What version Bible do you read?

[MargoPego]

Like others of you, I use a variety of versions. For my current journey - Bible in 90 days - I'm using the Message. I find it very easy to read & makes just reading the Word simple. In fact, both the Bible in 90 days & the Message have really brought home to me the continuance of Scripture & how tied together the Old & New Testaments really are. Oh, I've known it my entire life, pretty much, but it just really hit me & became more than real to me in the past while.

I also read the NKJV regularly & that's what I bring to church. I don't use the NIV too much (perhaps because it was "thrust upon me" when I was in youth group & Bible college), although it does have its merits & isn't terrible. I like the NRSV as well, although I don't have a copy of that version up here with me. The Amplified has helped at times, & I have no aversion to the KJV, which is what I grew up with 'til I reached grade eleven & was given a copy of the Student Bible (NIV).

My mom told me about a woman who's husband is very strict with her about some things & hasn't given her any choice in the matter - she told my mom that she's stopped reading the Bible because her husband insists upon KJV & refuses to let her read anything else. My mom asked her why she didn't just go ahead & read something else, why she needed her husband's permission. The man was furious with this & refused to brook any discussion on the topic. My mom persisted & asked him why he didn't want her to read any other version? If another version was easier for her to understand & kept her reading, then why was he in such a state about it & why was he refusing to "allow" her to read a version simpler for her?

I have no problem understanding the KJV or others that use older English, but there are many today turned off by those who insist the KJV is the only version. Yes, it's a good one to read & to use, but don't turn away the other accurate versions just because you may have a particular opinion about them. Yes, there are some versions/paraphrases out there that shouldn't be used because of inaccuracies, but there are many that are good & true & useful. I am fully in support of any accurate translation that gets people into the Word & gets people turning to God. Let's keep this in mind before we get all legalistic about versions & such. Stick to accuracy & inerrancy, yes, & make sure people have an accurate, true, inerrant version in a form of English they can understand & grow from. Isn't that why God inspired people to translate the Word into all languages in the first place, so that everyone can understand & know Him in their way & in their own context?

 

[Rick S]

Like most others folks, I also use several bible versions. For day to day reading and study I use the KJV Dake Annotated Reference Bible. I haven't seen (or maybe I missed) any one else refer to the Dake's bible. For my reading, it's awesome. I has inline refernces to the original greek and hebrew word meanings, thousands and thousands of cross references and commentary notes. The text can be a little busy, but I love it.

I also make use of two different NKJV bibles for topical studies. Both the Spirit Filled Life Bible and the John C. Maxwell Leadership Bible are tremendous resources. The Spirit Filled Life was a project led by Dr. Jack Hayford and a great many other respected authors. There is a wealth of wisdom in the commentaries provided. The J.M. Leadership Bible is a fantastic resource for anyone in any position of leadership, or in any position in any organization for that matter. For those not familar with Dr. Maxwell, he is regarded as one of the leading experts on leadership in the world today. He has authored 30+ bestsellers on the subject. He has said that everything he understands about leadership comes from the Word of God. An excellent commentary!

If I'm really digging in to the scriptures I use my Vines Dictionary and Strongs Concordance along with my favorite parallel bible. I have an interlinear KJV-NIV parallel new testament with the Nestle's greek interlinear literal translation. It's very insightful to see the KJV and NIV side by side with the literal greek there as a comparison against both.

Finally, for my early reading as a new Christian (some time ago) I really became familar with the Bible reading the NIV Thompson Chain reference. It really helped me to get some of the big concepts early on. It's a great go-to resource anytime I need to check something quickly, or just want to read from a comfortable old friend.

 

[sunnyt]

I use the NIV for reading but when I really want to get into it I always go back to the Bible my Dad gave me- King James.

 

[morethandiamonds]

I have tried many versions over the years, but the version I have become most comfortable with is NKJV. I was raised by a mother who is a strict "KJV only, thank you very much", but as I grew in the Lord, I knew that if I were to grow even further and know His word, I would need to find a version of His Word that I can understand. KJV was like reading a shakespeare novel, and although I love Shakespeare, I knew I wanted to be taught by the Word of God, not entertained. Now call me old fashion, I did want a version as close to KJV as possible, so as to not read a version that took away or added anything to it. I read NIV when I was a teen, but I read many articles of how they took away alot of words and even whole scriptures when creating that version. Now, I'm just going by what I read, but if NIV blesses those who read it, thats great. I think it's all a matter of what a person can fully understand. I do suggest to new Christians (especially teens) who are new to the Bible, pray for the Lord to guide you to find the version that will bless you and teach you the best. Another suggestion is ask a pastor to help you find the best version for you. Anyways, that's my take on this subject. God bless you guys! PRAISE THE LORD FOR HE IS WORTHY!!!!!!!!!!

 

[Rickeo]

I read the New Century Version aka The Youth Bible simply because I love it it is so easy to understand and is very easy reading.

Also I love the life stories in there because if you have to give a talk on a certain topic you can giver real life examples that fit into the topic your talking on to make your talk alot more intreasting.

I also believe though it is aimed at youths it breaks thru to the more "expierianced" (not old ) generation as well.

Keeps thing intreasting however this is matter of opinion

God Bless

 

[4Given]

King James

is the ONLY ONE for me!

 

[joy]

I have serveral versions of the Bible. but I mainly read New King James Version

 

[gentle]

I use NKJV clearer and more understandable. Also The Living Bible where the translation is so personal and up to laymans language. Amplified also, because you understand more clearly because it amplifies a word for more understanding. But whatever translation you use, it will rhema to you if it's lead by the Holy Spirit. He will tell you which Bible to use or pick up in your time of fellowship with Him.

 

[pieni]

well, i use mainly our Finnish Bible, new translation, from year 1992. but i also like to read older translation, translated in 1933/1938.

 

[xr6]

thanks for the information on the living Bible

Before i became a christain, i tried to read a King James bible.
Usually i lost interest quickly.
I remember staying in a motel and wanting to read the bible, again it was too hard to understand.

i wanted to read a bible in a language that was relevant.
The living bible achieved that!!

I now read a living bible, Niv, Stongs concordance Niv and any other versions that my friends may be reading

 

[ladylovesJesus]

i like the new living translation as it reads more like english. also the message for plain english. i do like the living bible too and the amplified gives more information and detail.

 

[Rebekah]

I have several that I use, but most recently have been reading NKJV the most.

 

[monkeys]

I donno if I replied to this post..I don't think I did...but I read King James Version

 

[tooth and nail]

I had a problem with the question, I've read many different versions, but I'm a KJV supporter myself.

Some of those other versions are easier to understand, but I believe in comparative studies.

The NIV is just too different. God Bless.

 

[ladylovesJesus]

I had a problem with the question, I've read many different versions, but I'm a KJV supporter myself.

Some of those other versions are easier to understand, but I believe in comparative studies.

The NIV is just too different. God Bless.

The Salvation Army uses the NIV. Therefore it has to be a good one to read as there are a lot of them all around the world.

God bless :rainbow: :rose:

 

[marti]

King James Version

 

[tqpix]

I use the NASB, but I also refer to the LITV.

 

[dryburgh]

I read the New International Version - guess it is one I grew up with and it is (for me) easy to read! I also make references to the NRSV with apocrypha for study purposes, but the NIV is the main one I use!

 

[Abraxix Storm]

i read the NIV when i read the bible.

i wouldnt mind a Amplified though. of a Good News, there Easy on the eyes and nice english no long words for me to get stuck on. : >

 

[*~Laceyrenee~*]

I read the New King James Version but sometimes I read the New International bible.. for refereance.