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Choosing a Bible
by Gene van Onstan
http://www.findbible.com
Several generations ago, it was easy to buy a family Bible.
You just went out and got one from the local store. In
fact, depending on your family size and parents~ ages, you
might inherit the one that came down from your ancestors.
But finding a Bible is a little more complicated these
days. Of course you can find Bibles at Christian
bookstores or even large book seller chains. But nowadays,
you have such a large selection of Bibles to choose from it
can be a little confusing. What are the differences
between all these Bible versions ~ do they teach the same
lessons? Which one should you buy?
The majority of Bibles written in English are derived from
the 1611 version. It was translated from the Greek and
Hebrew manuscripts and authorized by England~s then king,
James. Actually, other English Bibles were in print in the
1500s, but the original James~ edition was the first to be
widely available and translated by many knowledgeable
scholars of the times.
This is the version that is still used in contemporary
Protestant churches, in countries all over the world. There
have been others through the ages, but it wasn~t until the
20th century that quite a number of well regarded
translations were written. Those in turn have produced
other versions that have led to the choice of a Bible being
so complex.
The antiquated English language of the King James period
(KJV) of the Bible can be cumbersome for the average 21st
century readers to understand. Common expressions of the
time, such as ~Abraham begot Isaac~ and ~Go to~ (as in
~here, now!~) don~t translate well with regular Bible
teachings, yet it is still possible for most ministers and
readers to understand the meaning with the aid of study
notes.
There are some editions of the Bible that make following
along easier. One of them is the New King James Version
(NKJV). It keeps to the original feeling of the original,
but it also uses some language that makes more sense to us
nowadays. Another is the New International Version (NIV),
which is used throughout the world. It is generally more
up-to-date than the older James editions, making it easier
to grasp the lessons.
The New American Standard version (NAS) enjoys a moderate
amount of popularity by Bible readers today as well. The
style reflects word choices or phrases that are more
uniquely American than some of the other versions.
These modern day versions and others translations, like the
Good News Bible or The Word, closely follow the original
manuscripts and make an effort to maintain accuracy and
preserve the intended meaning, while using modern day
language. If you are confused, you can always consult with
your bookstore salesperson to help find the best Bible for
your use.
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