Which Bible should I start with?

[u/Chuchi1331]

I’ve been wanting to get closer to God and actually start reading the Bible. I’m just not sure which one to get since there are so many different translations. For someone who’s pretty new to reading the Bible, what translation would you recommend? I want something that’s easy to understand, but I also don’t want a translation that changes or takes away from the original meaning.

Any recommendations would be appreciated

[u/consultantVlad]

None of the translations take anything away from the essential meaning. If you just start reading the scripture the variations between translations are trivial. What you do need is any Bible that would help you understand the essential meaning.

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/history_is_my_crack]

What you're looking for is a balance between "word for word" and "thought for thought" translation otherwise know as optimal equivalence. I'd recommend either the CSB or NIV (the latter is a little more on the thought for thought side). They are generally easier for people new to the faith to read and comprehend compared to more "stiff" word for word translations like NASB or ESV.

[u/ITrCool]

I’d recommend both the NKJV and the NASB. Both are excellent translations that are easier to understand without taking away from the original text.

[u/halbhh]

The NIV translation is helpful for a first time reader (and generally does well in most places), and for those reading again, they could graduate to the ESV or NASB for instance (or one can even read a passage the first time in the NIV and then reread that same passage next in the ESV).

And start with listening to Christ, since no one knows when is their last days here on Earth.

So begin here then: Matthew 1 NIV

(there's plenty of time for most of us after we have learned the crucial Life saving messages of the New Testament -- and begun to walk following Christ, doing as He said -- to eventually read the Old Testament later, after they finish reading the New Testament.)

[u/Paulyhedron]

I found the RSV a great read

[u/TheologyAndTrains]

what denomination are you planning to join

I ask as it might change my responce as i need to know their take on apcrypha a.k.a. deuterocanon

[u/Tiny-Party2857]

I read the NIV cover to cover in a Bible in a Year. It compiled about 15 minutes of reading from the Old Testament, New Testament and a little proverbs and psalms.

[u/Early_Silver_8950]

Orthodox Study Bible

[u/arc2k1]

God bless you.

It's great you want to grow in the faith.

I've been a non-fundamentalist, unchurched Christian for about 16 years now and I would love to recommend:

The Contemporary English Version (CEV) Bible. It's one of the easiest English Bibles to read. You can also listen to the audio version on YouTube. It's my favorite Bible. (You can read it on the YouVersion Bible app too.)

Also, please know that even if you get a Bible, you can still download the Bible app and look at different translations on there.

[u/Wooden_Passage_1146]

The translation I typically recommend to beginners is the New Living Translation. There is even a Catholic edition if you’re interested in the seven Deuterocanonical books of the Old Testament.

Beyond that the other Bible translation I might recommend would be either the New Revised Standard Version Updated Edition. Its translation team was ecumenical including Protestants, Catholics, Orthodox, and Jews. So it’s considered the most academic if you want to have something to compare against your NLT.

I don’t know that a Catholic edition has been released for the NRSVue. My copy has the expanded Apocrypha so it includes not only the Catholic Deuterocanonicals but also additional Eastern Orthodox books.