I have never read or owned a Bible. I have no interest in reading the Bible.
Am I missing something?
I'm not sure theres a super short, edited version with notes, like for most books you have to read in college or such, but I wouldn't be surprised
As a book I would have to say that it is a pretty lousy read. The plot line is a mess and it contradicts itself constantly, there are a few asides that are just rabbit holes that don't go anywhere unless you are able to suspend reality completely. Have you tried Tolkien's Lord of the Rings, it's much better.
A few good laughs, a few good short stories, and perhaps a better understanding of much in western culture and art, a lot of which derives for biblical sources.
Having said that, I was taught the bible at school as a child, and you are also missing out on a lot of rubbish and inarticulate drivel, prejudice and and long boring meaningless tracts which just fill up space. If you are stuck at home because of the C. virus you could gain something from reading it. But try, War And Peace, or The Lord Of The Rings, first, if you value your sanity.
I'll second the Lord of the Rings reccomendation and add both Dune and Ringworld, 2 books that just don't get read enough.
Its a great read, there's some nice bits in psalms that are fun and revelations shows what a psychotic breakdown looks like in literary form.
YMMV, though, as it also has some pretty disturbing stuff about genocide, rape, murder, incest, and dietary restrictions.
Not much.
Read Hindu scriptures instead.
Some awesome science fiction writing to be found there.