Which Version of the Bible is Right for Me?

Buying a Bible? Have you thought about buying bibles online? There are so many versions out there to choose from don’t just settle for whatever version they have at Walmart. You need to get the version that is right for you and if you buy your bible online, you can choose from just about any version you want. So, which version is right for you?

It used to be that the King James Version of the Bible was considered by many to be the only reliable translation. Today, dozens of English translations are available. With so many Bible translations to choose from, it's hard to know which one is right for you. You may wonder, what's unique about each translation. Generally speaking, some are better for study, others are more suited for easy reading rather than accuracy. It’s not so much about which version is best, but how the Bible is used. Each translation has its particular strengths and weaknesses.

So what kinds of differences are there among the different versions? Some versions are attempts to translate the original Hebrew, Aramaic and Greek into English on a word-for-word basis. Other versions paraphrase the original text. They attempt to preserve the original meaning without necessarily translating each word of the original. Still others are a compromise between the word-for-word approach and the meaning-preservation approach.

If you are interested in a serious study of the Bible, including grammar and vocabulary, you will want a more literal translation that is bases on the word-for word approach. If however you are more interested in reading the Bible more as a story, then a freer translation based on the paraphrasing approach may be better.

So why do we have so many different versions of the Bible? There are a couple of reasons. One is simply updating the language. Many versions were made a long time ago. Over time language changes. Words fall out of use; new words come into use; and meanings of words change. Many versions of the Bible try to update the language used so that they are more easily understood.

Another reason for different versions is to clarify meaning. The best version of the bible would be one where the meaning of the original author is clear and accurate. The problem is that there are no original manuscripts. The original manuscripts were copied and passed down and recopied and passed down and so on. Remember they were originally written long before the printing press. What would happen is that scribes would copy earlier books, and as they did so,
they wrote notes on the margins of the page to correct their text, especially if a scribe accidentally omitted a word or line, and to comment about the text. When later scribes were copying the copy, they were sometimes uncertain if a note was intended to be included as part of the text. Over time, different regions evolved different versions, each with its own assemblage of omissions and additions.

Most versions we have today come from the evolved versions that were copied and re-copied several times. We just don’t have any of the early manuscripts. Because of this sometime there is some ambiguity as to the original meaning of the author. Throughout the years different versions have arisen in an attempts to interpret and clarify meaning. Also from time to time, earlier manuscripts are discovered and then used in translating a new version of the Bible.

Another reason that we have different versions of the Bible is that often different denominations interpret certain passages or concepts differently according to their theology and so will publish a new version or translation that they believe is correct and in accordance with the original authors meaning.

Although one version may be suited for a particular purpose, it is good to have several Bible translations on hand rather than only one version. That way one can compare several translations, especially for passages that are difficult to understand. By using different versions of the Bible, readers can gain a richer understanding and appreciation for scripture because they gain different perspectives from each translation.

Buy Bibles Online School

Welcome to The Buy Bibles Online Bible School.  The place to learn all you need to know before you buy your Bible.

Which Version of the Bible is Right for me?
The Old Testament
The New Testament
Compare Several Popular Versions of the Bible

Buy Bibles Online Store

If you’re not sure which Bible Version is right for you, head over to the Buy Bibles Online school, where you can learn more about the Bible, read up on some of the different versions, and compare verses from different translations to get some hands on experience with some of the different versions.

Popular Versions of the Bible

New American Standard Version
New International Version
New King James Version
King James Version
The Message
The Amplified Bible
English Standard Version
Holman Christian Standard Bible
New Living Translation Bible

Buy Bibles Online: New Living Translation Bible

The New Living Translation Bible (NLT Bible) guides every Christian into deepening their personal relationship with Christ. The goal of any Bible translation is to convey the meaning of the ancient Hebrew and Greek texts as accurately as possible to the modern reader. The New Living Translation is based on the most recent scholarship in the theory of translation. The challenge for the translators was to create a text that would make the same impact in the life of modern readers that the original text had for the original readers. In the New Living Translation, this is accomplished by translating entire thoughts (rather than just words) into natural, everyday English. The end result is a translation that is easy to read and understand and that accurately communicates the meaning of the original text. The NLT is a good translation to use with youth and adults who have difficulty with the traditional language of a formal equivalent translation.

