This is an effort to briefly describe some available versions of the Holy Bible.
The following Bibles are specially annotated for the recovering Christian and are an essential tool for recovery.
All of these can be purchased online from: RecoveryBooks.com
Serenity: A Companion for Twelve Step Recovery
(New King James Version – New Testament Psalms & Proverbs),
by Dr. Robert Hemfelt and Dr. Richard Fowler,
The Life Recovery Bible
Excellent for anyone in recovery.
Stephen Arterburn and David Stoop, editors
A specially annotated version of the entire Bible containing extensive supportive readings to aid in recovery. Included are introductory outlines to each book “Twelve Step,” “Recovery Principle,” and “Serenity Prayer” devotional reading plans, and “Recovery Profiles” illustrating the principles of recovery in action in the lives of over sixty Biblical characters.
Recovery Devotional Bible (complete Bible-NIV version)
Includes 365 meditations and extensive notes, Zondorvan Publishers
About the Bible
The Bible was written over a period of several centuries. It was originally written in Hebrew and Aramaic (Old Testament) and Greek (New Testament). Until the 16th century Bible versions in use in Europe were based on the Latin Vulgate (a Latin translation by Jerome in the 5th century). There were old English versions including the Wycliffe Versions (published in the 1300’s) and Tyndale’s Versions (published in 1500’s).
There are many translations/versions of the Bible. Use several at once because it enhances your understanding of God’s Word.
Various versions available are:
KJV {1611} King James Version
NKJV {1982} New King James Version (maintains the poetic nature of the words in the KJV but uses words more commonly used in this day)
RSV {1946} Revised Standard Version (a revision of the KJV)
NRSV {1989} New Revised Standard Version (more modern language
form of the above).
ESV Study Bible {2008} Includes more than 25,000 notes, written specifically for the ESV Study Bible. These notes focus especially on understanding the meaning of the text, giving answers to frequently raised questions, and providing theological, historical, and archaeological background—all for the purpose of helping readers to understand the Bible in a deeper way.
TEV {1966} Today’s English Version (also known as the Good News Bible or the CET Contemporary English Translation) this is one of my favorites. Put out by the American Bible Society)
TLB {1971} The Living Bible (written in very simple and modern language. It is a paraphrase of the Bible).
AB (1958-1965) The Amplified Bible (includes additional words that normally would appear in margins or footnotes).
ASV {1901} American Standard Version
NASB {1960} New American Standard Bible
ERV English Revised Version (used in Great Britain)
ICB {1986} International Children’s Bible (written for children from a 3rd grade reading level up. Great for adults too).
NCV {1991} New Century Version (modern English from a 7th grade level up)
NIV {1973} New International Version (one of the most widely used modern English versions).
DBY {1890} Darby’s Version considered one of the most accurate translations)
YLT {1898} Young’s Literal Translation (noted for its accurate verb tenses)
Of course there are other versions too! Hendrickson puts out The Parallel Bible which has 4 different versions on its pages. Great for studying the Bible.
Bible Software
Free Bible CDs, Encyclopedias, Religious Clip Art, and more.
Although computerized versions of the Bible are handy tools, there is no substitute for reading the word out of your own well read, underlined and annotated paper version.
Feel free to contact us with any questions you may have.