There is a wide variety of Bible versions or translations out there. Why are there so many different Bibles? Which one is the easiest to read and understand? Which one is the most accurate?

Translations are written to make the Bible easier to understand. Most of us have studied the King James Version. The KJV was written in 1611, in Great Britain. It uses language quite different from what we use now, almost 400 years later.

Some of the versions are translated from the original manuscripts. Some are modernized versions of the King James Version.

The best versions are carefully translated by a large group of multidenominational scholars, not a single person or group, which avoids that person's or group's ideas and interpretations. The Living Bible and The Message are two versions done by one person. The New World Translation and New American Bible were done by one denomination.

Some versions are easier to read and understand, with a lower reading level. They translate the meaning of a passage, not a word-for-word translation of the KJV. They are written in paragraphs instead of the "traditional" verse by verse.

Other versions are better for studying. Some want to dig into each passage and study it, cross reference it, pick it apart and put it back together. These Bibles are translated word-for-word from the original manuscripts, they often have a lot of reference material available. Usually written in verses.

Either way we suggest the New International Version to start out with. There's nothing that says later you cannot use two or more versions. Some people have one version they read when they want to just read and get closer to Him and apply the Bible to their life, and another version they use when they want to get down deep into the Word.

KJV King James Version Published in 1611, using 17th century vocabulary and sentence structure. Lots of reference materials. 12th grade reading level.

NIV New International Version The best selling translation, highly accurate, translated by meaning rather than word-for-word, 7th grade reading level. Lots of study/devotional versions and reference material available. Written in paragraphs. Translated by over 100 scholars from every denomination.

NIrV New International Readers Version A simplified version of the NIV, intended for Children. 3rd grade reading level. Uses simple short words and sentences.

NASB New American Standard Bible Formal translation, literal word-for-word, but easier to read than KJV. 11th grade reading level.

New Century Bible Highly understandable 3rd grade reading level

Amplified Popular translation created to understand the hidden meaning of Greek and Hebrew words. Word for word translation with amplification of word meaning. Brackets and parenthesis make reading choppy.

NKJV New King James Version A modern language update of the KJV. The language is modern but the sentence structure is choppy, being an almost word-for-word KJV update. 9th grade reading level.

NRSV New Revised Standard Version Balanced between word-for-word and meaning translation, has a 10th grade reading level.

NLT New Living Translation  Translation based on the meaning of the original, instead or word-for-word. 6th grade reading level.

TEV Today's English Version Very simple, readable version, using a limited vocabulary. 7th grade reading level.

CEV Contemporary English Version Clear simple English written at a 5th grade level. Available with E-sword, see the links page.

God's Word A readable, accurate translation 5th grade reading level. Available with E-sword, see the links page.

Well, now you have it narrowed down to a couple versions you want to look at, you head to the book store or the Christian gift shop and look on the shelves. WHOA!!! There's over a dozen different Bibles of the more popular versions. Now what?

Well, just like buying a new car, there are several "options" you can get in a new Bible. Some will help you out, others you don't need and cost you money for stuff that'll just get in your way and you'll never use.

Study guides and commentaries are a great help in understanding a difficult passage or for gaining background information, but be careful not to use them to translate the Bible for you. Make sure the majority of your time is in prayerful study of the scriptures themselves.

Here are the different "options" you can get in your Bible...

Devotional Bibles Written specifically for men, women, fathers, mothers, couples, marriages, kids, students, or teens, these Bibles not only have the complete text of the Bible, but inspirational stories, study helps, and guides to apply the Bible to your life.

Study Bibles Within the Bible text are references to other scripture, commentaries, and notes. They're also loaded with book introductions, dictionaries, concordances, maps, charts, illustrations, diagrams, everything you need to dig in to the scripture.

Chronological Bibles put the passages in the order they are believed to have taken place.

Parallel Bibles put two (or more) Bible versions side-by-side for better understanding.

Annotated is another term for a Bible that contains study notes

Chain Reference Bible has references grouped into categories with a numbering system

Topical Bible and Subject Index are lists of topics with Bible verses. Great for "what does the Bible say about..." questions

Red Letter Edition has the words spoken by Jesus printed in red

Wide Margin has space for you to write notes

By choosing a translation, and then looking at what "options" you want, it is easy to find one tailor made for you. The key to choosing a Bible is to find one that you will read. If you read it, then it is the one you need. If you don't read it, it doesn't matter how many bells and whistles it has, it will do you no good.

The Bible is the center of learning, so Christians and scholars ("theologians") are very careful making sure the version they use is super accurate to the original Greek and Hebrew manuscripts. Use this guide and if you still don't know what to buy, get on our message board and mail list and ask for help.