Best Bible For Beginners (Top 4) – And More!

You are possibly just starting out on your spiritual journey, have become a new Christian, or simply haven’t read the Bible very much. Or, you simply may be looking for a new Bible to read that might be easier to comprehend. So, you may be wondering what is the best Bible for beginners.

It’s quite difficult, if not impossible to nail down the best Bible version for anyone at any stage of their spiritual growth. However, there are some parameters that we have learned over a period of years that will allow us to recommend the Bible version of the Bible for beginners that might be the right Bible for you and your situation.

Here are a couple of quick picks that we think are great choices. However, further in this post, we will go into much more detail about the best Bibles for beginners.

QUICK PICKS

Here is our quick-pick list if you’re in a hurry, but we will go into these in more detail later in this article.

1. New Living Translation (NLT)

2. New International Version (NIV)

Very popular and widely read for its ease of reading and accuracy.

3. New American Standard Bible

Favored for academic study and a mix of modern English and a touch of tradition as well. (One of our personal favorites).

4. Contemporary English Version

Easily Read – Not As Popular as Some Other versions.

A Couple of Quick Thoughts

If you are brand new to Bible reading and study, you might be very well served with one of the easiest-to-understand modern translations – The New Living Translation.

However, as you begin to learn and grow in your faith and Bible Study, you might want to consider something like a New American Standard Bible that is more academic in nature.

For either of these Bibles, there are various selections and price points depending on your budget, the type of cover, etc.

Overall as you begin to get into Bible reading and study the best Bible for beginners is a Bible that is in a translation that is in a language and style of writing that they can understand and one that is accurate. There are several great and accurate modern translations including the NIV, NLT, CEV, and the NASB.

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A Study Bible?

In case you are looking for a Bible that has additional study notes and additional features to help you learn, you might want to consider a new study bible. For a beginner study Bible, we recommend the Life Application Study Bible (NLT).

For other study Bible options, you can check out our list of the best study Bibles page. They can be of great help to new Bible readers also.

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The Choice Is Yours

There are many different versions and translations of the Bible available. You will want to spend some time to find the best option for you, and ask to lead you to the best choice as you study this incredible book that not only affects your everyday life but has the incredible good news that can change your eternal life!

There are scriptural text-only bibles or you can get a study bible with extra study notes for your own personal time of spending time in God’s word. Sometimes it may be difficult to decide which one to choose. Which translation is for you? Which version is best for you? Let us help!

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Our Recommended Top 4 Bible Versions For Beginners or New Christians

Here is the list of the top 4 Bible versions or translations that we recommend for beginners or new believers. In addition, scroll down below will then go into more detail on those, plus make additional recommendations on specific Bibles that you might want to consider as well.

For a couple of quick recommendations, you might want to take a look at the Starting Place Bible or one of my favorites, The Life Application Study Bible (more on these below). It actually is a good new believer’s Bible with helpful notes to help you understand God’s word. It also comes in many styles and colors.

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Translation vs. Version?

This is not something that you should necessarily dwell on much when looking at these Bibles but here are some facts so you will know. The Bible was originally written in languages like Hebrew, Greek, and Aramaic. A “translation” is when someone takes those original words and puts them into another language, like English or Spanish. The goal is to keep the meaning the same, even though the words are different.

However, a “version” is more like a specific take on one of those translations. For example, the King James Version (KJV) is a translation from 1611, but there are different versions of it with a few updates and changes.

Sometimes a Bible can be both a translation and a version. Like the New International Version (NIV) – it’s a translation into English, but it’s also its own unique version with specific choices in how it’s written.

People often use the words “translation” and “version” interchangeably, and that’s usually fine. But if you want to get technical, “translation” is about changing from one language to another, and “version” is about a particular edition or style of that translation. Simple as that!

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Reading the Bible

We encourage you to become as familiar as possible with the entire Bible in time. Of course, you don’t have to tackle it all at once. Some teachers will recommend that the Gospel of John is the best place to start. However, in your personal bible study, you may have a bible reading plan that you are following.

Some beginning bible readers will start in the Old Testament, which is certainly an incredibly exciting part of the Bible. We would suggest that if you do begin in the Old Testament, it might be good to have a Study Bible because of some of the difficult passages – and sometime down the road you may want to read the Bible in chronological order.

