Translations

God does not want anything added or removed from His Word.  Yet translators have to occasionally deal with there being words in some languages without an equivalent word in the language they are translating into. So we verify by comparing the translations to what the original scriptures say.  Since God is perfect so are the scriptures as God gave (God breathed) to men of God.  Then, usually bright people translated the scriptures into different translations.  Translations vary widely from quite literal word for word to thought for thought to paraphrase. 

We recommend using the most literal version you are comfortable with, as God's word is precise.  Translations using someone's religious ideas is not in our opinion wise.  If you do use one of the fuzzier translations, understand that there are better translations out there. 

There have been more than 60 versions of the Bible translated into English. They can be divided into three categories:

Word-for-word
Meaning-to-meaning (also called thought-to-thought)
Paraphrased. (the translator expressing the meaning or intent according to their own personal religious ideas or doctrine using their own words.)

Because the scriptures come come a different mindset, a different world view, than our natural man, we believe it wise to use the most literal version that we would actually use. It does no good to have a concise literal version if you are not comfortable using it as your personal Bible.  If you choose a less literal Bible version understand there are details that you may miss or possibly missintrepret. 

We are not King James Version (KJV) only. Although we do like it. Personally we like Biblehub.com, a free online Bible resource where you can compare different versions and also use their online interlinear where you can compare with the original Greek or Hebrew.  Comparing the original Greek and Hebrew scriptures is wonderful!  Remember if you use the Interlinear for the Hebrew, Hebrew is read right to left not left to right like the English and the Greek. The interlinear also has Hebrew and Greek dictionaries. 

"All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:"  (1st Tim 3:16)

"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: 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 22:18-19)

Clicking on the scripture links below at the left side of the chart will open a new window where you can compare many translations side by side and access an interlinear so you can see what the original scriptures say.  For interlinear access see link circled in red, in pic above right.  Clicking on the image will open a new window with a higher resolution pic.

 Chart used with permission of Chapter 3 Ministries.

Sixteen NT Verses Omitted from Modern Bibles

Matthew 17:21: "Howbeit this kind goeth not out but by prayer and fasting."
Matthew 18:11: "For the Son of man is come to save that which was lost."
Matthew 23:14: "Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye devour widows' houses, and for a pretence make long prayer: therefore ye shall receive the greater damnation."
Mark 7:16: "If any man have ears to hear, let him hear."
Mark 9:44: "Where their worm dieth not, and the fire is not quenched."
Mark 9:46: "Where their worm dieth not, and the fire is not quenched."
Mark 11:26: "But if ye do not forgive, neither will your Father which is in heaven forgive your trespasses."
Mark 15:28: "And the scripture was fulfilled, which saith, And he was numbered with the transgressors."
Luke 17:36: "Two men shall be in the field; the one shall be taken, and the other left."
John 5:4: "For an angel went down at a certain season into the pool, and troubled the water: whosoever then first after the troubling of the water stepped in was made whole of whatsoever disease he had."
Acts 8:37: "And Philip said, If thou believest with all thine heart, thou mayest. And he answered and said, I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God."
Acts 15:34: "Notwithstanding it pleased Silas to abide there still."
Acts 24:7: "But the chief captain Lysias came upon us, and with great violence took him away out of our hands,"
Acts 28:29: "And when he had said these words, the Jews departed, and had great reasoning among themselves."
Romans 16:24: "The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all. Amen."
I John 5:7: "For there are three that bear record in heaven, the Father, the Word, and the Holy Ghost: and these three are one."

Table of Changes

Bear in mind that not all differences are bad.  Each one has to be checked out separately.  Many changes omit or weaken the diety of Christ, the power of Christ, etc. 

(Some comtent used herein with permission from thestandard.org.uk)