Bibles
Here are great bible tools to help you in your daily walk.
“With the great variety of Bibles to choose from, which Bible is right for me? What is the difference between the NIV, the NLT, and the NKJV, and what do those initials stand for, anyway? Which one is the most accurate? Are they re-writing the Bible? Isn’t there something wrong with that?” These are questions people commonly ask when choosing a Bible. Hopefully, this website will answer those questions and help you decide which Bible is right for you.
First, we’ll talk about translations: what are their differences; are some better than others? Then we’ll look at three categories of Bibles: straight text, Study Bibles, and Application Bibles.
So if you’re wondering which Bible is right for you, read on, and set your mind at ease . . .
THE GIFT OF TRANSLATIONS
Bible translations fall into three basic categories: Word-for-Word, Thought-for-Thought, and Paraphrase. Their styles can vary from the highly formal and poetic King James language to the street-level informality of The Message Paraphrase. Even so, almost every translation is put together by large teams of biblical scholars who work from the oldest and best known texts available.
WORD-FOR-WORD
Word-for-Word translations exchange one word in the original language for its English equivalent while strictly following the original mechanics, form, and structure of each sentence. The goal is to change as little as possible. The result is a translation that looks and feels very close to the original, but at times sounds different from the way people talk or write today. Word-for-word Bibles are well suited for detailed study and more in depth reading.
King James Version (KJV)
This translation was first published in 1611 and has since become the best selling book in history. It’s a very precise translation, but it’s also very traditional, sounding more like Shakespeare than modern English. It’s a translation of historical importance and traditional beauty, but is also very challenging to read.
Sample Verses:
Ye are the salt of the earth: but if the salt have lost his savour, wherewith shall it be salted? It is thenceforth good for nothing, but to be cast out, and to be trodden under foot of men. Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid. Neither do men light a candle, and put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick; and it giveth light unto all that are in the house. Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven. Matthew 5:13-16
ISBN: 9780718010584
2005 Thomas Nelson
1184 pages
New King James Version (NKJV)
Charles Stanley Life Principles Bible
from Thomas Nelson
This translation was made in 1982 to update the language and spelling of the King James Version so that words like “thee”, “thou”, and “ye” are no longer used. The detail and precision of the King James was preserved, but the style may still be challenging for some to read.
Sample Verses:
You are the salt of the earth; but if the salt loses its flavor, how shall it be seasoned? It is then good for nothing but to be thrown out and trampled underfoot by men. You are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do they light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a lampstand, and it gives light to all who are in the house. Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven. Matthew 5:13-16
ISBN: 9780785256779
2005 Thomas Nelson
1800 pages
New American Standard Bible (NASB)
Study Bible
from Zondervan
This is one of the most accurate translations for detailed study. Colleges and seminaries frequently recommend this translation for their students. It’s fairly challenging in some places because it holds so tightly to original texts. While many people use it for regular reading, most use it more often for study.
Sample Verses:
You are the salt of the earth; but if the salt has become tasteless, how can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for anything, except to be thrown out and trampled under foot by men. You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden; nor does anyone light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on the lampstand, and it gives light to all who are in the house. Let your light shine before men in such a way that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father who is in heaven. Matthew 5:13-16
ISBN: 9780310910985
2000 Zondervan
2064 pages
THOUGHT-FOR-THOUGHT
Thought-for-thought translations also work at the level of individual words, but preference is given to the basic thought or idea that the author is intending to communicate. The goal is to make it easier to read. Where a word-for-word translation can be choppy and challenging, the thought-for-thought translation slightly rephrases and better articulates the passage for readers. The result is an accurate translation that flows well, is easy to read, and sounds more modern and lively. These translations are the best choice for general reading and most studies. It is important to note that some thought-for-thought translations, like the New Living Translation lean more towards communicating the general thought, while others like the New International Version stay closer to communicating the specific word.
New International Version (NIV)
Life Application Study Bible
from Zondervan
The New International Version is the best selling and most widely used Bible translation today. It’s a good balanced translation because it’s both precise like a word for word translation and easy to read like a thought-for-thought translation. For this reason the NIV is popular for both general study and regular reading.
Sample Verses:
You are the salt of the earth. But if the salt loses its saltiness, how can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for anything, except to be thrown out and trampled by men. You are the light of the world. A city on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven. Matthew 5:13-16
ISBN: 9780310933991
2005 Zondervan
2528 pages
New Living Translation (NLT)
Life Application Study Bible
from Tyndale House
The New Living Translation allows for more creativity in translating from the original text than most other translations. Its very modern language and style helps to clarify the meaning of passages more, in a new way that’s designed to catch the reader’s attention.
