of all, there is no such thing as the "perfect" bible, so you will find alot of people tend to accumulate several bibles and bible versions over their lifetimes.
Anyway, for someone beginning to study the Bible, I would recommend getting a copy of the New International Version ["NIV"]. The NIV is much easier to read than most popular bible versions since it was designed for a teenaged audience. Consequently, having been written on a teenage level, the NIV is much more comfortable to read for the general population, than say the King James Version ["KJV"]. I would not describe the NIV as a scholar's bible, since there are some well known translation errors. For example, if you come along a passage such as Deut 22:28-29 [a horrible and obvious mistranslation], you may want to reference a different bible version to double check the passage's meaning.
In terms of bible versions for more advanced students, I would recommend the English Standard Version ["ESV"], the New American Standard Version ["NASV"], or the New Revised Standard Version ["NRSV"]. All three of these versions attempt to give a literal presentation of the original ancient texts. None of them is perfect, but they are all very good.
You may also want to consider getting a study bible. I really like the Reformation Study Bible, an ESV bible which also provides useful commentary. Another good one is the Archaeological Study Bible, an illustrated NIV bible with interesting pictures and commentary on the Ancient Near East.
Finally, you may want to consider getting an audio bible, such as an MP3 bible. There are some "free" versions of the KJV, which you could probably find with a Google search. You can also purchase audio versions of the Message, NIV, ESV, and other popular versions. If you are trying to work your way through the entire Bible, an audio Bible may help you do that more efficiently than a written verison.
As for places to purchase these bibles, I know that Amazon, Borders, and Barnes and Noble, all carry the above referenced versions in various sizes, colors, and bindings.
I have copies of all the bible versions and study bible versions I just mentioned. However, I generally use the ESV, as you probably observed in class. The ESV is the most recent edition of the "literal" bible versions and is rapidly gaining popularity amongst the more conservative Christian community.
I hope this helps! In Christ, Marty
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