Click Banner to go to main page

Which Bible Should We Use

By: Rev Rich Puckett

Note: I personally use only King James to preach and teach from, I do not condemn those that do not. For the reasons below I feel it is the safest word to use, but in study I use many commentaries and works by other ministers including commentaries like the NIV and others.

Bible, term used since the 4th cent. for the Christian Scriptures and later, by extension, for those of various religious traditions. (For the composition and canon of the Bible, see OLD TESTAMENT, NEW TESTAMENT, APOCRYPHA, and articles on individual books.) The traditional Christian view

is that the Bible was written under the guidance of God and is, therefore, entirely true, literally or couched in allegory. Interpretation of the Bible is a main point of difference between Protestantism, which holds that individuals have the right to interpret the Bible for themselves, and Roman Catholicism, which teaches that individuals may read the Bible only as interpreted by the church. In the 20th cent. many Protestants have been influenced by biblical criticism that has applied scientific and historical methods to Bible study ("higher criticism"); FUNDAMENTALISM, on the other hand, emphasizes the absolute in errancy of the Bible. Noted extant manuscripts of the Bible include Codex Vaticanus (Greek, 4th cent.), at the Vatican; Codex Alexandrinus (Greek, 5th cent.), in the British Museum; and Codex Bezae (Greek and Latin, 6thcent.), at Cambridge, England. Among the DEAD SEA SCROLLS are the oldest fragments of the Hebrew text known; the New Testament has come down to us in Greek. The first great translation of the whole Bible was the Latin Vulgate of St. JEROME. The Greek text generally accepted in the East is, for the Old Testament, the Septuagint. Great names in the history of the English Bible are John WYCLIF (d. 1384), whose name appears on two translations; William TYNDALE, whose New Testament (1525-26) was the first English translation to be printed; and Miles Coverdale, who published (1535) a translation of the entire Bible. The greatest English translation (and one of the most influential English prose works) is the Authorized Version (AV), or King James Version

(KJV), of 1611, made by a group of churchmen and scholars led by Lancelot Andrewes. The Rheims-Douay Version was produced by Roman Catholic scholars at Rheims (New Testament, 1582) and Douai (Old Testament, 1610), France. In the 19th cent., the Authorized Version was revised as the English Revised Version and the American Revised Version (pub. 1880-90). American

scholars published (1952) the influential Revised Standard Version (RSV). New translations are the New English Bible (1970) and such Roman Catholic translations as the West Minster Version and the New American Bible (1970); an English translation of the French Catholic Bible de Jerusalem appeared

as the Jerusalem Bible (1966).

• Many of the earliest Bibles were written on clay slates or in marble. Some of these were more pictures than words. We do know however ( according to Haley's Hand book ) that writing was formed before the flood. One later king has been quoted as saying he enjoyed the preflood writings. There is a museum piece on clay that is believed to have been written by Noah. There is no original manuscripts of the Bible in it's full text available. Many to the texts used by King James translators and by those which did the Bishops and Douay were lost or destroyed many years before any of our manuscripts but do date back further than the Codex. Most of the modern Bible has been translated from the Codex Sinaiticus, which is a Greek Bible belonging to the fourth Century. The Codex Vaticanus which is from the Vatican library and has some parts missing, which too is from the fourth century. The Codex Alexandrinus which is in a British museum. It was written about the fifth century and has all except for about 40 lost leaves. The Septuagint version was Hebrew translated into Greek about 285 BC at Alexandris. The Samaritan Pentateuch was a Hebrew text perpetuated in Samaritan character. The Peshito or Syriac was from the first century and in the common language of Syria. The Vulgate was Latin and was translated by Jerome at Bethlehem in 400 AD. These were available to James's and earlier translators at least in part. James also used Wycliff from 1380, Tyndale translation which was 1525-1530 and not complete. He also had Miles Coverdale and Matthew's Bible from 1537. These were some of the earliest Bibles translated and were mostly translated from Latin to English. The Great Bible 1539 was used along with some of the others for the Geneva Bible 1560 and was a widely used Bible in England for many years. In 1568 the Bishops bible was written by order of Archbishops of Canterbury and was used primarily by the clergy. The Douay Bible was a Roman Catholic Version made form the Latin Vulgate the new testament was finished in 1582 while the old testament was completed in 1610. This Bible up until the last few years was the Bible of Choice. It is very similar in context and style to the King James but has the additional books that most early scholars and the King James scholars felt were not Inspired Word of God but yet good history books of the day. King James Version The Authorized Version, the King James Version was first published in 1611 in England. King James I took an active role in organizing the six panels of about 50 translators in 1607. The mandate was to translate "the whole Bible, as consonant as can be to the original Hebrew and Greek; and this to be set out and printed, without any marginal notes, and only to be used in all churches of England in time of divine service." This Bible has been the chief bible used by Protestants for 3 centuries. The writers were under the threat of death by loosing their heads if they translated wrong. All the Greek and Hebrew along with the Latin was used to do this translation. It took 3 and 1/2 years to complete, which is amazing. This was one Bible where the goal was to translate it, not interpret it. James was well educated and was very much into study. He did not like having words placed in his mouth. If one began to do research you find he was a hard man which sought after truth about the mysteries of the life to come. I believe this is still the most reliable source of instruction we have to day. No bible written past this time could use the many resources that then were available. Some of the things that were done was to place into chapters, verses, and relocation of the books. The books are not arranged into the order in which they were written but rather and order of events. The Bible was never meant to be a history of the ages but a message from God to man and a book of remembrance for man. The KJV study bibles has some commentary notes to help one gain an understanding of the scripture but is not a rewrite of one person or groups opinion The amplified is a paraphrase and through it acts as a fairly reliable commentary it does not allow one to depend on God for the answer to scripture.

James I, the only child of MARY, QUEEN OF SCOTS, was the first king to rule both England and Scotland, the latter as James VI. Born on June 19, 1566, James was only 15 months old when he succeeded his mother to the Scottish throne. He received an excellent education from tutors such as George BUCHANAN and, after a tumultuous minority, began his personal rule of Scotland in 1583. During the next 20 years James successfully asserted his position as head of church and state in Scotland, outwitting the nobles who conspired against him. Being eager to succeed the childless ELIZABETH I to the English throne, he merely protested when his mother was executed for treason against Elizabeth in 1587. James went to Scandinavia in 1589 to bring home his bride, Anne of Denmark, who bore him several children but annoyed him by becoming a Roman Catholic. In 1603, James became the first STUART king of England, and he devoted himself almost entirely to English affairs thereafter.

