There is a huge range of translations “out there” and it can be hard to know which one is suitable. In some ways, it all depends on what it is being used for. Liturgy may require a different version to the one used for study, for example. In any case, there are two “styles” of translation and it matters which is used. The easiest experimental approach is to take a mixture of both typical and difficult versions and just compare them. The variations are more evident in poetry (e.g. the Psalms) and in abstract argument (e.g. the Letters of St Paul).
Typical: e.g. Psalm 23 or Mark 1:14-15.
Difficult: e.g. Rom 3:21-26 or Gal 2:15-21.
Formal equivalence and/or dynamic equivalence: click here.
For an excellent overview on how bibles differ: click here. .
Typical: e.g. Psalm 23 or Mark 1:14-15.
Difficult: e.g. Rom 3:21-26 or Gal 2:15-21.
Formal equivalence and/or dynamic equivalence: click here.
For an excellent overview on how bibles differ: click here. .
STUDY BIBLES
HarperCollins Study Bible (HCSB, 1997ff)
This is an outstanding edition…easily the best of the study bibles. Be sure to search for the most recent edition (thus far, the fifth).
New English Translation Full Notes Edition
This is a very fine translation, in the Reformed tradition. The pages are beautifully laid out — quite exceptional.
Jewish Study Bible (NJPS, 2003 / second edition 2014)
New Oxford Annotated Study Bible (NOAB, 2010/ 2017)
Catholic Study Bible (CSB, 2016)
Orthodox Study Bible (OSB, 2008)
As a primary source, everyone should have the HarperCollins Study Bible. A recent addition is the New English Translation, Full Notes Edition. This is an annotated translation and the editors are chiefly concerned with what the words meant then and mean now. This could not be your only study bible but if you don't know the original language (like most people), then this is very, very useful. Unfortunately, an opportunity was missed with the Orthodox Study Bible, as it is not particularly well done.
HarperCollins Study Bible (HCSB, 1997ff)
This is an outstanding edition…easily the best of the study bibles. Be sure to search for the most recent edition (thus far, the fifth).
New English Translation Full Notes Edition
This is a very fine translation, in the Reformed tradition. The pages are beautifully laid out — quite exceptional.
Jewish Study Bible (NJPS, 2003 / second edition 2014)
New Oxford Annotated Study Bible (NOAB, 2010/ 2017)
Catholic Study Bible (CSB, 2016)
Orthodox Study Bible (OSB, 2008)
As a primary source, everyone should have the HarperCollins Study Bible. A recent addition is the New English Translation, Full Notes Edition. This is an annotated translation and the editors are chiefly concerned with what the words meant then and mean now. This could not be your only study bible but if you don't know the original language (like most people), then this is very, very useful. Unfortunately, an opportunity was missed with the Orthodox Study Bible, as it is not particularly well done.
HISTORICAL VERSIONS
Wycliffe’s Bible (WB, c. 1382-1395)
Luther Bible (LB, 1520+)
Tyndale Bible (TB, 1526+)
The Douay-Rheims Bible (DRB, 1609-1610)
The King James Bible (KJ, 1611)
Wycliffe’s Bible (WB, c. 1382-1395)
Luther Bible (LB, 1520+)
Tyndale Bible (TB, 1526+)
The Douay-Rheims Bible (DRB, 1609-1610)
The King James Bible (KJ, 1611)
CONTEMPORARY VERSIONS
On this page you will see an incomplete (!) listing of popular contemporary versions. When choosing a version or versions, a good question to ask is, what will this be used for? One Bible might be suitable for children, another for a Bible study group, another for proclaiming the Word in liturgy and and so on.
On this page you will see an incomplete (!) listing of popular contemporary versions. When choosing a version or versions, a good question to ask is, what will this be used for? One Bible might be suitable for children, another for a Bible study group, another for proclaiming the Word in liturgy and and so on.
THE JERUSALEM BIBLE
Jerusalem Bible (JB, 1966)
New Jerusalem Bible (NJB, 1985)
Revised New Jerusalem Bible (RNJB, 2019)
Jerusalem Bible (JB, 1966)
New Jerusalem Bible (NJB, 1985)
Revised New Jerusalem Bible (RNJB, 2019)
REVISIONS OF THE KING JAMES BIBLE
American Standard Version (ASV, 1901)
Revised Standard Version (RSV, 1946, 1952)
New Revised Standard Version (NRSV, 1989)
New Revised Standard Version Updated Edition (NRSVue. 2021)
American Standard Version (ASV, 1901)
Revised Standard Version (RSV, 1946, 1952)
New Revised Standard Version (NRSV, 1989)
New Revised Standard Version Updated Edition (NRSVue. 2021)
UK AND IRELAND ECUMENICAL TRANSLATIONS
New English Bible (NEB, 1961, 1970)
Revised English Bible (REB, 1989)
New English Bible (NEB, 1961, 1970)
Revised English Bible (REB, 1989)
THE NEW AMERICAN BIBLE
New American Bible (NAB, 1970)
New American Bible Revised Edition (NABRE, 2011)
New American Bible (NAB, 1970)
New American Bible Revised Edition (NABRE, 2011)
VARIOUS OTHER VERSIONS
Christian Community Bible (CCB, 1988)
Good News Bible (GNB, 1966-1976)
New English Translation (NET, 2005)
Jewish Publication Society Bible (JPSB, 1985)
New International Version (NIV, 1984/201)
Jewish Annotated New Testament (JANT, 2011, 2017)
Christian Community Bible (CCB, 1988)
Good News Bible (GNB, 1966-1976)
New English Translation (NET, 2005)
Jewish Publication Society Bible (JPSB, 1985)
New International Version (NIV, 1984/201)
Jewish Annotated New Testament (JANT, 2011, 2017)