Which Bible is right for me?
Picking a Bible shouldn’t be rocket science. But with so many versions out there, a stroll to the bookstore can be overwhelming. The right study Bible can be a very useful tool in understanding Scripture as well as provide some insights to the culture, geography and history of biblical days. Maps and explanatory notes help, but readability is key, experts said. And all agree it’s highly personal.
There are about 20 Bible translations or versions, each with its own variety of study Bibles. The three types of translations are literal, dynamic equivalent and paraphrase.
Literal is just what it means. Bible translators took the Hebrew, Aramaic and Greek word-for-word, with consideration for grammar and syntax, and translated it as close as possible into English and other languages. Popular versions are King James (KJV) and New American Standard (NAS).
Dynamic equivalent focuses on the meaning of the message more than the literal translation. The top options here are New International Version (NIV) and New Living Translation (NLT).
Paraphrase versions, such as the Message and the Living Bible, don’t claim to be translations. Instead they are focused on the story and its meaning put into understandable English.
If you need more information or help, contact the church office or speak with a Pastor.
