I've been preparing to read the bible and watching educational courses and reading overviews. This has been a very helpful approach for me.

In any case, I've started to read the bible (NIV) and I just now noticed that is has converted to gender neutral language. Not sure what else may be changed that has a material impact on how I learn and understand the bible.

Is it okay to continue with the NIV? Or should I buy a new bible (ie - perhaps ESV which sounds like it keeps the original gender language? Other version?)?

If I change, I'd like to do it now as I'm highlighting passages as I go.

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the bible (NIV) and I just now noticed that is has converted to gender neutral language.

Only a matter of time before they refer to Sarai as a gestational parent.

I prefer New King James Version (NKJV) with ESV in second.

Being a 1990's kid, I grew up primarily with NIV, which would have been the 1984 edition.

They made MAJOR changes (as in substantive changes that change meaning) in the NIV in 2011 with gender neutral language, as well as a bunch of other changes. There were a bunch of denominations that dropped its use.

I would stick to NKJV or ESV, unless you have an old 1984 NIV kicking around.

I noticed another thing in the study notes of an ESV version vs the NIV version.

ESV version note for Genesis 1:26 suggests that "us" is perhaps God speaking to himself and therefore the first reference suggestive of the Trinity. While the NIV version suggests that God is addressing members of his heavenly court (who are they? Angels?)?

Which is right? ESV seems more intuitive. But perhaps the study notes will favor ESV sometimes and NIV at other times?

I prefer ESV with CSB and NASB close behind. I think the ESV translation is mostly good but I also like the availability of various sizes and font sizes, the affordability, how commonplace its use is, and the quality Crossway puts in their product vs some other companies.

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Originally posted by KevH:
I prefer New King James Version (NKJV) with ESV in second.

Being a 1990's kid, I grew up primarily with NIV, which would have been the 1984 edition.

They made MAJOR changes (as in substantive changes that change meaning) in the NIV in 2011 with gender neutral language, as well as a bunch of other changes. There were a bunch of denominations that dropped its use.

I would stick to NKJV or ESV, unless you have an old 1984 NIV kicking around.

I have a NKJV but the print is too small for me now. And it's not a study version. And the language is a little cumbersome for me. But I do appreciate perhaps its better traditional translation.

I'm looking for a large print, study bible. I'll see if there is a NKJV available. Otherwise, perhaps ESV is next best bet. I'm thinking, while the study notes seem nice in the NIV version I have, I'm a little uncomfortable with the substantive changes in scripture and the notes at the moment.

If you like the KJV or NKJV but find the obsolete style hard to follow, then the KJ21 (The 21st Century King James Version) might suit you.

Be sure to get one that includes the deuterocanonicals/apocrypha. The same Church that declared Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John were divinely inspired declared them to be as well. It wasn't until the protestant reformation that those books were not considered to be a part of the Bible.

A great Bible is the Catholic Men's Study Bible, with commentary and reflections by Fr. Larry Richards. I have included a link.

Fr. Larry Richards Study Bible for men

New American Standard is a word translation, not a intent of language translation as NIV is.

It would be simpler to go online and find a good browser-based and mobile device-based provider. Get both going. Read primarily from one translation, and when you are not sure of the meaning, pop over to another.

You are, perhaps, in the age bracket whose personal study included highlighting of the paper pages. Rest assured that modern apps and browser-based Bibles offer highlighting on the screen. Please consider moving your study into the present day, and take advantage of the technology.

It is also quite helpful to use AI for interpretation. How you ask AI is important. With a preamble statement that identifies your world view (such as "I am a conservative evangelical Christian") and then ask your question. "As a conservative evangelical Christian, I'm not sure how to fully understand the parable of the sower..." "Can you offer comparisons of the various commentaries on the commandment "Honor your father and mother...""

You will be surprised how helpful AI can be.

I have the New American Catholic Study Bible. Been very happy with it.