Although raised as a Presbyterian, he immediately antagonized the rising Puritan movement (see PURITANISM) by rejecting a petition for reform of the Church of England at the Hampton Court Conference (1604). Roman Catholic hostility, manifested in the attempt (1605) by Guy FAWKES to blow up both king and Parliament, did not dissolve the English suspicion that James was pro-Catholic because he had concluded peace with Spain in 1604. The suspicion was intensified when James took only ineffective diplomatic steps to secure the restoration of his Protestant son-in-law, Elector Palatine FREDERICK V, after he had been deposed in the Thirty Years' War. Initially guided by Robert Cecil, 1st earl of SALISBURY, an able chief minister, James subsequently allowed his court favorites -- first Robert Carr, earl of Somersett, and later George Villiers, 1st duke of BUCKINGHAM--effective control. The role of these ministers complicated James's stormy relations with Parliament. That body's conception of its rights, especially in financial matters, clashed with the king's view of the royal prerogative. Confident in his own wisdom and experience, James avoided hard work, preferring to hunt. He was fortunate in having the services of Lionel Cranfield, earl of Middlesex, a former merchant, who looked after the royal finances until he was impeached (1624) for corruption at the behest of Buckingham. Parliament also impeached (1621) another able minister, Francis BACON, and blocked James in his attempts to arrange a formal Anglo-Scottish union and to exchange his rights to feudal dues for a permanent grant of revenue from Parliament. James wrote books about kingship, theology, witchcraft, and tobacco and commissioned the Authorized (King James) Version of the Bible. He died on Mar. 27, 1625, having warned his son and heir, CHARLES I, of future dangers to the monarchy from Parliament James I, King of England

Hosea 4:6 My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge: because thou hast rejected knowledge, I will also reject thee, that thou shalt be no priest to me: seeing thou hast forgotten the law of thy God, I will also forget thy children.

Hosea 4:7 As they were increased, so they sinned against me: therefore will I change their glory into shame.

• It is not hard to believe today that people are dumb when it comes to what Gods word says. Not because it is hard to understand, ( it is only hard to those who are not willing to put in study) but because they refuse to pray and trust God and study. We live in a society where we want what is easy, and not have to think or work to hard to get what we desire. We want a salvation that is given to us that we don't have to work at to keep. God gave it freely but it is our job to keep it. If I gave you a new car, and you didn't put gas in it, do you think it would go very far, or when the tires got bald and you do not replace them would you go far? We must not reject the free gift and we must do the maintenance to keep it.

James 1:6 But let him ask in faith, nothing wavering. For he that wavereth is like a wave of the sea driven with the wind and tossed.

James 1:7 For let not that man think that he shall receive any thing of the Lord.

James 1:8 A double minded man is unstable in all his ways.

• Why is so hard to ask God who wants to give us what we need. Also one must make up their mind to serve God, and be committed. One can see very quickly that God has no use for a double minded man. ( uncommitted )

• I love it! Seek counsel of God before we start down the journey, not after. Do you think for one minute the Bible you read will not influence the counsel that you receive of God.

2 Tim 3:17 That the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works.

• I know you will see this again but look at it now and place it deep in your heart. the word is by the leading of God, Given by God for you. Commentary's are not given by inspiration but by head knowledge, what about translations? They are put together with every effort made to translate what has been said, not interpret. Many of the books called bibles are commentary's not translations.

2 Tim 2:15 Study to show thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.

• I wonder why so many choose to ignore or obey what God has said to us. Study, not a commentary, not a dictionary, not someone's sermon but his word. Then do what we are supposed to do with it, not teach the doctrines of a church group or a Bible college, or a denomination, but the word of Christ. This is not meant to tell you not to look at other opinions for Gods word in Isa. tell us to reason together. Just don't replace God's word is the issue.

John 14:17 Even the Spirit of truth; whom the world cannot receive, because it seeth him not, neither knoweth him: but ye know him; for he dwelleth with you, and shall be in you.

1 Tim 3:15 But if I tarry long, that thou mayest know how thou oughtest to behave thyself in the house of God, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and ground of the truth.

• Seems pretty difficult to teach people how to behave in the church maybe it's because there is such a lack of truth and a lot stuff that is just plain opinion, and men's ideals, and gossip, and all kinds of junk that is not of God. Now I'm not saying man shouldn't have opinions but they should be based on sound doctrine that you know is of God because you studied and read and prayed and God gave it to you. How can there be no confusion when everyone in the crowd is reading something different.

1 John 2:4 He that saith, I know him, and keepeth not his commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him.

1 John 3:19 And hereby we know that we are of the truth, and shall assure our hearts before him.

1 John 3:20 For if our heart condemn us, God is greater than our heart, and knoweth all things.

1 John 3:21 Beloved, if our heart condemn us not, then have we confidence toward God.

• Knowing and believing are somewhat different things. Believing something seems to sound as if there is a possibility of being wrong. Where to know something says there is no doubt. Our heart, if we learn to follow it, lets us know a lot of things. For the consciousness of man gives us good guidance when we are wrong, along with the convicting power of the Holy Spirit. To paraphrase, If our Heart condemns us we are condemned already.

• I must put in here that this not meant to keep one from discussing, and even debating the gospel, The following scripture point out that if we do it for strife, then we are wrong. If we debate to learn and cause others to seek the truth then it is not wrong for it is not profane nor vain. Often people try to impress us with their great knowledge, this is vain. When it is just for the purpose of causing desertion or confusion it is wrong, so as in all things the motive and the timing is very important. I have often seen men of God use this to keep them from having to really answer concerns that go against the doctrinal stands or their personal justifications. They are not correct in the use of this scripture. Remember you can not base your Beliefs on any one verse but must use the whole. One grain of salt in a gallon of water will not effect the taste of that water, put a cup in and see what happens.

Prov 25:9 Debate thy cause with thy neighbor himself; and discover not a secret to another:

Prov 25:10 Lest he that heareth it put thee to shame, and thine infamy turn not away.

Prov 25:11 A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold in pictures of silver.

Prov 25:12 As an earring of gold, and an ornament of fine gold, so is a wise reprover upon an obedient ear.

Prov 25:13 As the cold of snow in the time of harvest, so is a faithful messenger to them that send him: for he refresheth the soul of his masters.

Rom 1:27 And likewise also the men, leaving the natural use of the woman, burned in their lust one toward another; men with men working that which is unseemly, and receiving in themselves that recompense of their error which was

meet.

Rom 1:28 And even as they did not like to retain God in their knowledge, God gave them over to a reprobate mind, to do those things which are not convenient;

Rom 1:29 Being filled with all unrighteousness, fornication, wickedness, covetousness, maliciousness; full of envy, murder, debate, deceit, malignity; whisperers,

Rom 1:30 Backbiters, haters of God, despiteful, proud, boasters, inventors of evil things, disobedient to parents,

Rom 1:31 Without understanding, covenant breakers, without natural affection, implacable, unmerciful:

Rom 1:32 Who knowing the judgment of God, that they which commit such things are worthy of death, not only do the same, but have pleasure in them that do them.

