Over the past year, I've been contemplating about which Bible version to use.  The Lord directed me to use one Bible and I thought it was because (in the past) I would use several at any given time.

Throughout the year, I 'stayed' with one Bible version.  Recent events caused me to search for another version that I felt would better meet my needs.  I wanted to find a Bible that would keep the integrity of the original Hebrew, Aramaic, and Greek texts, yet was easy-to-read and study.

I narrowed my selection to two Bible versions, heavily leaning toward one.  The reading of this Bible was very easy, but it was a lot different from what I was used to reading and studying.  I asked the Lord this morning about the Bible vision I was leaning toward and He stated that the importance of any Bible version was for the people to understand the Word of God.

Many debates occur over errors in translation, word-usage, and differences between versions.  I found numerous arguments for and against every English Bible version I researched.  There are probably over one hundred Bible translations and versions around the world.  With any translation, there will be words that are not in the translated language or do not have the same expressions.  Translations may not be the same, but they may convey the same meaning and message.  The Bible translations and versions we have today have brought hundreds, thousands, and even millions to Jesus Christ, leading them to a prosperous and committed life in God.

If there is such a big fuss about Bibles, why don't we go after those that write Bibles for Children?  Many of those Bibles use pictures, paraphrased stories, leave out major parts of the Bible, and work from almost no Bible translation or version.  Their goal/purpose is not for an accurate (word-for-word) translation, but providing a Bible in a medium that its audience can understand.

The Bible is a beautiful work, culminating the essence and love of God toward mankind.  May each of us find a Bible that will keep our hearts, minds, and lives close to Him.