A Guide to the Translations

This is by no means a complete list of the English-language translations of the Bible, but it introduces the most popular ones.

  • American Standard Version ASV

    The American Standard Version, also known as the Standard American Edition, Revised Version, is a revised version of the KJV. It was completed in 1885 and newly edited in 1901.

  • Common English Bible CEB

    The Common English Bible is a translation of the scriptures intended to be a comfortable reading level for over half of all English readers. It attempts to substitute traditional terminology with more natural wording.

  • English Standard Version ESV

    The ESV Bible is a relatively new Bible translation that is known for its word-for-word accuracy and readability.

  • GOD’S WORD GW

    GOD’S WORD (GW) accurately translates the meaning of the original texts into everyday language.

  • Good News Translation GNT

    The Good News Translation was first published in 1976 by the American Bible Society. It is especially popular for children and those learning English.

  • Holman Christian Standard Bible CSB

    The HCS is an accurate translation written in modern English. It is published by Holman Bible Publishers, the oldest Bible publisher in America.

  • Jubilee Bible JUB

    Translated from the Original Texts in Hebrew and Greek into Spanish by Casiodoro de Reina (1569) and compared with the revision of Cipriano de Valera (1602). This material was translated from Spanish into English by Russell M. Stendal and compared with the Old English Translation of William Tyndale. It was also compared word for word with the Authorized Version (by King James) of 1611.

  • King James Version KJV

    The KJV is the first version of Scripture authorized by the Protestant church and commissioned by England’s King James I. It is still considered one of the most literal translations in the English language.

  • Lexham English Bible LEB

    The LEB complements your primary translation with its transparent design and literal rendering. It helps you see the text of God’s Word from another angle.

  • Douay-Rheims Catholic Bible RHE

    The Douay-Rheims is the translation upon which nearly all English Catholic Bible versions are based. It includes the seven Deutero-Canonical books (also known as the Apocrypha).

  • New American Standard Bible NASB

    The NASB is written in a formal style, but is more readable than the King James Version. It is highly respected as the most literal English translation of the Bible.

  • New International Version NIV

    The NIV has word-for-word and thought-for-thought translation and is considered by many as a highly accurate version of the Bible in modern English.

  • New King James Version NKJV

    The NKJ is a modern language update of the original King James Version. It retains much of the traditional interpretation and sentence structure of the KJV.

  • New Living Translation NLT

    The NLT has clear meaning of the text rather than  literal, word-for-word. It is a readable translation that remains remaining faithful to original texts.

  • New Revised Standard NRSV

    The New Revised Standard Version follows in the traditions of the King James and Revised Standard Versions. It preserves the best of the older versions while incorporating modern English.

  • Revised Standard Version RSV

    The Revised Standard Version is a revision of the King James Version, the Revised Version, and American Standard Version. This text is intended for both private reading and public worship.

  • The Message Bible MSG

    The Message is a paraphrase from the original languages written by Eugene, H. Peterson. The Message provides a fresh and unique Bible-reading experience.

  • The Living Bible TLB

    Using modern English, TLB is considered to be one of the very few genuine paraphrases, based on the American Standard Version translation. It was first published in 1971.