Today is Tuesday, January 27th, 2009; Karen's Korner #1497

King James Version, New International Translation, Amplified Bible. There are dozens of translations of the Bible. So which one is right?
 
According to Anne Graham Lotz (Billy Graham's daughter), the one which most fits you and your personality. If you want to read the Bible for the first time or you want to venture into a 'different' translation than the one you are most familiar with, go to a Christian book store, ask the clerk where the Bible section is. Pull a few of them off the shelf and open them to about the same part of the Bible. Read a few paragraphs. Lotz says to sit down on the floor and spread a few out and begin to compare. Purchase the one you like the best. Not the one that someone else tell you that you need to be reading.
 
I have several friends who are 'Bible readers'. Every year or so they purchase a new Bible which is a 'new' traslation to them so the words remain interesting and exciting to them as avid readers.
 
I did that after Christmas. My mom gave me some money as a Christmas gift so I bought 'The Message' translation of the Bible.
 
Here is the Lord's Prayer in the King James Version (Matthew 6:9-13), you can't hang around church very long without knowing this one:
 
 "Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name.

Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven.

 Give us this day our daily bread.

 And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors.

 And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil:

For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever.

Amen.".

So what about The Message Bible? I sort of liked this one, for a change:

" Our Father in heaven,
   Reveal who you are.
   Set the world right;
   Do what's best— as above, so below.
   Keep us alive with three square meals.
   Keep us forgiven with you and forgiving others.
   Keep us safe from ourselves and the Devil.
   You're in charge!
   You can do anything you want!
   You're ablaze in beauty!
      Yes. Yes. Yes. "

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