Bible reading is a fundamental practice for believers, and one that should be highly prioritized. There are dozens of Bible translations existing today. So which one should we be reading?
Truth be told, there is no perfect Bible translation that completely captures the original essence and completeness of the Word of God. There is more to the Bible than it's face value and words. It is a tool and a weapon that is alive and active in our lives.
So if all versions of the Bible have a corresponding strength and weakness, there is really no one recommended Bible translation that all Christians should use. Whether you're reading from the King James Version, New Living Translation, English Standard Version, New International Version or Amplified Version, each one will have a strong point and a weak point and it really depends on what the reader is going after. Here are four considerations for you when choosing the right translation to read.
Use multiple translations
Two words: Cross reference. Do this by putting multiple versions side-by-side and carefully meditating and studying scriptures. That's why God instructed Joshua to "meditate" on scripture and not simply to read it. Meditating involves careful study of every word that is in the Bible, and some words in the Bible will mean completely different things.
Define your goal in reading scripture
There are three general categories of Bible translations -- word-for-word, thought-by-thought and paraphrased translations. Every version serves a different purpose, and it is important that they be used according to the purposes they serve. Studying word etymology, for instance, is best done with versions that are under the word-for-word category.
Know the background of the translation
Some translations were scrutinised by individuals while others by groups or communities. Some translations were written centuries ago while some just decades ago. Knowing the background of the version is a good guide in knowing the function that the Bible version plays.
Leave popularity out as a consideration
New International Version and King James Bible are two of the most popular Bible translations according to number of prints, but they are not always necessarily the best suited for a person. People who like to study the Bible according to the thought or message can do well with NIV, NLT, NRSB or HCSB, while those who like to study word-for-word can do well with NASB, AMP, ESV, RSV or KJV.