• It is very important to note the difference in the way debate appears. Some debate is not pleasing to God, it is the motive and method that is the thing that changes the way it is looked at. Going into a building that is not yours and has a no trespassing sign would be wrong and against the law, unless the place was on fire and you were saving someone inside.

2 Tim 3:14 But continue thou in the things which thou hast learned and hast been assured of, knowing of whom thou hast learned them;

2 Tim 3:15 And that from a child thou hast known the holy

scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus.

2 Tim 3:16 All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:

• Why do we doubt what God has given. Later you will find information on King James, his task and goal, you will find information and other opinions as to which book is a Bible. One thing I want to put before you is make sure that what ever choice you make that the choice is lead by the Spirit and that it is the inspired word of God. As you will see not ever writer or publisher which has provided translations is doing so because of leading of God. But rather a leading of the pocket book. Some translation were written for the soul purpose of indoctrinating the public to a particular way of belief and not an open minded Spirit lead instruction. How do you know the difference, by the fruits of what is taught and demonstrations of how the readers lives are effected. The Word is the best tool to reprove, rebuke and bring about conviction. As the next verse says so nicely to make us perfect ( heart that is right with God, Righteous ) and equipped to fight the Devil with good works and condition the church with good works.

Preach the Word

2 Tim 4:1 I charge thee therefore before God, and the Lord Jesus Christ, who shall judge the quick and the dead at his appearing and his kingdom;

2 Tim 4:2 PREACH THE WORD; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all LONGSUFFERING and doctrine.

• If only ministers would practice this scripture, the whole church world as we know it would change. Preach the word, not Henry commentary, not someone's else's well thought out message but the Word. Ready at all times rather in church or at home, at post office or store. To not beat people but reprove and rebuke and exhort with longsuffering. How often we try to beat people and pass laws and form new denominations in order to make good Christians. If only we would be humble and preach in love. I have learned that in fact I am more often a baby sitter over lambs and that of a shepherd over sheep. The shepherd has to do both. So there are some we give milk, and there are some that need meat. And God expects us to give both as needed and to do it in an attitude of a caretaker, a servant, a Minster, a messenger, a leader, a example, with love and compassion. All to often the word are harsh when they should be sweet, the attitude of disgust when it should be compassion, the tone of pride when it should be humble. May we learn the word that we might preach the word and that we might first apply the word we preach to ourselves before we give it to others.

2 Tim 4:3 For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears;

2 Tim 4:4 And they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables.

2 Tim 4:5 But WATCH THOU IN ALL THINGS, endure afflictions, do the work of an evangelist, make full proof of thy ministry.

• WE need to learn the word of God not the thoughts of man on what the word says, we need to study, pray (ask of God), we need to endure, not do as many have and turn away to writers who say they interpret the word but in realty have watered down the word in order to allow one to go on living in an unrighteous condition. Most of the translations offer a good deal to many opinions for my taste. It is true that the KJV is a translation, and thus has no doubt some of man's use of words that were felt to be accurate to the meaning, yet it does not take a way the ability to think and pray. If God had wanted it in a simpler language he certainly could have led men to write it that way, yet he never wanted it to be to simple, and heres the proof.

Mat 13:11 He answered and said unto them, Because it is given unto you to know the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven, but to them it is not given.

Mat 13:13 Therefore speak I to them in parables: because they seeing see not; and hearing they hear not, neither do they understand.

Mat 13:14 And in them is fulfilled the prophecy of Esaias, which saith, By hearing ye shall hear, and shall not understand; and seeing ye shall see, and shall not perceive:

Mat 13:15 FOR this people's heart is waxed gross, and their ears are dull of hearing, and their eyes they have closed; LEST at any time they should see with their eyes and hear with their ears, and should understand with their heart, and should be CONVERTED, and I should heal them.

Mat 13:16 But blessed are your eyes, for they see: and your ears, for they hear.

• God wants people to have to find what the Word says to them and what his message is for their life. And he speaks through prophets and preachers to help give direction in the learning process but everyone will be led by the Spirit and taught by the Spirit as we grow.

1 Cor 1:22 For the Jews require a sign, and the Greeks seek after wisdom:

1 Cor 1:23 But we preach Christ crucified, unto the Jews a stumblingblock, and unto the Greeks foolishness;

1 Cor 1:24 But unto them which are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God, and the wisdom of God.

1 Cor 1:25 Because the foolishness of God is wiser than men; and the weakness of God is stronger than men.

Phil 2:12 Wherefore, my beloved, as ye have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation WITH fear and trembling.

• We should no take this passage lightly, you have the right to believe what you want. You can read what you want, but if your wrong the price you will pay will be great. I do not mean to say here that only minister are right, but know the word and understand God called them for a reason.

Phil 2:14 Do all things WITHOUT murmurings and disputings:

Phil 2:15 That YE MAY BE BLAMELESS AND HARMLESS, the sons of

God, without rebuke, in the midst of a crooked and perverse nation, among whom ye shine as lights in the world;

• If we would learn to use the word of God as our instruction book and just apply what it says we could not go wrong. We should not be so interested in disputing over doctrinal issues and more interested in saving souls. Most of the fighting is over things that do not deal in saving souls. If one looks at the word and let it do the talking and let the Spirit do the leading we would be surprised how many people would come to agree with us. I find that the most bitter arguments are from people who will only except the parts of the Bible that fits what they want to believe. I'm sure that those who disagree with my positions here would say the same. All I know is here is the passages as God has given them to me and here is the truth as I perceive it. And I know that there is nothing contained here in that would lead anyone away from God but would draw them in closer.

Eccl 12:13 Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: FEAR GOD, and keep his commandments: for this is the whole DUTY of man.

Eccl 12:14 For God shall bring every work into judgment, with every secret thing, whether it be good, or whether it be evil.

• So you see what we read influences what we believe, if you read that which is not true in the interpretation or leave out a key word you might get the wrong message. Or what if I give you a Baptist opinion or a Catholic opinion, or Mormon opinion, isn't what you really want is a Christ like opinion based not on what a denomination opinion is but on what the word of Gods says. Now if the book you read is supposed to be the word of God but it is written by only those of one denomination, would the translation not reflect there groups opinion on key scripture? What I have learned over the years is what comes easy is rarely worth having.

• Many folks agree with the Fairchilds I do NOT. For the already stated reasons and also some new ones. Have you ever given instructions to someone being very detailed for them to give to your children. Later you discover that not half of what you said and little of what you meant was conveyed to the Kids. One of the great tests that was done to the KJV and Douay was a harmonic study. Have you ever noticed how that books written years apart can be so much alike. For example each writer and the stories given link together. Some have said there are mistakes, I have yet to see one. When fully study out you find the err was in our understanding of what was being said. So does that mean we should just write a new bible that better explains those points. Why? Don't we have enough lazy non praying and studying people now. Making it easier to read does not make it easier to retain. Understanding does not come from the translation. Understanding comes from the Lord.

