Bible Translations

Version Grade Level* Translation Philosophy and Distinctive Features Passage Comparison John 3:16 Publishers

New Century Version 5.6 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, nonchurched, 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 will have eternal life.”

New International Reader’s Version 2.9 A combination of word-for-word and thought-for-thought with an emphasis on meaning when necessary. A thorough, scholarly simplification of the NIV; conservative and evangelical in its affiliation. Very easy to read and understand; uses simple, short words and sentences. An easy stepping-stone from a children’s Bible to an adult Bible. Appropriate for children up to age 10. Published in 1994; updated in 1998. “God loved the world so much that he gave his one and only Son. Anyone who believes in him will not die but will have eternal life.”

New International Version 7.8 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.”

New King James Version 8.0 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 of 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.”

New Living Translation 6.3 A thought-for-thought, meaning-based translation that is suitable for adults and children. Employs vocabulary and sentence structures in common use, while 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.” Nelson Bibles

Zondervan

Zondervan, AMG, American Bible Society, Harvest House, Holman, Kirkbride, Moody Press, Oxford, Tyndale, World Bibles.

Nelson Bibles, AMG, Hendrickson, Holman, Kirkbride, Oxford, Tyndale, World Bibles

Tyndale House Publishers, Charisma House, Holman, Integrity

New Revised Standard Version 8.1–10.4 A balance between word-for-word and thought-for-thought, the NRSV is a widely accepted translation in the tradition of the KJV. Contemporary and dignified with 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.”

THE VOICE

8 Scholars, poets, musicians, and storytellers have come together to create this unique Bible translation that reads like a story but still includes all of the truth and wisdom of God’s Word. “For God expressed His love for the world in this way: He gave His only Son so that whoever believes in Him will not face everlasting destruction….” World Bibles, Zondervan

Nelson Bibles

The Living Bible 8.3 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 so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.”

La Biblia de las Americas Adult The Spanish counterpart to the NASB, the LBLA is a word-for-word translation that meets the critical need for a highly accurate, contemporary Spanish translation of the Bible. Appeals to adults, pastors, and ministries seeking an accurate, highly readable Bible version. Latest copyright edition released in 1997. “Porque de tal manera amó Dios al mundo, que dio a su Hijo unigénito, para que todo aquel que cree en El, no se pierda, mas tenga vida eterna”.

Nueva Versión Internacional Adult The Spanish-language counterpart to the NIV. The language of the NVI is universal Spanish, enriched and strengthened by the variety of linguistic and cultural contributions of the translators, who represent almost all the countries of the Americas. Appropriate for adults, pastors, and ministries. First released in 1991. “Porque tanto amó Dios al mundo, que dio a su Hijo unigénito, para que todo el que cree en él no se pierda, sino que tenga vida eterna”.

Reina-Valera 1960 Adult A word-for-word translation from the original text, along with a comparison of prior translations and versions. Universal in its theological affiliation, this version has a wide audience of adults, pastors, and ministries. Revised edition released in 1960. “Porque de tal manera amó Dios al mundo, que ha dado a su Hijo unigénito, para que todo aquel que en él cree, no se pierda, mas tenga vida eterna”.

Spanish Versions

Tyndale House Publishers

Foundation Publications, Holman

Editorial Vida (Zondervan)

American Bible Society, Holman, Editorial Vida