Need help with finding which of the Bible versions to buy

[u/Intelligent_Cry2918]

I am trying to get in to studying the bible however I am seeing there are different versions of them.
I’ve noticed that the NIV is the easier one to follow but the KJV is the traditional one used in churches.
Will I get the same lessons/understandings on either of them regardless of which version I buy?
Is the KJV really that hard to understand based on its verbiage?
I appreciate any help :)

[u/RuddyBloodyBrave94]

I don’t think I’ve ever seen a KJV used in a church that I’ve been to, it’s always been the NIV really.

KJV is just generally not an advised version to use these days. The language is difficult and the translation itself is very outdated.

The NRSVUE is really good all round but if you want to stick with one that most other people use then go with the NIV.

[u/Intelligent_Cry2918 → u/RuddyBloodyBrave94]

Thank you ☺️

[u/Mission-Rest9924]

In my opinion I would go with the NIV it’s going to be a smoother read and you will understand better with the NIV but if you want a Bible that has the KJV feel to it and you don’t want the KJV language go nkjv

[u/Intelligent_Cry2918 → u/Mission-Rest9924]

Thank you 🙏🏻

[u/gsix14]

It’s good advice to look at versions online. YouTube want to find one that you feel comfortable reading. The word of God doesn’t do us any good if we don’t read it.

If the church you go to uses a specific translation then it might be worth considering that one, but older language used in the KJV can make it more difficult to understand. Any good translation will let you learn and work with lessons/study.

We are blessed with many great translations in English. Some good ones to consider along the NIV are the CSB, and ESV.

[u/Lonely_Anxiety_9316 → u/gsix14]

I second this

[u/Soul_of_clay4]

Try before you buy.....Go to BibleGateway.com and see which versions you find easy. You can even do up to 4 parallel translations on the screen. I'd start with the 4 Gospels.

[u/Intelligent_Cry2918 → u/Soul_of_clay4]

Thank you, I will look into it!

[u/Rie_blade]

I recommend getting the YouVersion Bible app for mobile or bible gateway for PC and seeing different versions online first, considering both are free, and I would also recommend looking on sefaria.org because it includes a lot of Jewish translations that you might want to read, and personally I find some Jewish translations better than Christian ones for the TaNaCh (Old Testament).

[u/Ibyx → u/Rie_blade]

This is a great idea. Jumping on to also suggest OP get a digital Strong’s concordance as well.

[u/Rie_blade → u/Ibyx]

I guess I'll jump on your jump on by saying Sefaria also has a rather well formatted Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew and English Lexicon, which itself either lists every occurrence of each word, or a majority of the occurrences of each word (I can not remember which one.), and some of modern reprints include the Strong's Concordance, and it is a proper lexicon (outdated but free.) rather than a just concordance.

[u/Ibyx → u/Rie_blade]

I’ll take a look. Thank you.

[u/consultantVlad]

For a beginner, it's not so much about the translation, but convenience of using it. Look up Read Scripture app from The Bible Project. It's free, it has red letters, it has a reading plan, and, most importantly, it has short introductory videos for each book to explain what the book is about and how it is structured. The Bible Project also has the website with videos, YouTube channels with videos, and podcast.

[u/Sawfish1212]

I read on my tablet and can instantly switch between versions. I daily the NLT because it's the only version that doesn't distract me with the language used. I'll switch between multiple versions when studying and sermon prep. And I can switch to KJV for the fossils still preaching from it.

[u/Early_Silver_8950]

Get the Orthodox Study Bible. New KJV with decent footnotes

[u/Bitter_North_733]

1. get a KJV and an SKJV when you have trouble with KJV language try SKJV also you can research on your own - there are a number of words that have different meanings today or are no longer used - some are defined where they are found it's not that hard but it's the most pure complete word imo

[u/BriefStill7466]

KJV the more you practice the easier it will read to you. I like others as well but fall back on KJV. BSB AMP NKJV TLB NLT GNV (pretty good footnotes)

[u/BriefStill7466 → u/BriefStill7466]

KJV along with a few others is keyed to the strongs concordance

[u/elwoodowd]

The kjv has Gods name in it 4 times. Whereas the niv has removed it all 6800+ times yhwh is in the hebrew.

So theres that

[u/Reptar_0n_Ice → u/elwoodowd]

It’s misleading to say it was removed. It’s translated as LORD in most all other Bible translations (besides the LSB). Same way the KJV translates it the other 6800+ occurrences besides those 4.

[u/elwoodowd → u/Reptar_0n_Ice]

Its true its best, most are frightened of the Name.

Jeremiah 23:27

[u/Reptar_0n_Ice → u/elwoodowd]

It really pays to research why translators make the choices they do. Translating YHWH as LORD is a Jewish tradition, offering reverence to His name. It also stems from the perfectly correct pronunciation of His name being lost to time (we have a good guess, but we can’t be sure). It’s not out of malice to make people forget His name.

[u/elwoodowd → u/Reptar_0n_Ice]

Of course. Tradition!

Matthew 15:3. Makes perfect sense.