The NIV Jesus Bible from Zondervan and Passion Publishing is another quick pick that you might want to choose.

However, in the remainder of this article, we will go much deeper into some other great choices for the Best bibles for those who are new to Bible reading or coming back to reading God’s word. In this blog post, we will discuss the top 4 best Bibles for beginners. We will suggest various versions and some specific Bibles that we recommend. Most of the translations on this page are suitable for children through adults. However, if you are looking specifically for children’s Bibles, here are our top choices for Best Bible For Kids.

However, there are so many other modern translations to look at today. Keep in mind that this post is not about what we think is the best all-around Bible translation or the best Bible version in general for everyone. We are specifically talking about those who are new to Bible reading and/or getting back into reading God’s word after quite some time.

We are seeking the best Bible for beginners for those who might be new Christians, young in the faith, and need Bible translations that are easier to understand. It’s important that you read and understand God’s word and immerse yourself in Biblical teachings as much as you can.

As you progress as a Christian you might move to a Bible version that is quite different than a Bible we might recommend for a beginner.

As we stated, it’s not easy, nor is it an exact science to firmly state what is the best Bible version for anyone really. We just want to encourage you in your scripture reading as you learn the Biblical narrative, the perfection of God’s character, and how to apply Biblical truth, insights, and practical tips to encourage you in your Christian living.

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God’s Word

“All Scripture is inspired by God and is useful to teach us what is true and to make us realize what is wrong in our lives. It corrects us when we are wrong and teaches us to do what is right. God uses it to prepare and equip his people to do every good work.”

2 Timothy 3:16-17

The passage above encourages us about the purpose of God’s word. To read and study about the One True God is not simply about reading the Old or New Testament to simply attain knowledge, but to encourage, prepare, and equip new believers in their life in Jesus Christ and also those who have been involved in scripture reading and Christian living for many years.

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Accurate Versions of God’s Word For New Believers

Although there are all sorts of choices, we would not recommend a particular Bible that is not accurate as you begin your Bible reading. Nor, would we recommend any Bible translations in which we were not confident.

Differing Bible versions will use various wording of an individual word or passage. However, we believe that the general meaning should remain the same. At LivingPraying.com we believe that this generation is blessed to have many good Bible translations. There are quite a few options when looking for the best Bible for beginners.

New believers have so many great options for accurate English translations of God’s word. Also, for those who were once Bible readers but, for some reason, stopped, most of the Bible versions on this page can be helpful in those cases as well.

While there are plenty of debates about which versions are the most accurate, we will only refer you to Bible versions that we believe are very accurate and will provide you with great opportunities for spiritual growth.

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Pick One and Get Started!

Yes, we are glad that there are many choices in Bible versions today. There are Bibles for men, and Bibles for women. However, don’t get caught in the weeds in selecting one.

Pick a good Bible version and begin to read and feed yourself spiritually. Reading scripture, meditating on it, and praying will provide you with so much help in your life as you develop your spiritual walk.

Don’t look at any of these Bibles as some kind of huge Christian to-do list. That’s just not the case. Many have called it a love letter from God. Yes, it can be that, but it is so much more. It can provide you with encouragement, the direction in life, help with decision-making, and above all, help you learn and grow an intimate relationship with the Lord Jesus Christ. What are the best Bibles for beginners? Let’s look at some of the best Bibles to buy for beginners.

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Top Bible Versions

We will provide a bit more information about our recommended Bible translations for beginners. Later on in this post, we will drill down and provide you with recommendations for specific Bibles for beginners or those who may be new to the Christian faith.

There are quite a few Bible versions available, but which one is right for you? You don’t necessarily need the coolest Bible or the most popular. However, you may choose one that is both. The main goal is to get one that you will read and you will be encouraged to learn and grow in your spiritual life.

We will cover the 4 best bible translations for beginners as we see them from our perspective. Keep in mind that this post is not about what we think is the best all-around Bible translation or the best Bible in general.

