ESV, easy to read. I used to be a King James Onliests until I realized that all the accusations I leveled at other translations could be easily turn around in the KJV.
I would still pick a KJV Bible over no Bible at all though.
ESV and NIV are both great! My default is ESV but sometimes I’ll switch between the two for confusing verses.
If I may, just one idea for approaching if you’re a total newcomer (as I was less than a year ago)... for a little background, you may enjoy watching The Bible Project videos on YouTube. Some great ones:
As for reading, there are many ways and plans and maybe you already have one but I’ll share what I have done: Started with Luke, then Romans, and then honestly I’ve been bouncing. I have read some of Paul’s other letters like Philippians, 1 and 2 Corinthians, Galatians. Revelations. I visit Proverbs regularly.
Thank you for the info it's hard to know where to start and I heard about Enoch as well and wasn't sure if there were other books like that. Figured I would just read it in order and write down verses that strike a chord, Now you got me wondering what order to read it
The first read of the Bible can be challenging, a concordance is a good resource. If you have not already invested in a bible, you might go to a website that shows many translation and see what you are the most comfortable with. So happy for you that you are reading the scriptures, it is called the living word for a good reason. The Word brings life and peace and understanding in a way that no other book can.
May the Holy Spirit guide you and bless you in your journey.
Yeah it is obvious to me now that the mainstream is trying to mock God and get people to approve satanic values. I have a 3 month old daughter. I want to be the best I can for her. Need to be close to God
You wisdom is a gift from God, your love for your daughter is the beginning of wisdom and the gift of love from our Father in heaven. May I suggest starting with the New Testament reading, as you may know the word testament means covenant. So the new testament is the new covenant that
God has given us. It makes me so full of joy to know that you are seeking the wisdom and love of Jesus. He is truth, the way and the light. Please know that I am always at your service it there is any way to assist you.
Peace and Joy to you and yours.
John 14:6
Jesus answered, "I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.
Once you get used to the language and if you're protestant english speaker, I'd say KJV. Not sure which one would be better if you're catholic, orthodox or have other languages.
Make sure you obtain "The Apocrypta" as well. It has mostly fragments from other prophets and writers. Some have been discredited as 300 ~ 400 A.D. Roman Catholic fakes, but it makes interesting reading especially if you have the KJV with annotations. I have a shelf full of Bibles, plus Jewish books and three annotated Korans. All interdasting for understanding early religious movements.
I like parallel Bibles. I read in the old NIV a lot and then will study or read in the KJV. Having both on one page makes it easy to see how different the translations really can be compared to the KJV which undoubtedly stands as the most definitive English translation.
I admit that I've always liked the NASB which may make me the odd ball on the forum. There are just some areas where I believe the KJV is not as accurate in light of more recent discoveries, and others where I think choosing a more idiomatic rendering enhances clarity. ESV is excellent as well, as is the NKJV.
For exoteric reading, NIV '84 is fairly easy to understand and does a decent job with the literal translations, based on the information at hand -- additionally, you can find all of the arguments provided by the translators on why they chose particular words.
For esoteric reading, the best you're going to do in English is 1611 KJV, which while not perfect, and a difficult read if you're not comfortable with old English, is considerably better than other versions for maintaining the ideas conveyed in the Greek and Hebrew. I would also recommend getting a parallel Bible with KJV and the original Greek/Hebrew texts.
Memorize the verses using NKJV Spirit Filled Study Bible. The NKJV is largely based on the KJV which in turn is 95% based on the writings of William Tyndale, the first translator of the Bible into English, for which he was burned at the stake. In other words, this version has been watered by the blood of the martyrs of the faith. For understanding and comprehension, use the NLT. Do NOT get the ESV, it has a heavily Calvinistic (denies free will) and cessationist (denies miracles) bias.
Download the BIBLEAPP, the icon is brown with yellow letters HOLY BIBLE. It's free. You can read it wherever you are, change the size of the font for old people sight. You can also choose the Bible versions. You can choose to get on the BIBLE IN A YEAR PLAN. it takes an average of 15 minuets a day to read. It also has different devotionals from 3 days to longer. I like the NLT version, but I sometimes compare verses using NKJV, ESV, TPT, MSG & CJB. You can do it all on the BIBLEAPP.
ESV, easy to read. I used to be a King James Onliests until I realized that all the accusations I leveled at other translations could be easily turn around in the KJV.
I would still pick a KJV Bible over no Bible at all though.
Thank you for responding, fren. ESV seems a good place to start. Edit: kjv seems best
Action Bible.
ESV and NIV are both great! My default is ESV but sometimes I’ll switch between the two for confusing verses.
If I may, just one idea for approaching if you’re a total newcomer (as I was less than a year ago)... for a little background, you may enjoy watching The Bible Project videos on YouTube. Some great ones:
God: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eAvYmE2YYIU Heaven and earth: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zy2AQlK6C5k The new humanity: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=takEeHtRrMw Spiritual beings: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cBxOZqtGTXE
As for reading, there are many ways and plans and maybe you already have one but I’ll share what I have done: Started with Luke, then Romans, and then honestly I’ve been bouncing. I have read some of Paul’s other letters like Philippians, 1 and 2 Corinthians, Galatians. Revelations. I visit Proverbs regularly.
