Even though the Bible was written originally in Hebrew, Aramaic, and Greek, it is still changing lives forever irrespective of the translated language in which it’s now read today. If you find it difficult to read the scriptures, one of the questions you must have asked was, what is the easiest version of the Bible to read?
Getting the Bible version that is easy to read will go a long way in helping you have a robust understanding of the scriptures over time. You should not be getting lost when studying God’s word. Rather, the texts should provide clarity and understanding as you read through them.
How can beginners start to read the Bible
It can be overwhelming for beginners to start reading the Bible because they may not know where to start. If they just start reading from the first book, Genesis, they might get tired because they are not reading with a purpose.
Hence, beginners need all the guidance they can get when they start reading the Bible.
Get a Bible translation you can read
When you start to read the scriptures, it is important to get the easiest version of the Bible. Getting confused when studying the scriptures can make you lose interest in God’s word. So, you need to start on the right footing.
All the English translations today were not done by the same scholars. So, some will be more readable and accurate than others.
Usually, scholars recommend that if you are new to God’s word, it is best to start with versions like The New Living Translation, The English Standard Version, The New International Version, etc.
Use a Study Bible or a similar one
Study Bibles are great in helping you have a broader understanding of texts in the scriptures. A Study Bible is a great choice if you are new to God’s word. These Bibles have study notes and other features like introduction, explanations, in-depth maps, extra background information, the definition of words and phrases, etc.
With the numerous information that Study Bibles have, you can understand what you are reading when you are reading for the first time.
Get a mentor
As a beginner reading God’s word for the first time, you need guidance. It is important to be accountable to someone responsible for your spiritual growth.
In addition, when you get confused you need someone that can be easily accessed. It would be better than waiting until you see your pastor or spiritual leader at the next church service.
Choose a place to start
When many people want to start reading the Bible, it is easier for them to open the book of Genesis. However, there is a chance they will get bored at some point. Hence, it’s important to be deliberate about where you want to start studying the Bible.
Do not treat the Bible like a novella or novel where you have to start understanding from the first page. You can get a proper reading plan to help you get started with God’s word.
Also, if you are curious about any particular topic, you can make that a starting point. All you need to do is look for verses related to that topic, jot them down and begin to study.
Use a Devotional
You can also get a devotional to make your Bible reading easier. Many Bible devotionals come with snippets of the scriptures that spur you to read the whole passage. You will also see what the author thinks about that passage, and this is the part where you open God’s word to see for yourself.
It is correct to state that Devotionals give you a major headstart when studying the Bible. This is why it is not only limited to Beginners but everyone who desires an intimate relationship with God.
Choose the right time and place to study the Bible
Since you have all you need to get started with God’s word, do not leave out creating a schedule and place to study the scriptures. You need to cut off distractions when studying the Bible for full assimilation.
Distractions often prevent us from getting the message that the Holy Spirit has for us. So, we need to be deliberate about how, when, and where we study the scriptures. You should ensure the environment is not noisy and that you are in the right mind frame before you start studying the word.
Choosing a Bible version
Before you choose a Bible version, it is important to note that you don’t have to be vast in Hebrew, Aramaic, and Greek before you grasp the scriptures. Over the years, Bible scholars, theologists, and spiritual leaders have translated the original texts into different languages, including English.
Since there are different Bible versions globally, the existing challenge is choosing a Bible version that aligns with your needs.
Literal Bible translations
If you are looking for the closest form of English to the original Bible languages (Hebrew, Aramaic, and Greek), you can opt for the Literal Bible translations. They are called as such because the translators committed themselves to achieve a high accuracy level, down to the words or phrases used in translation.
Some people might find reading this type of Bible translation challenging though because of the literary features and some cultural inferences that they are not familiar with.
Examples of Literal Bible translation are American Standard Version (ASV), English Standard Version (ESV), Amplified Bible (AMP), King James Version (KJV), and New American Standard Bible (NASB). Other translations are New King James Version (NKJV) and Amplified Bible Classic Edition (AMPC).
Dynamic Translations
Get the Dynamic translation if you are looking for a deeper understanding of the scriptures. Generally, Dynamic translations show you the author’s line of thought in line with the scriptures. The translation project provides a balance between accuracy and practicality for Dynamic translations.
Scholars usually suggest that Dynamic Translations are best for having your devotions. But know that you will be ingesting someone’s interpretation of the scripture. So, if you want to own your thoughts after reading the word of God, look for dynamic translations.
