How to listen to the Bible audiobook

While most regard the Bible as a religious book, others see it as a timeless piece of literature with life lessons still relevant today. Available in many versions, the Bible isn’t the most manageable volume to read or understand, especially for someone with a reading disability like dyslexia.

Thankfully, the Bible in audiobook form makes it accessible to anyone in the world with the means to play a digital file.

Choose the version of the Bible that fits you best

Aside from being the all-time best-selling book, the Bible is the most translated book in recorded history. Even the English language has many translations and variations based on different interpretations of the original text, including:

• King James Version—The KJV version of the Bible is arguably the most popular translation available for Bible study and learning about God. It’s also quite accurate despite being first published in 1611.
• New International Version—The NIV is an easier-to-read version of the Holy Bible. Initially published in 1978, it has received many updates and contains fewer complex passages and words. Hence, the NIV audio Bible is a top choice for beginners.
• English Standard Version—The ESV translation is similar to the King James Version but has more modern language. It may be more appealing to younger Christians looking to read or hear the word of God.
• New American Bible—Catholics and students can appreciate the NAB version. Unlike similar translations, this one comes with commentary from scholars, making the text easier to understand and great for educational purposes.
• Contemporary English Version—Similar to the NAB version, the Contemporary English Version (CEV) is easy to read due to its simple language and helpful study notes.
• New American Standard Bible—The NASB is a version that dates back to 1971. It’s not the easiest for studying but it has the most literal Bible translation of the original text.
• New King James Version Study Bible—The NKJV study Bible contains interesting additions to the source material. It has many commentaries and notes that help readers better understand its teachings.
• New Living Translation—The NLT is a different type of translation. This book paraphrases the original text. While some scholars may not appreciate it, it makes for a decent introduction into the subject for beginners and non-Christians.

The benefits of listening to the Bible as an audiobook

Creating a reading plan for the world’s most renowned devotional piece of literature isn’t for everyone. Listening has numerous benefits, such as:

Improved focus

Listening to a Bible audiobook does wonders when it comes to focus. The text can be challenging enough to read and comprehend, even with a more modern translation. That’s why not everyone has the patience to read Bible passages every day.

But listening instead of reading can improve a person’s focus. In addition, audiobooks, like all digital audio files, come with more than a single speed. Depending on what you need, you can adjust the playback to go slower or faster.

Besides, rewinding certain passages is easy and can help you understand them better if you need to hear them again.

New perspectives

Imagine reading an email, blog, or social media post. No matter how masterfully crafted it is, you can’t guarantee that you took what the author intended from it. Written words don’t always convey enough emotion or provide the appropriate context. It’s even more evident when reading long-winded sentences.

A complete Bible audiobook can help you better understand Bible verses and proverbs. Narrations can provide a different outlook or perspective.

You can uncover new meanings in the New Testament passages that you otherwise couldn’t in a typical Bible reading session.

An authentic experience

Apostles passed on the word of God orally. Although the Bible is one of the oldest books, it took time before people could read it. Yet its teachings still made it to people’s ears long before words appeared on paper.

You can simulate an authentic Bible experience by listening to the New Testament, the Old Testament, and timeless proverbs instead of reading them.

Easy access to many versions

Some people want to study the entire Bible and compare various translations. That’s sometimes hard to do if you want to read the book. It can be a big financial effort and very time-consuming, even for Christian scholars.

Thankfully, audiobook versions of books of the Bible are easy to come by using a Bible app or audiobook platform. Subscribers can access multiple translations for a small membership fee without paying for each book individually.

Get your audiobook version of the Bible from Speechify

Listening to an audiobook version of the Bible is an excellent way to study the most popular religious work. It’s also a great way to revisit your favorite parts or books of the Bible, like Ephesians or Psalms, and specific Bible verses.

No matter how you cut it, reading the Bible on an iPhone or Android device is harder than listening to it. Audiobooks offer freedom and convenience, regardless of the content.

If you want access to amazing audiobooks, Speechify is the service for you. It’s the best alternative to Audible and has one of the smoothest and most responsive audiobook apps. You can get a free audiobook when you join and access hundreds of classic titles, including public domain works.

Try Speechify today and browse a collection of over 60,000 titles narrated by some of the world’s most renowned audiobook voice artists.

FAQ

What is the best audiobook of the Bible?

Many narrators have recorded themselves reading the Bible. But the best audiobook version for you may come down to personal preference regarding tone, cadence, and a specific translation. Examples of top sellers include James Earl Jones’s audiobook version and The Word of Promise Audio Bible. The latter features narrations by famous voice and screen actors.

Is it OK to listen to audio Bible?

There’s nothing wrong or unholy about listening to an audio version of the Bible. Many sermons today rely on modern technology and amplification. Therefore, it makes sense that any believer or non-believer can listen to a Bible audiobook in the comfort of their home.

Where can I listen to the Bible?

Many audiobook platforms, like Speechify, have at least one audiobook version of the Bible. The best places to look are premium audiobook subscription services. Those are most likely to feature popular Bible editions recorded by professional and experienced narrators.