Recommend a Bible

[Desert Snake]

Regardless of what Bible translation you decide on, I would suggest a study Bible. A study Bible has maps, charts, diagrams, cross references, concordance, foot notes on many verses. Each book of the Bible will have an introduction explaining who wrote it, why and for whom and date. A study Bible will have nearly twice as many words compared to a regular Bible. If you have never seen a study Bible, took a look at one at your local library or book store. Also, if you will be reading the Bible often I would suggest a hard cover Bible. It will last longer.

Good advice. I might have to mix & match, preferably I won't have to. There are a couple of things that would be either in the text, or the footnotes, that would be a 'dealbreaker' for me to not purchase a particular edition, so I do have to doublecheck those things before I buy a Bible.

 

[roger1440]

Last year I had purchased the NIV on Amazon. A friend a mine mistakenly threw out my Bible. I needed a new one anyway. The cover on mine was falling off. The NIV came out in 1984 or 1985. It was revised in 1012. The new revised version had made the Bible gender neutral. I think that was the term it used. I wanted the old version cause that’s what I’m used to. It took me a while to hunt one down. Don’t misunderstand me, I not saying one version of the NIV is better than the other.
Zondervan NIV Study Bible: Zondervan: 9780310938965: Amazon.com: Books

 

[Desert Snake]

Last year I had purchased the NIV on Amazon. A friend a mine mistakenly threw out my Bible. I needed a new one anyway. The cover on mine was falling off. The NIV came out in 1984 or 1985. It was revised in 1012. The new revised version had made the Bible gender neutral. I think that was the term it used. I wanted the old version cause that’s what I’m used to. It took me a while to hunt one down. Don’t misunderstand me, I not saying one version of the NIV is better than the other.
Zondervan NIV Study Bible: Zondervan: 9780310938965: Amazon.com: Books

Cool thanks, I was wondering if that was a good edition.

 

[roger1440]

Cool thanks, I was wondering if that was a good edition.

I’m not suggesting the 1985 version of the NIV is better than the revised version that came out in 2012. I’m just saying I have a personal preference for the 1985 edition. I have been reading it for decades. So when mine was thrown out by mistake I wanted to replace it with an identical edition. When the original edition runs out, no more will be printed. It’s being replaced by the 2012 edition.

 

[roger1440]

A few months after I had purchased my Bible a guy I know wanted to buy a Bible. He had asked me what Bible I would suggest. I asked him if he is Catholic or Protestant and what Bible had he read. He leans towards Protestantism and had read the King James Version. I explained to him there are two basic types of translations. One is a formal equivalence. This type is a literal translation. It translates the verses word for word. The only change is the grammar. English grammar differs then Hebrew and Greek. The other type of translation is a dynamic equivalence. It translates the verses thought for thought. This type of translation is easier to understand, but it’s not an exact translation. In simple laymen terms, it’s dumbed down a little. Some dynamic translations are dumbed down a lot. I had suggested for him the NIV. It’s the most popular Bible in the Protestant churches. He had wanted a literal translation, so I had suggested the New King James Version. The original KJV is good but it’s out of date. It was written around 1611. The English language had changed a lot in the last 400 years. It is difficult to understand. The New King James version was written in the early 1970’s. It uses modern English and is much easier to understand. I had also suggested a study Bible. I showed him my study Bible and pointed out the maps, charts, foot notes, etc. It’s kind of like a classroom in a book. I had mentioned to him if he is planning to read it often he would be better off with hardcover Bible, it will last longer. His eye sight isn’t too good so he wanted a large print Bible. After searching the internet for several days with his requirements, I had suggested this NKJV study Bible.
The NKJV Study Bible: Large Print Edition: Thomas Nelson: 9781418549961: Amazon.com: Books

 

[roger1440]

So what Bible you wanna get?

 

[Desert Snake]

So what Bible you wanna get?

I'm thinking KJV. I'm overall satisfied with how the verses are presented, there are some other options of course however I have a large selection of styles if I go that route.

 

[Norman]

Recommend a Bible, OT & NT and extra writings o.k., multilingual word notes are a plus, size doesn't matter, I don't want a bunch of 'extra' cross verse "prophecy" unless it's necessary to meaning.

cheers~disciple

Hello my friend, personally I read the 1611 King James Bible. I prefer the old English. I like the poetic flow and the chiasms that are used in the Hebrew. Good luck with your search for a bible to read.

 

[Desert Snake]

Hello my friend, personally I read the 1611 King James Bible. I prefer the old English. I like the poetic flow and the chiasms that are used in the Hebrew. Good luck with your search for a bible to read.

Awesome, thanks! I didn't know how readable that was.

 

[roger1440]

Awesome, thanks! I didn't know how readable that was.