1 Cor 2:15 But he that is spiritual judgeth all things, yet he himself is judged of no man.

1 Cor 2:16 For who hath known the mind of the Lord, that he may instruct him? But we have the mind of Christ.

RV - 1881- AMS-1901- The writes were able to use a wide range of resources including the parts that remained of the old transcripts. They also was able to use the more recent dead sea scrolls that had been discovered. One point of great interest is that the Dead Sea scrolls did not do anything to take away from the scriptures of the King James version. The only real question is rather the scrolls are inspired word of God. This has not been established through they make excellent addition to ones study process.

RSV - Revised Standard Version - The style is very similar to the KJV but in modern English. Probably the most precise translation available. The RSV was, till recently, the standard Bible used in Sunday worship services in the English speaking world. (N/A) Berkley Version 1959- The new testament was originally translated into modern English from the Greek by Gerrit Verkuyl. He had a staff of 20 translators including various professors and used all the available resources.

AMPLIFIED -- The Amplified Bible First released in 1958 in the New Testament, The Amplified Bible was published in its entirety in 1965 by the Lockman Foundation and Zondervan after more than ten years of work. As research secretary, Mrs.Frances Siewert laid the foundation of The Amplified Bible for the work of a committee of twelve, who had as their purpose "to reveal, together with the single-word English equivalent to each key Hebrew and Greek word, any other clarifying shades of meaning that may be concealed by the traditional word-for-word method of translation." Clarifying words are printed in each verse with the use of parentheses and brackets.

JB - The Jerusalem Bible - A different style of English is displayed in this very accurate and poetic translation of the French language Bible of the same name. The JB is a useful bible to have because of the way it expresses familiar passages from other translations in a slightly different manner than most current translations and is, therefore, a good second or third bible to own, especially for those who have little difficulty in reading.

NAV - The New American Standard Version -1971- A good translation that has been used extensively by the Roman Catholic Church in North America and by many others. Not as formal as the RSV or the NRSV and exceeded in popularity by the NIV.

The Living Bible-1971- It is a compilation of scripture paraphrases by Kenneth N. Taylor, Previously published as Living Letters. in 1962. This is supposed to say exactly what the writes meant in modern English. This is the worst excuse for a bible in my opinion of all of them. Often main points are so changed and things left out that if this is the instructions to heaven you may get lost before you get there.

TEV - Today's English Version or The Good News Bible -Used in many Pews and Sunday Schools. The simple and familiar vocabulary makes this an ideal bible for children. Because of the desire for simplicity this bible is not as strictly accurate its translation as some others.

• Which is exactly why it should be tossed in a trash can and never given to children.

NIV- New International Version-1978-So titled to reflect the character of the translators, who came from the United States, Canada, Great Britain, Australia, and New Zealand, the NIV is an entirely new translation based on the most reliable Hebrew, Aramaic, and Greek texts. Scholars from colleges, universities, and various countries and denominations including, Anglican, Assemblies of God, Baptist, Brethren, Christian Reformed, Church of Christ, Lutheran, Mennonite, Methodist, Nazarene, Presbyterian, Wesleyan and other churches took part in it's development. The NIV, whose copyright is held by International Bible Society, has become the best-selling English translation of the Bible, with more than 100 million copies in print.

• Most of the descriptions are from Richard J. Fairchild, Charlene E. Fairchild, and inserts from the Thompson Chain Reference Bible and of course my personal notes along the way.

O Timothy magazine, Volume 9, Issue 1, 1992.

David W. Cloud, Editor. All rights reserved.]

Pornography Dealer Owns the New International Version

Did you know that publishing magnate Rupert Murdock owns the New International Version? He became owner of it when his publishing empire took over Harper and Row Publishers, which in turn had taken over the Zondervan corporation. This is interesting because Murdock also publishes pornography. It reminds us that it is money which largely makes the modern world of Bible publishing go around. Consider the following comments by Theodore P. Letis in his foreword to The Martyrs Bible Series, Volume two: Though it was given life by the Zondervan Corporation, the New International Version then fell into the hands of the Harper and Row Publishers as a result of a corporate take-over. [They are the publishers of such notable contributions to the history of Christian thought as Jane Schaberg's The Illegitimacy of Jesus: A Feminist Theological Interpretation of the Infancy Narratives (San Francisco: Harper and Row, 1987).] This company, in turn, was also taken over by Rupert Murdock, the publisher of among other things the British daily paper the Sun, notorious for its nude pin-ups. Such is the modern world of the designer Bible. We mention this not to indulge in ad hominem, but rather to drive home the fact that modern Bible publishers -- not to be confused with Bible societies -- are not religious organizations or missionary societies, deserving our unexamined trust. They operate in the cold world of profit, like any other business organization. It is not the edification of man's souls they are after, it is their purchasing power. Take a look at how modern "scholarship" treats the Holy Scripture in the so called "Living Bible": Here is the updated version of Elijah's run-in with the prophets of Baal: "Perhaps he is talking to someone or else is out sitting on the TOILET." (Living Bible I Kings 18:24)

• (1 Ki 18:24 KJV) And call ye on the name of your gods, and I will call on the name of the LORD: and the God that answereth by fire, let him be God. And all the people answered and said, It is well spoken.
• (1 Ki 18:24 NIV) Then you call on the name of your god, and I will call on the name of the LORD. The god who answers by fire--he is God." Then all the people said, "What you say is good."
• (1 Ki 18:24 NASB) "Then you call on the name of your god, and I will call on the name of the LORD, and the God who answers by fire, He is God." And all the people answered and said, "That is a good idea."
• (1 Ki 18:24 NRSV) Then you call on the name of your God and I will call on the name of the LORD; the god who answers by fire is indeed God." All the people answered, "Well spoken!"
• (1 Ki 18:24 NNAS) "Then you call on the name of your god, and I will call on the name of the LORD, and the God who answers by fire, He is God." And all the people said, "That is a good idea."
• (1 Ki 18:24 NKJV) "Then you call on the name of your gods, and I will call on the name of the LORD; and the God who answers by fire, He is God." So all the people answered and said, "It is well spoken."
• Here you can see for your self the differences in several Bibles, not all of the differences are far off. That's, why they make an excellent commentary they do provide clearer reading in our everyday language. Yet look at the first one from the living Bible, I do not see anything like that expressed in the holy scriptures. How miss leading and how degrading .

• I do not have a living Bible but this appears to be a miss print, for the 6 verse talks about wound in the hand and the 8 verse is not even close-out of all the other versions.

