
UPDATED AMERICAN STANDARD VERSION OF THE HOLY SCRIPTURES (2022 EDITION)
Our primary purpose is to give the Bible readers what God said by way of his human authors, not what a translator thinks God meant in its place.—Truth Matters!
Our primary goal is to be accurate and faithful to the original text. The meaning of a word is the responsibility of the interpreter (i.e., reader), not the translator.—Translating Truth!
We value the sincere faith of Christians who acknowledge that God’s ways and thoughts are higher than ours (Isaiah 55:8–9). That humility is essential. Yet the desire to grow in accurate Bible knowledge and to seek Scriptural answers to difficult questions does not weaken faith or challenge God. It honors Him because God has revealed His will in His inspired Word so that we may know Him, obey Him, and trust Him more fully.
Scripture repeatedly urges believers to pursue understanding. Proverbs 2:3–5 says that if we call out for discernment, seek understanding like silver, and search for it as for hidden treasures, we will understand the fear of God and find the knowledge of God. Likewise, 2 Timothy 3:16–17 teaches that all Scripture is inspired by God and is useful for teaching, reproving, correcting, and training in righteousness, equipping the man of God for every good work. David did not treat faith as a reason to avoid study. He meditated on God’s Word, treasured it, and wrote, “Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path” (Psalm 119:105). His trust was informed by the Scriptures.
Diligent reading does more than deepen our understanding—it strengthens the mind God gave us. Medical studies show that whether you read an e-book or print, regular reading lowers dementia risk by up to 38%, adds nearly two years to your lifespan, and cuts stress levels by 68% in just six minutes. Even better, research proves that reading a physical book delivers six to eight times higher comprehension than an e-book, along with stronger memory recall and better sleep. Embracing both faith and regular reading—especially with a printed book in hand—honors God by keeping our minds sharp, healthy, and ready to grow.
There are four primary reasons for any Christian to read: to know God (John 17:3), to draw close to Him (James 4:8), and to grow in accurate knowledge (epignosis) so we become spiritually strong (Colossians 1:9–10). Ultimately, that growth equips all Christians to teach and make disciples just as Jesus commanded (Matthew 28:19–20).





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