Readers often ask me about the different Bibles that I use when I post pictures on Instagram or Facebook of my morning Bible study. I thought it would be fun to share with you the different Bibles that I refer to and why I like each one. In the little blue boxes, you’ll see a few verses from Psalm 23, so you can compare and get an idea of how each translation reads.
The New International Version Study Bible (NIV Study Bible)
This is my NIV (New International Version) Study Bible (above). I love the notes right at the bottom of the page. They give me context for the passage and a deeper understanding of what the writer is saying. This is my “go to” Bible when I am working through a Bible study, like James: Mercy Triumphs Bible Study by Beth Moore that I have been doing this summer.
The Lord is my shepherd, I lack nothing. He makes me lie down in green pastures, he leads me beside quiet waters, he refreshes my soul. (Psalm 23:1-2 NIV)
The Voice Bible
One of the newest Bibles that I’ve picked up is The Voice Bible. We had a giveaway a few months ago, so several of my readers have gotten to experience this Bible firsthand. (I did a giveaway recently of The Voice. You can read my review of the Voice Bible and see why I loved it.) I love that this version reads more like a novel, but there are just enough notes scattered throughout to help you find your way, even if you are reading the Bible for the first time. In my opinion, it is a much better read than The Message Bible, but with the same theme of story-like reading. The Voice Bible makes a great gift for a friend who is unfamiliar with God’s Word, or for anyone who has found other translations difficult to read. My dad has been a Believer for years, and I gave him one for Father’s Day. I read it to him while he was sick in the hospital, and is now his favorite!
The Eternal is my shepherd, He cares for me always. He provides me rest in rich, green fields beside streams of refreshing water. He soothes my fears… (Psalm 23:1-2 VOICE)
A friend asked me the other day which Bible I like to memorize from. As a family, with the kids, we usually memorize from the New International Version (NIV) because that was the Bible that I started with when I first became a Christian. Since it’s the first Bible I ever had, it’s my standard. It’s what feels comfortable to me. I have experimented and used other versions for memorization, but time and again, I find that I just keep coming back to the NIV.
The New English Translation (NET)
However, I do like doing Bible memory from the New English Translation (NET Bible) as a second choice. I love the way it’s written.
The Lord is my shepherd, I lack nothing. He takes me to lush pastures, he leads me to refreshing water. (Psalm 23:1-2 NET)
Amplified Bible
The Amplified Bible simply takes the Word of God and amplifies, or turns it up. Think of what you do with your favorite music. You turn that volume up so that you can really enjoy it! That’s exactly what The Amplified Bible does. Using lots of synonyms, along with more defining phrases, it takes the keywords in each verse and just elaborates on them, going back to the original languages to further explain and define what is being said. If you love words, you will love the Amplified Bible.
The Lord is my Shepherd [to feed, guide, and shield me], I shall not lack. He makes me lie down in [fresh, tender] green pastures; He leads me beside the still and restful waters. (Psalm 23:1-2 AMP)
New Living Translation (NLT)
I get questions about the translation that we use for the Faithful Provisions Daily Verse. That is almost always taken from the New Living Translation (NLT). I love how that translation puts things in very understandable, everyday language.
The Lord is my shepherd; I have all that I need. He lets me rest in green meadows; he leads me beside peaceful streams. (Psalm 23:1-2 NLT)
What are your favorite translations and why? Do you remember the first Bible you ever read? Please share your thoughts below!
I grew reading the NIV but as I got older I fell in love the the KJV because of the way it flows like poetry. A few years ago I stumbled across the ESV and now it’s my go to version. It’s got the flow of the KJV but is easier to understand like the NIV.
that should be grew up reading not grew reading. *this is what I get with trying to comment this late at night. lol*
The NLT!!!!
One of the many reasons is that, so many times, when a question is asked in a study guide or a discussion, as to what the verse says/means in the original language, the NLT just SAYS it. 🙂