Today I asked Thinking Out Loud readers what their “go to” verses are if they’re checking out a new Bible translation. (Too bad I didn’t say it that succinctly there.)
I thought it might be helpful to go beyond the references, and see the verses themselves. Just for sake of speed, I’m going to use NIV for these. These are from some “first responders” who also happen to be regular readers.
Joe’s list:
John 3:3 Jesus replied, “Very truly I tell you, no one can see the kingdom of God unless they are born again.”
Romans 1:1 Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship. 2 Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.
Gen 1:1 In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth.
Cynthia’s list:
I John 5:7 For there are three that testify: 8 the Spirit, the water and the blood; and the three are in agreement.
Rom 3:23 for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God
Col 2:9 For in Christ all the fullness of the Deity lives in bodily form
Cloudwatcher’s List:
II Tim 2:16 All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness
Hebrews 1:1 In the past God spoke to our ancestors through the prophets at many times and in various ways, 2 but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son, whom he appointed heir of all things, and through whom also he made the universe. 3 The Son is the radiance of God’s glory and the exact representation of his being, sustaining all things by his powerful word. After he had provided purification for sins, he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty in heaven. [her list continued through verse 14]
Hebrews 10:10 And by that will, we have been made holy through the sacrifice of the body of Jesus Christ once for all.11 Day after day every priest stands and performs his religious duties; again and again he offers the same sacrifices, which can never take away sins. 12 But when this priest had offered for all time one sacrifice for sins, he sat down at the right hand of God, 13 and since that time he waits for his enemies to be made his footstool. 14 For by one sacrifice he has made perfect forever those who are being made holy.
David’s list:
Deut 33:27 The eternal God is your refuge,
and underneath are the everlasting arms.
He will drive out your enemies before you,
saying, ‘Destroy them!’
Psalm 18:30 As for God, his way is perfect:
The LORD’s word is flawless;
he shields all who take refuge in him.
Nahum 1:7 The LORD is good,
a refuge in times of trouble.
He cares for those who trust in him
My own list:
Col 1:9 For this reason, since the day we heard about you, we have not stopped praying for you. We continually ask God to fill you with the knowledge of his will through all the wisdom and understanding that the Spirit gives,10 so that you may live a life worthy of the Lord and please him in every way: bearing fruit in every good work, growing in the knowledge of God, 11 being strengthened with all power according to his glorious might so that you may have great endurance and patience, 12 and giving joyful thanks to the Father, who has qualified you[b] to share in the inheritance of his holy people in the kingdom of light.
Phil 2:5 In your relationships with one another, have the same mindset as Christ Jesus:
6 Who, being in very nature God,
did not consider equality with God something to be used to his own advantage;
7 rather, he made himself nothing
by taking the very nature[b] of a servant,
being made in human likeness.
8 And being found in appearance as a man,
he humbled himself
by becoming obedient to death—
even death on a cross!
9 Therefore God exalted him to the highest place
and gave him the name that is above every name,
10 that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow,
in heaven and on earth and under the earth,
11 and every tongue acknowledge that Jesus Christ is Lord,
to the glory of God the Father.
Titus 3:5(KJV) Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost
The criteria in this question was rather unusual, but I don’t think we’re ever poorer for contemplating the scriptures. Some of the verses I wanted to choose had already been selected (i.e. Hebrews 10), so I added the Titus verse because it had really struck me this summer after reading Bill Hybels’ The Power of a Whisper.
You can add your verses to the list here.
We’re all familiar with red-letter Bibles where the words of Christ (and God) stand out through the use of the different ink color; but recently Zondervan released an edition of the NIV2011 where verses appear in larger type sizes — there’s about eight different point size fonts — depending on their popularity in online searches at BibleGateway.com. 
Christianity 201 