There are almost too many choices when it comes to Bibles. The most important thing (though scholars will disagree with me) is to find a Bible translation you understand and enjoy. If you don’t understand it and don’t enjoy it, you won’t read it.
The “best” Bible is the one you read.
Having said that, let me clarify a few things you may have heard about the “best” Bible translation (which is a matter of opinion based on how you intend to use your Bible). For the most part, you can’t go wrong with a modern translation.
What Is a Translation?
The Bible texts were originally written in the languages that were used at the time. Most of the Old Testament was written in Hebrew, with a couple of sections written in Aramaic, the language used for international correspondence.
The New Testament was written in Greek because the Greek influence had made this the language of commerce in the New Testament era.
Today, most of us don’t read Hebrew or Greek. This means the Bible has to be translated from the original languages into English and a multitude of other languages around the world.
There are entire books written on the subject of Bible translation so this will just be an overview. Other books provide much more information on Bible translation techniques, the problems of translation, and the differences between translations.
Some people become adamant about a particular translation, as if that were the only one God could use to speak to someone’s heart. There are those who think it’s heresy to use anything other than the King James Version. At a greater extreme are those who believe the only acceptable King James Bible is the one produced in 1611.
Word-for-Word
On a more moderate level, you will find debate between supporters of the New American Standard Bible and the New International Version.
On one hand, the New American Standard uses a word-for-word translation of the original language, which produces an accurate, though somewhat awkward reading.
The difficulty lies in translating idioms, euphemisms, figures of speech, and other phrases that do not translate well in such literal methods. If you translated an idiom one word at a time, it would not convey the meaning of the phrase.
Phrase-by-Phrase
That’s why the New International Version used a phrase-by-phrase translation method. That is, translators converted each phrase of the original text to a comparable phrase in English. Translating the whole phrase made more sense, especially in the Old Testament because Hebrew is full of imagery.
Which Is Better? Yes.
Many scholars believe, and I agree, the phrase-by-phrase translation method of the New International Version provides a more accurate translation of the Hebrew in the Old Testament, while the New American Standard’s use of word-for-word translation provides the most accurate translation of the Greek New Testament.
All Translations Have Faults
I personally prefer the New American Standard Bible for study, but I often use the New International Version because of its widespread popular use. Despite their strengths as reliable translations, I find fault with both the New American Standard and the New International Version in certain areas.
First, money and measures are still meaningless expressions such as cubits, drachmas, talents, ephahs, and omers. It seems they have not translated these into English but have retained an original designation that is meaningless to us today.
Second, and more important, the translators (scholars) continue to use heavy theological terms such as propitiation, justification, and sanctification. People do not use these words in every day conversation. Average Joe picking up a Bible for the first time (or anyone lacking a Bible education) would not understand these technical terms.
To me, an English translation needs to be readable to an average reader on the street (not a theologian). For this reason, I encourage people to get a Bible they can understand.
What Is a Paraphrase?
Paraphrase means putting the English in your own words. Years ago, the King James Version was the only translation readily available. Then, a few authors and editors re-phrased the stiff, formal English into common English.
These early paraphrases were well intentioned and they created a great awakening. The Living Bible, the Good News Bible (Today’s English Version), and the J. B. Phillips Bible became immensely popular because people could understand them. Their popularity testified of people’s hunger to read God’s Word in a language they could understand, as opposed to the King’s English.
This spurred the creation of more accurate, but up-to-date versions such as the New American Standard Bible and the New International Version.
After these reliable versions came out, scholars snubbed these paraphrases because the authors didn’t refer to the original Hebrew and Greek.
Keep in mind the difference between a paraphrase and a translation. In creating a paraphrase, the author has taken the text (usually the KJV) and restated it. In creating a translation, the scholars have started from the original Greek and Hebrew, converting it into English (or whichever language).
That attitude of superiority has carried over from paraphrases toward modern translations in common language, even though just as much scholarship has gone into creating an accurate translation in a readable form. Just because it’s easier to read doesn’t mean it is less accurate.
