THE BIBLE

Major Bible Translations

There are several different English versions of the Bible. From the ultra-literal Amplified to the kinder, gentler NIV, Got Questions looks at which are best and which are best left off your shelf.

Day One: King James Version
In 1604, King James I of England authorized a new translation of the Bible into English to be started...The King James Version quickly became the standard for English-speaking Protestants. Its flowing language and prose rhythms have had a profound influence on the literature of the past 400 years...
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See Also: "Is the King James Version of the Bible accurate?"

Day Two: New King James Version
Commissioned in 1975 by Thomas Nelson Publishers, 130 respected Bible scholars, church leaders, and lay Christians worked for seven years to create a completely new, modern translation of Scripture, yet one that would retain the accuracy, purity and stylistic beauty of the original Authorized Version or King James Version...
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Day Three: New International Version
The New International Version (NIV) was conceived in 1965 when, after several years of study by committees from the Christian Reformed Church and the National Association of Evangelicals, a trans-denominational and international group of scholars met at Palos Heights, Illinois, and agreed on the need for a new translation in contemporary English...
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See Also: "The NIV, Zondervan, HarperCollins, and Missing Verses"

Day Four: Today's New International Version
Today's New International Version was designed to reflect the New International Version, while clarifying and updating passages and words to provide a more timely, contemporary English rendition for a new generation of Bible readers...
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Day Five: New American Standard Bible
The New American Standard Bible update (1995) carried on the NASB tradition of being a true Bible translation, revealing what the original manuscripts actually say—not merely what the translator believes they mean...
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Day Six: English Standard Bible
The English Standard Version (ESV) is a revision of the 1971 edition of the Revised Standard Version. The first edition was published in 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a division of Good News Publishers...
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Day Seven: Holman Christian Standard Bible
The motive for the Holman Christian Standard Bible translators to produce yet another English translation stemmed from the need for each new generation of English speakers to have a translation that reflected changes in the English language...
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Day Eight: American Standard Bible
The Revised Version, Standard American Edition of the Bible, more commonly known as the American Standard Version (ASV), is a version of the Bible that was published by Thomas Nelson & Sons in 1901...
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Day Nine: Revised Standard Version
The Revised Standard Version (RSV) is an English translation of the Bible published in the mid-20th century. It traces its history to William Tyndale's New Testament translation of 1525. The RSV is an authorized revision of the American Standard Version of 1901...
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Day Ten: New Revised Standard Version
The NRSV was translated by the Division of Christian Education of the National Council of Churches, an ecumenical Christian group. It is called the New Revised Standard Version because it is a revision of, and meant to replace, the Revised Standard Version of 1952...
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Day Eleven: Amplified Bible
The first full edition of the Amplified Bible was published in 1965. It is largely a revision of the American Standard Version of 1901, with reference made to various texts in the original languages...
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Day Twelve: Young's Literal Translation
Young's Literal Translation of the Bible was first translated in 1862 by Robert Young, a Scottish publisher who was self-taught and proficient in various ancient languages...
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