Recent English Bible versions compared

Recent English Bible versions compared
Recent English Bible Versions Compared
by Wayne Leman

(The contents of this page may be quoted or paraphrased on other webpages
if the original title, author, and webpage address are given along with the contents.)

Each of these versions is or will be a translation of both the Old Testament (Hebrew Bible) and New Testament. Some readers prefer a New Testament translated from the Received Text (Textus Receptus) of the Greek text tradition, rather than the critical (eclectic) text which most recent versions follow. For this reason, we categorize the versions depending on which Greek text they follow. For those readers unfamiliar with Biblical text issues, Bibles based on either Greek text tradition are reliable. Teachings of the Christian faith are equally clear in versions translated from either New Testament text.

Versions with New Testament based on the critical text

(Contemporary English Version): The CEV is highly readable, for both adults and children. It strives to preserve the meaning of the original in natural English expressions and is even more successful at this than was its predecessor, the GNT. 100 translation experts led by Dr. Barclay Newman contributed to the CEV. It tackles most translation difficulties, including Greek genitives and similar problems, which are often left undertranslated in versions which focus more on the original forms. In 1996 the CEV won the coveted Crystal Award from the Plain English Campaign in the United Kingdom.
ESV (English Standard Version): a recent version, produced by theologically conservative scholars, which slightly updates the RSV. The ESV is promoted as "... a new, essentially literal Bible translation that combines word-for-word precision and accuracy with literary excellence, beauty, and readability."
GW (God's Word): produced by God's Word to the Nations. Not as idiomatic as the CEV, but still quite readable for both adults and children. GW is more dynamic and readable than the NIV. I have reviewed GW in a translation journal.
(GNT) Good News Translation [formerly called TEV (Today's English Version) and GNB (Good News Bible)]: originally translated by the American Bible Society (ABS) for speakers of English as a second language but found by many native English speakers to be a very readable and helpful translation. The GNT is characterized, on the whole, by natural English. Its ABS successor is the CEV.
HCSB (Holman Christian Standard Bible): produced by Lifeway, a Southern Baptist publishing house, but with an interdenominational translation team. The HCSB attempts to be more readable than the NASB but more literal than the NIV.
ISV (International Standard Version): American seminary professors on its Committee On Translation and Contributing Scholars. Highlights careful attention to Greek verb "tenses" (aspect) and translation of these to English. Some Biblical poetry is translated as English rhyming poetry. Promoted by its producers as "the most readable and accurate English translation of the Bible ever produced". The New Testament has been printed and is available for purchase. The entire New Testament and books of the Old Testament completed in preview form are available for download.
JBP (New Testament in Modern English, Revised). This is one of the best translations ever produced, in terms of English style and impact upon readers. The translator was the British Biblical scholar, J.B. Phillips.
NAB (New American Bible): translated by Catholic Biblical scholars.
NASB (New American Standard Bible): favored by some conservative Christians who prefer a literal translation. The quality of English is not as natural as that of the NIV. An updated version was published in 1995.
NCV (New Century Version): originally translated for children under the title International Children's Version. It has undergone some revision so that it can be appreciated by adults, as well. Very readable. Several formats are available for children and adults.
NET (New English Translation): Team of 20 translators. This version uses a relatively literal translation approach. It is, however, more readable than more literal versions such as the NASB. It will make a good study version for those already familiar with the Bible. Its website, like several other Bible version websites, lists its translation principles. Its most noticeable feature is the huge number of informative footnotes explaining NET translation decisions and giving other background information. This version is Internet-friendly with footnotes clickable from the main text.
NIV (New International Version): the best-selling English version. Considered the version of first choice by many evangelicals. A relatively literal translation with some dynamic renderings. Its English is, on the whole, a little more natural than that of the NASB.
NJB (New Jerusalem Bible): Like the NAB, translated by Catholic Biblical scholars. There is a literary sophistication to much of its English. The NJB is a revision of the Jerusalem Bible.
NLT (New Living Translation): exegetically more accurate than its predecessor, the Living Bible. Produced by a team of 90 scholars. Promoted by its producers as a thought-for-thought translation. Reads better than most recent literal and relatively literal versions.
NRSVNew Revised Standard Version): highly regarded in scholarly circles. Reads about as well as the NIV.
REB (Revised English Bible): revision of the New English Bible, translated by British scholars. The target audience is probably moderately well educated adults. Pleasant literary language, using British English.
TNIV (Today's New International Version): a mild revision of the NIV. The subject of heated debate among conservative evangelicals, some of whom disagree strongly with the use of gender language in the TNIV for some passages where the TNIV translation committee believed the original biblical texts had a gender-inclusive meaning.
TM (The Message): attractive, gripping English style, overall. A real pleasure to read. The Message challenges and convicts me as no other recent English Bible translation does. Occasional overuse of idioms not familiar to the majority of fluent English speakers. The Message is reviewed by John R. Kollenberger III.

