Now I know that some will think this is just a wind bag’s way of getting out of directly answering the question. In fact, the really astute in the crowd will have picked up on the fact that all the Scripture provided throughout this web site and in its supporting materials exclusively use the New American Standard Bible™ and are just waiting for me to provide the justification for why that translation is superior over all other translations. (Makes me giggle uncontrollably just thinking about it.)

I believe that as a Christian matures in their walk with Christ and as they commit time each and every day to God’s Word that the translation they use PERSONALLY (make note of that word because I’ll come back to it) will probably change over time. Paul describes this as first feeding on “milk” and working your way up to “meat”. (Invokes the image of how the care and feeding of a baby differs as it grows into a child and then an adult.) I strongly encourage new Believers to seriously consider the New Living Translation™ or the New Life Version™ or any of many similar offerings. (Your local pastor and/or Bible bookstore would love to assist you in this.) However, getting back to the “personally” aspect, if this version differs from that used every week in your local church, make every attempt to have a copy of that particular version as well for PUBLIC events so you can effectively follow the teaching.

As you grow in stature and knowledge of Christ it is not unusual to find that someone else’s version–probably a more literal translation used by a local pastor or teacher–begins to attract your ear. It’s not heresy to move to another version and is probably a good indicator that you desire to move from “milk” to “meat”. If the Spirit ultimately leads you to learn Greek and Hebrew and carry the Bible around in its original languages, so be it. The progression will be natural–and slightly different–for each person as they pursue God’s voice through His Word.

Because of the linguistic situation described above, wherein many versions result from the many choices that can be made about how to translate a word into English, the best situation is to consistently read God’s Word in more than one format. Ideally, having at least 3 Bible translations–1 from each end of the spectrum and 1 from the middle–is the closest you’ll come to being an actual Bible translator yourself without ever learning an ancient language. Simply by reading and comparing more than one translation you will experience all the “flavors”, if you will, of the text and the different translation possibilities that actually compliment each other. Instead of contradicting each other you’ll discover they compliment each other. And in the comparison of translations you will come to personal knowledge as to which are the “best”.

One of the great things about Bible software packages available today is that they will show the same passage side-by-side simultaneously in multiple versions. Most of them allow you to set up defaults so that you can consistently use the same 3 or 4 versions of choice. (I know many of the packages come with dozens of versions but try to keep regular use down to the same 3 or 4.) Printed parallel Bible versions are not only great in this regard but provide the added benefit of being a mini-fitness program. (They tend to be the largest, heaviest Bibles. Having one at home is a good goal.)