Anyway good luck and enjoy and God bless you!
Thank you for the info it's hard to know where to start and I heard about Enoch as well and wasn't sure if there were other books like that. Figured I would just read it in order and write down verses that strike a chord, Now you got me wondering what order to read it
I’d recommend starting with the gospels, Matthew, Mark,Luke, John
This is an old post but responding anyway, Enoch has fascinated me no doubt. Excluded from most bibles but seems to me to carry authority
Gonna check out your links. Thanks again
1611 KJV. It avoids all attempts to frame intent/meaning within contemporary vernacular. This is just one reason amongst many. many reasons.
http://www.lcf-la.org/wordpress/?p=308
I'll have to compare that with ESV and NIV I spose. Thank you for the response and link
I like the NKJV.
Me too. My new large print version is on the way. I love this translation.
The first read of the Bible can be challenging, a concordance is a good resource. If you have not already invested in a bible, you might go to a website that shows many translation and see what you are the most comfortable with. So happy for you that you are reading the scriptures, it is called the living word for a good reason. The Word brings life and peace and understanding in a way that no other book can. May the Holy Spirit guide you and bless you in your journey.
Yeah it is obvious to me now that the mainstream is trying to mock God and get people to approve satanic values. I have a 3 month old daughter. I want to be the best I can for her. Need to be close to God
You wisdom is a gift from God, your love for your daughter is the beginning of wisdom and the gift of love from our Father in heaven. May I suggest starting with the New Testament reading, as you may know the word testament means covenant. So the new testament is the new covenant that God has given us. It makes me so full of joy to know that you are seeking the wisdom and love of Jesus. He is truth, the way and the light. Please know that I am always at your service it there is any way to assist you. Peace and Joy to you and yours.
John 14:6 Jesus answered, "I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.
God bless you too fren
Thank you and May Our Father in heaven bless you and guide you.
Once you get used to the language and if you're protestant english speaker, I'd say KJV. Not sure which one would be better if you're catholic, orthodox or have other languages.
Halfway through reading the link katrina provided. I am leaning towards kjv. Style doesn't seem that difficult
kjv Dr. Kent Hovind Q&A - Why the King James Version
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QUF2JDfUmyA
Make sure you obtain "The Apocrypta" as well. It has mostly fragments from other prophets and writers. Some have been discredited as 300 ~ 400 A.D. Roman Catholic fakes, but it makes interesting reading especially if you have the KJV with annotations. I have a shelf full of Bibles, plus Jewish books and three annotated Korans. All interdasting for understanding early religious movements.
I like parallel Bibles. I read in the old NIV a lot and then will study or read in the KJV. Having both on one page makes it easy to see how different the translations really can be compared to the KJV which undoubtedly stands as the most definitive English translation.
I admit that I've always liked the NASB which may make me the odd ball on the forum. There are just some areas where I believe the KJV is not as accurate in light of more recent discoveries, and others where I think choosing a more idiomatic rendering enhances clarity. ESV is excellent as well, as is the NKJV.
For exoteric reading, NIV '84 is fairly easy to understand and does a decent job with the literal translations, based on the information at hand -- additionally, you can find all of the arguments provided by the translators on why they chose particular words.
For esoteric reading, the best you're going to do in English is 1611 KJV, which while not perfect, and a difficult read if you're not comfortable with old English, is considerably better than other versions for maintaining the ideas conveyed in the Greek and Hebrew. I would also recommend getting a parallel Bible with KJV and the original Greek/Hebrew texts.
The NIV corrupts/deletes entire sections of the bible and downplays the deity of Christ. https://www.jesus-is-lord.com/nivdelet.htm
Memorize the verses using NKJV Spirit Filled Study Bible. The NKJV is largely based on the KJV which in turn is 95% based on the writings of William Tyndale, the first translator of the Bible into English, for which he was burned at the stake. In other words, this version has been watered by the blood of the martyrs of the faith. For understanding and comprehension, use the NLT. Do NOT get the ESV, it has a heavily Calvinistic (denies free will) and cessationist (denies miracles) bias.
I find the NIV and ESV versions easiest to understand.
Download the BIBLEAPP, the icon is brown with yellow letters HOLY BIBLE. It's free. You can read it wherever you are, change the size of the font for old people sight. You can also choose the Bible versions. You can choose to get on the BIBLE IN A YEAR PLAN. it takes an average of 15 minuets a day to read. It also has different devotionals from 3 days to longer. I like the NLT version, but I sometimes compare verses using NKJV, ESV, TPT, MSG & CJB. You can do it all on the BIBLEAPP.
The One Year ® Bible
http://bible.com/r/y
Lol I got a downdoot. Really?
Douay Rheims