Comparison of English Bible translations

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

One of the best ways to judge English translations of the Bible is simply to compare different versions. Both of the articles for the following verses contain a chart comparing several English translations as well as the texts in Greek and Hebrew.

• Genesis 1:1 - this Hebrew verse is a particular challenge to translators, being the very opening words of the Bible, and also dealing with such grand topics as God and the creation of the world
• John 3:16 - the "Bible in a nutshell" verse inevitably gives a good comparison of different Bible translation versions

See also The Bible version debate for a discussion of which translations are "best".

[edit] External links

• Zondervan compares a number of translations, with a graphic (on this page) showing where each fits on the spectrum of word-for-word (literal) or thought-for-thought (paraphrase). However, it may be skewed in favor of the New International Version (which the graphic shows located in the middle of the spectrum) which Zondervan publishes.
• Comparing Bible Translations: multiple translations of the Bible into English are compared and rated on various grounds; reviewer comes from a conservative evangelical theological background. Strongly prefers word-for-word (literal) translations in the likes of the NASB and ESV.
• Translations of the Bible into English: An author compares the most popular modern versions in a short summary.
• What are the major Bible translations? Why Study the Bible? This article contains a simple summary of most of the major translations available today.
• "Why the ESV?" − an article discussing the difference between essentially literal translations (ESV, NASB, KJV) and dynamic equivalent translations (NIV, NLT, CEV, Message), with a bias toward the ESV.