Which version??

[DropLogic]

If I were going to sit and read the bible cover to cover, taking notes, highlighting, folding pages (GASP), which translation would be the best to use as ammo.  Know thy enemy right?

[Davin]

The best one is to get oldest one you can, but then you'll need to be able to read and understand another language.

[DropLogic]

The best one is to get oldest one you can, but then you'll need to be able to read and understand another language.

k, thanks..  

[Velma]

Depends on what you want to do.  If you are looking just to read it and have a general knowledge of what it says, the I would recommend the New International Version.  If you are looking to debate fundamentalists, then you will probably need the read the King James Version - for some reason many fundamentalist christians have an obsession with it and refuse to accept any other version.

[PoopShoot]

Velma's right about the KJV for the Southern Baptist types.  If going for Pentecostal types, anything written in plan English works.  Here's where it gets tricky: Jehovah's Witnesses.  JWs have their own translation that nobody else accepts, but JWs think is the most accurate.  If you wnt to talk with JWs, using their translation isn't a must, but it will give you the upper hand.  Your best bet for finding one is to either go to a Kingdom Hall and simply ask for one or if you don't want to deal with them before you have a copy, go to thrift stores and look for "The New World Translation of the Holy Scriptures".

[KDbeads]

Fundamental pentecostals are more of the KJV though.  Especially in the south.  Most of the ones I grew up with look down at the NIV as inferior, almost 'second hand' writing.

[PoopShoot]

True.  Basically anyone with a drawl is more likely to respect KJV.

[DropLogic]

Thanks for the input.  I don't come across many JW's.  I think i'll go for the KJV.
(so um..have modern Christians read the other book by King James?  Daemonologie?)  Seems like he had a level head on his shoulders.

[Thumpalumpacus]

RE attitudes towards the KJV, it's because the "thee"s and "thou"s have the patina of regal authority to uneducated ears, imo.

[The Magic Pudding]

The Brick Testament is my preferred translation.
http://www.thebricktestament.com/

[chrome]

I have started reading the bible for myself lately and have found that the KJV is OK some of the language can be confusing - I really think that any verse needs to be read in context so reading whole chapters at a time is advisable.

Here's where it gets tricky: Jehovah's Witnesses.  JWs have their own translation that nobody else accepts, but JWs think is the most accurate.  If you wnt to talk with JWs, using their translation isn't a must, but it will give you the upper hand.  Your best bet for finding one is to either go to a Kingdom Hall and simply ask for one or if you don't want to deal with them before you have a copy, go to thrift stores and look for "The New World Translation of the Holy Scriptures".

I have actually compared the KJV to the JW Translation and the only differences I have found is the 'thees' and 'thous' have been changed to updated words as in 'our' and 'to' and also the JW's have changed wherever it says 'lord' to 'Jehovah'. The meaning is still there though.

[PoopShoot]

I have actually compared the KJV to the JW Translation and the only differences I have found is the 'thees' and 'thous' have been changed to updated words as in 'our' and 'to' and also the JW's have changed wherever it says 'lord' to 'Jehovah'. The meaning is still there though.

Then you've missed a lot.  The NWT is closer to the NIV or the Revised standard Version.  The translators of the NWT used the American Standard Version and Revised Standard version heavily as guides for what's a good English translation.

[chrome]

I have actually compared the KJV to the JW Translation and the only differences I have found is the 'thees' and 'thous' have been changed to updated words as in 'our' and 'to' and also the JW's have changed wherever it says 'lord' to 'Jehovah'. The meaning is still there though.

Then you've missed a lot.  The NWT is closer to the NIV or the Revised standard Version.  The translators of the NWT used the American Standard Version and Revised Standard version heavily as guides for what's a good English translation.

I have not read the whole bible/s or compared every verse so I may not be the proper judge on it... but I have compared many many verses in both versions and so far they have the same meaning.

[PoopShoot]

I have not read the whole bible/s or compared every verse so I may not be the proper judge on it... but I have compared many many verses in both versions and so far they have the same meaning.

Any two versions of the bible side-by-side will have essentially the same meaning.

[chrome]

I have not read the whole bible/s or compared every verse so I may not be the proper judge on it... but I have compared many many verses in both versions and so far they have the same meaning.

Any two versions of the bible side-by-side will have essentially the same meaning.

So are you saying that all bibles are the same?