Differences in Bible Translations- Which One Should You Read?
There are many different translations of the Bible available, and each one has its own unique features and characteristics.
Some of the most well-known translations include the King James Version (KJV), the New International Version (NIV), the New Revised Standard Version (NRSV), and the English Standard Version (ESV).
One of the main differences between Bible translations is the level of formality in the language used.
Some translations, such as the KJV and the NRSV, use more formal and archaic language, while others, like the NIV and the ESV, use more modern and contemporary language.
Another difference between translations is the level of interpretation involved in the translation process.
Literal Translations (Word for Word)
Some translations, known as “word-for-word” or “literal” translations, aim to stick as closely as possible to the original language of the Bible and convey the meaning as directly as possible.
Some popular literal translations are the King James Version (KJV), New Revised Standard Version (NRSV), English Standard Version (ESV), New King James Version (NKJV), American Standard Version (ASV), and the New American Standard Bible (NASB).
Literal translations are often considered more accurate and faithful to the original texts, but may be more difficult for some readers to understand due to the formal and archaic language used in some cases.
Literal translations are often used for academic and theological study, as well as for personal study and use in churches.
They are suitable for readers who want a more precise and accurate translation of the Bible, but may not be as well-suited for readers who are looking for an easily understandable translation.
Dynamic Equivalence (Thought for Thought) Translations
Other translations, known as “thought-for-thought” or “dynamic equivalence” translations, focus more on conveying the meaning and intent of the original text in a way that is easily understood by the reader.
Some popular “thought-for-thought” or “dynamic equivalence” translations of the Bible in English include the New International Version (NIV), New Living Translation (NLT), The Message (MSG), Good News Translation (GNT) and the Contemporary English Version (CEV).
Dynamic equivalence translations are often considered easier to read and understand than literal translations, but may not be as accurate or faithful to the original texts.
Dynamic equivalence translations are often used for personal study, small group study, and use in churches. They are suitable for readers who want an easily understandable translation of the Bible, but may not be as well-suited for academic or theological study due to their more interpretive nature.
Let’s look at some of the most popular Bible translations and how they differ from one another.
King James Version (KJV)
The King James Version (KJV) of the Bible is a translation of the Christian Bible into English that was commissioned by King James I of England and completed in 1611. It is also known as the Authorized Version (AV) because it was authorized by the king for use in the Church of England.
The KJV is known for its formal and archaic language and is based on the Textus Receptus, a Greek text of the New Testament that was used as the basis for many early translations of the Bible into English.
The KJV has had a significant influence on the English language and has been widely regarded as a masterpiece of literature. It is still used by many Christian denominations, and is often considered the “standard” translation of the Bible.
New King James Version (NKJV)
The New King James Version (NKJV) of the Bible is a translation of the Bible that was completed in 1982. It is a revision of the King James Version (KJV), which was published in 1611, and is considered a “word-for-word” or “literal” translation, which means that it aims to stick as closely as possible to the original language of the Bible and convey the meaning as directly as possible.
The NKJV is known for its formal and literary language, which is similar to that of the KJV, but it is written in modern English and is easier for contemporary readers to understand. It is used by many Christian denominations and is popular for personal study, small group study, and use in churches.
One of the main goals of the NKJV was to produce a translation that would be faithful to the original texts, accurately reflect the meaning of the original languages, and be easily understood by contemporary readers.
The New International Version (NIV)
The New International Version (NIV) of the Bible is a translation of the Christian Bible into English that was completed in 1978. It is a popular translation among young Christians and is widely used in churches and for personal study.
The NIV is actually a “thought-for-thought” translation that uses more modern and contemporary language than some other translations.
The NIV was translated by a team of scholars and linguists who worked to produce a translation that would be accurate and faithful to the original texts while also being easy to read and understand.
The NIV has undergone several revisions since its initial publication in 1978, with the most recent revision being published in 2011.
The New Revised Standard Version (NRSV)
The New Revised Standard Version (NRSV) of the Bible is a translation of the Christian Bible into English that was completed in 1989. It is a revision of the Revised Standard Version (RSV), which was published in 1952.
The NRSV is considered a “word-for-word” or “literal” translation, and is based on the Masoretic Text for the Old Testament and the Textus Receptus and Nestle-Aland Novum Testamentum Graece for the New Testament.
The NRSV is known for its formal and literary language, which can make it more difficult for some readers to understand. However, it is highly respected for its accuracy and faithfulness to the original texts. It is used by many Christian denominations, including Roman Catholic, Protestant, and Orthodox, and is often used in academic and theological settings.
One of the main goals of the NRSV was to produce a translation that would be widely accepted by all branches of Christianity and be suitable for use in public reading and in private study.
To achieve this goal, the translation team included scholars from a wide range of denominations and linguistic backgrounds, and they used the most reliable and widely accepted manuscripts available at the time.
