I need your help

Read the standard King James. It is what most people have in their homes and it is the most popular and readily available. It is also the oldest translated version and what most churches use. Keep in mind that all versions are badly translated versions of original writings! Read with this knowledge. The Bible is a book written by men. Most of it was written anywhere from 25 to 200 years after the events of The Christ (New Testament). I would suggest that you first read the History of the Bible itself so that you have an understanding of how the books of the Bible were selected and interpreted. Also keep in mind that you can read the Torah for a better interpretation of the Old Testament. You can also read the Talmud for a better interpretation of Judiac Law based on the interpretation of the Old Testament. There are also available today many of the books and scrolls that were not included in the New Testament. So you can read these too. Since you are reading for the philosophy of it I would also suggest that you read some of the Church foundation books. City of God and Confessions by St. Augustine Finally if you are going to read the Bible you should also read the Quran. Keep in mind that the lines of Islam and Christian are one. They both lead back to Judiasm, to Moses and Abraham (Abram).

Hi wooitsmolly, Well, got some rainy day reading to do have we? Here's the thing - the Bible is a book. Some guys wrote it, a few years back, apparently. It wasn't actually written by a hairy-butted Angel who descended with pen in hand to sit upon a mountain-top somewhere and studiously scribe this God-sent work for the edification of the masses. So if it's just a book written for men, by men, why bother? I hear Karl Marx wrote a riveting ditty or two. Why not that one instead? OK, I know you're already thinking, where the hell (the figurative one, not the fiery one) is this going? Well, if the Bible is anything more than just a book, then that means that God had some influence in it's composition. The ramification of that is - IF IT IS divinely inspired, then it doesn't MATTER which Bible you choose to read, because you'll be guided anyway - even if you don't know it. And if on the other hand, it IS just a plain old book with no spooky credentials, then it doesn't really matter which one you read because then just any old book is as good as any other. So bottom line is - it's a win-win situation. It doesn't matter which one you read - even the next one you find in a motel room somewhere will do. If you like to get into abstract thinking on this sort of stuff, well here's some politically incorrect advice (at least, something the Bible-bashers won't like). If you happened to bump into Jesus on your next power-walking session through the local park, and asked him which Bible you should read, He'd tell you that you don't have to read ANY Bible. How do I know (or think I know) this? Answer - because Jesus said so. Remember all those Saints down the ages who didn't smoke or even chew bubble-gum, but did lots of other wonderful stuff that most kiddies only dream about? Yeah, yeah, I know, you don't "believe" in any of the Saints or any of that stuff. I was down at the supermarket the other day, and in the pasta aisle I saw old Mrs. Fagan with her trolley trundling along, when all of a sudden a bag of Savings brand fat pasta slipped off a top shelf about three feet behind her. Quick as a snake (a brown snake, they're really quick) she whirled and cught the stuff in mid-air! I could hardly believe it, because she's quite a portly old thing. I know, you don't believe that, either. But brown snakes ARE really quick. Anyway, one of these Saints a couple centuries back asked Jesus if he should learn to read so that he could study the Bible etc etc. And Jesus told him to forget about learning to read, because "I am your book" (!!). What it means, you devilish creature, is that what is in your HEART is way more important than what is in any book that you might read. In any case, it doesn't really matter which Bible you choose to read. But just remember, if there is anything to all this stuff in the first place, that the Bible itself states that all the books in all the libraries in the world wouldn't be able to contain all the things Jesus got up to in the 32 years he was marauding around Jerusalem. Anyone wants to know more than what's in the Bible, has to go ask the man Himself - or the people He's been speaking with.

The versions of the Bible vary depending on the person who compiled and edited them. They are all either based on the original Bible or a translation of the original Bible. I don't know which would be the most realiable. The newer versions are easier to read, however, passages have been removed from them and there is more human interpretation put into them. I would recommend using two or three to try to get all the books in. Different bibles include different books if you want to read the whole Bible you have to read all the books so start with one and then look for one that has different books and just pick out those books. If the Bible does not work for you please keep in mind there are many other religions besides Christianity such as Zoroastrianism, Hinduism, Buddhism, Judiasm, Islam and the Baha'i Faith. Starting with the Bible is a good place to start but I believe everyone has their own path to God they must follow, don't feel that you have to do the most popular religion. If the Bible speaks to you fantastic, but if it does not then try some of the other writings of God from the religions mentioned above. Good luck!

