Yes it is time! I have decided to read the Bible.

I don't have much knowledge of Christianity and the Bible but I have picked up here that there are different versions? A King James version perhaps, I remember that being mentioned. Which is the best/easiest to start with?

Thanks in advance

My friend religion was designed for one purpose and that is to confuse and to deceive mankind. Bibles can be used as a reference towards the right way in life. If you want to read spiritual knowledge and learn all there is to know study the Kabbalah. Its secret knowledge past down from Moses, Abraham, Ezekiel, David, Solomon it will help you on your journey. GOOD LUCK!!

That's where I kind of am at the moment.



Thanks champ!

Skip most of it and go straight to where all the action is in Revelations...

At least read the stories ansd see where you can apply them to your daily life, the treating of others, love and family...It really doesnt persuade one to believe one way or the other...but parabels and analogy that just make sense...Give it a chance. you dont have to buy it hook line and sinker...but something to think about.

Please share what parts you find apply today to life with us.

Blessings

Actually some other good chapters with a lot of action would be Eziekiel. It's one of my favorites because so many Angels of the Lord come directly to him for long periods of time and months at a time. Plus Eziekiel speaks a lot about the future our times now actually most is metaphors but some is explained in lamen terms. Definately read into the Kabbalah, Torah, Zohar. It will enlighten and give more than Christianity can offer for as explanations and a closer connection with the DIVINE LIGHT.....which is GOD

Best value for the money is a Roman Catholic bible - more books .

The language in King James is older, and so there is some of the problem most modern people report when reading secular works of similar vintage, like Shakespeare or Marlowe

http://www.biblegateway.com/versions/

is a good shopping guide, and you can sample to find one you like.

Thanks everybody for your information, I'll be back tomorrow.

I was researching it on the net and then I thought - duh why not ask the good folks on UM. Ciao for now

Hi Belgis -- you just may have started a contentious subject-thread.

If you do decide on a King James, then consider the Modern King James Version ... it avoids the olden "thees" and "thous", etc. Many people will recommend the NIV, but that's just another personal choice, in my opinion.

Better still -- make your own educated decision by taking plenty of time before buying a Bible. For example, you could click on http://www.biblegateway.com/versions/ and read some translations there. The best way would be to pick any particular chapter that catches your interest, and read that chapter in the various available translations ... then go by what appeals to you.

Best of luck in your reading,

Lol I really thought it would be the least contentious thread I ever started!

Yes I wanted to avoid the thees etc so thanks.

The best? The 27th Edition of the Nestle-Aland text and a recent, critical edition of the Septuagint.

Of course, you will need to know Koine Greek to read those.

IF there is but one God......why then are there over 100 versions (and counting) of the Bible in the English language alone?

Christianity is the most fractured religion there has ever been.

Hmm, interesting question really, when looked at in depth with an analytical eye, one must notice, this is about a book allegedly from god, yet, we are not sure which version to read, indicating some better than others, should god not have just one book, one version, no confusion.

anyway, when i studied christianity, i found that most people read the KJV, but i would also recommend the RSV, revised standard version, as it has been put together by the leading 50 biblical scholars, lead by the same number of denominations and they use over 24000 ancient manu scripts, to compare with. therefore you wont find verse like the one which quotes, there are three that bare the record in heaven, the revised standard version find no evidence of such verse in the manuscripts and have called it a fabrication, one of many.

My recommendation would be to read both, so you can compare from each version, which chunk have been added and which have been removed.

Hmm.....

Revelation 22
18. I warn everyone who hears the words of the prophecy of this book: If anyone adds anything to them, God will add to him the plagues described in this book.
19. And if anyone takes words away from this book of prophecy, God will take away from him his share in the tree of life and in the holy city, which are described in this book.

Nice, those verse describe the scribes who added and took away from the original bible, hence more than 100 versions today. The RVS works with oldest manuscripts available, the closest to the original, and they found some verse which modern day christian find intheir bibles, no where to be found in the older sources.

Those versus also are talking about your precious Quran

Spoil my fun will you....

(ESV) English Standard Version. One of the newest translations and regarded as "more literal than the popular New International Version, but more idiomatic than the New American Standard Bible (which is commonly known as the most literal of the modern translations)."

As always . OZI craming his religion down everyone thoats again. I am happy your a muslin. I am glad I am not

I am sorry went off the topic. I like the Good new for modern man. Was very easy to read and understand.

I'm olny 13...And I use the King James Version...It gives the menaing of the text alot more...

o

The Bible that you can understand best is the Bible that's the best.
Because what's the use of getting the "best" Bible if you haven't got a clue on what they're talking about.
anyone see my point?

