Carefully read all this: Well-meaning ppl suggest u use the King James b/c its the only version authorized by a human king [not God] (drawback - its written in older English not spoken 4 over 130 yrs, good in its day but a huge speed bump now, helps promote Biblical ignorance). Others suggest the New International Version (NIV), but its made 2 appeal 2 humanist ideas (a novel/bedtime story/appeal 2 human nature [what ppl like] NOT what the Bible is 4 = huge roadblock). Actually, God's eternal truth that never changes is present in most standard translations but theres roadblocks/speed bumps b/c of various objectives/agendas (i.e. so-called missing bks dont belong in the Bible (see below)). I use the English Standard Version (ESV) b/c its EASIER 2 READ while adhering 2 the real word 4 word 4mat.
BIBLES
Many dont trust God, r stuck in old traditions & miss the right criteria 4 finding the real truth (buying a Bible b/c u like it isnt a good criteria). 4 40 yrs Iv studied the whole Bible, some parts many times. U want a version that gives u the quickest path 2 the truth (least amnt of speed bumps) 4 the best chance not 2 b confused, which u'll hv along the way - especially 4 young ppl - what u feed children spiritually affects the outcome - input = output - Ur approach, methodology, purpose & attitude (in)directly affect what u learn. I hv access 2 30+ translations. Iv found the best 2 versions (1 or 2 others r almost as good but not needed). Why I use these 2:
The wise know there cant b many versions that can b the best/close 2 the old texts. Theres 3 main types of translations with overlaps/mixtures within each category (dependent on agendas/philosophical approach - some may classify some in 1 category when they belong in another - especially within B&C below - 2 a degree more than 1 method may b used 4 readability or depending on agendas/theology concepts - some overuse):
A. Word 4 word with right amount of literal translation method
B. Dynamic equivalence/thought 4 thought - overused Literal
C. Concept 4 Concept/paraphrased - overused Literal
1a. Word 4 Word
I use Bibles based in "word 4 word" with right usage of "literal" (4 readability) translation methods. The reason is they adhere best 2 original text. The translations, best 1rst, r King James III (KJ III) (newest update) by J. P. Green - also published a Literal Translation & an Interlinear Version (IV) - includes Hebrew&Greek, **English Standard Version (ESV) - the "easiest good version" 2 read (related update of Revised Standard Version (RSV - best older 20th Cnt translation).
1b. Older English Versions
Regrettably all other English translations hv inherent problems/errors. Old English versions like the KJV, American Standard Version (ASV, AmV), Revised English Version (REV), Darby & similar versions r written in older English thats not been used 4 over 130 yrs. While it may b poetically nice the Bible isnt about poetry. The Bible's hard enough 2 understand without trying 2 decipher a long outdated language - even word 4 word trans. wont help.
The truth's hidden in the Bible. It takes lots of time & energy 2 mine it as is. Again, many ppl claim the KJV is the only "authorized" version (KJV is authorized by a "human" king not God & has errors). Many older English words rnt even rightly definable any more. Use of OLD so-called "modern" English only helps promote Biblical ignorance, which overrides its value 4 knowing God.
2. Dynamic Equivalence/Thought 4 Thought
B wise stay away from all other (un)popular versions b/c they, 2 1 degree or another hv rewritten passages/verses. While many were well-meaning they watered down/caused significant changes 2 the meaning of God's actual message/block the true power of God's word from being rightly understood.
Many well-meaning ppl tried 2 make versions so-called easier/more pleasurable 2 read - the Bible isnt a storybook or novel. They were trying 2 please humans instead of God. They used dynamic equivalence, thought 4 thought & used some literal/word 4 word methods of interpretation 4 where the original was obviously better. Where these methods went wrong is b/c they tried 2 1 degree or another 2 rewrite verses in their own words (calling them so-called modern English, etc.) or styles (sentence structure/other issues/errors). The more liberally applied the worse the version (especially 4 hidden agendas).
These versions include: The [NASB], RE, NAV, JB, NEB, KJV, NKJV, NRSV, HCSV, CEV, GNB, NCV, NJB & others with similarly applied methods & sad 2 say all Catholic versions [especially with inclusion of so-called "lost" or Apocrypha books, which dont adhere 2 the same foundation/structure, message or contradict God's 66 true books].
3. Paraphrased/Free Translation
This set includes but isnt limited 2 the NLB, LT, NIV, NIRV, NLV, NLT, TNIV, NLV, The Way - Paraphrased + the Message Bible (worst offenders but all versions listed here r almost as bad as these 2 - they make the Bible more like bedtime stories than the word of God). The more liberally applied the worse the version (especially 4 hidden agendas) - perversion 2 1 degree or another.
