So Many Bible Translations: How to Choose the Right Translation for You!

By: Dr. Raymond Moreland

Did you know that there have been over 90 translations of the Bible into English since 1900?  How do you select the Bible translation or version that meets your needs for personal devotion, study, and worship?  For many people who come to the Bible House each day, it is a challenging question.  Maybe the following simple plan of selecting the right translation will help you in your own decision-making process.

1.      You may want to choose a Bible translation based on its historical background. For example, many people today still select the Authorized Version or the King James Version of the Bible because of its long history since 1611.  And there are many people who select the New International Version because it fits their historical needs for a translation from 1965.

2.      You may want to choose a Bible translation based on how that translation was produced by Bible scholars.   There are three main translation criteria:

a.       Formal Equivalence translations – it means that the translators go “word for word” with the original manuscripts available and they are considered most accurate.  For example, the KJV, ASV(American Standard Versions), RSV(Revised Standard Version and the New Revised Standard), NASB(New American Standard Bible), NIV( New International Version) and the ESV(English Standard Versions) are considered this form of translation.

b.      Dynamic Equivalence translations – these are easier to read, but they are developed on translating  “thought for thought” and some of the words in the original language are changed to a more modern word. Such translations are the GNT (Good News Translation formally the Today’s English Version), The New Living Translation (NLT)

c.       A Paraphrase Bible – this translation does not concentrate on one or two sentences at a time but focuses on paragraphs or longer sections. It is not intended to be a formal translation.  It is intended to help the reader think about reading a text in a new and exciting up to date way. Bibles in this format are for example the old  Living Bible and the very popular work by Dr. Eugene Peterson called  “The Message.”

3.      Here are some other helpful hints on how to choose a translation:

a.       Read and/or study from one or more “word for word” translations to get the best scholarship in translating the Hebrew, Greek or Aramaic words.

b.      Those who like the “thought for thought” Bibles will find them very meaningful for devotional and daily Bible reading.

c.       Select a Bible based on your level of readability – don’t complicate the reading of the Bible by having a translation that is too difficult for you to comprehend.  Start reading where you are in your reading ability and learn to grow by reading the Word.  Make your reading of God’s Word enjoyable.

d.      When you confront a difficult verse, read that verse, if possible, in one or two other English versions and make a list of the differences you read.

e.       Remember – God has allowed so many translations in order that all people, no matter what their reading ability may be, can share the Good News of God’s Word.

f.        Don’t forget – all these different translations were worked on at least 10 or more years by committees of scholars and Bible students so we can all read the Bible in exciting and spiritually meaningful ways.

g.       The American Bible Society tells me that because English changes so rapidly as society and culture changes, there will be a need for a new translation at least every 20 years.

4.       So don’t make your choice complicated – the important thing is to read and to engage the Scriptures in a language most meaningful to your life and spiritual journey of faith.

5.      Don’t forget – let Maryland Bible Society Staff help you select the right translation for you.  

         God bless you as you read God’s Word daily.   Ask for our 2009 Daily Bible Reading Guide to be sent to you or download the 2009 Daily Bible Reading Guide off our website.