“You will do well to be attentive to this as to a lamp shining in a dark place, until the day dawns and the morning star rises in your hearts.” 2 Peter 1:19
In a recent Daytimers Bible study I was asked for recommendations of Bible translations and editions. Here are a few thoughts…
All translation involves interpretation. Some translations offer a more strict word-for-word
translation of the original language, while other versions lean more toward a dynamic translation that seeks to give the sense of the original
language in a more readable style.
Many popular English translations of the Bible are representative of a stream of tradition. For example, the NIV is popular among American evangelicals, whereas the NRSV is commonly used by mainline denominations. You may have come across “King James only” traditions.. The Amplified Bible offers several synonyms for key words in the translation, allowing the reader to consider the range of potential senses of the original language.
Bethesda uses the New Revised Standard Version (NRSV) on Sundays, standard for our denomination. A recent Updated Edition is now in use (NRSVue).
My personal study Bible is The Lutheran Study Bible by Concordia Publishing. This is English Standard Version (ESV). This edition is loaded with footnotes and other helps from a Lutheran perspective.
A very popular modern paraphrase is Eugene Peterson’s The Message. I recommend Zondervan Publishing’s parallel edition of the New International Version (NIV) and The Message together in one volume. The Message is highly modernized English-on-the-streets kind of language but comes up short for careful Bible study. Used side-by-side with a translation it can be an inspiring reminder that the Bible was written in the ordinary vernacular of its day.
There are countless specialized versions of the Bible that may offer a more interesting choice for you than the translation itself. Examples include: Men’s, Women’s, Chronological, Bible-in-One-Year, Life Application, Study, Reformation, etc. The Cultural Background Study Bible or similar Archeological Study Bible are loaded with
pictures and maps bringing the ancient world to life.
The Bible Recap Bible is a recent popular edition that has grown out of a popular evangelical woman’s podcast.
The Adventure Bible is a great book for young readers. This is a version of the NIV adapted for younger readers. The Jesus Storybook Bible is a
wonderful children’s Bible as is the God’s Big Picture Bible Storybook by N.T. Wright. The Action Bible is a graphic novel format perfect for younger readers.
For the artists and journalers out there, many beautiful journaling editions of the Bible offer large margins or blank pages scattered throughout allowing you to make the Bible your own, as you collect notes, prayers, and other thoughts from your time in the Word.
Many people enjoy hearing the Bible in living audio. There are a lot of choices out there. One of the most popular paid subscription apps is called Dwell, which offers multiple options for narrator’s voice and background music. Free apps like The Bible app or Read Scripture app offer free digital bibles full of reading plans and other supports.
The Bible Project is a wonderful resource you can find on YouTube. They offer the free Read Scripture app which contains not only the text of Scripture but links to brief video resources and 5 minute recaps of books of the Bible.
Peace, Pr. Tom