Herbert W Armstrong

   Bible study is an important part of a Christian life. To get the most out or studying God's Word, you need to have a good Bible. Frequently we are asked which is the best Bible to purchase.

   We recommend, as first choice, that you use the King James Version containing the Old and New Testaments, as your basic study Bible. The Oxford University Press and Cambridge University Press publish the finest editions of the King James Version. They are very durable and sturdily bound with good chain references and concordance and maps. Their print serves every age group.

   Some people who have weaker vision prefer a Bible having heavy black print, large letters, and a center reference column. A good selection of maps in the back helps greatly. Such Bibles measure about 6 1/2 x 9 1/2 inches and serve best for home use. A thumb index and pages with relatively wide margins for making notations are available. A Bible answering the above general description is made by the National Bible Press, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. It is their Number 452.

   These Bibles may be obtained from, or ordered through, the bookstores.

   Concordances which are found in the backs of Bibles are generally not complete enough and are often not very helpful in finding scriptures. This should have little weight in your selection of Bibles. If you want a concordance, the small Cruden's Concordance is very popular and may be purchased for about $4.00.

   Bibles other than the King James Version are sometimes helpful. Their modern wording makes certain sections clearer than the King James Version. The new Revised Standard Version and the Moffatt Translation are written in modern English and can be useful in comparing with the King James Version.

   Since very few basic textual errors appear in the King James Version — though it is not always a perfect, or clear translation — it should be used most often for Bible study.