I have the King James version, the NIV and The Message. They are all good, but if you really want to get into what it is all about, start with the first five books of the Bible, in the Old Testament and either get a Strongs Concordance or download e-sword an online concordance here, http://www.e-sword.net/index.html Why the Concordances? Because that way, you can see what the "root" word means in each word you read..Not that you would search for every single word, but some words were not translated well, for the true meaning..And the translators had turned around what some of these meanings were meant to be.. I started a post about this book that may interest you. I have a site in this post that takes you to a site that has an actual book you can read online, no charge, about how there are many mistranslations.. http://www.mylot.com/w/discussions/1503799.aspx I hope this helps...

Hi wooitsmolly, I don't think it matters which version you choose. I prefer the King James, but that's what I grew up with and have read more than any other. You might want to choose one of the more modern versions. I suggest you make up your own mind as you go along, and not have someone else explain it to you. There are things in the Old Testament that might shock you but remember it was written for the people of that day and culture which was very different from the way we live today. I don't take it literally, and I expect you will soon see why. The teachings of Jesus in the New Testament is excellent, try to read those at least. Blessings.

ive read it.. know it.. you truly arent missing all that much. but knowledge is power regardless. those who say that you cannot understand unless you are christian are.. meh. i think its rather self explanatory. when i was in my "wanna know the scripture" obsession.. the things written within the pages of this little novel sickened me, outraged me.. so much so that my husband threatoned to burn the thing LOL but it enlightened me as to why so many people behave the way they do when they base every move they make on whats in that book. as far as what version to read. every sect of christianty has their own version of it.. which is why there are so many different versions out there. some say that james version is the "true" one because it is pretty much the oldest one there is.. others say theirs are.. and you need accompany books to read along with it to undersand and get the full "true" story. youd really have to read every single version there is from cover to cover.. and even then.. you still woldnt have a proper version of whats actually written in the scrolls it is sposedly based upon. i wish you luck in yer endeavor.. its a lofty one.

From what I understand the King James version is the most popular one....

In my opinion, religion without common sense is meaningless and dangerous also! Always start from that part, which you feel more interesting (though it varies from person to person). Anyway, have your mind open and techable to many new concepts and that will help you more in all aspects! Thanks for this discussion.

First of all, there's a lot of homework to be done to find the "right" version of the Bible. One bit of chastisement--you made fun of a "believer" right off the bat, when they, in their eyes, tried to be helpful. You're above that, and you know that's no way to win anyone over. Back to the topic on hand. Do your homework. Some, for example, would suggest "King James" version, which was editted, some parts omitted and some parts altered so that a British King could grant himself a divorce. New International Versions--and just about any version with the word "New" has been re-re-re-re-re-translated again and again. Now, I'm assuming you're not wanting to go as far back as to learn ancient Hebrew, ancient Aramaic, ancient Phoenician, and ancient Greek--just to get the jist of MOST of the original languages the bible was written in? That being said, and a lot of folks are going to dispute this, but I'm going to give you a bit of solid advice, and some highly debatable advice. The solid advice, (being that which would be agreeable by most Christians, and many philosophers alike) would be, that regardless of whatever Bible you pick up, start by reading the 4 gospels, Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John (we're not even getting into the dozens, possibly hundreds of gospels that didnt' get into the bible, courtesy the council of Nicea--more on Nicea later.). These four gospels will give you the backbone of Jesus's/Yeshua's message, and what Christianity SHOULD be based on. You will also find that the bible quite often contradicts Christ's message(s) throughout--but Christ the man or messiah, however you see him, was a wise and compassionate dude, and we should know his message to know what the religion named after him is supposed to be about. Second bit of bible-reading advice. This will be debatable by some, but a brief bit of history will show you that I'm not trying to show some kind of favoritism (as a former-Catholic, etc.)... The fact is, despite claims to the contrary, all forms of Christianity as we know it of today, come from Catholicism. It was only when the Catholic church grew a little weak that other forms of belief, i.e. Protestantism (from Latin Pro testata--new testament, not protesting, some think.) was ALLOWED to be... Protestant bibles, only have 66 books in them, not to mention, some additional cosmetic changes. I would suggest an older Catholic version, the "most reliable"( in regards to the context of this conversation) being the Douay-Rheims version, which has the "original" 72 books in them, in the mass-produced Catholic version. This will certainly not be the easiest version to read--in which case you'd want something like one of those "New" versions I was capping on, but if you wanted something closer to the "original*" Bible--then you'd want to go with an older Douay-Rheims version. *The Bible, and organized Christianity as we know it, was formed near the middle/end of the Roman empire, when the sun-worshipping emperor Constantine put a bunch of (then)contemporary sholars together in a colosseum under swordpoint to create a unified, Christian church, that the then civil-war torn Roman empire could adopt. Hundreds of gospels and books were rejected, including The Book of Enoch (mentioned in the epistle of Jude), the Gospel of Thomas, The Gospel of Jude, the Gospel of Mary Magdalene, and many others that we're not supposed to even believe exist. The end result of the Council of Nicea was the creation of Christianity as an organized religion, The Catholic Church, the Bible as we know it, and the Nicene Creed. --DR...

