The Holy Bible: An Easy Read (?

"The lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but
is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come
to repentance." [2 Pet. 3:9]

What???

"Who is God like unto thee, that pardoneth iniquity, and passeth by the
transgression of the remnant of his heritage? he retaineth not his anger for ever, because
he delighteth in mercy." [Mic. 7:18]

Huh???

One more:

"Philip findeth Nathanael and saith unto him, We have found him, of whom
Moses in the law and the prophets did write, Jesus of Nazareth, the son of Joseph. And
Nathanael said unto him, Can there be any good thing that come out of Nazareth? Philip
saith unto him, Come and see." [John 1:45-46]

Yeah, reading and understanding the Bible can be tough. There are unfamiliar
words and references to things that, while commonplace thousands of years ago, are
unknown or foreign to us now (we don't do much vine-tending or sheepherding these
days).

Today that is no reason not to read it. What I quoted was from the King James
Version of the Bible; the one almost everyone will think of when the words "Holy
Bible" are said. It is confusing to our ears (mainly because we are too busy -- but that is
another topic). But, there are now new translations (the Bible was written in Aramaic
and Greek, not English) and paraphrases which make understanding what is written
much easier. An example of a newer translation is the New International Version (NIV)
first published in 1973. It is my translation of choice because it uses more modern words
and grammar (syntax). However, you can really sit back and enjoy reading an even
newer text called "The Message". It may be a little too laid-back and informal for some,
but it does get the 'the message' across.

There are other ways you can get help in understanding. There are commentaries
(in print and on-line -- I like J. Vernon McGee's; they're short and easy); other people,
just ask someone or attend a Sunday School class; and prayer, "Lord, please help me
make sense of this;" it works!
 To go back to the beginning: What I read was:

"The lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but
is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come
to repentance." [2 Pet. 3:9]

can be read as:

God isn't late with his promise as some measure lateness. He is restraining
himself on account of you, holding back the End because he doesn't want anyone lost.
He is giving everyone space and time to change. [The Message]

"Who is God like unto thee, that pardoneth iniquity, and passeth by the
transgression of the remnant of his heritage? he retaineth not his anger for ever, because
he delighteth in mercy." [Mic. 7:18]

Where is the god who can compare with you -- wiping the slate clean of guilt,
Turning a blind eye, a deaf ear, to the past sins of your precious people. You don't nurse
anger and don't stay angry long, for mercy is your specialty. That's what you love most.
[The Message]

And one of my favorite passages:

"And Nathanael said unto him, Can there be any good thing that come out of
Nazareth? Philip saith unto him, Come and see." [John 1:45-46]

The Message puts it: "Nathanael said, 'Nazareth? You've got to be kidding.' But
Philip said, 'Come, see for yourself.' "

So, come, see for yourself.