These translation methods bend/rewrite &/or water down what was originally intended ([un]intentionally 4 various preferences/agendas). If u want 2 know God's actual message dont use these versions - they will give u a distorted picture/message & u could wind up remembering them that way - especially our impressionable children. Use the 2 versions I list under set 1 2 get 2 know what God actually intended.
Then theres other so-called Bibles that cant lead u 2 God - the New World Translation (JWs), BOM (Mormon), the Qu'ran (Islam/muslims) & others claiming 2 b from God, another testament, update or restoration. The true Comforter is God's Holy Spirit not a human.
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In reading the Bible 1 must know this - theres many ways that seem right 2 men but its end = death & verses must b judged with right judgment. The Bible isnt 2 b read as a novel or a bedtime story. Many think they can just read it & understand it or its rubbish or pick parts of the Bible not easily understood even by seasoned actual Christians.
No matter how much well-meaning ppl (religious or not) read the Bible they cant find Jesus without going directly 2 Him thru His Biblical instructions (Jn 5:39; 10:1,7; 3:3,5). God outsmarted man - the Bible's the only 1 that cant b properly understood without Jesus (Jn 14:6; II Cor 3:14; Is 29:11-12 - If Jewish ppl cant pierce the veil over the OT without Jesus then 4 sure all gentiles cant) - why theres many interpretations & many thinking its just fairy tales (Jesus came with the sword of division).
The Bible severely warns us not 2 trust humans, not even ourselves, clergy/churches/scholars/scientists (Jer 10:2-5,23; Is 2:22; Job 12:11; Prov 14:12; Acts 17:11). So carefully think over what I say. Dont just believe or dismiss what I write so u wont make the mistake many have, getting caught up in religious beliefs that wont lead u 2 God (things written about the Bible r by man not Jesus - like books/commentaries).
Note: Neither a label, title, name, its history, # of members, amount of time it existed or whats stated about them means anything - its whats practiced that makes it valid or a lie or not useful (even with respect 2 Bibles). Most Bibles contain the truth but many hv bad errors.
Many miss this - Jesus is the only 1 in history who said He's "the" way, "the" truth & "the" life & NO 1 can know God except thru Jesus (Jn 14:6 - ref Acts 4:12; Jn 5:39; 10:1,7). So "the" whole truth was complete & there4 finished thru what Jesus taught/did or God doesn't know what He's doing & cant b God. The truth is either fully true or its a lie. The full truth cant contain a lie - the absence of any lie. So any so-called new teaching, other religious beliefs or from self-proclaimed prophets & teachers r null & void & cant lead u 2 God. But God always knew what He's doing & all Jesus would do.
Jesus couldnt have done nor said what He did unless He fully knew the entire OT (the NT didnt exist @ the time of Jesus) - only possible if God sent Him & the Apostles couldnt write the NT unless Jesus allowed them 2 remember & know His purpose (Lk 24:25-27,45). Only God could cause it.
Religions made many fatal errors. They built religions on what man would like God 2 b like. They cant all b right (i.e. Theres 1 Bible, why so many interpretations? - II Pet 1:**19-21). Religion wont teach u much about God (they cant teach what they don't know).
I know many Biblical things but most important is do u know about being Born Anew (Jn 3:3,5)? Whats Biblical is built on it (NT - John is the place 2 start, Chap.3 1rst - the whole Bible is connected 2 John). Im not religious under "church" type labels b/c the Bible is about eternal life not how many rituals u can do (wrong use of the Bible - part of why theres many interpretations). By loving the truth 1rst u'll learn the true love of Jesus Christ.
2 begin 2 find our real Jesus, start with Jn 3:1-14 - note: Nicodemus was very religious but Jesus flatout told him he had missed the 1rst most important step - being Born Anew. 2 be Born Anew u must 1rst understand that no1 can live without breaking God's Law = sin that separates us from God (Rom 3:23; Acts 3:19). There4, u must pray 2 Jesus asking Him 2 forgive ur past sins, accept Jesus Christ as ur 1 & only Savior, ask Him 2 give u God's Holy Spirit (Lk 11:11-13; Jn 15:26; 14:26), seek 2 know & follow Him - u always need a Bible (Jn 7:17; Jn 1:12,13; 3:16,17;21; 36; 5:24: 6:37; 8:12; 10:9; 11:25; 14:6; 20:31; Is 34:16; 46:10 - memorize this verse set - later they helped me).
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