Have you considered the value available in cross-referencing other translations of the Bible? You might be surprised by the nuggets of great value you can extract by doing so. In my experience, this is better done verse by verse, or passage by passage, rather than reading straight through, although you will get more out of reading straight through if you are familiar enough with another translation to remember it as you read, or if you are sensitive enough to the Spirit to notice when God indicates that you should dig deeper on a verse or passage as you read.
On my journey this morning, I came across this translation of 1 John 2:
4 Someone may say, “I am a Christian; I am on my way to heaven; I belong to Christ.” But if he doesn’t do what Christ tells him to, he is a liar. 5 But those who do what Christ tells them to will learn to love God more and more. That is the way to know whether or not you are a Christian. 6 Anyone who says he is a Christian should live as Christ did. (1 John 2, The Living Bible)
Compare this to the KJV:
4 He that saith, I know him, and keepeth not his commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him.
5 But whoso keepeth his word, in him verily is the love of God perfected: hereby know we that we are in him.
6 He that saith he abideth in him ought himself also so to walk, even as he walked. (1 John 2, KJV)
What a treasure trove of clarity awaits those who are willing to take a closer or broader look at the scriptures. We are like a person who received a gift from a king, left unwrapped forever. While most Christians set their gift on the shelf while bragging nonstop about how valuable it is, some handle it often, memorizing its exterior details. But the greater gift lies inside the superficial wrapping in which it is presented.