There are hundreds of versions of the Bible, (e.g KJV, NKJV, NIV), but not all versions of the Bible are the True Word of God. Here I will explain the importance of reading and choosing the True Word of God.
The Bible was originally written in three languages. Most of the Old Testament was written in Hebrew except for parts of the books of Daniel and Nehemiah which were written in Aramaic. The New Testament was written in Greek.
None
of the original manuscripts of the Bible are now in existence, but some
good manuscripts exist which are exact copies of the original. The versions are
known as the translation of these copies from the original manuscripts.
From early
times men saw the necessity of translating the Bible so everyone could
read it in their own language. No translation is exact because no two
languages are exactly alike. Some words used in the Bible do not even
exist in different languages. For example, there is a tribe of Indians
in Ecuador, South America, called the Auca Indians. When missionaries
first contacted them, these Indians did not know how to read or write.
There were no words in their language for "writing" or "book." The Auca
Indians did have a custom of carving identification marks on their
property. Since there were no words in their
language for scriptures, writing, or book, when the Bible was
translated for them it was called "God's Carving." This identified it
as something belonging to God. This is just one example of the
difficulties in translating the Bible into various languages.
There are many different versions of the Bible. The word "version" means a Bible written in a language different from those in which God's Word was originally written. There are two main types of versions of the Bible, Translation and Paraphrase.
TRANSLATION:
A translation is an effort to express what the Greek, Hebrew, and Aramaic words actually say. It gives as nearly as possible a literal word by word translation. Extra words are inserted only when it is necessary in order for the reader to understand the meaning.
PARAPHRASE:
A
paraphrase does not attempt to translate word for word. It translates
thought by thought. A paraphrase is a restatement of the meaning of a
passage. Paraphrase versions may seem easier to read and understand
because they are written in modern vocabulary and grammar, but they are
not an exact translation of God's Word. These are man made versions.
When beginning to read a Bible the best one to get is a translation version rather than a paraphrase version, then you
know you have the closest word for word translation from the true Word
of God. The King James Bible, is a translation Bible, Many people shy away from the King James Version because they think it is too complicated to read, but it actually is a very interesting and more understanding than paraphrase bibles.
There are several reasons for this:
SECOND: There are more study tools available for the King James version. There are a large number of concordances, dictionaries, and commentaries written for the King James text.
THIRD: The King James Version is available in more languages than any other version, it is important to have a Bible in your native tongue because you think and understand it best in your own language.
FOURTH: Every time a new version of the Bible is reproduce they are required to remove at least 20% from the original text in order to comply to copy right laws, that means that the newer versions have even less of God's Word in it. Incidentally, the King James Version is the only Bible not under copy write, meaning people are welcome to reproduce it and sell it to others without having to comply with those laws.
For more information about why the King James Version is important please, Click Here.
Translation and Paraphrase Bible Verses
To illustrate the importance of why we are to read a translation Bible verses a paraphrase Bible I have listed Luke 4:8 in several versions. It will prove that words have been
taken away or added, leaving the reader unknown to important key phrases
and truths that God intended
for you to know. Sometimes one word is omitted or changed and it may seem insignificant,
but it is serious to God. Not knowing one key word can literally be the difference between life or death. You will be able to see how misleading and confusing these new versions can be to new Christians.
King James Version (1611): And Jesus answered and said unto him, Get thee behind me, Satan: for it is written, Thou shalt worship the Lord thy God, and him only shalt thou serve.
Darby (1890): And Jesus answering him said, It is written, Thou shalt do homage to [the] Lord thy God, and him alone shalt thou serve.
Young's Literal (1898): And Jesus answering him said, `Get thee behind me, Adversary, for it hath been written, Thou shalt bow before the Lord thy God, and Him only thou shalt serve.'
New King James Version (1975): And Jesus answered and said to him, “Get behind Me, Satan! For it is written, ‘You shall worship the LORD your God, and Him only you shall serve.
New International Version (1984): Jesus answered, "It is written: 'Worship the Lord your God and serve him only.'
Amplified Version (1987): And Jesus replied to him, Get behind Me, Satan! It is written, You shall do homage to and worship the Lord your God, and Him only shall you serve.
21st Century (1994): And Jesus answered and said unto him, "Get thee behind Me, Satan! For it is written: `Thou shalt worship the Lord thy God, and Him only shalt thou serve.'
New American Standard (1995): Jesus answered him, "It is written, 'YOU SHALL WORSHIP THE LORD YOUR GOD AND SERVE HIM ONLY.'
Contemporary English (1995): Jesus answered, "The Scriptures say: 'Worship the Lord your God and serve only him!'
GOD'S WORD (1995): Jesus answered him, “Scripture says, ‘Worship the Lord your God and serve only him.’
New Living (1996): Jesus replied, “The Scriptures say, ‘You must worship the Lord your God and serve only him.’
New English: And Jesus answered him, "It is written, "'You shall worship the Lord your God, and him only shall you serve.'
New Century (2005): Jesus answered, "It is written in the Scriptures: 'You must worship the Lord your God and serve only him.'
The Message (2002): Jesus refused, again backing his refusal with Deuteronomy: "Worship the Lord your God and only the Lord your God. Serve him with absolute single-heartedness.
Wycliffe (?): And Jesus answered, and said to him, It is written, Thou shalt worship thy Lord God [Thou shalt worship the Lord thy God], and to him alone thou shalt serve.
Today's New International Version (2005): Jesus answered, "It is written: 'Worship the Lord your God and serve him only.'
