Help in choosing a Bible
There are a wide range of Bible translations available to suit a variety of purposes – including academic study, public reading and personal devotions. Here is a summary of the key Bible translations available.
NIV (New international Version)
The world’s best-selling and most widely read modern translation today. Translated by a team of top international scholars, it is renowned for its accuracy, clarity and dignity of language.
Used in most churches, ideal for public and personal reading.
NLT (New Living Translation)
The New Living Translation is both accurate and accessible. Conveying the eternal message of the Bible in the language we speak today, this increasingly popular translation makes an incredibly refreshing read. Clear and easy to understand, ideal for personal reading.
KJV/AV (King James Version/Authorised Version)
First published in 1611, this is an indispensable classic that has left a permanent mark on the English language and its literature. The original English translation, it retains the traditional language.
NCV (New Century Version)
Simply written and easy to understand while remaining faithful to the manuscripts in the original language. Some paraphrasing is used to avoid words that are not commonly used today. Ideal for the youth market.
GNB (The Good News Bible)
The Good News Bible is one of the best-selling modern translations and the most commonly used in schools. It offers the reader an accurate Bible translation using today’s language and is suitable for all ages. Ideal for personal reading. Great for children and often used in schools.
ESV (The English Standard Version)
The English Standard Version is a completely new, highly accurate translation incorporating recent scholarship and modern changes to language use. Ideal for academic use, personal devotions and public reading.
The Message Bible
The Message is a refreshingly unique Bible-reading experience. With no distracting verse numbers or stiff, formal language, it reads like a gripping novel.
Ideal for anyone wanting a fresh approach to reading the Bible. Popular with youth market.
NJB (New Jerusalem Bible)
Principally the work of British Catholic scholars, The New Jerusalem Bible is a complete revision of the Jerusalem Bible and follows an even closer translation of the original Hebrew, Aramaic and Greek.
OTHER KEY TRANSLATIONS
NKJV (New King James Version)
First published in 1982, the New King James Version is a major revision of the Authorised Version. It offers the beauty and accuracy of the 1611 text, in a contemporary readable format.
TNIV (Today’s NIV)
Today’s NIV is a new choice in Bible translations built on the tradition of the NIV. It has been produced by the scholars of the NIV translation team and incorporates textual changes that reflect a better understanding of the original Greek and Hebrew.
AMP (Amplified Bible)
A popular translation explaining all the rich nuances and shades of meaning of the original Bible languages. The Amplified Bible defines and expands key words in the text to allow the full meaning of Scripture to unfold verse by verse.
NIrV (New International Reader’s Version)
The New International Reader’s Version is based on the NIV, but is even clearer and easier to understand. The translators have successfully simplified the terminology, used shorter sentences and added more headings to create an accessible translation that is ideal for using with young people and adults.
HCSB (Holman Christian Standard Bible)
An authoritative and highly accurate translation which brings the Bible from the ancient world to readers today.
NASB (New American Standard Bible)
The New American Standard Bible is a highly respected translation. Ideal for academic use.
NRSV (New Revised Standard Version)
Using inclusive language and contemporary vocabulary, this extensive revision of earlier translations of the Revised Standard and American Standard Version remains faithful to the aim of the originals, to be ‘God’s Word for All the People’.
