Can anyone recommend a good bible?

[Lilifer]

Lapsed catholic here.

I feel like I want to start reading the bible, despite never having done so in my life before (Catholics - in Ireland at least - aren't really encouraged to read the bible, it's just read to us at mass in the readings)

I really want a bible that is referenced for things like say, a good psalm or reading for if you're feeling anxious or down, so that I can just turn to that page without having to trawl through all the different books of old and New Testament - not sure where to start

I collect Bibles 😬and my favourites are the New World Translation, and the Bible in Living English/Byington’s, because of the easy to understand language.

They are available online (amongst others) here:
www.jw.org/en/library/bible/

I like the online/digital versions because you can search for words. You can also search for any topics, and results will throw up Bible scriptures, as well as interesting Bible-based articles:
https://www.jw.org/en/search/

If you want, I can send you some of my favourite scriptures for when I’m feeling down…

Thank you @CakeFiend8 that would be great if you can dm me. 🙌🏻

I'll check those links out.

Hi @Lilifer

Have you heard of the Bible in a Year podcast? It's excellent (IMO). The accompanying bible is The Great Adventure Catholic Bible

https://ascensionpress.com/products/the-great-adventure-catholic-bible

Best wishes to you

Hi. I like the NIV. I think too though that some bible reading notes will help you understand much better how to apply the text to your daily life so that you can enjoy your relationship with God more. I use Encounter with God notes. I can recommend a great company called 10 of those for all Bibles at great prices. Encounter with God comes from the Good Book Company. As a start id suggest you look up Roger Carswell online. He has a piece about how you can know God loves you.
I'm afraid there is so much poor teaching and publications around about the Christian faith.

Theology grad and retired RS lecturer here. If you need anymore advice just pm me. :)

I actually really like the Gideon Bibles for their lists of texts for when you're feeling .... - the ones distributed at school or in hotel bedside drawers.

I imagine there's a way of requesting one via the Gideon Society's website?

There are.

Oh fab thank you I'll check that out, I love podcasts!

I use the Bible App by YouVersion.com.

You can read the Bible in so many different versions on there plus it has loads of Bible reading plans say for if you feel anxious, or you want to know more about Jesus and so on. You can also search for things you want to read.

Also on the home page there are really interesting little videos you can watch daily.

https://app.bible.com/FCPc/ilyCM8GCtC?add_friend_id=64820472

Thank you! Can I just ask what does NIV stand for?

@SannaK Is that Encounters with Jesus? I couldn't see one called Encounters with God on the good book company website?

I'm a massive fan of Fr Mike Schmitz and the bible in a year podcast.

I'm now listening to catechism in a year. I've done both twice (well 1.5 for the catechism).

The great adventure bible is colour coded to divide into eras. So exodus and deuteronomy group together and Kings and chronicles. Telling the same stories.

I think you can easily use online recommendations for a good reading suggestions e.g. if you are sick or if you need to be patient or for perseverance in prayer.

Sorry Lilifer. Not encounters anything!

It's the explore series.

NIV. New International Version.

www.tell-me-more.org.

Happy to help! X

"I really want a bible that is referenced for things like say, a good psalm or reading for if you're feeling anxious or down, so that I can just turn to that page without having to trawl through all the different books of old and New Testament"

The trouble with that is that you miss so much. When I first read it cover to cover I was amazed.

I'd never have found 2 Kings 2:23-25 if I just went on suggestions by others and without reading Exodus 11. 4-5 myself I wouldn't have taken in what it was saying.

That's really interesting, and yes I probably should just try and read it cover to cover. I just find the idea of that a bit overwhelming, it's not like a normal book, and I feel like I would become lost in it as there's so much to take in.

Thank you!🙏

Please don't start at Genesis 1 and try to get through it all. It's really hardcore to do that and many have tried but failed. I would really recommend starting with one of the gospels and just reading that first. Maybe Luke.

This looks great.

Thanks @MyOtherProfile I will try that!

Er what, @LastTrainEast, I can see no particular connection between those verses?

Please be careful OP - this first response you received is not leading you to the actual Bible: this reply is from a Jehovah's Witness, and their 'bible' is not the actual bible - it is their own version.

@CakeFiend8 I'm sorry you felt unable to be straightforward in your answer.

Thank you for this thread OP. I’ve now discovered the Bible in a Year podcast and have downloaded a kindle study bible to go with it (will invest in a hard copy later). I have a King James but the text is so small that I can’t read it. My niece has recently become interested in reading the bible so I’ve sent her the podcast link too.

@whyhere I didn't know that. I opened the link and saw Jehovah's Witness but is Jehovah not another name for God? I had no idea that they use a different bible? Is is substantially different to the usual ones? (Excuse my ignorance on this I don't know much about the JW faith and don't meant to offend)

Thanks. Yes the tiny print puts me off too!!

I've downloaded that podcast to try it out today, thank you! 🙏 ☺️

I love the Revised Standard Version (RSV).

I wonder if there's an app for finding Bible passages for different kinds of difficulties and feelings?

Bible Gateway is a site where you can get the different versions of the same verse. I value it - once I've found a text that helps me, the different translations really open up the meaning,

The Gideons' app has the same Helps as in their bibles