So, we are talking about some of the best Bibles for those who might be new Christians, young in the faith, and using Bible translations that are easier to understand. As you progress as a Christian you might move to a Bible version that is quite different than a Bible we might recommend for a beginner. We enjoy the Life Application Study Bibles that come in several versions.

That doesn’t at all mean that we would ever recommend a particular Bible that is not accurate. Differing Bible versions will use various wording of an individual word or passage. However, we believe that the general meaning should remain the same.

At LivingPraying.com we believe that this generation is blessed to have many good bible translations. There are plenty of debates about which versions are the most accurate. Some Bibles are word-for-word translations, and others are thought-for-thought translations. There are also some that are paraphrases than actual translations.

We will only refer you to those that we believe are very accurate and will provide you with great opportunities for spiritual growth. In today’s world, there are many more options in assessing what might be the best bible for beginners and we will take a look at some of the best.

For centuries the primary English translation of the Bible was the King James Version. We were blessed and still are blessed to have the King James Version and also the New King James Version. If the old English words and phrases are something that you like and prefer, then no problem.

However, you may be someone who is not well versed in the scriptures and just beginning your journey in the scriptures. You may have the desire to have a Bible translation that is more easily understood in today’s English. We would suggest that you begin with one of the modern translations and perhaps a Bible version that might have some commentary as in a study Bible.

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Best Bibles for Beginners – New International Version

The New International Version (NIV) is a popular bible version/bible translation that is easy to read and understand. It’s perfect for people who are just starting out on their faith journey, as it provides an easy-to-follow translation of the scriptures. The NIV as a bible version has become the choice of millions of people. Whether you buy the NIV in a study Bible version with additional notes and commentary or you just buy a regular NIV Bible, you will be getting a good translation of God’s word. Click below to find some great NIV Bible choices.

The translators took great care to make sure that the wording in the NIV Bible version was easy to read, while still staying true to the original text. This makes it a great choice for those who want to get a good overview of what the Bible has to say.

The publisher of the NIV Bible version is Zondervan in the United States. As for the UK, the publisher is Hodder and Stoughton. There was a revision of the NIV Bible version in 1984 with a 2011 update as well. The NIV has definitely become one of the world’s most popular English translations of the bible.

Another reason why the NIV Bible version is a great choice for beginners is that it’s widely available. You can find it in most bookstores and online, and there are also many different editions available. So, you can choose the one that best suits your needs.

One of our favorites here at LivingPraying.com is The Life Application Study Bible. It comes in the NIV Bible version and has many extra notes that help explain the Bible passage. It can encourage you to walk with Jesus Christ and is a great Bible if you are young in the faith and trying to learn what God is saying in the scriptures and apply it to your life.

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The Jesus Bible

Also, The Jesus Bible is a Bible version by Zondervan and Passion Publishing is a very fine choice for those who are beginning to read God’s word. It also comes in the popular English Standard Version, and the commentary draws your focus to the central story of Jesus Christ through all of the 66 books of scripture.

The Jesus Bible is a modern, unique, and popular Bible version for today’s culture and has a remarkable number of cover choices from a minimalistic look to quite a number of very artistic designs and modern colors. You can take a look at the Amazon Jesus Bible store by clicking below.

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Best Bibles for Beginners – New Living Translation

The New Living Translation (NLT) was created to give another choice of a solid Bible version that helps make the Bible more readable for people in our modern society. It’s based on the popular English Standard Version, but it has been updated with contemporary language and phrasing. The NLT is perfect for people who want an easy-to-read Bible version that doesn’t sacrifice accuracy. We think this is perhaps the easiest version of the Bible to read in modern English.

The New Living Translation is one of the best Bibles for beginners. This is a Bible version that is easy to read and understand, which makes it another popular Bible for people who are new to Christianity or new to reading the bible. This bible will help you discover more about God’s Word without being bogged down by confusing words or language structures.

And this translation was created by 90 Bible scholars-people with a deep understanding of what certain words mean in context-and reviewed by 50 Christian leaders from around the world before publication, making it an accurate translation that you can trust.

The NLT is a thought-for-thought translation rather than a word-for-word translation. Many people love the way the text flows while keeping with the original meaning. Here is great NLT Bible version for all-around spiritual health and study. If you need one that is smaller for on-the-go that has fewer additional study notes and help, there are some smaller NLT Bible versions here.

