Continue with Seven Steps to Beneficial Bible Reading-Step Two Select a reliable translation

  Step 2: Select a reliable translation 

You may have many Bible translations to choose from in your language.  While any translation of God's Word can benefit you, some use archaic or scholarly language that may be hard to grasp.  (Acts 4:13)  Certain translations even change the Bible's pure message by relying on tradition.  For example, as we noted in the opening articles of this magazine, some have replaced God's name, Jehovah, with titles, such as "God" or "Lord."  So when choosing a translation, look for one that accurately renders the Bible into easy-to-understand language that encourages reading.

Millions of readers the world over have found that the New World Translation does just that.  Consider the case of an elderly man in Bulgaria.  He attended a meeting of Jehovah's Witnesses and was given a copy of the New World Translation. Afterward, he said, "I have read the Bible for many years, but I have never read a translation that is easier to understand and that goes right to the heart." 

Step 3:  Pray

You can gain more Bible understanding by asking the Author for his help, as did the psalmist who said:  "Uncover my eyes, that I may look at the wonderful things out of your law." (Psalm 119:18)  Pray to God each time you read the Scriptures, asking him to help you to understand his Word. You can also express thanks for the Bible, for without it we would not know God. -Psalm 119:62. 

Does God hear such prayers for help? Consider what happened to two teenage sisters in Uruguay. They were puzzled by what the Bible says at Daniel 2:44 and prayed  that God send someone to help them understand it.  While the girls' Bible was still open, two of Jehovah's Witnesses came to their door, read the exact verse the girls had prayed about, and explained that it describes   that man-made governments would be replaced by God's Kingdom.  The teenage sisters were convince that God had answered their prayer for help.

Next time: Continue with Seven Steps to Beneficial Bible Reading-Step:4 Read Daily

From the Watchtower magazine, 2010