• Zec 13:7 Awake, O sword, against my shepherd, and against the man that is my fellow, saith the LORD of hosts: smite the shepherd, and the sheep shall be scattered: and I will turn mine hand upon the little ones.
• Zec 13:8 And it shall come to pass, that in all the land, saith the LORD, two parts therein shall be cut off and die; but the third shall be left therein.
• Zec 13:9 And I will bring the third part through the fire, and will refine them as silver is refined, and will try them as gold is tried: they shall call on my name, and I will hear them: I will say, It is my people: and they shall say, The LORD is my God.

• Prov 29:2 When the righteous are in authority, the people rejoice: but when the wicked beareth rule, the people mourn.
• Mat 7:29 For he taught them as one having authority, and not as the scribes.
• Mark 13:34 For the Son of man is as a man taking a far journey, who left his house, and gave authority to his servants, and to every man his work, and commanded the porter to watch.
• Mark 13:35 Watch ye therefore: for ye know not when the master of the house cometh, at even, or at midnight, or at the cock crowing, or in the morning:
• Mark 13:36 Lest coming suddenly he find you sleeping.
• Mark 13:37 And what I say unto you I say unto all, Watch.
• 2 Cor 10:8 For though I should boast somewhat more of our authority, which the Lord hath given us for edification, and not for your destruction, I should not be ashamed:
• The authority is not to be Lord and Masters but to teach and demonstrate the will of God. To reprove and rebuke with all long suffering. by the way I added most of the Bible references to this article to help you look deeper at this subject. Even if you do not agree at least understand why so many of us still hold to what has been great for 3000 years.
• 2 Tim 4:2 Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine.
• Titus 2:15 These things speak, and exhort, and rebuke with all authority. Let no man despise thee.

• Gen 11:1 And the whole earth was of one language, and of one speech.
• Gen 11:2 And it came to pass, as they journeyed from the east, that they found a plain in the land of Shinar; and they dwelt there
• Gen 11:3 And they said one to another, Go to, let us make brick, and burn them thoroughly. And they had brick for stone, and slime had they for mortar.
• Gen 11:4 And they said, Go to, let us build us a city and a tower, whose top may reach unto heaven; and let us make us a name, lest we be scattered abroad upon the face of the whole earth.

• Gen 11:5 And the LORD came down to see the city and the tower, which the children of men builded.
• Gen 11:6 And the LORD said, Behold, the people is one, and they have all one language; and this they begin to do: and now nothing will be restrained from them, which they have imagined to do.
• Gen 11:7 Go to, let us go down, and there confound their language, that they may not understand one another's speech.

• According to one Bible researcher there are over 1200 translations and thousands of books that have been written about the Bible to explain what God said he'd do for free, if we ask.

or remain forever backslidden or lost. Comprehending the KJV-Only position necessitates an understanding of how Satan has relentlessly attacked the Holy Bible. To eliminate, diminish, or question the Scriptures is to jeopardize man's central communication link with his God. This is precisely how the human race fell in the Garden of Eden. Having received her Creator's clear instructions, Eve chose to entertain the "serpentine suggestion". A key insight into the way Satan attacks your King James Bible can be gained from his

very first words to man: "Yea, hath God said...?" (Gen. 3:1)

• (Gen 3:1 KJV) Now the serpent was more subtle than any beast of the field which the LORD God had made. And he said unto the woman, Yea, hath God said, Ye shall not eat of every tree of the garden?

translators would have us to trust in the "doctrine of the Nicholaitanes"-- that Romanistic doctrine that presents the Roman priests as the sole dispensers of God's Word to the people. This doctrine teaches that the common man cannot possibly understand the Scriptures apart from the parish priest's guidance and

interpretation. It sets the priests up as the "biblical scholars"; and leaves the common man with no authority other than his Roman priest or Pontiff. This same Romish doctrine is now pervading our "Evangelical" translation efforts. The modern translators use such words as "the majority of biblical scholars agree that verse so-and-so is not in the original manuscripts" or "the two most reliable Greek texts do not contain verse XX."... They would have us to believe that since these modern Romish scholars SAY that "verse so-and-so is not in the originals", we are to trust them completely. They are asking us to do the very same thing that the Roman Catholic priest requires of his parish church members. We are being asked to "trust in the scholars" rather than to trust completely in our particular bible version.

• Deu 31:11 When all Israel is come to appear before the LORD thy God in the place which he shall choose, thou shalt read this law before all Israel in their hearing.
• Prov 20:12 The hearing ear, and the seeing eye, the LORD hath made even both of them.
• We are to tell the people the Word of God. Not in some secret chamber, not to just a few select people in college. But to all the people. They are to hear the Word of God. Not the words of man. Many preachers spend to much time telling folks their words and not enough time telling Gods Word. Of course if you don't read Gods words but mans words, then how can you tell them what you don't know?

• How can we that have felt and learned of God trust a group of people that believe we came from monkeys, that believe the God is woman, that teach that homosexuality is O.K.. Yet do you realize that many of the people which worked on the most modern translations were not Christians and never professed to be so. What direction do you think they would have taken on issues that went against their beliefs. Now it may well be true that those folks ( over 40) that translated for King James may not have been Christians yet they understood that to err was death. If I had the threat of loosing my head for being incorrect, I'd do my best to get it right. Also the work was read and reviewed many times by different scholars.

Some observations:

1. God's messages to His children are always simple, clear and unmistakable.

The modern translators have created an atmosphere of uncertainty concerning what God's Word REALLY says. They constantly say that it is "not certain" that verse so-and-so was in the original autographs. This creates doubt in the hearts of men as to whether the Bible can be trusted completely.

2. Spiritual freedom is ensured by believing God's message.

We are reminded of the value of simple faith in God's Word by the words of our Saviour in Mat. 18:3, "Except ye be converted, and become as little children, ye shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven." The entire Christian life is experienced through a childlike faith as we believe a message we do not understand, love a person we have never met, and long for a home that we have never visited. With God's reminder that "He that doubteth is damned". But the modern translators and anti-KJV-only scholars would have us not trust God with our childlike faith, but rather trust in THEIR man-made and human-conceived notions of what God really meant. They are asking us to disobey the clear commands of Christ.

3. Any man or movement which encourages doubt in God's Word is satanically motivated.

Paul warned us in II Cor. 11:3, "But I fear, lest by any means, as the serpent beguiled Eve through his subtlety, so your minds should be corrupted from the simplicity that is in Christ. Paul also said, "God is not the author of confusion". Jesus warned in Revelation of the doctrine of the Nicolaitanes. The word Nicolaitanes comes from "nikao"-- o conquer; and "laos"-- the people. Literally it means "to conquer the people"... and that is exactly what our modern textual critics are doing, when they set themselves up as the only true authorities for biblical interpretation.