Buy Bibles Online: Holman Christian Standard Bible

Translated by over 100 scholars coming from 17 denominations, Holman Bibles (HCSB) showcase a great Bible translation that would suit both seasoned scholars and new Christians alike. Bible translation, both a science and an art, is a bridge that brings God's word from the ancient world to the world today. Each verse has been translated while accounting for readability and staying true to the original meanings of the Scriptures. New Christians can benefit from this translation thanks to the simple and common words and phrases used in the Bible. The HCSB is a highly readable, accurate translation written in modern English. It is published by Holman Bible Publishers, the oldest Bible publisher in America.

Buy Bibles Online: English Standard Version

The English Standard Version or ESV Bible is a relatively new Bible translation that combines word-for-word precision and accuracy with literary excellence, beauty, and readability. Each word and phrase in the ESV has been carefully weighed against the original Hebrew, Aramaic, and Greek, to ensure the fullest accuracy and clarity and to avoid under-translating or overlooking any nuance of the original text. Archaic language has been brought to current usage and significant corrections have been made in the translation of key texts. The ESV is an "essentially literal" translation that seeks as far as possible to capture the precise wording of the original text and the personal style of each Bible writer. It seeks to be transparent to the original text, letting the reader see as directly as possible the structure and meaning of the original. The ESV is considered to be one of the most readable Bibles available today. If you are looking for a Bible that is easy to read and understand, then look no further than the ESV Bibles.

Buy Bibles Online: Amplified Bible

Amplified Bibles serve as the ideal Bible translation if you don't want to lose any of the important meanings from the original Bible languages. Reading through this translation won't require you to know Greek or Hebrew, just an open heart and a thirst to know more about Christ's story. The Amplified Bible was the first Bible project of The Lockman Foundation. It attempts to take both word meaning and context into account in order to accurately translate the original text from one language into another. The Amplified Bible does this through the use of explanatory alternate readings and amplifications to assist the reader in understanding what Scripture really says. Multiple English word equivalents to each key Hebrew and Greek word clarify and amplify meanings that may otherwise have been concealed by the traditional translation method.

Buy Bibles Online: The Message

Having the Message Bibles on hand makes it easier to learn and understand the Holy Scripture. Message Bibles were created by Eugene Peterson as a way to help readers become more engaged in reading the Bible. Its easy to read translation has helped many modern readers understand and start reading this important and fulfilling book. The goal of The Message is to engage people in the reading process and help them understand what they read. This is not a study Bible, but rather "a reading Bible." The verse numbers, which are not in the original documents, have been left out of the print version to facilitate easy and enjoyable reading. The Message tries to recapture the Word in the words we use today. The Message is a paraphrase from the original languages and provides a fresh and unique Bible-reading experience.

Buy Bibles Online: King James Version

The KJV is a word-for-word translation originally published in 1611 at the request of King James I of England. One of the most beloved Bible translation for centuries, The King James Version Bibles have certainly stood the test of time. It has been used by countless Christians over the century. Its poetic Old English language appeals to both new and seasoned Christians. The KJV Bible is not only a great Bible in itself, but it will definitely enlighten you more about your faith. The translators mostly aimed at making a clear and accurate translation from the original languages. So many people have used the KJV over the centuries that it has become the single most important book in shaping the modern English language. The KJV is still the most widely owned and used English translation in the USA.

Buy Bibles Online: New King James Version

o NKJV or The New King James Version Bible is a great book to have if you want to learn more about your faith. The NKJV was commissioned in 1975. It took seven years to complete. The NKJV is a modern translation of scripture that still retains the purity and stylistic beauty of the original King James. With unyielding faithfulness to the original Greek, Hebrew, and Aramaic texts, the translation applies the most recent research in archaelology, linguistics, and textual studies.

o NKJV or The New King James Version Bible is a great book to have if you want to learn more about your faith. The NKJV was commissioned in 1975. It took seven years to complete. The NKJV is a modern translation of scripture that still retains the purity and stylistic beauty of the original King James. With unyielding faithfulness to the original Greek, Hebrew, and Aramaic texts, the translation applies the most recent research in archaelology, linguistics, and textual studies.