If you don't know the answer to these questions, I will try to answer it in these pages. If you are not familiar with the Bible and don't presently own one, I would urge you to get one.

The question now is, which one, there are so many different types out there? True, there are dozens of different translations out there to choose from, and most of them are good, but some are better. Below is a short list of the more common translations.

• King James Version: Commonly abbreviated as KJV, AV. or AV1611. This is the old tried and true version that virtually all older Christians learned from. It is a good literal translation, but the Elizabethan English can be hard to understand for a person who is not familiar with the style
• New King James Version: Commonly abbreviated as NKJV. This is more than a modernized version of the KJV. It is actually a retranslation of the scriptures using the same text sources as its predecessor.
• New International Version: Commonly abbreviated as NIV. This is a new translation using, what is called, the dynamic equivalence method. Rather than being a a word for word translation, it is a thought for thought or concept for concept translation. The translators tried to express ancient concepts and modernize them for easier understanding by a modern world. The NIV is by far the most popular translation, out selling the combined sales of all others. It is a very readable translation.
• New American Standard Bible: Commonly abbreviated as NASB, NASV, & NAS. This Bible, as well as the NIV, uses what are believed to be more ancient sources for its text. The Dead Sea Scrolls and many 2nd and 3rd century Greek texts were not known at the time the KJV was written. The NASB is a literal translation, translating word for word what is in the original languages, and putting it in to modern English. This Bible is very literal and is excellent for deep study, but its language may seem a little stiff to those not familiar with the Bible.
• New Living Translation: Commonly abbreviated as NLT. This is also a dynamic translation. This is an excellent translation for anyone who is not familiar with the Bible at all. The translators used modern English and simplified the presentation of biblical concepts, without compromising the truths that are presented. Occasionally, some things are lost in this translation, but it is still an excellent place to start. This Bible is extremely easy to read and is especially suitable for those with no Biblical background.

There it is, a short list of good Bibles. All of them have their merits and their deficiencies, but they all present the word of God and His plan of Salvation. If you are really interested in learning about God and His Son, Jesus, and can afford it, buy several translations. The minor differences will help you understand the subtle nuances of the original languages that are not translatable with just one English word.

If you are not sure of which translation interests you, you can check out the differences online at The Bible Gateway . Read a chapter or passage from one translation, then click on a different translation to read the same passage and see the differences.

As additional resources, I would suggest a good one or two volume commentary, such as the Wycliff Bible Commentary, an English dictionary and a Bible dictionary. Most importantly, buy the Bible first, the others as you may have need.

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If you have any questions or comments .

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