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Quite a number of folks have asked me at one time or another about different translations of the Holy Bible. The table below should offer some information about the differences between various translations.  My personal favorites would be the Douay-Rheims, the King James Version, and the Jerusalem Bible (not the New Jerusalem Bible).  I hope that you will find this information helpful.

As an additional note, it should be remembered that the King James Version of the Holy Bible did, in fact, originally include those books that have come to be known as "apocryphal".  This is in line with Article VI of the 39 Articles of Religion.

+Daniel


Bible Comparison Chart

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

 


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Last modified: November 24, 2009