We highly recommend the Life Application Study Bible in the NLT Bible version. It has become a great standard for home study use and it is one of our favorites.

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Best Bibles for Beginners – New American Standard Bible (NASB)

The New American Standard Bible (NASB) is a great bible version for beginners because it is easy to read and understand. The language is simple and straightforward, making it a good choice for those who are new to reading the Bible. Overall, the NASB is a well-rounded Bible that is perfect for those who are just starting out. Check it out today and see for yourself how easy it can be to read and understand the Bible! Personally, I have used the NASB many. many years.

The New American Standard Bible (NASB) was translated by a committee of scholars from different denominations in 1971. It is considered a very accurate translation and is still in use today.

The New American Standard Bible was updated in 1995 and is called the Updated NASB. It includes minor revisions and updates to the text, as well as a new concordance.

The language of this Bible was updated so that it would be more accessible to modern readers. Additionally, there were a few mistranslations that had been corrected in the updated version.

One of the biggest changes in the updated version was that it used more literal translations instead of relying on modern language. The NASB is a word-for-word translation, so it stays true to the original languages as much as possible. Therefore, words from older English versions were taken out and replaced with their closest equivalents in the modern language. This makes the NASB more accessible for those who are not as familiar with biblical terms. Here is a version of the NASB that we recommend.

The updated version also took into account changes in English grammar over the past few decades. For example, pronouns were no longer capitalized and verb tenses were adjusted to reflect contemporary speech patterns. These small changes make the NASB more readable and understandable for modern audiences. Here is a page with quite a few other fine NASB Bibles.

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Best Bible For Beginners – Contemporary English Version

The Contemporary English Version (CEV) is a bible that is written at a 5th-grade reading level, making it simple for novices to comprehend. The CEV is an excellent choice for those who want a simplified Bible with yet solid accuracy. It’s a full text of the Bible based on the original wording with the intent of being read at a lower reading level.

The CEV is a straightforward translation. It was produced by the American Bible Society in 2000. The creation of the CEV began as a consequence of research conducted by Barclay Newman in 1985 on spoken language patterns in novels, periodicals, newspapers, and television programming. These investigations concentrated on how people read and hear English. As a result, the CEV takes into account modern English sentence structure and vocabulary.

The CEV translators adhered to three guidelines. They required that the CEV: 1 – must be understood by those without stumbling in speech. 2 – must be understandable by people who do not understand “Bible” language. 3 – must be comprehended by all.

The translation of the CEV was reviewed by a committee of biblical scholars to ensure accuracy. In addition, it was read by numerous people from all walks of life to make sure that it would be easy for anyone to understand. The CEV is an excellent choice for those who want a simplified Bible with yet solid accuracy. If you are needing a CEV Bible, here are several choices.

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English Standard Version

Although we didn’t put this translation at the top of our list, we would be remiss to not mention it as it has become a favorite of a lot of scholars.

The ESV translation seeks to capture the exact wording that is found in the original scriptural texts along with capturing the personal writing styles of each author.

We would also want to mention the popular ESV Study Bible which is an example of one of the fine word-for-word translations available. It will help you navigate through the books of the Bible and give you study notes that will help you understand and apply the word of God to your life.

Our Pick For The Best Bible For Beginners

– Easiest Version to Read

The New Living Translation is very easy to read as well, it is actually written in language appropriate for a 6th-grade reading. I began to use it after a good friend and former Senior Pastor of mine used the NLT very often. It is one that is familiar to me and I can recommend it. I find its writing to flow very well and the phrasing is easy to understand.

The aim of every Bible translation is to accurately express the original Hebrew and Greek texts’ meanings to the present-day reader. The NLT is informed by the most up-to-date research in translation theory.

The translators’ goal was to produce a narrative that would have the same impact on modern readers as the original text had on ancient readers. the NLT is a thought-for-thought translation rather than a word-for-word translation. It makes a very good Bible for new believers and we especially like it in the

– Best All-Around Version

There are reasons why the New International Version has become listed as the best-selling bible. The New International Version (NIV) became a brand new translation of the Bible. The NIV version was produced by more than 100 scholars while working from the best available Aramaic, Hebrew, and Greek texts. It’s a great Bible for new believers.