Even though I am fluent in all the original Biblical languages, and belive in literal translation, I would recomend the New Living Translation (NLT). It is very easy to read. Simple, non-religious wording. Smooth speech. And I really like the "spirit" of the language. It seems very un-biased.

It is very important though, that you do not start at Genesis. That is assuming you are going for a Christian Bible. If so, one must start in the New Testament. Start at the begining. Matthew, Mark, Luke, John. It is the 'core' of Christianity. And personally, I don't care much for the Old Testament, or Paul's letters in the NT. But Jesus taught some cool stuff. And, if you know what Jesus taught, you can battle any Christian. Most Christians don't even know Christ's teaching. Or they quote the OT or Paul, where it contradicts Jesus. Or adhere to a denominational creed or teaching. But if you know what Christ taught (mostly cool stuff), you can stand up to any crazy Christian: "Well, did Christ teach that?" or "Well, Jesus actually said this". It's a powerful tool.

If one did read the OT, Genesis and Exodus have all the famous epic stories. But I like the wisdom books the best. Proverbs, Ecclesiastes, Psalms are friendly for all, and full of cool stuff.

I am a scholar of Biblical languages and texts, and I don't really like the NASB. Everyone who does my kind of work usually does. But it's not really "the most literal" as it claims. All it does is render the verbs so literal to the point that it is very difficult to read. I like literal, but it really is not a great translation.

NIV is half-and-half. I find it pretty good. Though, I really do not like it's selection of English vocabulary. I hold the NLT to be comparable to the NIV, but with a much better English vocabulary base. Easier and more to the point of meaning. Though the NLT is supposed to be more paraphrase than NIV.

So far from what I've seen, the ESV does seem pretty cool.

I would have to agree with this.
If someone only had money to buy one to browse through this would be the best pick.

Novum Testamentum Graeca, Septuaginta, Biblia Hebraica Stuttgartensia, and Synopsis Quttuor Evangeliorum are the way to go. However, I think 'which English translation' is the question here.



That is one of it's largest downfalls. I know the original languages of the Bible, and as far as I'm concerned, there's pretty much one way to translate it. But you get denominations adding their own slant on things when they put 90% into a translation committee.

It's funny. Ask anyone who knows Classical Greek, if there is such a confusion on translating Homer or Plato and they will always say "of course not, you just translate it." But when it comes to the Bible, people want to change it to suit their own needs....

Catholic Bibles are usually done fairly scholarly actually. They usually seem pretty acurate and impressive. However, I think they often have a deficiency in their selection in vocabulary. Often difficult English words, or ones with strong religious cannotation. However, overall, they have my approval.

Also a good question is

Which gospel is the best?

My research into christianity is that there are many gospels and many different versions of the same thing

Here is a list

Completely preserved Gospels
Gospel of Mark, canonical
Gospel of Matthew, canonical
Gospel of Luke, canonical
Gospel of John, canonical
Gospel of Thomas
Gospel of Truth
Coptic Gospel of the Egyptians
Gospel of Nicodemus (also known as the "acts of Pilate")
Secret Gospel of Mark
Gospel of Barnabas

Infancy Gospels
Gospel of Pseudo-Matthew
Infancy Gospel of Thomas
Infancy Gospel of James
Arabic Infancy Gospel

The Nag Hammadi Library, among which the Gospel of Thomas & the Gospel of Truth were rediscovered
Partially preserved Gospels
Gospel of Judas
Gospel of Peter
Gospel of Mary
Gospel of Philip

Reconstructed Gospels
Gospel of the Ebionites
Gospel of the Nazoraeans
Gospel of the Egyptians
Gospel of Q (also known as the "Q document")

Fragmentary preserved Gospels
Gospel of the Saviour (also known as the unknown Berlin gospel)
Papyrus Egerton 2
Gospel of Mani
Gospel of Eve
Gospel of the Twelve
Oxyrhynchus Gospels
Fayyum Fragment
Dialogue of the Saviour

Lost Gospels
Gospel of Bartholomew
Gospel of the Hebrews
Gospel of Matthias
Gospel of the Seventy
Gospel of the Four Heavenly Realms
Gospel of Perfection
Gospel of Marcion


----------taken from wikipedia

take your pick

I've read most of those. And I'd have to say I like the canonical Matthew the best. Good practical life lessons. John is too spiritual/theological by itself.

I like the King James. I would also recommend the Catholic bible. In that case, the Holy Trinity bible.

