Thank you for question on understanding the Scriptures, “To understand the holy scriptures, is reading them in the original manuscript and language paramount?”
There are many different religions and each religion have their own sacred writings or scriptures.
As a Christian, the Scriptures are referred to both the Old and New Testament. There 39 in the Old Testament and 27 in the New Testament. The Catholic Church recognizes other books as canonical but the Protestants recognized 66 books.
The Scriptures are written in Hebrew for the Old Testament and in Koine Greek for the New Testament. The average person is unlikely to master Hebrew and Greek at the same time. Thankfully with our modern technology and access to translations and commentaries, one can have a very good grasp of the Scriptures.
I enjoyed using the NASB-NIV Parallel New Testament in Greek and English. The other tool is the Analytical Key To The Old Testament. If one wishes to use the internet, one can type: Greek or Hebrew Translation of a book, chapter or verse in which the tool will give its meanings, usages, parallel passages, etc.
Overall, a more literal translation is better than a dynamic or contemporary translation. By literal translation, I mean more so a word for word translation and not the meaning of the word. For serious, critical study, I recommend a more literal translation. For personal study or for leading a Bible study group the dynamic translation as the NIV is sufficient.
Every translation and commentary have its bias or theological implication by the translator. Thus it is good to read several translations or commentaries to see differing viewpoints on a questionable passage. Be careful, not everything on the internet is reliable or accurate. I admit that I too have theological preferences. I do attempt to be objective as possible.
The Apostle Paul writes that believers are to study the Scriptures, comparing Scripture with Scripture, to hold onto the teachings of Jesus (Matt. 28:18–20).
SUMMARY: Bible translators have given their honest interpretation of a word in its context from the Hebrew or Greek into the various languages of the world. Thus one does not necessarily need to know Hebrew and Greek unless one is writing a dissertation or in a biblical journal for more scholarly work.