English Standard Version (ESV)
The English Standard Version (ESV) of the Bible is a translation of the Christian Bible into English that was completed in 2001. It is a revision of the Revised Standard Version (RSV), which was published in 1952, and is considered a “word-for-word” or “literal” translation, which means that it aims to stick as closely as possible to the original language of the Bible and convey the meaning as directly as possible.
The ESV is known for its formal and literary language, which is similar to that of the King James Version (KJV) and the New Revised Standard Version (NRSV). However, it is written in modern English and is easier for contemporary readers to understand than the KJV or the NRSV.
The ESV is widely used by Evangelical Christians and is popular for personal study, small group study, and use in churches. It is also used in academic and theological settings and is highly respected for its accuracy and faithfulness to the original texts.
One of the main goals of the ESV was to produce a translation that would be faithful to the original texts, accurately reflect the meaning of the original languages, and be easily understood by contemporary readers.
To achieve this goal, the translation team included scholars from a wide range of denominations and linguistic backgrounds, and they used the most reliable and widely accepted manuscripts available at the time.
New Living Translation (NLT)
The New Living Translation is a dynamic translation, which means that it seeks to convey the sense and meaning of the original texts in a way that is both accurate and easy to understand.
The NLT is based on the latest scholarly understanding of the text of the Bible and is widely regarded as a reliable and accurate translation. It is intended to be especially helpful for people who are new to reading the Bible or who have difficulty understanding more literal translations.
The NLT is produced by Tyndale House Publishers. I think the NLT is a great version for young children.
Message Version (MSG)
The Message (MSG) is a translation of the Bible into English that was completed in 2002. It is a “thought-for-thought” or “dynamic equivalence” translation.
The MSG is known for its use of contemporary language and its emphasis on making the Bible more relevant and easily understood by modern readers. It is intended to be an easy-to-read translation that is suitable for personal study, small group study, and use in churches.
The MSG was translated by Eugene Peterson, a Christian pastor and theologian, who worked with a team of scholars and linguists to produce the translation. The MSG is published by NavPress, a Christian publishing company.
Passion Translation (TPT)
The Passion Translation (TPT) is a recent translation of the Bible into English. It is a thought for thought version, which means that it aims to convey the meaning and intent of the original text in a way that is easily understood by the reader.
The TPT is known for its use of contemporary language and its emphasis on the passion, or intense emotion, of the original texts. It is intended to be a devotional translation, meaning that it is intended to be used for personal study and reflection, rather than for academic or theological study.
The TPT was translated by Brian Simmons, a Christian pastor and translator, who worked with a team of scholars and linguists to produce the translation.
The TPT is published by The Passion Translation Project, a non-profit organization that aims to “ignite a passion for the Word of God” through its translations of the Bible.
Which Bible Translation Should You Read?
Ultimately, the choice of which translation to use depends on your personal needs and preferences.
Some people prefer a more formal, traditional translation, while others prefer a more modern, easily understandable translation.
It is generally recommended to use multiple translations in order to get a more complete understanding of the text.
I personally recommend learning a literal translation first, and then broadening your study to include thought-for-thought versions.
It’s important to know that the Bible is meant to be read with your heart, not just your head. It also has to be mixed with faith in order to be profitable (Hebrews 4:2). Regardless of what translation you choose; it is the presence of the Holy Spirit who brings it alive to you and gives you the understanding!
Additional Information….
What is the Masoretic Text?
The Masoretic Text is a traditional Hebrew text of the Old Testament that was compiled by Jewish scholars known as the Masoretes between the 7th and 10th centuries. It is considered the most reliable and widely accepted Hebrew text of the Old Testament.
What is the Textus Receptus?
The Textus Receptus is a Greek text of the New Testament that was used as the basis for many early translations of the Bible into English, including the King James Version (KJV). It is based on a selection of Greek manuscripts from the Byzantine tradition.
What is the Nestle-Aland Novum Testamentum Graece?
The Nestle-Aland Novum Testamentum Graece is a Greek text of the New Testament that is widely used in academic and theological study. It is based on a critical analysis of all available Greek manuscripts of the New Testament. It is considered by most to be a reliable and accurate Greek text of the New Testament.
What is the Interlinear Bible?
An interlinear Bible is a version of the Bible that presents the text of the Bible in two languages, with one language appearing in a line above or below the other.
The most common format for an interlinear Bible is to present the original language text (such as Hebrew or Greek) in one line, and a translation of that text in another language (such as English) in the line below or above it.
Interlinear Bibles are typically used by students of biblical languages who want to study the original text of the Bible in its original language, but who also need a translation in order to understand the meaning of the text.
By aligning the original language text with its translation, an interlinear Bible allows readers to see the relationship between the two languages and to gain a deeper understanding of the meaning of the text.
Interlinear Bibles can be especially helpful for people who are learning to read and understand the original languages of the Bible, as they provide a way to see the relationships between words and phrases in the original language and their meanings in a translation.
