First and foremost an accurate, modern English translation, one that holds true to original tenet of scripture.
Then find a really good research site...one not bound to Christendom's doctrines, but who interprets scripture according to first century Jewish understanding. Jesus' original audience were all Jewish as were his first disciples.
When Philip the Evangelizer was told to approach a man in a chariot who was an Ethiopian Official who had converted to Judaism, the man was reading aloud the prophet Isaiah. Philip asked him if he understood what he was reading, and the Ethiopian replied..."how could I ever do so unless someone guided me?" (Acts 8:26-36) We all need good spiritual guides.
God's people have always had spiritual guides appointed to teach them about Yahweh.
The Christians had Jesus who taught his apostles, and they in turn taught others.
The apostles and other disciples wrote down what Jesus taught so that we who were coming after them, would have guidance.
What humans think about the scriptures, and what they say about them if they want to cast doubt on their authenticity, doesn't matter....they will miss out out on what God is offering humanity by means of the teachings he gave to his son to pass on to us.
John 7:14-16...
"....Jesus went up into the temple area, and began to teach. 15 The Jews then were astonished, saying, “How has this man become learned, not having been educated?” 16 So Jesus answered them and said, “My teaching is not My own, but His who sent Me." (NASB)
Jesus taught only what his Father told him to teach. We need to listen to those he taught, and allow the scriptures to speak for themselves, understanding that Jesus' audience was exclusively Jewish and understood from their point of view.
I love researching Bible topics and have found reading many different translations, along with interlinear translations and also Strongs Concordance, has helped to round out my understanding of many subjects.