Here is a link to the KJV 1611 version in PDF
http://theswordbearer.org/downloads/AV1611.pdf

 

[Sonofason]

When I am at my desk, I use:
Genesis 1 KJV

The paperback version I use is the (Authorized King James Version)

 

[arthra]

Over time I've appreciated the George Lamsa translation of the Bible...has a Syriac influence.

 

[Desert Snake]

Over time I've appreciated the George Lamsa translation of the Bible...has a Syriac influence.

And there is another possibility. There are basically a few Bibles I'm waffling between, now another.

 

[LegionOnomaMoi]

Recommend a Bible, OT & NT and extra writings o.k., multilingual word notes are a plus, size doesn't matter, I don't want a bunch of 'extra' cross verse "prophecy" unless it's necessary to meaning.

cheers~disciple

For those with a decent amount of experience:

The UBS's The Greek New Testament and the companion volume A Textual Commmentary on the Greek New Testament.

A Reader's Hebrew Bible by Brown & Smith.

Brenton's The Septuagint with Apocrypha

For those who require or would like additional help making their way through the OT, NT, and related texts:

UBS also put out The UBS Greek New Testament: A Reader's Edition. Although not a companion or associated text, those new to Hellenistic/Koine Greek will find the latest edition of A Grammatical Analysis of the Greek New Testament very helpful. For even more elementary help, the Joint Association of Classical Teacher' Greek Course published New Testament Greek: A Reader. For practice and for additional information on early Christianity, Whitacre's A Patristic Greek Reader may prove useful.

For English, the Ridling's The Bible: NRSV not only contains a good translation but an introduction to both sections of the bible (e.g., "the gospels" or "the Pentateuch") but to every book in the Bible. It also contains the Apocrypha.

Avoid Young's so-called literal translation like the plague unless you are somewhat capable of reading Greek and are using a literal translation the way beginning students of classical languages do. The KJV is a beautiful piece of literature but isn't great for comprehensions purposes. I personally dislike the pretentiously titled "Scholar's Version" of the Gospel's, but it is useful in that it is intended to be as readable as possible.

 

[Shuttlecraft]

Hey guys, you can MAKE YOUR OWN BIBLE!..

Open Wordpad and make a list of categories in alphabetic order such as 'Angels' , Animals' etc like below.
Then as you browse the Bible and come across verses you find especially interesting, keep adding them to the relevant category, and you'll build up quite a collection, I've got hundreds in my wordpad, below are just a few of them.
Bible Gateway is a good site for searching out passages and keywords-
https://www.biblegateway.com/keyword/

ANGELS - "God shall give his angels charge over you to keep you safe" (Psalm 91:9-11)
ANIMALS - "God.. in whose hand is the soul of every living thing" (Job12:10 KJV)
ASHAMED - Jesus said "Whoever's ashamed of me and my words,I'll be ashamed of him" (Mark 8:38 )
BEAUTY - "Womens beauty comes from within,not from braided hair, jewellery and fine clothes"(1 Peter 3:3/4)
BAD PRIESTS - Jesus said "The prostitutes will get to heaven ahead of you,you think you look good in your fancy robes but inside you're full of filth and corruption" (Matt 21:32/Matt 23:27)
BUTTON IT - Jesus said "Every careless word you speak will be judged" (Matt 12:36)
CHILL - "What is your life? You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes" (James 4:14)
COMFORT - Jesus said "In my fathers kingdom are many mansions,I go to prepare a place for you,so that you'll be there with me" (John 14:2-6)
COOL - Jesus said "Whoever speaks a word against me shall be forgiven" (Luke 12:10)
CREDENTIALS - Jesus said "All things about me in the law of Moses,the Prophets and the Psalms,must be fulfilled" (Luke 24:44)
DON'T ARGUE - Jesus said "If people won't listen to you,shake off the dust from your feet as you leave,as a testimony to them" (Matt 10:14/15)
DON'T DANCE - Jesus said "The world wants you to dance to its tune" (Matt 11:16/17)
DON'T GET BOGGED - "Set your mind on things above,not on things on the earth" (Col 3:2)
EVERYWHERE - "Am I only a nearby God? Can you hide? I fill heaven and earth" (Jer 23:23/4)
EVIL - Jesus said "Satan has bound this crippled woman for eighteen years" (Luke 13:16)
FATHER TO ALL - "God is a father of the fatherless" (Psalm 68:5)
FRIENDS - Jesus said "You're my friends if you do what I command,not my servants. Instead,I call you friends.." (John ch 15)
GAME END - Jesus said "Only God knows when Judgment Day will be,I don't know myself" (Mark 13:32)
GOD - "God is love" (1 John 4:8 )
I AM - High Priest asked Jesus "Are you the Son of God?", and Jesus replied "I am" (Mark 14:61)
JUDGEMENT DAY - Jesus said "All in the graves shall come out,to resurrection or damnation" (John 5:28/29)
KIDS - "Children are a heritage of the Lord,and the fruit of the womb is his reward" (Psalm 127:3)
MAD? - "Jesus's family and friends tried to take charge of him,saying he's out of his mind" (Mark 3:21)
MARRIAGE - Jesus said "at the beginning the Creator 'made them male and female, for this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and the two will become one flesh So they are no longer two, but one." (Matt 19:4)
MYSTERY - Jesus said "You hardly believe me when I tell you earthly things,so how would you believe me if I told you heavenly things?" (John 3:12)
NEW TESTAMENT - "The covenant of Jesus is superior to the old one" (Heb 8:6-13)
NONBELIEVERS - "These men blaspheme in matters they do not understand. They are like brute beasts, creatures of instinct, born only to be caught and destroyed.." (2 Peter 2:12)
NO WIMPS - "For God did not give us a spirit of timidity, but a spirit of power.." (2 Tim 1:7)
OCCULT - God says "I will set my face against the person who turns to mediums and spiritists" (Lev 20:6)
ONE GOD - "I am God and there is no other,there is none like me" (Isa 46:9)
ONE PATH - Jesus said "I am the way and the life,nobody comes to God except through me" (John 14:5/6)
POWER - "After Jesus spent the night in prayer,everybody tried to touch him because power was coming from him" (Luke 6:12-19)
PROPHECY - "But you, Bethlehem Ephrathah, though you are small among the clans of Judah, out of you will come for me one who will be ruler over Israel, whose origins are from of old, from ancient times" (Micah 5:2)
REJECTION - Jesus said "Whoever rejects me rejects God" (Luke 10:16)
SATAN - Jesus said "He was a murderer from the beginning, not holding to the truth, for there is no truth in him. When he lies, he speaks his native language, for he is a liar and the father of lies" (John 8:44)
SAY IT - Jesus said "Say you're mine in front of people,and I'll say I'm yours in front of my Father" (Matt 10:32)
SIMPLICITY - Paul said "I'm worried lest you be led astray from the simplicity of Christ" (2 Cor 11:3)
SUFFERING - Jesus said "To follow me you must carry your own cross daily" (Luke 9:23)
WELCOME - Jesus said "Whoever comes to me, I will never turn away" (John 6:37)
WHOLE LAW - Jesus said "Love God and your neighbour, this is the whole law" (Matt 22:36)
WINNERS - "Who has beaten the world? Whoever believes Jesus is the Son of God" (1 John 5:5)
WORK - Jesus said "The work God requires is to believe in the one he has sent" (John 6:28 )
---------------------------------------------------------