Sample Verses:
You are the salt of the earth. But what good is salt if it has lost its flavor? Can you make it salty again? It will be thrown out and trampled underfoot as worthless. You are the light of the world—like a city on a hilltop that cannot be hidden. No one lights a lamp and then puts it under a basket. Instead, a lamp is placed on a stand, where it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your good deeds shine out for all to see, so that everyone will praise your heavenly Father. Matthew 5:13-16
ISBN: 9781414302584
2005 Tyndale House
2248 pages
PARAPHRASE
The Paraphrase is a relatively new type of translation of the Bible. The goal is to make the bible easier to understand. The translator looks at the original text, translates it into English, but also rewrites it into his own words and style. In a paraphrase, precise words and immediate thoughts are not as important as communicating the general meaning of the passage. The result is a Bible that is easy to read because it uses simple, common language and the author does a lot of the interpretation for us. Paraphrases are best for seeing familiar passages in a new light, or learning how to share God’s Word in your own words. A paraphrase makes a good second Bible, or can be especially helpful for new believers or people who struggle with understanding the Bible. However, it is not a good choice for in-depth study and it could be difficult to use in most small groups.
The Message Remix (MSG)
by Eugene Peterson
The Message (MSG) paraphrase, written by biblical scholar Eugene Peterson, is one of the most current, creative, and understandable Bible paraphrases available. His writing style is enjoyable to read, easy to understand, and makes the most basic of biblical ideas accessible to everyone.
Sample Verses:
Let me tell you why you are here. You're here to be salt-seasoning that brings out the God-flavors of this earth. If you lose your saltiness, how will people taste godliness? You've lost your usefulness and will end up in the garbage. Here's another way to put it: You're here to be light, bringing out the God-colors in the world. God is not a secret to be kept. We're going public with this, as public as a city on a hill. If I make you light-bearers, you don't think I'm going to hide you under a bucket, do you? I'm putting you on a light stand. Now that I've put you there on a hilltop, on a light stand—shine! Keep open house; be generous with your lives. By opening up to others, you'll prompt people to open up with God, this generous Father in heaven. Matthew 5:13-16
ISBN: 9781576834503
2003 Nav Press
2100 pages
CATEGORIES OF BIBLES
There are three primary categories of Bibles to choose from: straight text, Study Bibles, and Application Bibles.
Because the 66 books of the Bible were written by 40 different authors over a span of nearly 2,000 years and in cultures very different from our own – there’s a good chance there are whole sections, ideas, and words that we won’t understand! Not only do we ask “What does this mean” but we also ask “How does this apply to my life today”. Meaning in the Bible is universal – but significance is something that varies from person to person.
Translators and publishers address the unique characteristics of the Bible and our personal needs as readers by putting together special versions of specific translations. These versions are intended to help us discover the meaning of a passage and find its significance in our personal lives. Alongside the translated Bible text, theses versions will include a wide assortment of extra material such as: historical notes, definitions of words or terms, maps or diagrams, expert commentary, book introductions, or anything else that would be an aid for understanding. Some versions also include suggestions for life application and ways to connect with the meaning on a practical level. Still others include content that is geared specifically toward men, women, students, new believers, etc.
STRAIGHT TEXT
Straight text Bibles are simply the Bible text with little or no additional notes or commentary in the margins. Some readers find margin notes distract them from their flow of reading.
STUDY BIBLES
Study Bibles, such as the NIV Study Bible, focus on what we can learn about God, his people, and the Scriptures themselves. They do this by delving into the text and revealing nuances of meaning implied by the original languages, or by adding notes that clarify and amplify the text itself. Some examples of popular Study Bibles include:
Today's Parallel Bible (Side by Side KJV, NASB, NIV, and NLT) from Zondervan
The NIV Study Bible from Zondervan
The NIV Archeological Study Bible from Zondervan
APPLICATION BIBLES
Application Bibles (also called Devotional Bibles) focus on the application of biblical concepts or precepts to our daily lives. Application notes use story, analogy, and questions to shed new light on various passages of Scripture. Some examples of popular Application Bibles include:
The NIV Celebrate Recovery Bible from Zondervan
The NIV Men's Devotional Bible from Zondervan
The Spiritual Formation Bible (NRSV) from Renovare
WHICH BIBLE IS RIGHT FOR YOU?
As the years go by, most people pick up a couple of different Bibles and use them for different purposes. You might have one you travel with, or one you use at small group, or one at your desk that you highlight, underline, and write in. But ultimately, the best Bible for you or a friend is going to be whichever translation will be read on a regular basis and whatever version has information that will be helpful and encouraging. Think about where and how the Bible is going to be read most. Look through a few different versions and compare a couple of passages. In the end, don’t think about “Which Bible should I get?” but ask yourself “Which Bible do I really want to read?”
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