With so many Bible translations is it hard to know which one to choose. Some denominations will be strictly KJV only and there is a modern translation called the NKJV. The Bible is such a complicated book that it takes a number of reads to be able to understand it, but is there a version of the Bible that is easiest to understand?
There are bible verses that have been recommended by different preachers and teachers of the word. Their reading plans have the verses of the bible for each day. The main goal is to read and understand. Since the word is filled with the words of God that have been given to His servants through visions or by speaking directly to them.
The Bible itself is an expository of different books with different writers. It was written in a different language. It was passed from generation to generation. It was easy for the people who understood the languages used or because they were their languages.
Bible Language
An example is the Jewish people – the ten commandments were written in Paleo Hebrew. It was easy for the reader at that time to read and understand or to understand when it’s being read to the reading.
Most of the books in the Old Testament were written in the Hebrew language which makes it easier for the Jews who used to speak the language in the BC. In the New Testament, the language that was spoken in Greek and some Aramaic.
That is why most of the books of the New Testament were written in Greek. that was all for the people who understood Greek. but the plan is that Christianity spread across the globe and these scriptures are needed for an effective establishment of the religion. Then, how do people who could not speak in the languages which the bible was written read and understand?
English Translations
The necessity to translate the existing books came in so that it would be used in most places where other languages are spoken. All the scriptures were translated into the Vulgate Latin. The next person who was recognized as the first to translate to English from the Vulgate Latin translation is John Wycliffe. Much more compliments were given to Tyndale and Coverdale for the significant role of the bible that they published.
Ever since then, there had been different translation but the first authorized is the King James Version. A version of the Bible that was made to settle all the problems that arose from the translation of the different which is to suit each of the different denominations of Christianity that exist.
Which Bible is the easiest to understand?
To answer the question of which the bible is easy to understand, one might not give a specific answer. There are different versions of the bible out there – people choose anyone they are comfortable with. Some people, even with the complexity of the words used, choose to go with the King James Version (KJV).
One thing that must be noted also is that there is a completely different between easy to read and to understand. Reading something easily doesn’t guarantee a better understanding of that thing. If it is to read with ease or easiest, there are many versions for that.
The kind of English that was used in King James is somehow hard to read and to understand. It has the old English words that are out of date at about the middle of the 20th century. The new translations found faults in the King James version also. According to some version, some words were added to the King James version which was not in the original manuscripts they were translated from.
Bible translation examples
King James Version
1 John 5:7 “For there are three that bear record in heaven, the Father, the Word, and the Holy Ghost: and these three are one.”
New American Standard Bible
1 John 5:7 “For there are three that testify.”
English Revised Version
1 John 5:7 “And it is the Spirit that beareth witness because the Spirit is the truth.”
New International Version
1 John 5:7 “For there are three that testify”
Christian Standard Bible
1 John 5:7 ”For there are three that testify”
English Standard Version
1 John 5:7 ”For there are three that testify”
The NIV gave the reason why most versions did not include some parts that King James added. It says “Late manuscripts of the Vulgate testify in heaven: the Father, the Word and the Holy Spirit, and these three are one. And there are three that testify on earth: the (not found in any Greek manuscript before the fourteenth century)”
Correct Translations
This same verse in the Looking at these three different versions, there are two things we can bring out of this. The first is the removal or the addition of words. The second is the ability of these to bring a sort of confusion to the reader.
This is the problem that most readers face and they are forced to seek the correct one. in terms of reading to understand or reading with ease, it all depends on the reader. How good are you in reading and how good are you understanding what you read?
All these new versions are the best advised to read because of the simple words that were used in them – it is easier to read and understand since the words in it are the words we used every day.
Easiest to Understand
In terms of the reading and the kind of English that was used. The American Standard Version (ASV) was gotten from the King James Version – this is why there are similarities in the kind of words that were used. Comparing four versions for Job 9:10-12
King James Version
Which doeth great things past finding out; yea, and wonders without number. Lo, he goeth by me, and I see him not: he passeth on also, but I perceive him not. Behold, he taketh away, who can hinder him? who will say unto him, What doest thou?
American Standard Version
That doeth great things past finding out, Yea, marvelous things without number. Lo, he goeth by me, and I see him not: He passeth on also, but I perceive him not. Behold, he seizeth the prey, who can hinder him? Who will say unto him, What doest thou?
New American Standard Bible
Who does great things, unfathomable, And wondrous works without number? “Were He to pass by me, I would not see Him; Were He to move past me, I would not perceive Him. “Were He to snatch away, who could restrain Him? Who could say to Him, ‘What are You doing?’
New International Version
He performs wonders that cannot be fathomed, miracles that cannot be counted. When he passes me, I cannot see him; when he goes by, I cannot perceive him. If he snatches away, who can stop him? Who can say to him, ‘What are you doing?’
Christian Standard Bible
He does great and unsearchable things, wonders without number. If he passed by me, I wouldn’t see him; if he went by, I wouldn’t recognize him. If he snatches something, who can stop him? Who can ask him, “What are you doing?”
English Standard Version
who does great things beyond searching out, and marvelous things beyond number? Behold, he passes by me, and I see him not; he moves on, but I do not perceive him. Behold, he snatches away; who can turn him back? Who will say to him, ‘What are you doing?’
Which Bible to Buy?
The New American Standard Bible and the New International Bible contain words that can be easily understood by the reader unlike King James and the American version. Without a doubt, it is preferable to use the NIV because of its accuracy.
Most people use the NASB because it is similar to the NIV. New Living Translation (NLT) used simple English too and something unique about it is the choice of words. They were accurate and can fit into today’s words. It is also easy to understand irrespective of the reader. The Christain Standard Bible, more commonly known as the Holeman Bible is also a classic translation. Plus, the ESV is a popular modern choice.
If you are looking for the easiest Bible to understand you can rule out the KJV as the old English can be a stumbling block. All of these translations are a variation of God’s word and can be trusted. As you can see from the examples above from Job, the two translations that stand out as the easiest to understand are the CSB and the ESV.
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