The beginnings of the vision concerning the NIV bible were initially from a single man. His name was Howard Long, an engineer for the General Electric company. For his entire life, Long had been devoted to the King James Version (KJV) of the Bible.

However, when he shared those scriptures with other friends he found that the language of the KJV just didn’t connect people very well to the text of the scripture. So, he felt that there was a strong need for a translation that used more modern language in speaking the truths of the bible that he longed to share.

The translation of each individual book of the bible was given to teams of translators. Each team was made up of 2 lead translators, two consultants, and a consultant for style when it was necessary. Initially, the translations that were produced by those teams were very thoroughly scrutinized.

Then they were revised by other types of intermediate editorial committees which contained five biblical scholars on each committee to check the new text against the source texts and assess each passage of scripture.

We have to give the NIV its kudos because it has been the constant companion of millions of Bible readers. Although like most it has its critics, it has shown itself to be reliable. Here are some nice choices for the NIV translations:

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– A Favorite Bible Version With Us

The New American Standard Bible (NASB) has been a go-to favorite for me. It has long been thought of as one of the most accurate translations available. The NASB doesn’t really try to interpret Scripture in the way that some modern translations do. Instead, the NASB sticks to a method called formal equivalence translation. This method is precise and demanding and can give very accurate renderings of the text. The NASB is a very readable word-for-word translation that is both accurate and clear.

Its greatest benefit is its consistency and fidelity to the source languages. In addition, individual verse printings were included in the NASB (although more recent editions are available in paragraph format.)

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What About the King James Version (KJV)?

Well, there are certainly a lot of great things to be said about the King James Version of the bible. It was the standard for so long and still remains very popular.

When I was ordained into the ministry I was given a Life Application Study Bible in the King James Version. I was familiar with the KJV but the Life Application Study Bible addition was a big help. It is so popular as a reliable source of scripture that there are many people who are a part of the “King James Only” movement, whose participants have very strong objections to the methods of translation and the basis of the texts used in modern translations.

Although we don’t agree with those in that particular movement about the KJV, we still believe that the KJV and the NKJV are reliable Bibles.

However, on the other hand, you have so many others who are just as convinced that some newer translations have made improvements over the King James Bible.

If you like the old English that is used in the King James Bible with all of the “thees, thous, and wherefores” please use it if you like. It’s certainly a strong bible.

However, once again we say thank you to God that He not only allowed the KJV but now has given the opportunity for many modern translations that are quite a bit easier to understand in modern-day English verbiage. If you enjoy the KJV, there are many of those by clicking below.

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Bottom Line In Choosing a Bible Translation?

The bottom line is simply to get a Bible – a more modern Bible if you need one and start reading. There are many good translations available and we encourage you to pick one and don’t be afraid that you are going to be led astray by a bunch of faulty interpretations.

I won’t argue that some translations are better than others, but the top translations give a clear message of the Gospel of Jesus Christ which is our primary foundation and the primary story of God’s plan.

So choose a version and go for it. Some might even want to get a parallel Bible at some point that will allow you to read out of several translations at once for comparison. You can always read out of multiple versions to check for the various translations of each. I actually enjoy doing that. You can make the decision later about what version will be your primary Bible version yourself.

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Other Specific Bibles That We Can Recommend

Bibles For Women

The NIV Women’s Study Bible by Thomas Nelson is a good Bible for our ladies. It is designed to speak to ladies and in addition to the NIV scriptural text, it gives insights from over 80 women from a wide variety of life and culture. This bible has been very popular and has sold over 2 million copies since its release. 

The NLT THRIVE Devotional Bible for Women

This is a good choice for a New Living Translation Bible. It is for any woman who desires to have a deeper knowledge of God and have a more intimate relationship with their Savior. It also contains devotional readings, each of which has the main scripture, a letter of love from God, a treasure of truth, and it also contains reflections from author, Sheri Rose, and a special prayer. Choosing a devotional Bible can encourage you and help you understand God’s word.

