A COLLECTION OF BIBLICAL SUPPORT AND MORE
FREE Mainstream Bibles PDFs
Mainstream?
I used to think all bibles were the same, they're not. There are HUGE differences in the translations. Key word is translation, each is a unique translation, not the original writings. The translations swing from word for word to thought for thought. The word for word attempts to take the original word and translate that word to the closest word in the English language. That pendulum swings all the way to thought for thought, where the translator attempts to understand the meaning behind the words and translates the "thought." The below pictographs helped me understand where the translations fall on the word for word, verses thought for thought pendulum (two for good measure).
My Recommendation
To be honest I don't love the mainstream bibles because the name of our Creator was removed. The most important name, YHWH, in the world was replaced with a title. That being said, the mainstream bible I use most the NASB because it is closest to word for word. I really like red line bibles (those with Messiah's words turned red). I also love referenced bibles - those that reference where what is being said comes from or where it repeated.
As far as the thought for thought translations, I am not too interested in reading what a translator thinks the scripture us saying. I would like to read it myself and come to my own conclusions. Further, some of these translations have removed verses and made changes that seem entirely inappropriate. However, comparing translations is not the aim of this page so let's move on.
Why Study the Bible Electronically
Having the bible electronically (in a PDF or as a word document) is a GAME CHANGER. Why? Because verses can be searched by topic or key word. There are bible tools that allow you to pull verses on let's say, "sabbath" (see end of page for links). These tools are without a doubt helpful. However, the search results are not always complete, in sequential order, and sometimes have repeat verses. When you have the bible electronically, you can pull all the verses on a key word (like "sabbath") YOURSELF! This allows you to look at what the bible has to say on something in its entirety. We MUST avoid looking at verses in isolation, which can lead to misinterpretation and/or misunderstanding. When we look at what the bible has to say in total, we are MUCH MORE LIKELY TO COME TO THE CORRECT CONCLUSION! I didn't come up with this type of study, people have been studying groups of verses forever. However using an electronic copy of the bible to search sure does make it a heck of a lot easier, more orderly, and concise.
Eleven FREE PDF Versions of the Bible
Below are the versions I have, please feel free to download away! To put into Microsoft "Word" just "control a" to select all, copy, and paste. It's that easy. The last "button" connects you to the website where I got the files. Last thing, I included a quick tutorial on how to search documents in case you need help (scroll past the buttons).
Tutorial on Searching Documents
To get the full benefit of having the bible electronically, one must know how to search and find words using the "find" function. Below are instructions, click here for a one minute video explaining the same thing!
1. Press the "Cntrl" button on your keyboard
2. Keep pressing "Cntrl" and press "f" at the same time
3. A box will pop up, likely in the upper right
4. Type in the word you are looking, I used "sabbath"
The "find" function will locate the number of occurrences the word you are searching for appears in the document. In this example, I used the NASB, searched "sabbath" and found the word sabbath appears 169 times. You can use the little "carrots" to go to the next or previous "sabbath" word throughout the document. If the window goes away, just press "Cntrl" and "f" again and it should pop right back up! You can use the "find" function on PDFs, Word documents, internet pages, etc. It's a great trick to have up your sleeve.
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There are other bible search tools which you may find more helpful. I like PDF because I can read the verses before and after the word providing often needed CONTEXT! But I like all ways to search and learn HIS word! Here's links to sites I also use to search verses.
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Bible Gateway: BibleGateway.com: A searchable online Bible in over 150 versions and 50 languages.
Bible Hub: Bible Hub: Search, Read, Study the Bible in Many Languages
Blue Letter Bible: Bible Search and Study Tools - Blue Letter Bible
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Happy Searching!