Popular English Translations:
King James Version or Authorized Version (KJV) – First published in 1611 by the Church of England, the King James Version or the Authorized Version (as it is know outside of the United States) was the primary English translation of the Bible for about 300 years. The King James Version is the most familiar English translation. The KJV is an excellent study and reading Bible for those willing to read in the King James English. If you have difficulty with the King James Version’s language, then perhaps another translation would be better for you.
- Official Website: None
- Read Online: BibleGateway or StudyLight
New American Standard Bible (NASB) – Published in 1971 by the Lockman Foundation, and updated in 1995, the New American Standard Bible is considered by many to be one of the most literal and accurate English Bible translations. The NASB is also an excellent reading and study Bible. I use the NASB as my primary reading and study Bible, and I would recommend it to anyone. If there is a knock on the NASB it is its readability.
- Official Website: Lockman.org
- Read Online: StudyBibleForum.com
New International Version (NIV) – The New International Version is an entirely new English Bible translation concluded in 1978 and sponsored by the International Bible Society. Over 100 scholars across virtually all denominational lines participated in translating the New International Version. Today’s New International Version (TNIV) is a revision of the NIV. The NIV is one of, if not the most popular English translation available. It is an excellent blend of readability and accuracy.
English Standard Version (ESV) – The English Standard Version was published in 2001. The ESV translation team also consisted of over 100 Bible scholars. Despite being the new kid on the block, the ESV has rapidly become one of the most popular English Bible translations. The ESV claims to be an “essentially literal,” “word-for-word” translation. The ESV is about as accurate as the NIV, if only slightly less readable. However, as many of my readers know, I am somewhat partial to the ESV because of the ESV Blog’s prompt response to my post So Many Translations, So Little Time.
New King James Version (NKJV) – The New King James Version was primarily an attempt to update the vocabulary and grammar of the King James Version. In that effort, I would say it succeeds. In my personal opinion, the NKJV is probably as readable as the NASB, but less accurate.
- Official Website: Thomas Nelson
- Read Online: BibleGateway or StudyLight
New Living Translation (NLT) – The NLT was first published in 1996 and updated in 2004. The NLT is highly readable, the translation philosophy tending toward “dynamic equivalence” or a “thought-for-thought” rendering. Those I know who read the NLT absolutely love it, but it has a fair number of critics (though they are less critical of the 2004 second edition).
- Official Website: New Living Translation
- Read Online: NLT Scripture Search
Holman Christian Standard Bible (HCSB) – Although the HCSB continues to be one of the top-selling Bible translations, it just doesn’t seem to get the attention that it deserves, and I don’t know why. Admittedly, my HCSB is not my go-to Bible, but I would say it is in my top three or four. But, for some reason it just doesn’t generate the attention of the NIV or NLT. Perhaps, just perhaps, this is a testament to the quality of the translation, that there isn’t as much controversy which generates attention. It is a great translation, easy to read, but I don’t know anyone who carries an HSCB to church. It’s a shame really. Maybe the publication of the new Apologetics Study Bible will generate some real interest.
- Official Website: Holman Christian Standard Bible
- Read Online: Holman Christian Standard Bible
The Message (MSG) – The Message is not really a translation at all, but rather a paraphrase. The purpose of such undertakings is to reach audiences who might be otherwise unreachable through a more literal translation. That is not to say that The Message doesn’t have a broad appeal, it certainly does. Go to any bookstore and the popularity of The Message is evident. It is not, however, a study Bible. But, it is great for what it is, a way to get the message to another audience.
- Official Website: NavPress
- Read Online: BibleGateway or StudyLight
New English Translation (NET) – The NET Bible is unique in that it made its transition from the net to print, rather than vice versa. The NET Bible was designed as a free internet resource and does not require users to obtain copyright permissions for use. It is still available to be downloaded for free. The NET Bible contains over 60,000 translation notes, and all of the Bible.org resources available free. The NET Bible is definitely one of the most innovative Bible projects ever.
- Official Website: NET Bible Home
- Read Online: NeXt Bible
#1 by mom2olivia on December 18, 2008 - 1:16 pm
The Applified Bible is really good too
Great Page! God Bless!
#2 by petermlopez on December 22, 2008 - 5:29 pm
You know, I’ve been meaning to get my hands on one of those as I mentioned here:
http://beautyofthebible.com/2008/07/24/so-many-bible-translations-so-little-time/
Thanks for stopping by.
#3 by Mick on January 22, 2009 - 11:06 am
I am a huge fan of the ESV. It is like an updated version of the NASB.
#4 by petermlopez on January 22, 2009 - 2:38 pm
I like the ESV, too, but I wouldn’t go that far. I still prefer the NASB to the ESV, but the ESV certainly has a growing following. Thanks, Mick, for stopping by.
#5 by wb on January 26, 2009 - 9:13 pm
Where can i find the original Bible? Which sect of Christianity actually translated the Bible to English? Can I see the Bible from which it was translated from? For example if it was translated from Greek then who has that version (from page 1 to end)?
#6 by petermlopez on January 27, 2009 - 11:28 am
Well, it depends on what specifically your are looking for. For example, the Jewish Tanakh has essentially the same books as the Christian Old Testament and the Christian New Testament was put together in various forms, which you can read about here:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Biblical_canon
You might also want to try the Septuagint Online here:
http://www.kalvesmaki.com/LXX/
And the Codex Sinaiticus here:
http://www.codex-sinaiticus.net/en/
I don’t know if this answers your question specifically, but it will be a good place to start.
