I got back last night from my prayer retreat. I enjoyed my time seeking the Lord without distractions. It is amazing how focused you can be when there is no interruptions, no phone, no Internet and no kids. I didn’t even take a book to read. I took my Bible, my study books and my laptop for Study Software. I had a great time just praying and studying the Word. I feel refreshed.
I went to Mardel’s on Monday and picked up a new Bible. There is a relatively new version that is amazingly accurate to
the Hebrew and Greek. The ESV (English Standard Version)is very readable and I enjoy it for my devotional time. I would suggest anyone picking up a copy of the ESV Bible. I bought the single-column reference edition with wide margins. I have never had a wide margin Bible but I love it. Plenty of room to jot down notes as you read.
I would suggest people buy a new Bible version for devotional reading every couple of years. It helps give a fresh perspective on the Word. You can still use your “main” Bible for study.
Life of a Pastor Blog 
what bible do you use ? I use a King James Version
I preach from the New King James Version and do the majority of studying from the NKJV. For my devotional reading I periodically switch between different versions. NASB, NKJV, ESV, Amplified.
My wife has an ESV, and she likes it. I haven’t looked at it very closely, but what I’ve seen looks very similar to the NIV.
I typically go back and forth between the NIV and the New King James, and then look at The Message to punctuate a verse I’m grappling with.
I may have to check out an ESV for myself. I’ve been wanting a wide margin Bible for a while myself, but the only one I can find in the format I like is the TNIV, of which I’m not a huge fan.
Aren’t we blessed that we have so many translations from which to choose? It’s almost like picking your favorite flavor at Baskin Robbins!
We are blessed to have so many versions today. Sometimes we take for granted the Word of God and our easy access to it.