Choosing Bible Translations

The key to understanding the path of life that Jesus taught is the Bible – the Christian Scripture consisting of the Old and New Testaments. Instead of relying on what others say about Jesus and His teachings, we encourage you to read the Bible for yourself.

The Bible is an ancient document, written in Hebrew, Aramaic, and Greek, with some parts dating back 3,500 years to the time of Moses. Reading it in its original language would be helpful for resolving fine details; however, it is not necessary for understanding its essential messages. Many translations are sufficiently accurate for conveying the meaning of the original, so you can be assured that no essential meaning is lost in translation.  This guide will provide you with a few recommendations for English translations.

In addition, the Bible has been translated into over a thousand languages, and most likely it is available in your native tongue (see https://www.icfnewark.org/post/bible-apps for Bible apps).

Two Main Types of Translations

There are two main types of translations: literal and dynamic.

1. A literal translation preserves the wording and grammatical structure of the original as much as possible and is often preferred by those who seek to engage in detailed and in-depth Bible study.

2. A dynamic translation expresses the meaning using the idioms of contemporary language, which makes it easier to read.
   

Recommendations

Among the many English translations of the Bible, the following stand out for accuracy, readability, and popularity.

• ESV (English Standard Version): a literal translation in contemporary English, striking a balance between word-for-word accuracy and literary excellence.

• NIV (New International Version): a dynamic translation, perhaps the most widely-used modern translation for its readability and accuracy.

• NLT (New Living Translation): a dynamic translation that emphasizes communicating the meaning of the text to contemporary readers as clearly and simply as possible.

• KJV (King James Version): a literal translation that is recognized as the most important piece of literature in the English language. Though beloved for its historical significance and literary beauty, its language is archaic (published in 1611) and difficult for those who are new to the Bible.