Partial bible translations into languages of the english people can be traced back to the late 7th century, including translations into old and middle english. This is not about kjv only but rather about the majority text from antioch or minority texts from alexandria. To keep this article down to a manageable size, i will concentrate on the new testament words for love. Click on a book listed below which will take you to its introduction page. And not all editions of all translations include these books. The disadvantage of literal translations is that they are harder to read because more hebrew and greek style intrudes into the english text.
When comparing translations for a bible verse, users can read the wellknown translations including new international version, king james bible, the message, revised standard version. Ive compared the king james version with other modern translations and come up with a long. Holy bible versions and types this page compares different bible translation types word for word, thought for thought, paraphrase, translations niv, king james, nasb, nrsv, living bible, the promise, the message, amplified bible, etc. I own a copy of the king james version, but am well aware there seem to be many different versions. The purpose of the easyenglish bible is to make the bible as clear as possible in simple english. I t is clear from even a cursory reading that the bible stresses the importance of love. Ethey wrote mostly in hebrew, so we call this section the hebrew scriptures, also known as the old testament. A guide for the perplexed 33 the base text is often supplemented by reference to ancient translations of the hebrew scriptures, known as versions. Easyenglish bible 2018 easy download the free bible. Of course, since the kjv dates from 1611, it contains some archaic language, but the message of the kjv in this verse is also very difficult to decipher. Pdf the present paper analyzes the various approaches to translating the bible into english. Explains this philosophy as it was set down in the niv translators manual. Some opinions may vary about the exact placement of the versions. Biblenotes the entire holy bible is summarized with easyto.
It was completed in 1885 and newly edited by the american revision committee in 1901. Which of the many bible versions is best for reading and studying the bible 1. Choose from over 110 bible commentaries freely available online at for sermon, bible study, and sunday school preparation. A number of contemporary english versions of the bible employ inclusive language. With these, you can compare between different versions nearly instantaneously. Other early printed versions were the geneva bible 1560, notable for being the first bible divided into verses and which negated the divine right of kings. Differences between bible versions pdf ebook by gary f. Understanding the different types of bibles will help you find a bible that best suits your needs and personal beliefs. Books of the bible explained scripture by scripture. The translators have written in a style that is thoroughly modern and these bibles are suitable for all ages and very easy to understand. Jesus christs life from the virgin birth to his ministry, crucifixion, and resurrection is the basis for the four gospels the books of matthew, mark, luke, and john. King james and other versions shasta bible college.
Hendrickson puts out the parallel bible which has 4 different versions on its pages. The first section has 39 books containing sacred pronouncements of god. Among popular bible translations, the csb, nasb, niv, nlt, and the message do not include the apocrypha. A translation that focuses on formal equivalence will be most helpful. This is a great bible for family devotions as well as pulpit and study use. If thats true, how did we end up with so many different versions of the bible. Various bible versions will be cited by common abbreviation, explained either at the first reference e. Why are there so many versions of the bible in english. It is the intention of our compare bible verses by translation pages to allow users to study bible verses using more than one translation and version.
Why are there so many different translations of the bible. Picking out a new bible or curious about different translation types. When comparing translations for a bible verse, users can read. About 98 percent of the known greek manuscripts agree with the basic text of the king james bible. Recommended sites bible info questions with answers in major world languages. American standard version asv the american standard version, also known as the standard american edition, revised version, is a revised version of the kjv. A brief description of popular bible translations resources.
Holy bible spanish spanish reina valera translation pdf important note. This study tool can help people see how different translations and versions have interpreted the original greek and hebrew languages. Because different groups of jews and christians differ on the true content of the bible, the incomplete translations section includes only translations seen by their translators as incomplete, such as christian translations of the new testament alone. The first thing to note about this book is that it is levelheaded.
Overview bible commentaries read and study from over 110. There are thousands of changes in all of the different translations and versions. For a broader view look at the comments in the right column. Book of revelation enhanced ebook edition illustrated. A quick overview of bible translations learn religions. The author never falls into namecalling or hurling unsubstantiated accusations or questioning the motives of authorstranslators. Below are a few comparison charts to help you make your decision or learn more. For who has known or understood the mind the counsels and purposes of the lord so as to guide and instruct him and give him knowledge. Its paragraph divisions are quite helpful in identifying subjects. I just wanted to ask other forum users their opinion on. The new testament is the record of the birth of jesus, his life and ministry, and the ministry of his disciples, which was carried. God inspired faithful men to write these books over a long period of time about 1,100 years from 15 b.
Pdf on approaches to translating the bible into english. As a greek professor, i have often been asked by earnest christians, why cant we simply develop a very. It would not be an overstatement to say that every action that is pleasing to god is motivated by love. It has devotionals for everything you could think of. Nov 03, 2017 ive recently decided that rather than just read about the bible, id really like to study scripture properly, at least a little each day.
It is a very good bible for anyone who is learning english or speaks english as a. It has the word in different languages and versions for online and offline use. Christian, the situation regarding english bible versions is troubling and perplexing. It attempts to translate the bible in such a way that a modern english reader or.
We have used a basic vocabulary of 1200 wellknown english words. Here are only a few to give you an idea as to how man has changed what god has said. Bible explained bible commentary study of each verse in. Bible versions and translations focus on the family.
