Have you ever tried to have a conversation with someone who spoke in a language different than you? It's pretty tough to get traction. How about trying to talk with someone who insists on using words that you don't understand? Now, that's downright exasperating!
When you are having a conversation with God, via the Bible, it is important to have a version that you can easily understand. Years ago, your options were few, i.e. King James Version (KJV), Revised Standard Version (RSV), New American Standard (NAS), New International Version (NIV), etc. Yet, in recent years, new and reliable translations have popped to the surface, which utilize language and style that is comfortable to read and easily understood, i.e. English Standard Version (ESV), Contemporary English Version (CEV), Today's New International Version (TNIV), New Living Translation (NLT), etc.
I prefer the New Living Translation for "conversational reading" (see an earlier post for an explanation for the term). To see a sample of the difference, let's compare three versions of Proverbs 5:15-16.
KJV
15 Drink waters out of thine own cistern, and running waters out of thine own well.
16 Let thy fountains be dispersed abroad, and rivers of waters in the streets.
NIV
15 Drink water from your own cistern, running water from your own well.
16 Should your springs overflow in the streets, your streams of water in the public squares?
NLT
15 Drink water from your own well—share your love only with your wife.
16 Why spill the water of your springs in the streets, having sex with just anyone?
For me, the NLT (and for others, the ESV) utilizes the language, style, and flow that helps me understand the author, as well as sustain longer reading periods.
There may be a better one for you. Just don't miss this fact: God wants to talk with you. So, choose a version that makes it possible for you to listen.
When you are having a conversation with God, via the Bible, it is important to have a version that you can easily understand. Years ago, your options were few, i.e. King James Version (KJV), Revised Standard Version (RSV), New American Standard (NAS), New International Version (NIV), etc. Yet, in recent years, new and reliable translations have popped to the surface, which utilize language and style that is comfortable to read and easily understood, i.e. English Standard Version (ESV), Contemporary English Version (CEV), Today's New International Version (TNIV), New Living Translation (NLT), etc.
I prefer the New Living Translation for "conversational reading" (see an earlier post for an explanation for the term). To see a sample of the difference, let's compare three versions of Proverbs 5:15-16.
KJV
15 Drink waters out of thine own cistern, and running waters out of thine own well.
16 Let thy fountains be dispersed abroad, and rivers of waters in the streets.
NIV
15 Drink water from your own cistern, running water from your own well.
16 Should your springs overflow in the streets, your streams of water in the public squares?
NLT
15 Drink water from your own well—share your love only with your wife.
16 Why spill the water of your springs in the streets, having sex with just anyone?
For me, the NLT (and for others, the ESV) utilizes the language, style, and flow that helps me understand the author, as well as sustain longer reading periods.
There may be a better one for you. Just don't miss this fact: God wants to talk with you. So, choose a version that makes it possible for you to listen.
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