Expert: Jim Miller - 9/25/2009

Question
I used the new living translation bible, at the men's home for bible studies.
My question is this the correct bible to use compared to the KJ
The reason I'm using this N.L.T bible for the Victory Outreach men's home, is that they are coming off the streets and I felt this version would be easier to understand.

Answer
   The New Living Translation is a good translation.  It leans toward Evangelical readings of the Bible, but that may be what you want.  The King James Version is also a good translation, though the language is old.  If you worry about the differences between the King James Version and the New Living Translation, you may want the New King James Version.
   But I don't worry about those things.  I can find what I need in almost any translation of the Bible.  It is important to recognize that the Bible is not God, it is a tool of God.  You and I are also tools of God.  We may be imperfect (at least I am), but God uses us anyway.  If a translation is imperfect (and they all are, at least a little bit), God can still use it.  Often God surprises us with the ways he uses the Bible, and the ways he uses us.
   For deep study of the Bible, always compare translations.  But, for your purposes, the New Living Translation will work as well as any I can think of.
   I hope this is helpful,
Jim Miller