Versions with New Testament based on the Received Text

DKJB (Defined King James Bible)
- DKJB reviewed by Joseph Ng
KJII (King James Version II) (renamed to Literal Translation of the Holy Bible)
KJ21 (King James for the 21st Century)
KJ2000 (King James 2000)
LITV (The Literal Translation of the Holy Bible) (formerly named King James II)
NKJV (New Kings James Version): improved over the KJV for current English usage and readability, but still has much unnatural English.
MKJV (Modern King James Version) (alternate site)
TMB (The Third Millennium Bible)

Idiomaticity

Literal (highly form-based)
NASB
KJII
KJ21
KJ2000
LITV
MKJV
TMB
RSV
NRSV
NKJV

Moderately literal
NAB
HCSB
NIV
TNIV
NET
ISV
NJB
REB

Moderately idiomatic
NLT
GW

Idiomatic (highly meaning-based)
TEV
NCV
CEV
TM

Conclusions

Each of the translations listed above is reliable. There are few significant exegetical differences among them. They are distinguished far more in terms of how idiomatic their English is.
The CEV, NCV, and TM are fully vernacular (idiomatic), that is, their English sounds the way ordinary fluent speakers of English speak and write. My experience with the NLT so far shows that its English is usually quite natural, as well; its vocabulary and style are slightly more literary than those of the CEV and NCV.
The NIV, ISV, and NET were produced with essentially identical translation philosophies. They are moderately idiomatic, with some constructions which are not totally vernacular, typically Hebraisms and Hellenisms transferred to their English. There are few significant differences between them.
The literal translations retain many Hebraic and Greek forms which are not natural in English, but they give readers a better feel for what the structures in the original Biblical texts were. Because all languages are different, both in vocabulary and grammatical structures, it is nearly impossible to retain form as well as a high level of readability in any translation. Readers will make their own choices as to which they value more, form or readability. For those who wish as much of both as possible, a high degree of both can be found with Bible versions in the middle ranges of the idiomaticity groupings.

Recommendations

If you want a clear, understandable, accurate Bible, useful for unchurched as well as churched audiences, adults as well as children, use the CEV. The NCV will also fit these audiences well.
For those wishing to read from a version written in a higher social register (similar to higher reading level), with a more literary quality, the NJB, REB, and NAB are good choices.
If you need a version which is appreciated by many conservatives, but want it to be as clear as possible, use the NLT. Otherwise, stick with the NIV. Its English is better than that of more form-oriented translations such as the NASB and NKJV.
If it is important that you follow along with your church public readings or what your minister preaches from, use that version. If it does not meet your need for understanding, supplement it with a clearer version.
If you need a translation based on the Received Text (RT), go with the NKJV. The English in each of the RT and MT versions is awkward, typical of all "literal" translations, but the NKJV seems to have the best English for this group.
If your study or church Bible is from the literal or moderately literal group, supplement it with a more idiomatic version for comprehension.
If your favorite Bible is idiomatic, supplement it with a more literal version when explicitly studying the Bible's language forms, such as Hebrew poetry.
If you are already content with the Bible you currently use, continue with it. But periodically ask yourself how well you understand it. If you find yourself frequently wondering what English phrases in it mean, consider reading an idiomatic version part of the time.
I enjoy studying several versions to see how a passage is translated. I like using The Contemporary Parallel New Testament, edited by by John R. Kohlenberger, III. It contains the complete text of each of the following: King James Version · New American Standard Bible Updated Edition · New Century Version · Contemporary English Version · New International Version · New Living Translation · New King James Version · The Message
Finally, the best translation is simply one that is well used and translated into life.

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latest page update: May 7, 2005

Versions with New Testament based on the critical text

Versions with New Testament based on the Received Text

Idiomaticity

Literal (highly form-based)

Moderately literal

Moderately idiomatic

Idiomatic (highly meaning-based)

Conclusions

Recommendations

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