Lessons

The Lord works in so many ways, but we have to be aware of his work and pay attention to his Word. I encourage everyone to read and study the Bible. For newcomers, start in the New Testament with the first book of Matthew, and follow through to the last book, Revelation. I then encourage you to read the Old Testament.The two testaments are dependent upon each other and will give you greater depth in understanding God's Word.

 There are many versions of the Bible that include essentially literal and dynamic equivalent translations. If you are interested in the essentially literal translation, the New King James Version, (NKJV) gives us the Greek words in English but in readable English order. The literal versions try to align translations in English from the Hebrew and Greek translations. For conveying the overall meaning of a passage, the dynamic equivalent is used. When I started to study the Bible, I used the New Living Translation (NLT) study Bible because it was a readable form of contemporary English. Later, I got a couple of essentially literal translations. One was the Holman Christian Standard Version (HCSV) and the other, which I mostly use, is the English Standard Version (ESV). Either way, I suggest that you get a study Bible because if you are unclear about the meaning, the footnotes will help greatly.

Here is an example of literal vs. dynamic equivalent

Proverbs:3:1-2
NKJV

My son, do not forget my law,
But let your heart keep my commands;
2 For length of days and long life
And peace they will add to you.

NLT:

My child,[a] never forget the things I have taught you.
    Store my commands in your heart.
2 If you do this, you will live many years,
    and your life will be satisfying.