You can find bible editions with the deuterocanonical books in ceb, cev, esv, gnt, kjv, nabre, njb, nrsv, reb, and rsv translations, among others. The international childrens bible was the first bible produced for children in 1982 and even today it is still one of the most easily read and understood versions of the bible. The bible has been translated into more than 2000 languages. The first translation of the complete bible into english was completed by john wycliff in 82, and now there are more different versions of english translations available than in any other language. When the flood came, the torrent struck that house but could not shake it. Soon after that, johannes gutenbergs printing methods opened the way for bible scholars to produce and distribute new versions of the bible in many different living languages throughout europe.
Futhermore, the majority of evangelical scholars embrace this critical text. When not stated, the verses are from the holy bible, new international version niv. The todays english version tev is a dynamic equivalent translation published by the united bible society. By what standard can christians evaluate the many different english versions. Thats why certain bible versions have earned a place on focus on the family s recommended list for example, the king james version, the new king james version, the new international version 1984 edition, the english standard version, and the new american standard bible. All verses and references are given in standard form of book, chapter. This translation represents the goldstandard for many people, and it certainly is the oldest of the major versions available today the original kjv debuted in 1611, although it has undergone major revisions since that time. Different versions of the bible the vigilant citizen forums. More than 450 translations into english have been written. Note that the interlinear masoretic texts and even the literal wordforword king james translations are often difficult to understand today.
This booklet can be downloaded as a pdf version from. Examples of different translations and changes over time below, ive reprinted six sections of scripture as they appear in several different versions of the bible. The new revised standard version is the version most commonly preferred by biblical scholars. But my guess is that you arent so much interested in the exact number of versions. Even the variations that do exist rarely affect the basic meaning in the remaining 2 percent of those manuscripts. In the niv in this case the thought comes through with more clarity. You can connect with others and ultimately learn about god and his word. Why are there so many different bible versions or translations. In the english language today, we use the word love in. Apr 22, 2020 there are two primary reasons for the different english bible versions. Free bible cds, encyclopedias, religious clip art, and more. When people hear there are over 50 different versions of the bible in english alone, they often think to themselves, no wonder there are many denominations each teaching different things, there are many different versions of the bible.
These principles of translating are contrasted with the dynamic equivalence phrase for phrase and paraphrase methods seen in many modern bible versions. Types of bible translations there are three main types of bible translations. Material found in the online christian library theological virtual ntslibrary does not necessarily represent the views of any specific organization or person outside of the ntslibrary. But he has promised the holy spirit to help us understand john 16.
They vary from a third grade to a twelfth grade reading level. Lxx, from the latin meaning seventy because it was allegedly. When english translations multiplied, critics questioned the need to make different versions in the same language. A biblical commentary is a written systematic series of explanations and interpretations of scripture. The bible has been translated into many languages from the biblical languages of hebrew. Bible versions and types word for word literal, thought.
For personal study, i suggest you start at the beginning of a chapter or book. For the old testament each page has the king james bible, the geneva bible, the english revised version, and the hebrew wtt leningrad. Whats the difference between various bible versions. If a modern reader were to pick up a 1611 king james version of the bible, he would find it to be virtually unreadable.
Different versions reflect different theories of translation. I want to get a sense of the complexities of the passage and what translators have wrestled with to create their translations. Pdf the bible is the most translated and retranslated book in the world. Read the following comparison between the king james version and the bestselling modern bible translation, the new international version, and then decide for yourself whether or not this is true.
The king james version, for example, is based on the majority of the authoritative greek texts. Go to the bottom of that page to see the index chapters, which are hot links. Even the men who edited the new scofield reference bible of the king james version personally favor the critical text. But we have the mind of christ the messiah and do hold the th. In addition to the translations above, there are a number of paraphrased bible versions which were translated thoughtbythought instead of more literally. A guide for the perplexed 35 englishspeaking cultures tends to be used for aesthetic reasons instead of as. Many bible versions are now available as part of bible software packages or for free viewing on various internet sites. Bible versions and translations online bible study tools. This site is a great way to link any verse on your site to an instant menu of 25 versions. Here are just a few of the many different kinds of bibles. Compare bible verses in all translations bible study tools. When a chapter or section is finished, you will see at the bottom of the page.
Translations also differ as to the reading level of the reader. While some recommend modern language translations as a way for todays bible reader to obtain greater understanding of gods word, others assert that such. Also the holy bible, king james version american bible society, new york. Download it once and read it on your kindle device, pc, phones or tablets. Here you will find the links to the new testament and the old testament in pdf format for download. Now that you understand the different types of translations, lets quickly highlight five of the major bible versions available today. Those indicated kjv are from the holy bible, king james version. Protestant bible this bible is widely spread in the united states and is the one most americans are familiar with, because of the popularity of protestantism within the nation. Reading and comparing the charts should give you a good idea of how different versions compare to each other by translation type. For the old testament each page has the king james bible, the geneva bible, the english revised version, and the.
There are two primary reasons for the different english bible versions. Just as there are different meanings for the word love in the english language, so there are different meanings in the language of the bible, especially the new testament. They are written by some of the most knowledgeable theologians in church history. This has nothing to do with new age plots, nor does. Quick comparison of bible versions it is often said that all bible versions are basically the same, that their differences are just minor wording changes. This book includes detailed discussions on why the author believes the majority text is the most accurate of the three greek texts used in bible translation. Overview bible commentaries read and study from over. The word of god is precious and far beyond human wisdom isa. Biblenotes the entire holy bible is summarized with easy. The nlt adds the word as a sacrifice to the text, which isnt present and presents christs blood as if. This of course presents a considerable challenge when choosing a bible. Here at we carry over 30 different english translations.
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