choosing a Bible translation

All Scripture is "breathed out by God" (2 Tim. 3:16). This means that every word in the Bible is there on purpose! Theologians refer to this doctrine as “verbal plenary inspiration.” God didn't just inspire the "big ideas" of Scripture; He chose the exact words! That’s why it’s important to select a literal, word-for-word translation of the Bible that honors this principle.

While no language can be translated 100% word-for-word, choose a literal translation that honors the way God has “breathed out” Scripture “in words not taught by human wisdom but taught by the Spirit” (2 Tim. 3:16; 1 Cor. 2:13).

Thought-for-thought translations may indeed capture the intended meaning of Scripture, but at certain points they are only as accurate as the translators’ understanding of Scripture. It's much better to translate Scripture word-for-word and leave illumination to the Holy Spirit. "Now we have received not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit who is from God, that we might understand the things freely given us by God" (1 Cor. 2:12).