Any suggestions for an accurate easy to read version of the bible? Accuracy and basic reading level don’t seem to go together much. 
I’d appreciate any advice.
Love, Cindy
ISV is written at a 4th grade(I think) reading level but is not a “kids” bible. It has some great translations. I’ve only read a little, we have it for our daughter. Its a easier to understand like the Message, but is more word for word.
Thanks, RSV. 
I’m looking at my ISV NT on e-sword, and okay . . . I confess . . . the first thing I do is a search for “hell,” “eternal,” and “forever” . . . however I may have to compromise. 
I often find the NIV frustrating. The HCSB is usually just as easy to read but seems more accurate. I think the ESV is even more accurate but sometimes it’s harder to read. I usually read the HCSB in parallel with the ESV (& YLT/CLV/Interlinear if doing detailed study). Worth checking footnotes of both as often you’ll find even more literal translations that add support to EU 
Alex, you sound like me. I’m always skipping back and forth and use my KJV+(mouseover) Strongs numbers. (I love e-sword; I remember my mile high stacks of reference books and my eyes start to water all over again.)
But I want this for friends who aren’t as literate as they might be. The easy to read versions have a lot of draw-backs (I dislike them, to be honest) but all the nuance and poetry and accuracy is wasted on someone who’s struggling to make sense of words they’ve never encountered. Nevertheless it’s frustrating to have to pick between incorrectly translated and difficult to read.
Its good to use a variety of translations and use original language/interlinear if you can. Of the easy to read versions I think the Good News Bible is still hard to beat. In a lot of places it seems to me more accurate and less doctrinally biased than the NIV.
The “Ancient Roots” translation of the OT is fairly easy to read while trying hard for literal renderings. (They have a New Testament, too, but I haven’t seen a word of that so can’t comment on it.) I can’t promise it doesn’t have an anti-universalistic slant though–I use it as one of my literal-translation cross-references, but haven’t used it enough to get a feel for its tenor.
Jonathan Mitchell’s NT I think you know about already, Cindy. While the number of alternate translations makes it hard to read in one way, the phraseologies are themselves quite accessible. He’s a Christian universalist, too, and I’m a big fan of his source material research.
Jason, is the “ancient roots” version the same as the Hebraic roots version? I have that one on my e-sword. It looks pretty good. Thanks for the suggestion!
Catherine,
Unsure: I don’t have e-sword. (No doubt it would run on my computer at home, but that isn’t my research/composition computer. I keep my reference things here at the office.)
A. Frances Werner is who wrote the “Ancient Roots” translation.
Thanks, Jason
Alas, this seems to be a rare and expensive version, and I need something common and inexpensive. It’s not that I wouldn’t be willing to buy a copy or two, but it needs to be sustainable in a poverty community. One or several of us should take this on as a project. I KNOW it doesn’t cost this much even to self publish a book. There’s a whole huge English speaking community out there who are only marginally literate, don’t have computers or etc. and who nevertheless need an accurate introduction to our Father.
I don’t know what it takes, but I guess anyone with or without original languages expertise can craft a paraphrase. Actually, maybe it would work better without all the esoteric knowledge. You’d feel less pain in not choosing the very best (though more difficult) words. Maybe I’ll pick a common domain version to paraphrase from and get started. What do you think? Is this inadvisable, or perhaps a good idea? Suggestions? Anyone interested in helping? Critiquing?
Blessings, Cindy
I’m kind of back to the Holman Christian Standard, in that case. Good scholarship in a generally easy-to-read format, and they often just give Bibles away as promotional material. (I know, I got my edition for free while attending an OT conference for scholars and preachers at Union several years ago. 
)
HCSB is one of my standards. And it doesn’t seem difficult to me. I’ll have a closer look . . .
The Common English Bible 7th grade level so-so to good translation
The CEV 5th grade level let’s just say it is a very imaginative translation 
, even though it is in agreement with orthodox Christianity.
The English Standard Version has opinions that it ranges from a 7.4 to a 10th grade level. Very good translation; but does not capitalize pronouns referring to God.
God’s Word 5th grade reading level and one of my favorites.
The Message is around a 5th grade reading level; sometimes imaginative; sometimes poorly translated.
New Century Version claims are that it is between 3-5th grade level; I think that it is higher than that. So-so translation.
New International Readers Version 3rd grade or so level. Good translation.
New Living Translation around a 6th grade level; also one of my favorites.
Here is a chart on these:
Bibles I would take if limited to 3 on a deserted Island:
Amplified, Good News, New Living translation.
Thanks so much, guys! I bought a case of Holmans a little while back – still good to hear everyone’s ideas on the subject as I’m sure I’ll be in the market for more in time.
I’m not sure, but I believe it’s the Holmans that I got downloaded for free to my Kindle.