From the desk of JPJ
When Scripture started speaking personally
I began to experience Scripture differently when I started putting verses into my own words. I would compare several Bible versions, notice how each one expressed an idea, and then shape the wording into language that made sense to me. As I did that, the Scriptures came alive in a more personal way.
That is the invitation of My Ideal Bible: take time with a verse, explore what it says, and write a version that helps you understand and remember it. There is no single right way to do this, and you can be as serious or as simple as you like.
Start with the versions you love
Put your two favorite Bibles side by side. Compare their wording, keep the phrases that speak most clearly to you, and bring them together into your own version. Add a thought or question in your journal as you go. Small discoveries can make a verse feel surprisingly close to home.
Go deeper with a word study
If you want to explore further, use the word study tools to compare a word with its Hebrew or Greek roots and see how it is used elsewhere in Scripture. You can bring what you learn back to the verse and decide how best to express its meaning in your own words.
Share what you discover
When your My Ideal Bible begins to take shape, share it with friends and family. Include a short note about how you settled on that wording or version—what you compared, what stood out, and why it matters to you. Your process might encourage someone else to explore Scripture for themselves.
Press the Languages icon in your journal
In the journal toolbar, press the highlighted Languages control below. It opens the My Ideal Bible tools, where you can choose a book, chapter, and verse, then add your own wording.
Your Journal
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