….the one you’ll actually read!

I know some will disagree , but if you prefer The Message or some other nonliteral paraphrased version of the Bible , I still think it’s usually better than nothing at all.

Of course I do think it’s best to read other translations and multiple versions to get a more accurate understanding of what God was saying in His Word.

For example, the King James Version, the American Standard Version, and the English Standard Version can be more difficult to read than the New Living Translation or the New International version. But they all contain the good news that God loves us and sent his son Jesus to save us from our sins!

Here’s an example of the King James Version of John 10:1-6

“Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that entereth not by the door into the sheepfold, but climbeth up some other way, the same is a thief and a robber. But he that entereth in by the door is the shepherd of the sheep. To him the porter openeth; and the sheep hear his voice: and he calleth his own sheep by name, and leadeth them out. And when he putteth forth his own sheep, he goeth before them, and the sheep follow him: for they know his voice. And a stranger will they not follow, but will flee from him: for they know not the voice of strangers. This parable spake Jesus unto them: but they understood not what things they were which he spake unto them.”
‭‭John‬ ‭10‬:‭1‬-‭6‬ ‭KJV‬‬
https://bible.com/bible/1/jhn.10.1-6.KJV

Now here’s the same passage in the New Living Translation.

““I tell you the truth, anyone who sneaks over the wall of a sheepfold, rather than going through the gate, must surely be a thief and a robber! But the one who enters through the gate is the shepherd of the sheep. The gatekeeper opens the gate for him, and the sheep recognize his voice and come to him. He calls his own sheep by name and leads them out. After he has gathered his own flock, he walks ahead of them, and they follow him because they know his voice. They won’t follow a stranger; they will run from him because they don’t know his voice.” Those who heard Jesus use this illustration didn’t understand what he meant, so he explained it to them: “I tell you the truth, I am the gate for the sheep.”
‭‭John‬ ‭10‬:‭1‬-‭7‬ ‭NLT‬‬
https://bible.com/bible/116/jhn.10.1-7.NLT

Which one do you prefer?

So remember, it’s okay to start with the easier to read Bible versions or use those as a supplement to the more literal translations . You can even get graphic and children’s versions.

So I say it again, especially if you’re new to the Bible, the best Bible version is the one you’ll get into and really read on a regular basis while praying for God to help you understand it.

Most people do well to start with the basics in the New Testament such as the gospel of Matthew. Other people start with John. The Psalms can be helpful and comforting to those going through difficult times . But if you love history and battles, you might want to read Kings and Chronicles and the linked verses. And you can’t go wrong studying Genesis!

The Bible is an amazing true account of God’s interactions with his created people and world . In it we learn what God is like, what God considers good and bad, and prophecies about what He will do in the future. Don’t you want to know?

Start reading today ! You don’t even need an actual book. You can read it online or download the Bible app for free .