When buying or building real estate, a phrase that is strategic and often used, is “location, location, location.” When reading the Bible, a phrase that is strategic and used when you are wanting to build a new life, or strengthen or sustain your life, could be “translation, translation, translation.”
If you have ever attended any Choose to Soar studies or Encounter Weekends, or heard me speak at a conference, you know I preach reading the Scriptures in several different translations. I might be a little slow, but sometimes I need to be told something more than once and in another way for it to soak down into my being. Maybe one of these versions will cut through and penetrate your soul.
For example: In the NIV translation, Philippians 3:12, …but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me.” Yes, “Christ Jesus took hold of me,” paints a great picture. Take a look at the NABRE translation, “I have indeed been taken possession of by Christ.” Or the NRSVA, “because Christ Jesus has made me his own.” I might be a little slow, but sometimes I need to be told something more than once and in another way for it to soak down into my being. Maybe one of these versions will cut through and penetrate your soul.
The bonus in reading different translations is:
- Reading several translations, especially in one sitting, can help you get a clearer visual of His Word. Meditating on Scriptures is now taking place just because you have read the verses in several translations. Chewing on God’s Word always leads to heart change.
- The shortness of these phrases can be the prayer you pray all day without ceasing.
Lord, thank you for taking hold of us. To know that we are Your possession, humbles and strengthens us at the same time. Lord, enable each one of us to surrender our ego selves and be like the Apostle Paul, who wrote most of the New Testament, yet still had a passion for knowing You. Grant us that kind of passion and help us rest in Your ownership. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Read Isaiah 9:6 in the NET translation versus the NIV translation.
You can read many translations at once at www.biblegateway.org.