I think the Catholic version, called "The New American Bible" (I think) is the best, it is heavily footnoted and cross-referenced, plus contains more books covering the in-between few hundred years bridging the gap from the Old to New Testaments. In particular, how the Herodian dynasty came to power and the Jewish revolt against it, which led to the festival of Hannukah. (Probably a lot of Jews don't know why they celebrate Hannukah, for an explanation read the Catholic Bible, in particular these books are called "The Apocrypha."
Last but not least, a very interesting book that both Protestants and Catholics left out is the "Book of Enoch", which is found in the Ethiopian Bible (and on-line.) I see nowadays a lot of youtube videos based on Enoch, and that's where the terms "Watchers" and "Nephilim" come from, some sort of hybrids between angels and humans.

The original.

and I forgot to add that if you're really interested, there are several books that didn't make it into the Bible, such as the Nag-Hammadi Gnostic writings, including the Gnostic Gospel of Thomas (sort of featured in the semi-horror movie, 'Stigmata').
There may be about 30 'Gospels According to ....." that didn't make the cut. And the Dead Sea Scrolls are interesting to read, in light of the fact that some religious scholars think that Jesus, John the Baptist, and even Paul had ties to the secluded community of Qumran. And the theories further hypothesize that Qumran was a pseudo-Zoroastrian/Jewish sect. And on that note, just who were the "Three Wise Men from the East", Zoroastrian astrologers from Persia? Interesting debate on what the significance is of their apperance in the Nativity stories......

I have chanced upon a New International Version so I will start reading that for now. Thank you all for your suggestions.

NIV is pretty good. Start there (and I suggest reading the begining of the NT first: Matthew, Mark, Luke, John- couldnt stress this more)

I would recommend the NIV, as others have said it is easy to read, maybe the best. The ESV I would also highly recommend. I like them because they are in plain English and I would personally prefer them to the KJV for general reading. Although I can read it I find the flowery language used a little frustrating at times, and I think you need to understand what's being said, certain passages can be tricky at the best of times without that! I haven't heard of the NLT, I shall keep an eye out.

~B'Elanna

As a "lay person", I tend to refer to the MKJV, ESV, ASV and to the NIV translations -- to try to gain clarity.

When I want to see different ways of translating any verse,
I click on E-sword's [free to download] *Compare* option; for example:
Joh 1:1

(ASV) In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.

(BBE) From the first he was the Word, and the Word was in relation with God and was God.

(Bishops) In the begynnyng was the worde, & the worde was with God: and that worde was God.

(CEV) In the beginning was the one who is called the Word. The Word was with God and was truly God.

(EMTV) In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.

(ESV) In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.

(GNB) In the beginning the Word already existed; the Word was with God, and the Word was God.

(GNT) ᾿Εν ἀρχῇ ἦν ὁ Λόγος, καὶ ὁ Λόγος ἦν πρὸς τὸν Θεόν, καὶ Θεὸς ἦν ὁ Λόγος.

(GW) In the beginning the Word already existed. The Word was with God, and the Word was God.

(ISV) In the beginning, the Word existed. The Word was with God, and the Word was God.

(JPS)

(KJV+) InG1722 the beginningG746 wasG2258 theG3588 Word,G3056 andG2532 theG3588 WordG3056 wasG2258 withG4314 God,G2316 andG2532 theG3588 WordG3056 wasG2258 God.G2316

(KJV-1611) In the beginning was the Word, & the Word was with God, and the Word was God.

(KJVA) In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.

(LITV) In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.

(MKJV) In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.

(Murdock) In the beginning, was the Word; and the Word was with God; and the Word was God.

(RV) In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.

(Webster) In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.

(WNT) In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.

(YLT) In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God;


When I post to UM, I usually copy-paste from the "Modern King James Version" (MKJV), because
* it is clearer in meaning than the KJV
* and I can source-reference Bible word translations from Strong's, using MKJV.
-=-=-

Regarding the "New Living Translation" (NLT), B'Elanna -- if you have downoaded the free modules from E-sword, you can download the NLT also, but they charge money for it. The following is on the e-sword website:

"This resource is locked and will require you to purchase the security key for $14.99"
Seeing that Will recommends the NLT translation, I will seriously consider getting it.

Hope this was of some use,
Karlis

I use the NIV as my main bible and read a little of the KJV as well. I would say the best way is to read two different versions at the same time but this is of course more work. Also you might want to look into bible commentary's that show you the history behind the written books and what you are reading etc. It's up to you how much you want to learn.

Also, I would start with the gospels of the new testament as salvation is the book's main intention. Mark, Matthew, etc. Before I read the bible I pray to God and ask Him to help me understand it. Good luck and hopefully you will get a lot out of it.

Hi Belgis,

read them all and pick the one which is easiest for you to understand , and comprehend, Then interpret away.

Love Omnaka

Read the old testament, unless you want to be a hypocrite... But if your just reading it for the lulz and dont have any religous intent... Still read the old testament! 