Example- here's a bunch of verses you could put into the Angel category to keep building it up, catch my drift?-

ANGELS
"Do not forget to entertain strangers, for by so doing some people have entertained angels unawares"- Hebrews 13:2
"If you make the Most High your dwelling then no harm will befall you,
for he will command his angels concerning you to guard you in all your ways" (Psalm 91:9-11)
"Then Manoah inquired of the angel of the Lord,What is your name, so that we may honor you when your word comes true?
He replied, "Why do you ask my name? It is beyond understanding" (Judges 13:17/18)
"And God sent an angel to destroy Jerusalem. But as the angel was doing so, the Lord saw it and was grieved because of the calamity and said to the angel who was destroying the people, "Enough! Withdraw your hand."... David looked up and saw the angel of the Lord standing between heaven and earth, with a drawn sword in his hand extended over Jerusalem. Then David and the elders, clothed in sackcloth, fell facedown" (1 Chron 21:15/16)
"The angel of the Lord asked him, “Why have you beaten your donkey these three times? I have come here to oppose you because your path is a reckless one before me. The donkey saw me and turned away from me these three times. If it had not turned away, I would certainly have killed you by now, but I would have spared it.” Numbers 22:32/33)

 

[Desert Snake]

When I am at my desk, I use:
Genesis 1 KJV

The paperback version I use is the (Authorized King James Version)

Yes, part of it is the selection of styles, as I mentioned before, aside from the fact that I don't believe there is any 'extra' faulty speculation added in the KJV versions, pretty much keeps me from getting other versions if I disagree with those notations.

 

[ChristineES]

You know, you could choose a parallel bible. Some have two translations side by side and others have 3 and 4 translations side by side. That way, you could get more than one translation together and compare them a little easier.

 

[anotherglenda]

Howard's Hebrew Matthew is definitely worth a read. You can print out a downloaded copy. I appreciate Brenton's Septuagint with apocrypha too (have hard copy along with other bibles ... plus have as many alternatives as possible on e-sword program ... always worth checking alternative versions in an attempt to overcome possible agendas of translators). The New World Translation is worth downloading too.

 

[Nada]

It has been 6 months now.When are you planning on getting this bible?

 

[Desert Snake]

You know, you could choose a parallel bible. Some have two translations side by side and others have 3 and 4 translations side by side. That way, you could get more than one translation together and compare them a little easier.

I'm currently thinking I want two different Bibles, (A parallel would be nice however I doubt it is available), and an Apocrypha.