What Is a Free Translation?
Since the original New American Standard Bible and the New International Version, many other translations have appeared on the market.
Many of these are “free translations” because they freely (loosely) translate the original languages into contemporary expressions. The New Living Translation is a free translation.
Insights from Foreign Bible Translators
Years ago, I spent a week at Wycliffe Bible Translators to take a crash course on the challenges of being a Bible translator.
Imagine how difficult it is for a missionary to move to a foreign country, learn the language and culture, and translate the Hebrew and Greek texts into this new language.
There are many difficulties in translating the Bible for other people groups. How does someone translate Jesus walking on the water, or waves crashing against a boat, to a people in the heart of Africa who have never seen a body of water or a boat?
Despite these challenges, Wycliffe’s goal is to translate the Bible into every person’s heart language.
I’ll never forget the director of translation saying, “If the Bible was being translated into English for the first time today, it would sound like The Message by Eugene Peterson.” If you’ve ever read The Message, you will know it is easy to read and understand, but it is downright shocking at times. The Bible is meant to be shocking.
A Bible You Can Understand
This lengthy history lesson is to bring us to my concluding advice: get a Bible you can read and understand. There are several very readable versions, including:
- Today’s English Version (TEV)
- The New Living Translation (NLT)
- The New Century Version (NCV)
- The Contemporary English Version (CEV)
- The English Standard Version (ESV)
- The Holman Christian Standard Bible (HCSB)
- The Message (MSG)
- Common English Bible (CEB)
And more translations appear every year.
I suggest you spend some time on a website like http://biblegateway.com/ where you can compare the same verse in several Bible translations. Here’s an example of the different ways a verse can sound and feel, as each version renders 1 John 2:2:
- (KJV) And he is the propitiation for our sins: and not for ours only, but also for the sins of the whole world.
- (NASB) and He Himself is the propitiation for our sins; and not for ours only, but also for those of the whole world.
- (NIV) He is the atoning sacrifice for our sins, and not only for ours but also for the sins of the whole world.
- (HCSB) He Himself is the propitiation for our sins, and not only for ours, but also for those of the whole world.
- (ESV) He is the propitiation for our sins, and not for ours only but also for the sins of the whole world.
- (NLT) He himself is the sacrifice that atones for our sins—and not only our sins but the sins of all the world.
- (NCV) He died in our place to take away our sins, and not only our sins but the sins of all people.
- (TEV) And Christ himself is the means by which our sins are forgiven, and not our sins only, but also the sins of everyone.
- (CEV) Christ is the sacrifice that takes away our sins and the sins of all the world’s people.
- (MSG) When he served as a sacrifice for our sins, he solved the sin problem for good—not only ours, but the whole world’s.
- (CEB) He is God’s way of dealing with our sins, not only ours but the sins of the whole world.
Even reading through that one verse, you can see the vast differences in how the translations read. Notice how many used the word propitiation. How did the others rephrase this difficult word? If you do the same thing with several verses in the Old and New Testaments, you’ll probably notice one translation often feels more natural to you. That would be a good pick.
Other Considerations
You may want to use the same Bible translation as your pastor. If your pastor preaches from the New International Version, it will help to follow along in the same version, but it isn’t necessary. Choose whatever is readable to you. Another option is to carry one Bible to church to follow along with your pastor, but use your personal favorite at home.
I would also suggest you consult two Bibles when studying. I would choose the New American Standard Bible or the New International Version, plus an easy-reading translation of your choice. By comparing the two in study, it can provide greater clarification, especially in difficult passages. Comparing difficult and easier renderings can help you learn a difficult word like propitiation, as in our example above.
I use the New American Standard Bible for study, but for casual reading, I often pick up one of my other Bibles. Contemporary versions resonate in my heart. They make the Bible come alive in a fresh, new way. They allow God to speak to me in my heart language because they say things the way I would talk.
This is an excerpt from Sweeter Than Chocolate: Developing a Healthy Addiction to God’s Word. Used by permission.
Sweeter Than Chocolate 