#7 by brad on March 16, 2009 - 7:54 am
A little FYI.
Have you had a chance to check out the Recovery Version? If you are familiar with it, what is your opinion? I just came across it again and have been checking it out. They do offer a free version of the NT Study Bible. Might be worth a review.
peace & grace
#8 by petermlopez on March 16, 2009 - 11:11 am
brad, I am not familiar with the Recovery Version. Is it its own translation? Or what translation does it use? I may be familiar with the translations if it uses a popular translation.
#9 by brad on March 18, 2009 - 1:31 pm
According to their website “the New Testament Recovery Version is translated from the original languages according to principles and standards of translation established by major English translations of the last five centuries”.
Here is more from the website: “The Recovery Version embodies a multitude of decisions on the original form of the Greek text. Every major translation of the New Testament follows for the most part the accepted edition of the Greek text of its day, but no translation is expected to accept every decision of the Greek editions. Translators must grapple with the manuscript question to their own satisfaction. While the Recovery Version follows the Nestle-Aland 26th edition for the most part, it has departed here and there based on the study and consideration of the manuscripts by its translators. Thus, the Greek text underlying the Recovery Version is unique, even if it is quite close to the accepted scholastic edition of the day.”
Anyway, I am not sure, and perhaps a little uncomfortable with the organization that translated and published this version: Living Stream Ministry.
#10 by Terry Thomas on March 18, 2009 - 10:54 pm
I reallyl like the HCSB, I switch between it and the NASB. The ESV which is a fine translation is marketed as being more “readable” than the NASB but in my comparisons I find more “odd” or non-standard english wording and sentence structure in the ESV than in the NASB 95 update. I could not find a single reason to switch from the NASB to the ESV, regardless of John Piper and others endorsements. My personal opinion is that the ESV is doing better (market share and visibility) than the NASB or HCSB because of superior and aggressive marketing more than anything else.
#11 by petermlopez on March 23, 2009 - 2:25 pm
I agree, I prefer the NASB. It is my own personal reading Bible, but I like the HCSB’s treatment of some Hebrew stuff. The ESV is definitely better marketed than any other than the NLT or NIV, and, it’s a great translation, don’t get me wrong, but I still prefer my NASB.
#12 by Learner on March 29, 2009 - 10:41 am
Hello,
You have provided a good list of translation of Bibles but which of them is original? Do you believe Bible to me 100% word of God? I am just a learner and if you can help answer my questions that will be cool.
#13 by petermlopez on April 1, 2009 - 2:35 pm
None of the translations I’ve listed above are “original.” They are all English translations. You can read about each to determine their source texts, if that is what you are seeking.
#14 by Learner on April 4, 2009 - 9:02 pm
I am very happy with your reply, you do admit that none of them are original bibles so I will then assume that then it is not 100% from God and I don’t have to believe in it.
#15 by petermlopez on April 6, 2009 - 11:33 am
Okay, again, you are making a leap I cannot make. You certainly don’t have to believe anything, this blog is simply an exploration of why I believe what I believe.
#16 by ElShaddai Edwards on April 6, 2009 - 12:24 pm
Great page, Peter! The only quibble I have is that you should have a note along the lines that the ESV is a conservative theological update of the RSV, rather than giving the impression that it is a new translation by “over 100 Bible scholars”. The majority of the text is hardly new, having been around since the 1950s.
#17 by petermlopez on April 6, 2009 - 1:21 pm
Actually, I think I copied that part right off their website, but you’re right. Now that I’ve had my Green Bible for a while, I will need to be updating this page with the NRSV.
#18 by Angie Mccloskey on May 19, 2009 - 10:01 am
Just1Word has 12 versions of the Bible and it’s absolutely free … just add our link to your site. http://tr.im/hdxH
#19 by petermlopez on May 19, 2009 - 10:47 am
Thank you, Angie McCloskey. I think you just did. I appreciate that.
#20 by A. C. Baker on January 29, 2011 - 12:13 pm
Just found your blog while surfing “legalism.” If you look at my blog, you may come to understand the reason for my search.
Anyway, I pastor a Baptist church in TN. I used to be the KJV-only type, but run far away from that, now. Over the years I have come to not trust any one version over another, at least not in totality. I couldn’t stick with just one unless I HAD to,
For the most part, I carry my HCSB to the pulpit. But this is the thing, I usually pen in KJV words beside or above the text, along with notes relating to the original text. It really all comes down to what I am preaching and my congregation’s receptivity. Some are still uncomfortable with new versions. I keep telling them the only inspired Bible is the original, not the King James (the Bible Paul used).
#21 by Kelvin Landon on June 25, 2012 - 12:38 pm
I testify that I know the King James Version of The Bible is the correct version of The Bible, as far as it is translated correctly.
#22 by Melody on January 11, 2013 - 10:29 pm
There’s no website I go to more for Bible study than blueletterbible.org. Not only does it have an extensive list of Bible translations to choose and read from, but it has audio and readable commentaries, concordances, lexical aids, hymns, reading plans, devotionals, and online classes for free! There’s much more, but I’m going be memory right now. I saw all your amazing resource suggestions and thought it would be a shame not to mention http://www.blueletterbible.org.
Melody