Which Bible Translation Should I Read?
- Wired for Christ
- Aug 22, 2024
- 5 min read
Updated: Sep 8
Image: Part of my Bible collection
This article addresses a common question I receive: "Which Bible translation should I read?" By the Lord's grace, consider this article as a go-to quick guide for English Bible translations. While not an exhaustive study, it is detailed and covers all key aspects to assist you in selecting an English Bible translation.
Article Outline: Click link to go to section...
Let's get started!
I. Brief Overview of the English Bible
A. The Wycliffe Bible: First English Bible
In 1382, the initial English Bible was translated from Latin and named the Wycliffe Bible after the priest and Oxford scholar John Wycliffe. Wycliffe had advocated for the Bible to be accessible to the general public during his lifetime. Despite his efforts, the Bible was prohibited and destroyed.
Four decades following Wycliffe's passing, his remains were unearthed and burned on charges of heresy. By 1408, a mere twenty-six years after the Wycliffe Bible's creation, it was deemed unlawful in England to translate or peruse the Bible in common English without a bishop's authorization.
Portrait of John Wycliffe
B. William Tyndale: Paving the Way for The King James Bible
Fast forward to 1525. William Tyndale, priest, and Oxford scholar, translates the New Testament from Greek in 1525, but could not get approval to publish it in England. He moved to Germany, printed Bibles, and smuggled them into England in sacks of corn and flour. In 1535 he published part of the Old Testament translated from Hebrew.
In 1536, Tyndale was strangled and burned at the stake. His final words were, “Lord, open the king of England’s eyes.” Tyndale is called the “father of the English Bible” because his translation formed the basis of the King James Version. Much of the style and vocabulary we know as “Biblical English” is traceable to his work.
Image: William's Tyndale on morning of his death, giving jailer packet for John Rogers.
C. The Dead Sea Scrolls
Between 1629 and 1947 several of the earliest known copies of the Bible are found.
Codex Alexandrinus, a copy of the New Testament from approximately AD 400, perhaps the best copy of the book of Revelation, is made available to western scholars.
Codex Sinaiticus (the earliest complete copy of the New Testament, copied in approximately AD 350) is found in St. Catherine’s Monastery near Mt. Sinai.
The findings prompted the production of "modern translations" that rely on the most ancient manuscripts of the Bible, which were not available to the scholars responsible for the King James translation.
In other words, modern scholars improved upon the English translation of the Bible, just as the King James scholars did with Wycliffe and Tyndale's work.
Image: Jar for the Dead Sea scrolls
II. Bible Translation Styles
A. Word-for-word ( literal )
Scholars translate each word (from the original Hebrew, Aramaic, and Greek manuscripts) based upon the word usage at the time of writing. No translation can actually be “word-for-word,” but the intent is to come as close as possible.
King James Version (KJV) 1611, 1769
American Standard Version (ASV) 1901
Revised Standard Version (RSV) 1952: Based on ASV
New American Standard Bible (NASB) 1971, 1995
New King James Version (NKJV) 1982: Modern language translation to maintain the structure and beauty of the KJV
New Revision Standard Version (NRSV) 1989: New revision of RSV using information gathered from newly discovered Hebrew and Greek manuscripts.
English Standard Version (ESV) 2001: Derived from RSV
B. Thought-for-thought
This translation aims to convey the essence of sentences or paragraphs from the original language using modern, easy-to-understand English, rather than translating word-for-word.
Good News Translation (GNT)
New Century Version (NCV)
Contemporary English Version (CEV)
New International Readers Versions (NIRV)
New Living Translation (NLT)
C. Balance
Balance between Word-for-word and Thought-for-thought.
New International Version (NIV)
God’s Word Translation (GW)
Holman Christian Standard Bible (HCSB)
Common English Bible (CEB)
D. Paraphrase
Although some individuals believe that a paraphrase is synonymous with a translation, this is not accurate. While a translation aims to convey the literal content of the original text, a paraphrase aims to interpret the passage. Consequently, a paraphrase serves more as an interpretation of the Scripture rather than a precise representation of the text itself.
The Message Bible (MSG)
III. What Is The Best Bible Translation to Read?
Using a literal translation (Word-for-word) as your main study Bible is recommended. This way, you can ensure that you are capturing the closest possible meaning to the original languages.
Only use a Thought-for-thought, Balanced, or Paraphrase as secondary references.
Avoid translations such as The Passion Translation (TPT) that are reworded and rewritten Bibles, designed to promote a specific theological perspective.
It is recommended to only use the Amplified Bible (AMP) as a secondary reference because it presents multiple potential meanings for each word in a verse without indicating the most appropriate one.
IV. The Bible Translation(s) I Use for Study and Teaching
The King James Version of the Bible was the one I was raised on. My initial study Bible, acquired over 20 years ago, was also the KJV.
However, I no longer care to read the language of 1611 England, and would like to study a modern translation with unyielding faithfulness to the original Greek, Hebrew, and Aramaic texts, while also applying the most recent research in archaeology, linguistics, and textual studies.
For example, 2 Tim 2:15 in the KJV says, "Study to show thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth."
The term "study" used to mean "strive, do your best" centuries ago.
How often have we heard this verse cited as an exhortation to "study" the Word – even though that was not Paul's primary emphasis here.
This is not a call to "study" but as the New King James translation renders it, "Be diligent to present yourself approved to God . . . " The issue lies in the fact that readers assume they understand the word's meaning when, in reality, they are unaware of its changed significance.
For this reason my preferred Bible is the New King James Version. Commissioned in 1975 by Thomas Nelson Publishers, 130 respected Bible scholars, church leaders, and lay Christians worked for seven years to create a completely new, modern translation of Scripture, yet one that retains the purity and stylistic beauty of the original King James.
Occasionally, I use the ESV for teaching because it combines a Word-for-word translation with readability. During teaching, I might also refer to the NLT to get the text's clarity, but my primary study and teaching translation is the NKJV.
Conclusion
We are grateful to God for the diligent scholars who have worked on providing Word-for-word translations of the original Hebrew, Aramaic, and Greek manuscripts, to convey the closest meaning possible.
Choose a Word-for-word translation that has a literary flow that you prefer. You can then use other translations as supplementary resources to ensure a comprehensive understanding of God's word.
And remember that we do not live by bread alone, but we live by every word that comes from the mouth of the Lord (Deut. 8:3; Matt. 4:4).
May the grace of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ be with you.
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