![]() ![]() And for good reason: it, more than any other, comes the closest to striking the perfect balance between formality and functionality, adherence to the holy text and readability for us today. Like many around my age, I grew up using this translation, and it’s probably the translation I see most often at Church or other settings. New International Version (NIV) – I have a love-hate relationship with this most popular of modern translations. When God began to create heaven and earth-the earth being unformed and void, with darkness over the surface of the deep and a wind from God sweeping over the water-God said, “Let there be light” and there was light.ĥ. As you might suspect, this version doesn’t have the New Testament, so I’ve included another popular verse for you: New Jewish Publication Society of America Version (NJPS) – This translation is done completely by Jewish scholars, trying to best bring out the Jewish theology in the text without Christian overtones -though they are particularly strict in their translations of the Torah. The NET Bible is most notable for its tackling of the formal/functional balance by rendering a fairly readable text along with copious footnotes for in-depth and literal translations.įor this is the way God loved the world: He gave his one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life.Ħ. New English Translation (NET) – This online Bible is designed to be free and accessible by all it is also one of the more recently updated versions with a revision in 2017. Still, the NASB provides a close examination of the text for those preferring to avoid ancient languages and thus offers an excellent study option.įor God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life.ħ. The version’s strict adherence to “grammatical correctness” makes the text wooden, and its ties to Southern Baptist theology are noticeable in scattered verses. Originally published in 1971 and revised in ‘95, it is considered one of the more literal translations as well as difficult to read (operating at an 11th grade level). New American Standard Bible (NASB) – A third of my life or more has been spent using the NASB it’s one of the translations I’m most familiar with. Like the NLT, this version tries to use gender-neutral language where applicable.įor God so loved the world that he gave his only Son so that everyone who believes in him won’t perish but will have eternal life.Ĩ. ![]() The translation committee worked around the Dale-Chall Readability Formula to produce a rendering of the Bible at the same reading level as a USA Today newspaper. Common English Bible (CEB) – Released in 2011, the CEB was also designed to be easy to read and used by a variety of denominations. I like the NLT for its easy-to-read style without significant sacrifice of the original language.įor God loved the world so much that he gave his one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life.ĩ. It works on a 6th grade reading level and is relatively functional-meaning, it’s designed to resemble modern language more than the Greek text. Originally published in ‘96 as a revision of a less popular version, it has since been revised in 2007. New Living Translation (NLT) – I have little incentive to use the NLT, but as a version it’s becoming increasingly popular and its translation is fairly solid from what I can tell. For that reason, it’s usually smart to check out a less popular verse to see the real differences.ġ0. ![]() It should be noted, however, that because that verse is so famous, translators often try to make the verse sound as similar as possible to what we’re familiar with. I’ve also included for each a quotation of John 3:16 so you can see some of the different nuances of each version. Though I consider the background of each translation or its gender-inclusiveness, I weigh most heavily how the translation handles the formal/functional balance, its elegance, and the worth of the sources it works from. Whatever you’re looking for in a Bible translation, chances are there is a version for you.īelow I’ve listed some of my favorite Bible translations-as well as some that didn’t make the cut. But if that’s not good enough for you, there are several factors to consider, including how old the translation is, what sources it worked from, and how literal (formal) or loose (functional) you want your Bible to be. What’s the difference? Does it matter? What should I read? The short answer is: it doesn’t really matter, chances are you’ll be fine whatever you choose. At least once every couple months I have a conversation with someone about Bible translations. ![]()
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