I am convinced that the modern Bible movement is being directly headed by none other than Satan himself. I don't say that those who have been fooled by Satan are not saved-- Eve trusted Christ... but I am saying that they are allowing themselves to be influenced and directed by Satan. "But the anointing which ye have received of him abideth in you, and ye need not that any man teach you."

• There are places that I feel the writer for this article is a little harsh in his phrasing but I agree in general. We have become a nation of lazy people and instead of working we want it given to us. The publishers, even the Christian leaders would have you believe you are not smart enough to read and understand what God is saying and that you can't have a close spiritual walk that will allow you to see for yourselves what Gods says. Maybe they're right, if the NIV is the top selling bible. I look at the fruit I see in the churches and I see a weak and unlearned people that have little discipline. Could it be we have watered down Gods word so much that we are going away from Heaven instead of closer too?
• Prov 16:25 There is a way that seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death.

There are a great number of English language translations and paraphrases of the Bible available for purchase. This situation has only existed for the last one hundred years, and for most part, the large variety we now experience has only come about within the last thirty years. When choosing a Bible to use be aware of the difference between a paraphrase and a translation. Translations attempt to provide the precise meaning and wording of the original text. Normally a huge committee prepares and checks each section of the translation for accuracy and meaning. Paraphrases, on the other hand, are concerned only to approximate the original meaning and wording. They are often the work of individuals who are interested in making the task of reading easier and who are bring to the text a particular theological view. Paraphrases are very useful tools, but they are not an adequate substitute for a translation. [ I can not recommend the King James high enough ] When purchasing a Bible look for the study aids that are included. Commonly available are maps and tables and short introductions to each Book of the Bible. Many Bibles, especially Study Bibles, also include concordances (a list of key words in the bible and where to find them) and extensive cross references (which help you to find passages like the one you are currently reading). Study Bibles normally also include extensive notes at the bottom of each page which explain the significance of the Bible verses on that page -particularly those passages of difficult meaning or translation. When buying a Bible for a child check to see if you are getting a Bible or merely selected Bible Stories. We recommend that a person own at least two bibles - one of them being a Study Bible, and that the study bible be a King James Version with a good concordance and possibly a dictionary. Other translations make a good commentary. Remember that your Bible is a handbook for the faith. It is helpful to have both a "Family Bible" in which you record events like marriages and births, and a Bible that you use daily and which you can carry with you, sling around, and write in the margins of. If you were to examine carefully how the Bible is "stuck together" and knew exactly when each part of the Bible was

written you would notice that the various books of the Bible do not appear in chronological order, but rather that most of them are "grouped" together according to the type of material in them and that these groupings include within them a tremendous variety of material. In short, if you were to read the Bible from beginning to end you would not be reading the Bible in order of the events that are described in its pages. What does this tell you about the Bible?

Never lose site of the purpose of Gods word.

• John 1:1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.
• John 1:14 And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth.
• John 5:24 Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that heareth my word, and believeth on him that sent me, hath everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation; but is passed from death unto life.
• John 8:31 Then said Jesus to those Jews which believed on him, If ye continue in my word, then are ye my disciples indeed;
• John 8:32 And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.
• What if I accept some other Word that is not really what God said could I be lead astray? Look at the answer below.
• John 8:43 Why do ye not understand my speech? even because ye cannot hear my word.
• John 8:44 Ye are of your father the devil, and the lusts of your father ye will do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and abode not in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaketh a lie, he speaketh of his own: for he is a liar, and the father of it.
• John 8:45 And because I tell you the truth, ye believe me not.
• John 8:46 Which of you convinceth me of sin? And if I say the truth, why do ye not believe me?
• John 8:47 He that is of God heareth God's words: ye therefore hear them not, because ye are not of God.
• John 12:48 He that rejecteth me, and receiveth not my words, hath one that judgeth him: the word that I have spoken, the same shall judge him in the last day.
• Seems to me that I would want to pay close attention to what word I follow, because it is the Word that we are judged by. If the so called Bible misleads you and miss a important message for you like YOU must be Born again, you could miss it all.
• John 17:17 Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth.
• Acts 4:4 Howbeit many of them which heard the WORD BELIEVED; and the number of the men was about five thousand.
• What was it that they heard that convicted them and brought them to the truth, the Word.
• Acts 8:4 Therefore they that were scattered abroad went every where preaching the word.
• We are to preach the Word not mans word but the best resource of what we have to be Gods Word.

