8 Best Bibles For Beginners

If you’re a newly converted Christian or you are just curious to know more about God then you probably already know that the Bible is the best resource. But, since there are so many versions of the Bible out there, you might be a little confused about which one tops the list of the best Bibles for beginners.

The debate about the best Bible for beginners is a hard one to settle because people have different preferences with regard to the style of language. Besides that some denominations have their own Bibles.

However, at the end of the day, as a beginner, we believe that you need a Bible that’s easy to read and understand but at the same time, it’s also accurate in its translation from the original text.

Here’s a look at 8 of the best Bible versions that we think are great for beginners. We’ll also let you know which books of the Bible are great for beginners.

Table of Contents

List of the top 8 best Bibles for beginners

New International Version (NIV)

Considered one of the most widely used versions of the Bible, the New International Version is one of the best Bibles for beginners as it balances between readability and accuracy.

The NIV uses simple, everyday English making it quite easy for anyone to read and understand. It’s also pretty accurate in its translation from the original text and on top of it all, it has extra resources such as charts, maps, and footnotes that makes it easier to follow the Bible stories.

Good News Translation (GNT)

Also known as the Good News Bible, the Good News Translation is a great Bible for beginners who don’t want to deal with old difficult words that are no longer in use.

This version uses simple, everyday language and a conversational tone to convey the messages of the Bible in a way that’s easy for anyone to understand.

New Revised Standard Version Updated Edition (NRSVue)

Officially released in 2021, the New Revised Standard Version Updated Edition is a fresh and modern take on the Bible and it’s a great Bible for beginners.

Building upon the popular New Revised Standard Version, this updated edition uses a simpler, modern language and interpretation so it’s easy to read and understand.

Contemporary English Version (CEV)

The Contemporary English Version is another great Bible that you can try if it’s your first time reading the Bible.

Like the Good News Translation, the CEV also uses everyday words and short sentences, making it super easy to understand by people of all ages and backgrounds.

English Standard Version (ESV)

For serious beginners who are interested in an accurate, word-for-word translation of the Bible, then the English Standard Version is the best version to read.

The ESV is popular, especially among Bible scholars but it’s also good for beginners. Since it uses words that are close to the original text, the ESV’s tone is a bit more formal than other modern versions. However, it doesn’t sacrifice its readability and it’s fairly easy to understand, compared to some older Bible versions.

The Living Bible (TLB)

Originally translated for children and youth who were finding it hard to understand the King James Version, The Living Bible is one of the easiest Bibles to read and also among the best for beginners.

Rather than translating word-for-word, TLB summarises the thoughts and ideas of Bible authors using everyday language so it’s easy to read and understand.

New Living Translation (NLT)

The New Living Translation is considered the most complete Bible for studies and it’s one of the best Bibles for beginners and students.

Like the New International Version, the NLT Bible uses a thought-for-thought translation so it captures the original ideas of the author. But, it uses a much simpler language than NIV making it easier to understand making it ideal for people from all walks of life.

New King James Version (NKJV)

If you’d like to feel the beauty of the older Bibles that used fancy old words then The New King James Version is the best Bible for you.

Although this version tries to maintain the meaning, tone, and traditional touch of its predecessor- the King James Version (KJV), it uses a more modern language which makes it easier to understand.

Which book of the Bible should a beginner read?

While there are really no rules when reading the Bible and you can read it in whatever order you’d like depending on what piques your interest, it can be a bit confusing to decide where to start as a beginner since there are over 60 books.

If you like doing things in a chronological order, then you could try reading the Bible from Genesis to Revelation. But if you feel a bit adventurous and want to mix things up then here is a selection of books from both the Old and New Testaments that you could begin with and then continue from there.

Genesis

The book of Genesis is a great choice for a beginner. As the first book, Genesis lays the foundation for the Bible.

By reading Genesis, you’ll get to learn about the creation story as well, the story about the origin of sin and the fall of humanity. Besides that, you’ll also get to learn about the stories of early patriarchs including Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.

The Gospels of Mark and John

If you want to learn about Jesus, His works on earth, His death and His resurrection then you could start with the Gospel of Mark or the Gospel of John which are among the four Gospels.

The Gospel of Mark narrates the story of Jesus’ life, works, and miracles in a concise and engaging way so it’s easy to follow. On the other hand, the Gospel of John offers a deeper theological viewpoint of Jesus’ work and is centred around themes of love and faith but it’s also written in a clear style so it’s easy to follow.

Psalms

Psalms is a poetic book that contains beautiful prayers and praises to God. It’s a great book to read especially if you’re looking for inspiration and comfort in your journey of faith.

Proverbs

Proverbs is also a great choice for a beginner. It is full of short, practical sayings that are relevant even today. It’s a great source of wisdom that can shape your thoughts and actions so that you can live a more fulfilling life.