Click to see a Comparison Chart of the popular translations

Why are there so many different versions of the Bible?

The original texts of Hebrew and Greek had to be translated into the languages of the world. In addition to that, the English language has evolved and modern linguistic research has made contributions to our understanding of the words and phrases of the Scriptures.

How do I know which translation is a good one?

What the English King James did for Bible translation was to establish a standard for excellent scholarship which is still practiced today in the best translations. King James appointed a committee of the best Hebrew and Greek scholars of the day to work together towards the King James Version which stood the test of time for many years. Good translations are still done by committees rather than by individuals. Information in the prefaces of the Bible versions will indicate the process used in publishing that particular version. Another consideration is any value that is considered after the first basic translation draft is done.

What are the most popular translations?

• King James Version

• The New King James Version

• Revised Standard Version

• New Revised Standard Version

• Good News Bible (same as Today's English)

• New International Version

These are usually Bibles which are begin with one of the popular versions and then the publisher will add additional study notes, maps, dictionaries, cross-referencing, and commentary to assist a person in reading the text. Study Bibles can be somewhat slanted in their perspectives and opinions though most are represent good scholarship.

Comparison Chart

Sample Verse

Genesis 1: 1,2

Sample Verse

John 1:1-3

Revision of the Revised Standard Version (1952). Translation done by 30 scholars from various Protestant denominations, Roman Catholic Church, Eastern Orthodox, and Jewish backgrounds.

Takes advantage of advances made in the discovery and interpretation of documents in the Semitic languages and the Dead Sea Scrolls.

The style of English used reflects current usage. Masculine-oriented language has been eliminated, where possible but the translation is not forced to value gender-neutral translation.

In the beginning when God created the heavens and the earth, the earth was a formless void and darkness covered the face of the deep, while a wind from God swept over the face of the waters.

Translated from Greek and Hebrew. Also utilized previous versions including the work of William Tyndale. It was the desire of the translators to make God's Word more known to the people who previously had been kept in ignorance mostly by the clergy.

It is noted for the quality of translation and the majesty of style. The translators were committed to producing an English Bible that would be a precise translation. The English words of the their time renders this translation difficult at times but often musical in nature.

This translation does not attempt to group verses into paragraph form which tends to increase the degree of difficulty in reading large passages.

In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth.

And the earth was without form, and void; and darkness was upon the face of the deep. And the Spirit of God moved upon the face of the waters.

In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.

The same was in the beginning with God.

All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made.

The translators sought to maintain the lyrical quality of the King James Version while being sensitive to the late twentieth century English idiom and adhering faithfully to the Hebrew, Aramaic, and Greek texts.

Present-day vocabulary, punctuation, and grammar were integrated. Standard doctrinal and theological terms were retained. Pronouns and verb endings no longer in use were replaced by modern words. Pronouns referring to God were capitalized.

Good News (GN)

Today's English (TEV)

Translation which seeks to state clearly and accurately the meaning of the original texts in words and forms that are widely accepted by English-speaking people.

Teams of scholars used the Hebrew and Greek manuscripts. The first task was to understand correctly the meaning of the original. The next task was to express that meaning in a manner and a form easily understood by readers. Certain features as hours of the day and measures are given in modern equivalents.

There is an introduction and an outline at the beginning of each book.

Children tend to find this version easier to read.

Translation done by over one hundred scholars. Translating committees consisted of representatives of a variety of Protestant denominations around the world. They did not invite Roman Catholic, Eastern Orthodox or Jewish scholars to participate.

The goals were that the translation would be accurate and have clarity and literary quality so as to be suitable for reading, teaching, preaching, memorizing, and liturgical use. A concern was that the English be idiomatic but not idiosyncratic, contemporary but not dated.

In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was with God in the beginning.

Through Him all things were made; without Him nothing was made that has been made.

Translated with the attempt that the text be faithful to the meaning of the original and that it can be read with ease and understanding by readers of all ages. It was made directly from the original languages of the Scriptures and is not an adaptation of any existing translation.

Poetic sections were expected not only to sound good but also to look good. Poetic lines were carefully measured to avoid awkwardly divided phrases and words that run over to the next line in clumsy ways.

The American Bible Society prints this translation in some modern, youth-oriented paperback covers.

In the beginning was the one who is called the Word. The Word was with God and was truly God. From the very beginning the Word was with God. And with this Word, God created all things. Nothing was made without the Word.

A paraphrase is the restatement of an author's thoughts, using different words. There is a danger in paraphrasing that the translator, though honest, may give the English reader something that the original writer did not mean to say. When the Greek or the Hebrew is not clear, the theology of the translator and his sense of logic are his guides. The theological guide in this version has been a rigid evangelical position.

This version regularly is criticized by Greek and Hebrew scholars.