Examples of Dynamic translations are Christian Standard Bible (CSB), New American Bible (NAB), New International Version (NIV), New Living Translation (NLT), etc.
Paraphrased translations
Many scholars are against paraphrased translations because of the flowery language and wide distinction away from the meaning of the original text. The goal of paraphrased translations is to communicate with a clear language to people reading the Bible for the first time, or to those who are new to Christianity.
Some scholars also advise that it should not be your main Bible if you want to read a paraphrased translation. A paraphrased translation should be used to gain more insight after reading either the literal or dynamic translation.
Examples of Paraphrased translations are Good News Bible (GNB), The Living Bible (TLB0, The Message (MSG), and The Passion Translation (TPT).
Selecting a Bible version for different occasions
Beyond your personal study, it is important to note that there are some occasions where you have to consider their peculiarity before choosing a Bible version. For instance, if you will be reading the Bible with other people, it is advised to use scriptures with a different translation.
This will allow everyone to see the interpretation of the scriptures from various angles. If you want to have an exhaustive study of God’s word, use the Literal or formal translation. Also, if you’re new to the Bible then you should start with a translation with less complex language used. Hence, a dynamic translation would be a perfect choice.
Which Bible translation is the best?
Even though several Bible translations exist today, no one is regarded as the best. Everyone has their preference, and they give reasons why it suits them. We do not all have the same understanding and command of our respective languages. Hence, what might be easy for you to read, could be difficult for your next-door neighbor.
Getting to know the best Bible translation should not be your ultimate pursuit as a Christian. Rather, you need to be concerned about the Bible translation that meets your spiritual needs and facilitates your growth.
It is advised that you have more than one Bible translation to have an in-depth understanding of God’s word. Hence, when you read the Bible in a particular translation, you can see how it looks in other versions as well.
FAQ
What Bible is easiest to read?
People usually want to know the easiest version of the Bible to read, but you will find that out for yourself after conducting in-depth research. Getting a Bible that is easy to read depends on your preference and what you need the Bible for.
You can consider getting Study Bibles. Study Bibles come with maps, concordance, study notes, charts, and commentary.
These features help to expound the knowledge gained from each text. Some translations that are also Study Bibles are New International Version (NIV), English Standard Version (ESV), New King James Version (NKJV), King James Version (KJV).
When reading your Bible, be ready to study in-depth from different trusted sources. You can also Google the meaning of some texts, but remember to always revert to God’s word to filter the wrong answers from the right ones.
What is a good Bible for a beginner?
It is advised that Beginners read a Bible with a smooth language that is easy to understand. Many Beginners are new to what Christianity entails, and the last thing they need is reading a Bible version that exudes ambiguity.
Among beginners, there are various levels of understanding. Hence, they should be guided on the easiest version of the Bible to read depending on their mastery of the English language or any language they speak and understand.
Is NIV Bible good for beginners?
Someone new to God’s word does not need a complex or vague text when studying the Bible. This is why selecting the easiest version of the Bible to read is important so that they do not lose interest in their intimate walk with God.
One of the Bible versions that beginners can use is the New International Version (NIV). The New International Version helps the reader conduct their in-depth study of the scriptures.
Many people believe that NIV is the most readable English Bible globally because it accurately changes the original Bible texts into modern-day English. The interesting part is that the New International Version continually undergoes updates to meet the demands of readers.
How do I choose a Bible version?
Choosing a Bible version should be done painstakingly because it determines your rate of spiritual growth to an extent. Therefore, you should be careful when choosing a Bible version because you need to ensure it aligns with your needs.
First off, choose a Bible version that is easy to read and understand. While doing this, ensure its translation does not stray from what the original texts intended. You can also seek the guidance of someone experienced to make the selection process easier.
Also, you can create a list of popular Bible versions that people use and compare the texts. This would be overwhelming, but it is important to do your research before settling for one. As a Christian, using one Bible Version is not enough. You can have one primary version and other ones for reference sake.
Conclusion
When people ask questions like what is the easiest version of the Bible to read, it is usually because they seek to gain clarity as they digest the word of God. Before you get any Bible translation, arm yourself with enough knowledge about its features.
You can also ask trusted spiritual friends for recommendations of Bible versions that will bless you. Also, do not depend on one Bible version for your spiritual growth, be ready to have more than one on hand to draw ideas from different translations.