I mark up my NIV but primarily use my ESV Reader's Bible as its more of a direct translation word for word. I've found studying different translations together helps understand better. I also have my King James family Bible and NKJV study Bible.

KJV...but then again I read Shakespeare too.

I'm fairly certain mine is ESV
Our pastors use the NASB ['95, I think] and the sentence structure is a bit different, and some words differ between them.

The Holy Bible app from the App Store, if you are an apple user allows the use of multiple versions of the bible.

On my app, I have NASB, NIV, ESV 2025, KJV and NLT. You can switch between translations and read the same passage in the different versions with a couple of clicks.

I just have the app on my phone and have not created an account, but with an account, you can highlight, comment, ask questions, share, etc.

It is free, without ads, and the same is claimed if you create an account.

According to Google:

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"The organization behind the Holy Bible App is YouVersion, a Christian ministry outreach created in 2008.

YouVersion was founded by Life. Church, a large multisite church based in the United States.

The ministry is led by its founder and CEO, Bobby Gruenewald.

Key details about the organization and the app include:

The Mission: The organization’s goal is to make Scripture freely accessible to everyone, everywhere. To ensure the app remains completely non-commercial, it is fully funded by voluntary donations and does not run ads or sell data.

Global Reach: The app has been installed on over a billion devices globally and offers thousands of Bible versions in over 2,400 languages.

Partnerships: The organization collaborates extensively with thousands of global content and publishing partners to provide reading plans, audio versions, and devotionals."

Pic of the App Icon:

I use the Companion Bible in Kings James Version. It has excellent notes and the appendixes are loaded with information.

I have used the Holy Bible App recommended by ArtieS and prefer it, with the Bible Gateway app a distant second. There are a plethora of translations available, and you can use AI or old fashioned search engines to figure out what will best mesh with your perspective.

For a scholarly approach, the New Revised Standard Version Updated Edition (NRSVUE) is highly recommended. Most Bible versions are based on multiple re-translations and interpretations through various preceding versions. The NRSVUE is considered by a lot of scholars to be the best compromise of having been taken directly from the Greek and Aramaic to this version, while being accessible to average folks.

For sheer appreciation of language, I like the New King James Version, which adheres to the older English phraseologies of the King James Version while updating enough that we can somewhat understand in the 21st century, what is being talked about.

Lastly, there are a bunch of concordances available online through the App Store as well. They provide incredible insight.

Have fun on your journey!

Well, there's always this version:

I have plenty of physical Bibles around but I prefer using my IPad to read on electronic versions. First, I can make the font larger, second the app keeps track of where I am and third I can click on the word and pull up the meaning in Hebrew, Greek, Aramaic etc. (I purchase a lot of extras to use with it).

I prefer the Olive Tree App, they have different Bible reading plans you can customize. Pick the version, set when you want to be done, pick which reading plan and it tracks it for you.

I read through every year and use the chronological plan. It makes more sense to me when I read things as they occurred. I use the OT/NT chronological version so I am reading both OT and NT every day.

I think the basic app is free but different Bible versions have a cost and you can purchase commentaries, dictionaries etc.

Using the app you can go from version to version to help better understand what you are reading.

I'm shocked the NIV has done that. I like that version. My church prefers the ESV, and it is good, but the language can be a little awkward at times.

You may want to consider reading the variety of versions available at: https://Biblegateway.com
Bible Gateway is free and you can select whatever passage you wish, then switch between versions to compare any differences.

Also, logos.com is an excellent, in-depth, Bible resource, with a large variety of translations, studies and commentaries. I bought the download-able version a few years ago, but I think it is subscription only now. It is a little pricey, but it is a huge resource.

EDIT: I just did a cursory check on the NIV version at BibleGateway. I went to Genesis 1 and the language there still refers to God as "he" and also keeps the traditional language of male and female.


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Originally posted by V-Tail:
Well, there's always this version:
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Does that come in a pocket edition?



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