Unless you're a linguist that speaks Greek, Hebrew, Aramaic, and Latin, you're not going to catch distortions in translation.
How deep you dig on the daily is going to be more of an influence than some random changes in grammar.
KJV is fine, or NIV... i think mine is NASB, but I've had it for a long time and haven't looked at the pub page in a minute.
Try online bible sites that let you compare versions and go with the reading style you like best
The fact that there are so many reputable translations is in itself a clue as to the veracity and reliability. There are even interlinear versions in which one can read direct transliterations of the original Hebrew and Greek, which serves at least 2 important purposes: 1) to verify that the popular English translations are accurate and 2) to justify why it is always translated into modern idiom instead of simply transliterated. (The transliterations are difficult to read, do not flow in the way modern English flows, and the original words have layers and depths of meaning that a well-trained translater who knows that language can tease out by choosing the most appropriate English words and phrases).
I read New American Standard (not flowing, rather difficult to slog through), New International (very easy to read) and New King James (retains some but not all of the old King James poetic approach). They're all good, but these days I am preferring the New King James as my all-around favorite.
I like NKJV as a modernized KJV that changes very little. KJV with a Strong’s concordance to look up individual words, definitions, and where else the words are used. ESV to get a solid version from the other manuscripts (no meaningful difference, but good to have). NIV for a much less accurate but easier to read. Just don’t get into the habit of only passively reading scripture like you would a novel.
Personal experience: avoid NET. It is a terrible excuse for a translation. There are many others as well, I’m sure.
Most importantly, remember that God preserves His word, and the key to understanding has always been the Holy Spirit. Start each reading with repentance and prayer for wisdom, then take the time and do the hard work of searching.
Edit: And if your worried if the newer translation "changes" anything I suggest getting online and buy a Bible that was printed in the early 1900s( or a 1800s if you can) and read it. Then compare to the newer one you purchased.
I read a version of the Jewish Tanach. There's also the Chabad version you can find online (and can show you Rashi's commentary at the flick of a switch!)
But King's James is probably reasonably good. There's some old English, of course. Kind of like reading Shakespeare.
The new modern versions that try to gender flip everything? Trash.
Greek! And only read dead sea scrolls careful their bridle. Think the Geneva Bible I believe is the most literal English translation. But honestly the council of nicaea decided on a lot things. What books should be out in, or out. The Catholic Bible is has some books and not others. The old testament should be consistent (please tell me I'm wrong) across most of not all.
The Peshitta tries to more accurately translate Aramaic (Jesus’ spoken language) into English. Rather than jumping across different translations then into English.
It’s a very old translation. Interesting to see some of the differences, but I don’t think it dramatically changes the messages.
King James
Dead Sea Scrolls.
KJV, NKJV and ESV
King James
Dead Sea scrolls.
🤣☠👌
We have the new King james. You can get a Strings concordance. You can look up greek, aramic.
Unless you're a linguist that speaks Greek, Hebrew, Aramaic, and Latin, you're not going to catch distortions in translation. How deep you dig on the daily is going to be more of an influence than some random changes in grammar.
KJV is fine, or NIV... i think mine is NASB, but I've had it for a long time and haven't looked at the pub page in a minute.
Try online bible sites that let you compare versions and go with the reading style you like best
Older editions of the NIV are okay-ish but the newer ones are bending to the gender neutral bullshit.
KJV or maybe ESV if you can't deal with older English.
Really? Gender neutral? Like God is an it now too?
The fact that there are so many reputable translations is in itself a clue as to the veracity and reliability. There are even interlinear versions in which one can read direct transliterations of the original Hebrew and Greek, which serves at least 2 important purposes: 1) to verify that the popular English translations are accurate and 2) to justify why it is always translated into modern idiom instead of simply transliterated. (The transliterations are difficult to read, do not flow in the way modern English flows, and the original words have layers and depths of meaning that a well-trained translater who knows that language can tease out by choosing the most appropriate English words and phrases).
I read New American Standard (not flowing, rather difficult to slog through), New International (very easy to read) and New King James (retains some but not all of the old King James poetic approach). They're all good, but these days I am preferring the New King James as my all-around favorite.
Just go to a Goodwill or Salvation Army store and buy an old one from the 1950s.
I like NKJV as a modernized KJV that changes very little. KJV with a Strong’s concordance to look up individual words, definitions, and where else the words are used. ESV to get a solid version from the other manuscripts (no meaningful difference, but good to have). NIV for a much less accurate but easier to read. Just don’t get into the habit of only passively reading scripture like you would a novel.
Personal experience: avoid NET. It is a terrible excuse for a translation. There are many others as well, I’m sure.
Most importantly, remember that God preserves His word, and the key to understanding has always been the Holy Spirit. Start each reading with repentance and prayer for wisdom, then take the time and do the hard work of searching.
Latin Vulgate.
Mine is the king James.
Edit: And if your worried if the newer translation "changes" anything I suggest getting online and buy a Bible that was printed in the early 1900s( or a 1800s if you can) and read it. Then compare to the newer one you purchased.
I read a version of the Jewish Tanach. There's also the Chabad version you can find online (and can show you Rashi's commentary at the flick of a switch!)
But King's James is probably reasonably good. There's some old English, of course. Kind of like reading Shakespeare.
The new modern versions that try to gender flip everything? Trash.
I have a king james version
Greek! And only read dead sea scrolls careful their bridle. Think the Geneva Bible I believe is the most literal English translation. But honestly the council of nicaea decided on a lot things. What books should be out in, or out. The Catholic Bible is has some books and not others. The old testament should be consistent (please tell me I'm wrong) across most of not all.
The Peshitta tries to more accurately translate Aramaic (Jesus’ spoken language) into English. Rather than jumping across different translations then into English.
It’s a very old translation. Interesting to see some of the differences, but I don’t think it dramatically changes the messages.