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Bibles For Men

Every Man’s Bible: New Living Translation, Deluxe Explorer Edition 

Men face quite a few challenges and this Bible is especially for them. This NLT version has all sorts of devotional features that will help men in their bible study and speaks to the topics that are prevalent with males. Commentary for this Bible is written by a very good Christian author, Steven Arterburn.

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Best Beginners Bible for Teenagers

It’s very important that a teenager has a Bible that is very readable and as easy to understand as possible. We know that the teenage years are a very formative time for a person. So, you would want to have the best Bible versions for teenagers.

NIV, Bible for Teen Guys

Teenage boys travel a unique road and this NIV version has a lot of help directly for that age group.

NIV, Bible for Teen Girls

We know that teenage girls deal with issues that many will not understand. However, this NIV Bible for Teen Girls is packed with extras including daily readings for girls 13-18.

There are plenty of other Bibles to choose from. Our biggest suggestion and prayer for you is that you will pick one and read it, study it, and come to know the God of the Bible and understand God’s word and the love of Jesus Christ.

You can find some additional alternatives for Bibles for teenagers here.

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Red Letter Bibles

Some Bible verses will print all of the verses that were spoken by Jesus in red. Some Christians look at those verses as more important than other verses in the Bible. Since all scripture is inspired by God, we consider all of the words of scripture as 100% truth. There is even a group called the Red Letter Christians that puts an extremely great emphasis on the red letters in the Bible.

However, certainly, the words of Jesus are extremely important. He was God in the flesh and many people want red-letter Bibles. However, the writings of Moses, Paul, and the other writers of the Bible were inspired by God and equally true,

More than just a book, it is a library of precious books that we believe God inspired and protected down through the ages.

Finally, there are other Bibles such as the New Believers Bible NLT put together by the popular Christian leader, Greg Laurie. Plus, the Christian Basics Bible is also another that you might just want to check out as you begin to read, study, and come to an understanding of basic Christian beliefs.

We pray that you will choose the version that is best for you. When you become a reader and student of God’s word, God can change you forever!

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An additional Choice is the Christian Standard Bible

We wanted to add the Christian Standard Bible to this list because it has proven to be a good translation and well-balanced version since it came on the scene in 2017. One hundred scholars from 17 denominations translated this Bible.

The committee that was in charge of overseeing this translation included some of the top Biblical scholars from denominations including Southen Baptist, Lutheran, Presbyterian, conservative Anglican, and non-denominational Bible churches.

Here are some examples of CSB Bibles and also a fine CSB Study Bible below that we recommend. For additional study Bibles with lots of good help and commentary, make sure you check out our reviews of men’s study Bibles and women’s study Bibles.

If you’re in the young adult range, you might want to take a look at our post – “Best Study Bibles For Young Adults.”

Bible Paraphrases vs Literal Translations

Sometimes a beginning Bible reader will inquire about Bible paraphrases such as The Message Bible by Eugene Peterson.

A paraphrased Bible is not a literal translation of the text. A paraphrased Bible tries to state the text of scriptures in a more contemporary and very easy-to-understand language. It’s actually different from a literal translation because it attempts to give a general meaning and/or interpretation of the text instead of simply interpreting an exact rendering of the scripture.

The writer or editor of a paraphrase may insert their own interpretation for a verse or expand on it more than the original text does.

We don’t discourage people from devotional reading from time to time or have a paraphrased edition such as The Message as a secondary resource. However, we would encourage you to have a more literal translation of the Bible as your primary reading and study Bible.

For More Choices in Bibles Click Here.

Also, check out our other Bible resources pages and our article on the “Reliability of the Bible.” Although the price points can be a bit higher, if you can get an actual study bible, it can be very helpful in studying the Bible and some can have extra maps and charts.

• Balanced readability and accuracy
• Widely accepted and used
• Suitable for study and devotion
• Clear and modern language
• Extensive range of study editions

Best Study Bibles For Men – 7 Top Quality Choices

Best Study Bibles For Women – 7 Strong Choices

Best Bible For Kids: Putting God’s Word In Their Hearts

When you are on the internet and need to have a free, but valuable resource, another great way to read many translations of the Bible is through the Bible Gateway found at https://biblegateway.com.

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