Ask These Six Questions Before You Buy Your Next Bible! 

No way, Me too!

Duuh !

I'm not even Christian, I'm just interested in religious texts

As a protestant, who grew up Baptist/Christian and Missionary Alliance, was raised by a father who grew up catholic (and most of his side of the family was/is to this day very catholic) but moved to a protestant faith, worked for a Lutheran Seminary, and went to a Catholic college... we jokingly call Lutherans "baby Catholics" that like the structure of catholicism... just not the Pope. Legitimately though, my best friend in the entire world is catholic and between her and all of the young Catholics I met while studying in college, I'm so encouraged by this generation of Catholic believers. I grew up with a grandmother/father that lived by Vat 1 and maybe 2 ideals... where you go to church, follow what is said, but don't develope any sort of personal relationship. My dad, when he was younger, was never encouraged to open a Bible or ever think for himself. "Just listen to the priest" is what he was told. Plus, my grandmother upon meeting me mom (as a friend to my dad, not even dating) stated that she would, "never have any non catholic grandchildren." So unfortunately my early experience with catholicism was really hurtful. However, my eyes were really opened when I went to college and witnessed so many young Catholic believers being active in their faith and being willing to talk with me and discuss matters of faith, all while not dismissing my faith as unreal or unacceptable. Definitely taught me to keep an open mind about "religious sects" and not write others off so quickly.

My grandpa gave me a Lutheran ESV study when I was 12, I’m not 22 and it is still my go to when I do an in-depth study on a given book. I love the layout, it is very familiar, and it has a ton of references and explanations or verses that can be tougher to find context for.

I have been wanting to get a reader's Bible for the reasons you listed. I think a reader's Bible would help get the feel of the natural breaks in the text.

I agree. My preferred Bible is the TCR 👍

I like the CSB for general purpose/audiences. Still word for word but much easier to understand than the NASB, reads more like how we speak today than the ESV, and does a good job of adding alternative interpretation/literal word meanings on commonly disputed word translations. I use it instead of the NET/NLT in conjunction with all of the other translations you mentioned.

@@Genesis-revelation70 Oh no, I bought earlier today the NLT Study Bible. Wish I had seen this sooner; it was a large investment for me.

@@user-hy8xi4pp9jdoesn’t matter though. Just read first. And as you go along with the reading, you can try other versions. I’ll still advise to have the KJV, NIV, NLT, ESV,RSV and if the budget exists, an amplified Bible too. No one Bible can give you everything The aim of Bible study is to compare and try to reason along the CONTEXT and paragraphs to get the thought patterns.

@@Omoba1 Thank you so much for your helpful reply. Fortunately, I do have the KJV (best for its poetic language and easiest to memorise); the NIV; the NLT (just bought the study bible); the ESV. I don't have either the RSV or the Amplified Bible. I am going to try to buy the latter, but as I live under straitened circumstances since my beloved husband died last year, it will have to wait. Thank you so much for bothering to reply. Kind Regards, Diane, England.

@@user-hy8xi4pp9j sorry for your loss. the Lord Jesus Himself comfort you and may He reveal Himself to you in more wonderful ways.

Absolute FACTS. Love me some Logos.

@kerimurphy4240 I would like that too.

I think he is going to use those six facets he listed.

@nitarose44 I was on Ebay earlier today looking for a Study Bible (wish I had seen this video first) and I saw several interleaved bibles, a couple of Theology Study Bibles, many red-letter and real leather bibles. Have you checked it out?

I've always wondered how things went with quizzers who crossed over from NIV84 to NIV2011. How much do you think "sinful nature" in Romans vs "flesh"?

Interesting how they went gender neutral in some of the pronouns

Beautifully put.

thank you@@alalunaa

I'm not a big fan of chronology layouts even though I read the Bible chronologically most years. I wrote into my regular Bible what to read next right into the passages. Like.... after Numbers 15, I wrote, "Chrono: Psalm 90". After Psalm 90, I wrote, "Chrono: Numbers 16". Hope that's helpful to you if you decide to switch Bibles.