Most popular Bibles contain the truth but b4 u waste alot of time & money read this post. Trust God 2 know what He's doing. Many spend their time reading everything about the Bible but dont come 2 know whats actually written in the Bible.
1 should b cautious in accepting anything just b/c some1 says its so (the Bible warns us severely not 2 trust any1, even ourselves - Jer 10:2-5,23; Is 2:22; Job 12:11; Pr 14:12; Acts 17:11). Carefully think over what I say but dont just believe or disbelieve it. This might keep u from making many religious mistakes that others have made along the way.
Always remember: Neither a label, title, name, its history nor the amount of time something exists means anything - its whats behind them that makes it valid or a lie or not useful (even with respect 2 Bibles). Most Bibles contain the truth but many have too many errors.
Its best 2 use a version that'll give u the quickest path 2 the truth & 2 have the best chance of overcoming confusion, which comes along the way - especially 4 young peole - what u feed children spiritually will effect the outcome - imput = output (Always get a Bible that provides references 2 look up related texts). I have access 2 30+ translations. I have found the 2 best versions (1 or 2 others r almost as good but not needed. The following is why I use these 2:
Unfortunately, theres many translations & not all r good. Being wise we know there cant be many versions that can be the best/close 2 the original texts. Theres 3 main types of translations with overlaps/mixtures within each catagory (dependant on agendas or philosophical approach - some may classify some in 1 catagory when they may fit in or belong in another - especially within B & C below - 2 a degree more than 1 method may be used 4 readability or depending on agendas or theology concepts - some overuse):
A. Word 4 word &/or literal translations
B. Dynamic equivalence or thought 4 thought or overused Literal
C. Concept 4 Concept or paraphrased or overused Literal
1a. Word 4 Word &/or Literal Trans.
Bible trans. I use r based on "word 4 word" &/or some "literal" translation methods - some literal added 4 easier reading. The reason is they adhere best to the originally 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 (a related update of Revised Standard Version (RSV - best older translation), New American Standard Bible (NASB) - (update: a little harder 2 read - moved 2 B - like NKJV it has sentence structure issues & more errors), & Amplified Version (AV) (harder 2 read than the others & sentence structure/agenda issues).
1b. Old English Versions
Regrettably all other English translations have inherent problems & errors. The Old English versions like the King James Version (KJV), American Standard Version (ASV), Revised English Version (REV), Darby & other similar versions r written in old English thats not been used 4 over 175 years. While it may be poeticly nice the Bible isnt about poetry. The Bible's hard enough 2 understand without trying 2 decifer a long outdated language - even word 4 word/literal methods wont help much.
The truth's hidden in the Bible & it takes lots of time & energy 2 mine it as is. Theres many well-meaning people whom will tell u King James is the only "authorized" version (KJV is authorized by a "human" king not God). Many words used in old English rnt even rightly definable any more. Sadly, the Catholic church started on a wrong platform & continued 2 add more twisted teachings (Other religions followed suit 2 1 degree or another) & Bibles reinforcing their wrong teachings followed (rewritten 2 suit them). Use of old English only helps promote Biblical ignorance (which teachers shall b judged 4).
2. Dynamic Equivelance &/or Thought 4 Thought
Its good 2 stay away from all other popular versions b/c they, 2 1 degree or another have rewritten passages/verses. While many were well-meaning they watered down or caused significant changes 2 the meaning of God's actual message &/or block the true power of God's word from being rightly understood.
Many well-meaning people tried 2 make versions so-called easier or more pleasurable to read - the Bible isnt a storybook or novel - but they were trying 2 please humans instead of God. They used dynamic equivalence &/or thought 4 thought &/or used some literal/word 4 word methods of interpretation thrown in 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. The more liberally applied the worse the version (especially if they had hidden agendas).
These versions include: sad 2 say all Catholic versions [especially with inclusion of so-called "lost" or Apocrypha books, which dont adhere 2 the foundation/structure of & contradicts the rest of the Bible](some wont like this), the (NASB), REKJV, NKJV, NRSV, HCSV, CEV, GNB, NCV & others with similarly applied methods.
3. Paraphrased or Free Translation & over usage of Literal
This catagory includes but isnt limited 2 the 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 the Paraphrased/Message Bibles - they lean toward making 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 of God's word.
These translation method(s) bend, rewrite &/or water down what was originally intended ([un]intentionally 4 various preferences/agendas). If u want the best chance of finding God's actual message dont use these versions - they'll give u a distorted picture & message & u could wind up remembering them that way, instead of what God intended - especially our impressionable children). Use the 2 versions I list under catagory 1 2 get 2 know what God actually intended.
Then theres other so-called Bibles having nothing 2 do with God. They r the New World Translation (JWs), Mormon (BOM), 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 Muhammed or other self-proclaimed prophets or teachers.
Many religions made many fatal mistakes as they built religions on what man would like God 2 be like. But they cant all be 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). But it doesnt mean God doesnt know what He's doing.
The main point missed: Jesus Christ is the only 1 in history whom stated that He's "the" way, "the" truth & "the" life & no 1 can get 2 God except by Him (Jn 14:6; 5:39; 10:1,7; Acts 4:12). Either thats fully true or theres no truth & cant be any God (He knows what He's doing or He's not God).
Since Jesus stated He's the only way 2 know whom God is, this means "the" whole truth was complete & there4, finished thru what Jesus taught & did. This means any so-called new teaching & any other religious beliefs or from self-proclaimed prophets & teachers r invalid, null & void & cant lead u 2 God. But I assure u God always knew what He's doing, including all Jesus would do.
Jesus couldnt have done nor said what He did unless He had full knowledge of the entire Old Testament (the New Testament didnt exist @ the time of Jesus - the only way Jesus could've understood the whole OT is if God was with Him) & the Apostles couldnt remember & write down all thats in the NT unless Jesus allowed them to remember & know His purpose (Lk 24:25-27,45). This wasnt possible unless an incredibly Intelligent Being made it happen.
But God outsmarted man - the Bible's the only 1 known 2 man that cant be properly understood without going thru Jesus (Jn 14:6; II Cor 3:14; Is 29:11-12 - If Jewish people cant pierce the veil over the OT without Jesus then 4 sure neither can all gentiles). This is why theres so many interpretations & many thinking its all fairytales (Jesus came with the sword of division).
God is well aware many people would [un]intentionally twist & prevert His Word so He invented a system in the Bible that will never change (Just like God & Jesus - more visible in word 4 word/literal versions).
2 begin finding our real Jesus Christ, 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 has lived without sinning against God, breaking God's Law (Rom 3:23; Acts 3:19). There4, u must pray 2 Jesus asking Him 2 forgive ur past sins (sin separates us from God), 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 will always need ur 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 last set of verses - later in my life they came back 2 me & helped me).
Whoever seeks Jesus with all his heart & soul will find Him (u shall know the truth & it'll set u free). Why should God want u 2 live with Him forever if u dont want 2 know Him (reason 4 free will - Jn 1:12-13)? The truth of God remains forever unchanged while things of a man dies with him, including his religions & gods made in his image. Theres eternal hope only in Jesus Christ of Nazareth.
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