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Quick Guide to Buying Your Bible
Which Bible Version?
Version
Translation Philosophy
and Distinctive Features
and Distinctive Features
Passage Comparison
John 3:16
John 3:16
AMP
Amplified Bible
Amplified Bible
The word-for-word translation (with amplification of word meanings) is “amplified” by means of a system of brackets and parentheses, which sometimes makes for fragmented reading. A popular translation used by evangelical and mail-line Protestant, Catholic and Orthodox Christians to understand the hidden shades of meaning of Greek and Hebrew words.
Released in 1965; expanded edition in 1987.
Released in 1965; expanded edition in 1987.
“For God so greatly and dearly loved the world that He [even] gave up His only begotten (unique) Son, so that whosoever believes in (trusts in, clings to, relies on) Him shall not perish (come to destruction, be lost) but have eternal (everlasting) life.”
CEV
Contemporary English Version
Contemporary English Version
A thought-for-thought, meaning-based translation in clear, simple English that a child can understand, but with a mature style adults can appreciate. Conservative, evangelical, and mainline in its theological affiliation, the CEV appeals to the unchurched.
Released in 1995.
Released in 1995.
“God loved the people of this world so much that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who has faith in him will have eternal life and never really die.”
ESV
English Standard Version
English Standard Version
A word-for-word translation that is more readable than the KJV. A literal update of the Revised Standard Version that seeks to produce a word-for-word correspondence.
Published in 2001.
Published in 2001.
“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.”
GNT
Good New Translation (formerly Today’s English Version/Good News Bible)
Good New Translation (formerly Today’s English Version/Good News Bible)
A thought-for-thought translation using a limited vocabulary. Very simple, readable version without jargon. With an evangelical and interconfessional theological affiliation, appreciated by evangelical and mainline Protestant, Catholic, Orthodox. First release in 1976; second edition in 1992; as GNT in 2001.
“For God loved the world so much that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him may not die but have eternal life.”
God’s Word
A meaning-for-meaning translation with an evangelical affiliation that appeals to Christians and non-Christians, adults and children. Released in 1995.
“God loved the world in this way: he gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will not die but will have eternal life.”
KJV
King James Version/AV - Authorised Version
King James Version/AV -
A word-for-word translation in a poetic, literary style using 17th century Elizabethan English. Theological affiliation is Church of England, conservative and evangelical. Most universally accepted translation for centuries. Considered the most difficult to read. First published in 1611.
“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.”
Message
An easy-t--read, modern-language paraphrase with an evangelical approach. Converts the original languages into the tone and rhythms of contemporary American speech. Appeals to Christians who want a fresh Bible=-reading experience and to seekers. The complete Bible first published in 2002.
“This is how much God loved the world: He gave his Son, his one and only Son. And this is why: so that no one need be destroyed; by believing in him, anyone can have a whole and lasting life.”
NASB
New American Standard Bible
(updated)
New American Standard Bible
(updated)
A highly respected, formal, word-for-word translation of the Bible. A revision of the 1901 American Standard Version into modern language. Theological affiliation and audience are conservative, evangelical Protestants. Publishes in 1971; updated in 1995.
“For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life.”
NCV
New Century Version
New Century Version
Thought-for-thought translation that puts biblical concepts into natural terms. Vocabulary choices based on The Living Word Vocabulary by Dr. Edgar Dale and Dr. Joseph O’Rourke. Affiliation is conservative and evangelical; audience is seekers, non-churched, teens. First released in 1988; revised in 1991.
“God loved the world so much that he gave his one and only Son so that whoever believes in him may not be lost, but have eternal life.”
NIV
New International Version
New International Version
A balance between word-for-word and thought-for-thought, the NIV is a highly accurate and smooth-reading version in modern English with a conservative, evangelical theological affiliation. Widely accepted by evangelical Christians and most Protestant denominations. Published in 1978; revised in 1984.
“For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.”
NKJV
New King James Version
New King James Version
An accurate word-for-word translation using the KJV as a benchmark. The modern English makes it easier to read than the KJV while retaining the familiarity on the 17th century sentence structure. Captures the word meanings and beauty of the KJV in contemporary, readable language. Conservative, evangelical Protestant and Orthodox theological affiliation and audience. First published in 1982.
“For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.”
NLT
New Living Translation
New Living Translation
A thought-for-thought, meaning-based translation that is suitable for adults and children. Employs vocabulary and sentence structures in common use, whole producing the closest natural equivalent of the original message in natural, contemporary English. Theological affiliation is all mainstream evangelical denominations. First released in 1996.
“For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life.”
NRSV
New Revised Standard Version
New Revised Standard Version
A balance between word-for-word and thought-for-thought, the NRSV is a widely accepted translation in the tradition of the KJV. Contemporary, dignified and generic language in reference to humans. A Bible for all Christians, its theological affiliation is mainline and interconfessional. Published in 1990.
“For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him may not perish but may have eternal life.”
TLB
The Living Bible
The Living Bible
A modern-language paraphrase with an evangelical approach. First paraphrase to gain wide acceptance by all denominations; read and enjoyed by adults and children alike. Complete Bible first published in 1971.
“For God loved the world so much that he gave his only Son so that anyone who believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.”
TNIV
Today’s New Internation Version
Today’s New Internation Version
A clear, modern translation built on the powerful heritage of the NIV. It too utilizes a balance of word-for-word and thought-for-thought translation philosophies, using the modern English spoken today.
“For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.”