How to Choose the Right Bible

So, you're looking to buy a Bible? Well, before you drag yourself into the local bookstore to stare confused at the rows of options you have, start here. Anyone can buy a Bible, but it's not so much about buying one as it is about finding the right one for you. Like buying a car, this purchase is an investment that requires consideration and research. If you're in the market for a Bible, you're going to want to find one that's a perfect fit.

Instructions

1. Determine what you want in a Bible. What is it you're looking for? Is it a study Bible? Or do you just want something that's easy to understand? Maybe flowery language is your thing. Or maybe you want to know the historical significance behind every story. Whatever it is you're looking for in a Bible, chances are you can find the one that will offer exactly that. There are a lot of Bibles out there. Figure out which one will suit your needs.

2. Do the research and choose a translation. There are plenty of Bible translations out there, so it's going to require more than a mere chant of "Eenie, Meenie, Miney, Moe" to choose one. Do some research. Browse through your local Christian bookstore to find out what the different translations offer. There can be huge variations between the translations, so it all depends on what you'll be most comfortable reading, be it straight-forward and dumbed-down or flowery and poetic.

3. Consider your options. Just like a car, options in a Bible do not come standard, so you need to determine what will be helpful to you when reading it. Maybe you're not that familiar with the order of the books. In that case, a thumb index would be a huge asset to you. Maybe your eyesight isn't what it used to be. Find a Bible with extra large print. Bibles offer a lot of solutions for different types of needs, so it's OK to be picky.

4. Take a test run. Since you'll probably be using your Bible every day, it's not a bad idea to get a feel for what you're going to get. Borrow a friend's Bible that's similar, or spend some time paging through the bibles at the bookstore. It's the best way to find out if the one you're looking at buying will be a good fit.

5. Shop around. Once you've figured out exactly what it is you want, shop around to find the best deal. Some Bibles will cost more because of the name associated with it. More than likely you can find the same thing elsewhere, without the name, at lesser cost. Finding a Bible is an investment, but it doesn't mean you should go broke finding one.