Yes, read the OT, but to "perhaps" give you a somewhat realistic insight into the culture, mores and morals of ancient Israel, please make a judicious comparison of Israel with the ancient Britons of the days and times and morals and mores -- as portrayed in the movie "Braveheart".

If you have not watched "Braveheart" -- hire a video, and then tell us what are your thoughts about this comparison.

Enjoy your popcorn, while viewing the violence, blood and gore -- as contrasted with the soaring spirit of Man, in a violently primitive culture.

It is a fascinating how the Bible does not gloss over the flaws of character of God's chosen people, but highlights the worst and the best; contrasting and comparing the circumstances that brought these characteristics into historical existence. Sadly, we do not seem to be learning from what is written in the pages of the Bible.
Karlis

The question of which version is moot because the Bible twice warns that it has been altered. The first place is Matthew 13:33 which reads, "Another parable spake he unto them; The kingdom of heaven is like unto leaven, which a woman took, and hid in three measures of meal, till the whole was leavened." A second place is Luke 13:21 which reads, "It is like leaven, which a woman took and hid in three measures of meal, till the whole was leavened."

This situation causes the question: in addition to the warning about alterations, was a way provided to remove the alterations? Yes. The way is thrice mentioned. The first mention is at Deuteronomy 19:15 which reads, "One witness shall not rise up against a man for any iniquity, or for any sin, in any sin that he sinneth: at the mouth of two witnesses, or at the mouth of three witnesses, shall the matter be established. The second mention is at Matthew 18:16 which reads, "But if he will not hear thee, then take with thee one or two more, that in the mouth of two or three witnesses every word may be established." The third mention is at 2 Corinthians 13:1 which reads, "This is the third time I am coming to you. In the mouth of two or three witnesses shall every word be established." Their commonality, which is the way to remove the alterations, reads, "In the mouth of two or three witnesses shall every word be established."

This way has been applied to the first four books of the so-called New Testament, and is being applied elsewhere in the Bible. The results are available for inspection at http://greatriddle.flifree.com

To summarize: 1- the premise that the entire Bible is the word of God has been shown to be false; 2- the actual word of God is now available for discussion; 3 - discussions about the actual word of God can therefore replace the discussions about the altered word of God.

they all hold the same amount of editing and rewriting. stories based on older religions and cultures ........... so their all about the same.

you can get a free downloadable version(or use the online one) here
you can if you wish, get it on cd (also free but you have to pay the shipping)

It has several versions as well as several references. for free it is a good program. (written by a pro programer)

After you have read the bible, if you wish to read the koran you can download a free one, here

written and translated by muslims, (I also have one that was translated by a scholar(non religious) aand the translations are very close to being identical)

Good luck and enjoy your reading.

"Which Bible is best?"

the one in the garbage

Dont know if that was meant as a criticism, but one could also argue it is the most universal religion of all time, and that any religion which caters for such diversity will inevitably have many cultural and ethnic interpretations.

Fractured has very negative connotations. you might more positively say it has become the most inclusive religion ever by including everyone from the pagans of the first few centuries to the social revolutionaries of the second half of the 20th century.

This also helps answer belgis/Belles(youll have to explain that one to me some time) original q. It is important to find a bible which meets not only your reading level but, more importantly, one which matches you socio/cultural back ground and expectations.

Thus i avoid the catholic bible and also modern language translations, and stick to the kjv because i love the language and the descripitive/ emotive power it brings to stories;which are meant (in my opinion) to have that power, and beauty, within them.

We have perhaps a dozen different versions of the bible at home. My wife particularly likes reading those which come in two very different translations side by side, so she can compare and analyse the different interpretations, omissions, and inclusions in her daily bible readings and studies. I guess there are excellent online versions as well, but only having broadband come to our little town in december last year, we are not really techno- literate enough to bother with those.

Whatever version you use, a good concordance, bible dictionary/reference, and maps of the areas concerned are always interesting and useful.

The living Word is the best. The one written on the hearts of the believer.

As I stated before I prefer the ESV but the KJV is the one I grew up with and I do not fail to see its poetic beauty or that of the language. Also as you mentioned that references also help in studying and for using a concordance the KJV is the best since Strong's is one of the best concordances if not the best IMHO Though there might have been more recent advances in concordances. Anyone have recommendations for concordances? The Amplified Version is also good for comparison studying.

Most though say the best Bible is the KJV Thompson Chain Reference Bible in a Genuine Leather Bound edition ^__^

I have yet to buy one. The ones me and my wife use when we go to church are Zondervan KJV Reference Bible Platinum Edition. Have a ton of others from a few more Zondervans, few Nelsons, Vines Expository Reference Edition, Gideons Pocket New Testament, down to Reina-Valera in Spanish.