• Amos 8:11 Behold, the days come, saith the Lord GOD, that I will send a famine in the land, not a famine of bread, nor a thirst for water, but of hearing the words of the LORD:
• Aren't we in that time of famine, I hear a lot said that says nothing. While visiting with a friend the other day the commit was said that the preachers sermon had started very good but by the time he closed he had forgotten what the start was. I need not give you all that God gives me but I must give you what God gives to me to give you. Now I have rarely found that God puts more on your plate than you can receive, so if you aren't able to receive it I look at me first. It is very easy to get carried away talking about what I love, and that is indeed what happens I quite preaching and I start talking. I want God to do the talking Through Me To YOU!
• Acts 18:8 And Crispus, the chief ruler of the synagogue, believed on the Lord with all his house; and many of the Corinthians hearing believed, and were baptized.
• Rom 10:17 So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.
• You can't grow if your not willing to listen. For the strength of your faith depends on you listening to what God is trying to say to you
• Gal 3:1 O foolish Galatians, who hath bewitched you, that ye should not obey the truth, before whose eyes Jesus Christ hath been evidently set forth, crucified among you?
• Gal 3:2 This only would I learn of you, Received ye the Spirit by the works of the law, or by the hearing of faith?
• Gal 3:3 Are ye so foolish? having BEGUN in the Spirit, are ye now made PERFECT by the flesh?
• Gal 3:4 Have ye suffered so many things in vain? if it be yet in vain.
• Gal 3:5 He therefore that ministereth to you the Spirit, and worketh miracles among you, doeth he it by the works of the law, or by the hearing of faith?
• Heb 5:11 Of whom we have many things to say, and hard to be uttered, seeing ye are dull of hearing.
• Heb 5:12 For when for the time ye ought to be TEACHERS, ye have need that one teach you again which be the first principles of the oracles of God; and are become such as have need of milk, and not of strong meat.
• Heb 5:13 For every one that useth milk is unskilful in the word of righteousness: for he is a babe.
• Psa 119:105 Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path.
• There is o better light than the light of the Word. And the word is Christ and the light is Christ.
• 2 Chr 21:7 Howbeit the LORD would not destroy the house of David, because of the covenant that he had made with David, and as he promised to give a light to him and to his sons for ever.
• John 1:4 In him was life; and the life was the light of men.
• John 1:5 And the light shineth in darkness; and the darkness comprehended it not.
• John 1:6 There was a man sent from God, whose name was John.
• John 1:7 The same came for a witness, to bear witness of the Light, that all men through him might believe.
• John 1:8 He was not that Light, but was sent to bear witness of that Light.
• John 1:9 That was the true Light, which lighteth every man that cometh into the world.
• John 1:14 And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth.
• Job 12:25 They grope in the dark without light, and he maketh them to stagger like a drunken man.
• Job seems to be describing our present situation very well. The folks to day are searching for a light they expect us to provide that light. But the lamp has gone out in so many of his people. They are like the five foolish virgins that have a lamp but no oil. We cannot overcome sin or teach men to do so with out first having the light, and then using the light to see the road before us. I once went on a walk to town with a cousin of mine, he wanted a flash light to see by so I gave him mine. We had gone about a mile and I heard a crash behind me he had fallen in the ditch. When I turned to see what happened I noticed the light was off and in his back pocket, of no use at all. When I asked why he had not been using the flash light, he replied he was saving the batteries. How many of us are trying to make the journey of life with out using the light. We carry the word of God to Church, we here the preacher preach, but we never use the light. ( apply the truth of the word to our lives ) On another occasion while going in to an old house with my little brother late at night he was leading the way and was shining the flash light up looking in the rafters and fell in a hole in the floor. This resulted in my other brother and myself falling in behind him. When I began to scold him he responded he was checking for Bats. Maybe we spent to much time trying to remove the beam out of our brothers eye and not enough time watching where we are going. A light turned off or pointing in the wrong direction is of little value. We as a church have far to often made the light of little value. If the Bible is water down or if the version we use point us off into what was important to the translator and not the full picture of what God is saying it has little value.
• Job 24:13 They are of those that rebel against the light; they know not the ways thereof, nor abide in the paths there of.
• If we really look at the word and seek truth is the King James really to hard to read and understand? When I began to learn to read I sometimes thought that I would never make it. It took hard work. Nothing worth having comes easy. You will have to work and you will have to have the Holy Ghosts help to understand. Why you may have to listen to some foolishness of preaching, but isn't it worth it? Why settle for something artificial if you can have the real thing. Once while playing with some of the girls in the neighborhood my mom brought out some chocolate cookies to eat. One of the girls replace several of the cookies with some she had made out of mud. When my little brother had asked for one she offered the tray without saying which was which. He grabbed the one that looked the biggest. Gus what looked so good yet tasted so bad, you got it the mud cookie. Why do so many chose the mud cookie ( other books called bibles ) because they look good or so they don't have to study as much, think as hard, spend time on their knee's.
• Psa 27:1 The LORD is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? the LORD is the strength of my life; of whom shall I be afraid?
• Psa 37:6 And he shall bring forth thy righteousness as the light, and thy judgment as the noonday.
• Psa 37:7 Rest in the LORD, and wait patiently for him: fret not thyself because of him who prospereth in his way, because of the man who bringeth wicked devices to pass.
• Psa 37:8 Cease from anger, and forsake wrath: fret not thyself in any wise to do evil.
• Psa 37:9 For evildoers shall be cut off: but those that wait upon the LORD, they shall inherit the earth.
• Psa 43:3 O send out thy light and thy truth: let them lead me; let them bring me unto thy holy hill, and to thy tabernacles.
• Psa 56:13 For thou hast delivered my soul from death: wilt not thou deliver my feet from falling, that I may walk before God in the light of the living?
• There is a joy in taking the time to learn what Gods word says it takes patience but the reward it worth the price.
• Psa 89:15 Blessed is the people that know the joyful sound: they shall walk, O LORD, in the light of thy countenance.
• Psa 90:8 Thou hast set our iniquities before thee, our secret sins in the light of thy countenance.
• We must learn the sound of God in our lives. This comes by reading his Word, it comes through pray and learning to hear his voice, it comes through messages and teaching. And what joy to discover that the way of the Lord brings satisfaction, and peace, assurance, and hope for today and tomorrow.
• Psa 112:4 Unto the upright there ariseth light in the darkness: he is gracious, and full of compassion, and righteous.
• Psa 119:130 The entrance of thy words giveth light; it giveth understanding unto the simple.
• Psa 119:131 I opened my mouth, and panted: for I longed for thy commandments.
• Psa 119:132 Look thou upon me, and be merciful unto me, as thou usest to do unto those that love thy name.
• Psa 119:133 Order my steps in thy word: and let not any iniquity have dominion over me.
• Prov 4:18 But the path of the just is as the shining light, that shineth more and more unto the perfect day.
• Prov 4:19 The way of the wicked is as darkness: they know not at what they stumble.
• Prov 6:23 For the commandment is a lamp; and the law is light; and reproofs of instruction are the way of life:
• Prov 13:9 The light of the righteous rejoiceth: but the lamp of the wicked shall be put out.
• Prov 13:10 Only by pride cometh contention: but with the well advised is wisdom.
• You might ask why all this scripture? It is because you must realize the importance of the word and the light. Man's so called bible's have been written to show how smart we have become, and how much better qualified we are to give the word than our for fathers. Yet what has happened is contention. For over 3000 years the KJV served and did so well now we are much brighter then those before. Was it not the same Holy Spirit and the same God that had directed them. I look at many of today's writing and question if God had anything to do with it at all.
• Isa 5:20 Woe unto them that call evil good, and good evil; that put darkness for light, and light for darkness; that put bitter for sweet, and sweet for bitter!
• Isa 5:21 WOE UNTO THEM THAT ARE WISE IN THEIR OWN EYES, and prudent in their own sight!
• Isa 8:19 And when they shall say unto you, Seek unto them that have familiar spirits, and unto wizards that peep, and that mutter: should not a people seek unto their God? for the living to the dead?
• Isa 8:20 To the law and to the testimony: if they speak not according to this word, it is because there is no light in them.
• We ought to take a close look at what we read and what we say. Our children are being mislead, our churches are not better places, when people speak and say thus sayeth the word, it almost impossible to know if it was read out of some translation or made up. Is God really pleased with this confusion? I know he is not.
• Isa 42:16 And I will bring the blind by a way that they knew not; I will lead them in paths that they have not known: I will make darkness light before them, and crooked things straight. These things will I do unto them, and not forsake them.
• Isa 50:10 Who is among you that feareth the LORD, that obeyeth the voice of his servant, that walketh in darkness, and hath no light? let him trust in the name of the LORD, and stay upon his God.
• Isa 50:11 Behold, all ye that kindle a fire, that compass yourselves about with sparks: walk in the light of your fire, and in the sparks that ye have kindled. This shall ye have of mine hand; ye shall lie down in sorrow.
• We should take a new look at how we live and use Gods word, the gospel. I often see folks get in close to the fire but fail to walk in the fire. We need heart knowledge, not head knowledge, we need heart experience, not body experiences.
• Isa 60:1 Arise, shine; for thy light is come, and the glory of the LORD is risen upon thee.
• Mat 5:14 YE ARE the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid.
• Mat 5:15 Neither do men light a candle, and put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick; and it giveth light unto all that are in the house.
• Mat 5:16 Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.
• Luke 8:16 No man, when he hath lighted a candle, covereth it with a vessel, or putteth it under a bed; but setteth it on a candlestick, that they which enter in may see the light.
• Luke 8:17 For nothing is secret, that shall not be made manifest; neither any thing hid, that shall not be known and come abroad.
• Luke 8:18 TAKE HEED THEREFORE HOW YE HEAR: for whosoever hath, to him shall be given; and whosoever hath not, from him shall be taken even that which he seemeth to have.
• Take heed how you hear. I find it hard to go to church and ask everyone to read with me and they can not follow the word because they are not all reading from the same versions. They lose where I'm at and I have the same problem when trying to follow others that use some other book. We need consistency.
• Deu 4:2 YE SHALL NOT ADD UNTO THE WORD which I command you, NEITHER SHALL YE DIMINISH OUGHT FROM IT, that ye may keep the commandments of the LORD your God which I command you.
• As you can see from the beginning of God giving his word, he did not want it altered. I think we should be very frightened about how we change meaning and misinterpret what God has said. One needs to understand the message and it's application, God may have you use a thought out of context but if he does it will be supported by the rest of the Word. If it can not be demonstrated in the word, leave it alone. Not even every writer said everything exactly the same, because they were speaking to different people but they did not change the meaning of what was said. Many translation in my opinion change the meaning and not just the text it self. God wants me to get from the word what I need and you what you need. If it all reads in a way that there is no freedom to interpret than we limit what God is saying. In translation the goal is to say exactly what the other party said in the language of the hearer, with out changing any of the meaning or loosing any of the content. You do a book by book study and tell me you never see that happen? Then why have so many different one's to read? Why not just use the NIV? The truth is you know that different translators all said it differently and some times left out parts. If all of the writers were using as claimed the same texts to translate from, the books should read the same. My adopted brother is deaf, when I speak to him and some one translates it, it is translated the same as I said. If four or five translators are present they use exactly the same sign. Compare the Amplified to any of the rest and it's not even close. It adds a great deal of wording and often goes far beyond the original text. This might be fine as a commentary to give you better understanding. But I have concern about calling it the Bible. Call it a commentary else many are mislead in what they think Gods word says. It may or may not add to the overall meaning, that depends on what God wanted me to see.
• Deu 12:32 What thing so ever I command you, observe to do it: thou shalt not add thereto, nor diminish from it.
• Prov 30:5 Every word of God is pure: he is a shield unto them that put their trust in him.
• Prov 30:6 Add thou not unto his words, lest he reprove thee, and thou be found a liar.
• Rev 21:8 But the fearful, and unbelieving, and the abominable, and murderers, and whoremongers, and sorcerers, and idolaters, AND ALL LIARS, SHALL HAVE THEIR PART IN THE LAKE WHICH BURNETH WITH FIRE AND BRIMSTONE: which is the second death.
• Isa 30:1 Woe to the rebellious children, saith the LORD, that take counsel, but not of me; and that cover with a covering, but not of my spirit, that they may add sin to sin:
• 2 Pet 1:5 And beside this, giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue; and to virtue KNOWLEDGE;
• 2 Pet 1:6 And to knowledge temperance; and to temperance patience; and to patience godliness;
• 2 Pet 1:7 And to godliness brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness charity.
• 2 Pet 1:8 For IF THESE THINGS BE IN YOU, AND ABOUND, THEY MAKE YOU THAT YE SHALL NEITHER BE BARREN NOR UNFRUITFUL IN THE KNOWLEDGE OF OUR LORD Jesus Christ.
• 2 Pet 1:9 But he that lacketh these things is blind, and cannot see afar off, and hath forgotten that he was purged from his old sins.
• 2 Pet 1:10 Wherefore the rather, brethren, give diligence to make your calling and election sure: for IF YE DO THESE THINGS, YE SHALL NEVER FALL:
• 2 Pet 1:11 For so an entrance shall be ministered unto you abundantly into the everlasting kingdom of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.
• Rev 22:18 For I testify unto every man that heareth the words of the prophecy of this book, If any man SHALL ADD unto these things, God shall add unto him the plagues that are written in this book:
• Rev 22:19 And if any man SHALL TAKE AWAY from the words of the book of this prophecy, GOD SHALL TAKE AWAY HIS PART OUT OF THE BOOK OF LIFE, and out of the holy city, and from the things which are written in this book.

