Translation
|
Translation
Philosophy
|
Sample
Passage
(Hebrews 1:1-2) |
Features |
Theological
Affiliation |
Reading
Grade Level
|
DR
Douay-Rheims
|
word-for-word
|
God, who at sundry times and in
divers manners spoke in time past to the fathers by the
prophets, last of all, In these last days hath spoken to us by
his Son, whom he hat appointed heir of all things, by whom
also he made the world. |
English translation from the Latin
Vulgate with comparisons to the Hebrew and Greek. It's
language contains "Latinisms", common in the English
writing of the day. First published in 1609. |
Roman Catholic |
12 |
KJV
King James Version
|
word-for-word |
God, who at sundry times and in
divers manners spake in time past unto the fathers by the
prophets, hath in these last days spoken unto us by his Son,
whom he hath appointed heir of all things, by whom also he
made the worlds; |
Poetic literary style using Elizabethan English. Most
universally accepted translation for centuries. Considered the
most difficult to read. Deuterocanonical/Apocryphal books
placed at the end of the Old Testament. First published in
1611. |
Church of England, conservative
and evangelical. |
12 |
LB
Living Bible
|
paraphrased |
Long ago God spoke in many
different ways to our fathers through the prophets [in
visions, dreams and even face to face], telling them little by
little about his plans. But now in these days he has spoken to
us through his Son to whom he has given everything and through
whom he made the world and everything there is. |
A very popular interpretive
rephrasing of the text. First released as "The Way",
it was originally intended for personal devotional use only.
Deuterocanonoical/Apocryphal books, if included, are placed
at the end of the entire text. Published in 1971.
|
Conservative and evangelical. |
8.3 |
NAB
New American Bible
|
word-for-word |
In times past, God spoke in
partial and various ways to our ancestors through the
prophets; in these last days, he spoke to us thorough a son,
whom he made heir of all things and through whom he created
the universe, |
Official translation of the Roman
Catholic Church in the United States. All editions include the
Deuterocanonical/Apocryphal books. First published in 1970. |
Roman Catholic (United States) |
6.6 |
NASB
New American Standard Bible
|
word-for-word |
God, after He spoke long ago to
the fathers in the prophets in many portions and in many ways,
in these last days has spoken to us in His Son, whom He
appointed heir of all things, through whom also He made the
world. |
Updating the American Standard
Version into modern language. Generally considered an accurate
translation. Does not include the Deuterocanonical/apocryphal
books. Published in 1971. |
Conservative and evangelical. |
11 |
NIV
New International Version
|
Balance
between word-for-word
and
thought-for-thought
|
In the past God spoke to the
forefathers through the prophets at many times and in various
ways, but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son,
whom he appointed heir of all things, and through whom he made
the universe. |
Popular modern language
translation. Attempts to balance literal and dynamic
translation methods. Does not include Deutercanonical/Apocryphal
books. Published in 1978. |
Transnational,
trans-denominational team of scholars. Conservative and
evangelical. |
7.8 |
NJB
New Jerusalem Bible
|
Balance
between
word translation
and meaning. |
At many moments in the past and by
many means, God spoke to our ancestors through the prophets;
but in our time, the final days, he has spoken to us in the
person of his Son, whom he appointed heir of all things and
through whom he made the ages. |
An update of the Jerusalem Bible,
first translated into French. Includes comprehensive
introductions, footnotes and gender neutral language.
Published in 1985. |
Official Roman Catholic English
language text outside of the United States. |
7.4 |
NKJV
New King James Version
|
Based on the original KJV,
yet attempting to produce an accurate and modern word-for-word
translation. |
God, who at various times and in
various ways spoke in time past to the fathers by the
prophets, has in these last days spoken to us by His Son, whom
He has appointed heir of all things, through whom also He made
the worlds; |
Captures the accuracy and beauty
of the KJV in contemporary, readable language. Published in
1982. |
Transnational,
trans-denominational team of scholars. Conservative and
evangelical. |
8 |
NLT
New Living Translation
|
thought-for-thought |
Long ago God spoke many times and
in many ways to our ancestors through the prophets. But now in
these final days he has spoken to us through his Son. God
promised everything to the Son as an inheritance, and through
the Son he made the universe and everything in it. |
This successor of the Living
Bible seeks to produce the closest natural equivalent of
the message in contemporary English. Published in 1996. |
Evangelical. |
6.4 |
NRSV
New Revised Standard Version
|
Balance
between word-for-word
and thought-for-thought |
Long ago God spoke to our ancestors in many and various ways
by the prophets, but in these last days he has spoken to us by
a Son, whom he appointed heir of all things, through whom he
also created the worlds. |
Revised the RSV into fully
modern language. Uses gender neutral language and removes
"thees", "thous" and "beholds".
Published in 1990. |
Mainline and interconfessional. |
8.1 |
RSV
Revised Standard Version
|
Maintain a word-for-word
accuracy using modern American language. |
In many and various ways God spoke
of old to our fathers by the prophets; but in these last days
he has spoken to us by a Son, whom he appointed the heir of
all things, through whom also he created the world. |
Although attempting to update the
"Bible English" of the KJV, some "thous",
and "beholds" still remain. First published in 1952. |
Mainline and interconfessional. |
10 |