pasta- and food I enjoy? wtf?

I'm already totally wacked out. The bible will just send me over the edge. I haven't opened a bible since sunday school which was a longgggggggggg time ago. Don't even own one. Sorry, can't help ya here.

Well, with 39 responses to this discussion everything has pretty much been covered (including what foods to eat while reading it???) as for as recommending a version. Sounds like you have chosen one and started reading so I am just wondering what version you went with? As for the topic choice..... come on people, some of the fun of myLot is the humor people use in such choices. I responded to a discussion this week under the topic 'goat herding', it's just funny. Chill out people.

Even though I beleive your post is falacious, I will give my preference. Online I would go to scripturetext.com and use the paralel to read word for word in origanal languge.

hi, wooitsmolly. It's pleasant to see you have a desire to read more in bible. I suggest you to read the NIV (New International version) because it's more simple to read compared to NKJV. I'm reading NIV version now and I find it useful and easy to understand than NKJV. Do try NIV first and read some in NKJV and try to compare by yourself.

O God, good luck. I've been meaning to read through the bible my whole life and never got started. They say if you don't know where a quote comes from, just guess with "the Bible" or "Shakespeare" and you'll have a 50% change of being right. I got a good start on Shakespeare (Love him) but I still haven't gotten around to the bible. LOL The only thing I know about the versions is that Catholics have an authorized version known as the Douay Rheims (Spelling???) bible. I'm Catholic but if I ever get around to reading the bible, I'd probably read the King James version. I'd mainly be interested in the bible as literature and from what little I have read, the King James seems like a better English translation.

Congratulation with your choice to read the Bible. I also prefer the king james version. But do start ligth by the apostels, first John. and must say that if you do not start with the new testament then most difficult to understand the old testament. And I will advise you to find somebody to read and understand together with, best if you can find someone who had learned from a bibleschool, becaurse there are so many things that are easy to misunderstand. But you can also ask the Holyspirit to guide you everytime before reading thats the most correct way.Good luck to you.

Hey Woo, I usually try to use a couple different translations, but that is a lot if you are just starting out. My favorite for ease of understanding is the Living or the New Living. And the book of John is a great place to start. Any questions? Feel free to pm me. Rev Wendy

I agree, read 'The Message'. The bible is not really a boring book (although there are some difficult parts to read). It is very interesting once you get into it. Some interesting books to start with are, John, Mark, Acts, Ecclesiastes, Genesis and Psalms. They saw there is a psalm for every kind of emotion in the world. Happy reading!

Hi, wooitsmolly. I'm glad that you want to read bible. I recommend you to read New International Version Bible. It's more easy to understand. Besides, since you just started to read bible, you can read some articles from the internet too. Start with simple passage will actually help you much to gain more interest in reading the bible.

Hi wooitsmoleey,please read the new testament fully.. after you start to read the old testament. especially you concentrate to read psalms and proverbs in old testament its very interesting...