Rev 22:19 And if anyone takes words away from this book of prophecy, God will take away from him his share in the tree of life and in the holy city, which are described in this book.

ASV- Rev 22:18 I testify unto every man that heareth the words of the prophecy of this book, if any man shall add unto them, God shall add unto him the plagues which are written in this book:

Rev 22:19 and if any man shall take away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God shall take away his part from the tree of life, and out of the holy city, which are written in this book.

NAS-Rev 22:18 I testify to everyone who hears the words of the prophecy of this book: if anyone adds to them, God will add to him the plagues which are written in this book;

Rev 22:19 and if anyone takes away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God will take away his part from the tree of life and from the holy city, which are written in this book.

NASB-Rev 22:18 I testify to everyone who hears the words of the prophecy of this book: if anyone adds to them, God shall add to him the plagues which are written in this book;

Rev 22:19 and if anyone takes away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God shall take away his part from the tree of life and from the holy city, which are written in this book.

NRSV-Rev 22:18 I warn everyone who hears the words of the prophecy of this book: if anyone adds to them, God will add to that person the plagues described in this book;

Rev 22:19 if anyone takes away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God will take away that person's share in the tree of life and in the holy city, which are described in thisbook.

NKJV-Rev 22:18 For I testify to everyone who hears the words of the prophecy of this book: If anyone adds to these things, God will add to him the plagues that are written in this book;

Rev 22:19 and if anyone takes away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God shall take away his part from the Book of Life, from the holy city, and from the things which are written in this book.

• I believe that here is the best place to close for I can not say it any stronger than the word of God says it. Are you willing to take a chance of loosing your place in heaven by changing Gods word? I'll trust that which I have found to never fail and that which has spoken to me in so many ways. Maybe those 40+ writers missed something maybe they didn't, But I found Jesus in the pages, and I find them consistent, As stated earlier even the Douay when placed side by side read the same. You can't say that about any of the modern translations. I would also like to point out that there are over 30 Greek translations and they are not consistent in there content, so which one do you use?

The Concise Columbia Encyclopedia is licensed from

Columbia University Press. Copyright  1995 by

Columbia University Press. All rights reserved.