I thought that I'd tell a little bit about a few different versions of the Bible.
The King James Version:
John 3:16 (King James Version)
"For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life."
The KJV Bible was first published in 1611. It has been revised several time and the 1762 revision is what we now know as the King James Version. It has been the bestselling book for four centuries and is the most used Bible. It is probably the most accurate modern version available. I love it because of it's beautiful, poetic wording. It is also my favorite version. But, many people don't like it because it can be harder to understand that newer versions and uses out-of-date words like thou and hast.
The New King James Version:
John 3:16 (New King James Version)
"For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life."
Also very used The New King James Version was written in 1982. It is very much like the King James Version, but it doesn't have words like thou and hast. I would say it us the most accurate yet understandable version available.
The New International Version: (This is the version I use)
John 3:16 (New International Version)
"For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life."
Yet another very used version, the New International Version was written in 1973. It is very understandable, but still flows nicely. Most study Bible are the NIV version and many churches use it during service and in the pews.
International Children's Bible:
John 3:16 ICB
"For God loved the world so much that he gave his only Son. God gave his Son so that whoever believes in him may not be lost, but have eternal life. "
The International Children's Bible was written in 1986. It uses small words and simple language that is easy for children to understand.
The New Century Version:
John 3:16 (New Century Version)
16 "God loved the world so much that he gave his one and only Son so that whoever believes in him may not be lost, but have eternal life. "
The New Century Version was written in 1987. It is very easy to understand, yet somehow, it retains the beautiful wording like the older versions. I find it to be the most enjoyable version to read and a the best version since the King James.
The Message:
John 3:16-18 (The Message)
This is how much God loved the world: He gave his Son, his one and only Son. And this is why: so that no one need be destroyed; by believing in him, anyone can have a whole and lasting life. God didn't go to all the trouble of sending his Son merely to point an accusing finger, telling the world how bad it was. He came to help, to put the world right again. Anyone who trusts in him is acquitted; anyone who refuses to trust him has long since been under the death sentence without knowing it. And why? Because of that person's failure to believe in the one-of-a-kind Son of God when introduced to him.
The Message was published in segments from 1993 to 2002. It's wording is almost like a Bible study, it speaks directly to the reader. It is by far, the easiest version to understand, but the poetic beauty is lost. Despite that, I think it is a remarkable version.
What is your favorite version, which one do you use and why?
