The following article provides some information regarding the most popular English translations of the Bible:
The New International Version (NIV). The NIV uses one method of translation that is referred to as the “dynamic” method. In contrast (to the New American Standard version), the others (other versions of the Bible) stress either a loose, personalized paraphrase, or a free-style, thought-for-thought translation known as a dynamic equivalent.
The NIV Bible was published in 1978 and revised in 1983. To ensure accuracy and faithfulness, scholars translated directly from the most reliable original Greek, Hebrew or Aramaic texts. Since the first edition, the NIV has been revised to improve accuracy and readability of the English rendering of the original text with (1) new archeological findings, (2) current biblical scholarship and (3) shifts in English usage.
The NIV is translated at a 6.7-grade reading level. The NT Greek text used by the NIV is commonly referred to as the Nestle-Aland text. This text utilizes thousands of manuscripts (mss) that have been discovered since the time of the King James version (KJV) which is translated from the textus receptus (received text). Most contemporary translations, including the New American Standard version, use the Nestle-Aland text as well.
American Standard Version (ASV). The 1901 ASV translation is regarded as one of the most literal English translations. It is the predecessor to the NASB (below). Additional remarks concerning this version are applicable to the NASB, and thus are found under that version.
New American Standard Bible (NASB). This is basically a revision of the American Standard Version (1901) and was produced by the Lockman Foundation of La Habra, Calif. It is a highly respected, extremely literal translation by a committee of conservative scholars. The three stated objectives of the translators were clarity of English, accuracy of translation, and adequacy of notes. The NT translators followed the twenty-third edition of the Nestle-Aland text. Although the English style is not always smooth, many students and teachers choose the NASB because it avoids paraphrasing that often obscures or even misrepresents the statements and meaning of the original text. It is translated at an 11th-grade reading level.
King James Version. Known as the King James Bible, from James I, by whose authority (leading to its second name, The Authorized Version) and support it was undertaken and completed, it was begun in 1604 and finished in seven years. Forty-seven of the ablest scholars were selected to do the work, each taking a portion and finally reviewing the whole. It was to correspond with the Bishop's Bible (based on the Tyndale Bible), except where the original Hebrew and Greek made this impossible. The excellence of the work done is attested by the simple fact that this version has held the heart of the English-speaking world for nearly three centuries and that no subsequent version has been able to fully supplant it. The KJV is translated at an 11th-grade reading level. Its NT text is based upon the textus receptus (see comments under NIV, above). The textus receptus includes mss that apparently cannot be dated any earlier than 12th century. Nevertheless, they are extremely good in content. It has also been reported that some parts of the KJV also utilized Latin Vulgate text which, in itself, was a translation.
New King James Version (NKJV). A distinctive contribution to the work of Bible revision was initiated in 1975 Thomas Nelson Publishers, Nashville. Disturbed by the possibility that the King James tradition might disappear in the welter of new translations, they commissioned a revision of the KJV that would retain the best elements of the original. As with other versions, archaic literary and syntactical forms were replaced with modern equivalents, but an attempt was made to retain familiar passages in their traditional form as far as possible. Unlike the New International Version, which followed an eclectic text for the NT, the revisers of the KJV used the Scrivener text that reconstructed as closely as possible the one underlying the KJV. To prevent this procedure from ignoring more recent textual scholarship, the NT was supplied with footnotes that indicated where major manuscripts differed textually from the KJV, thus enabling the reader to form an individual opinion about the passage in question. Those who revised the OT based their work on the 1977 Stuttgart edition of Biblia Hebraica. The international team of scholars employed the concept of total equivalence in a manner that precluded paraphrasing or similar "dynamic" interpretations, and instead produced a careful rendering of the original text. The NKJV has an 11th grade reading level. It has been praised widely for the way in which the revisers managed to capture the flavor and ethos of the KJV and the OT has been declared by some scholars to be the best and most accurate rendering of the Hebrew in the past century.
Revised Standard Version (RSV). The RSV is another revision of the American Standard Version of 1901. The OT section was copyrighted in 1952, the NT section in 1946. This translation of the entire Bible was launched with great fanfare and at great expense. Its reception, however, has been mixed. Hailed by liberals, it has been unfavorably received by many conservatives. Its translators were almost completely of the liberal school. Although possessing the results of the latest scholarship, the translators have departed from the KJV, RV, and ASV in their high veneration for the Hebrew Masoretic text of the OT, and in many instances the translation contains renderings of pivotal passages that are doctrinally weak and unreliable. It appears it will not supplant the KJV, RV, or ASV, at least among conservative Christians. It has since been revised and titled the New Revised Standard Version (NRSV). The NRSV has more respect among conservative Christians than the RSV.
The Living Bible. A paraphrased, thought-for-thought, modern translation of the Bible. Written to be easily read, this translation attempts to convey the original thought of a passage, expanding the text where necessary for a better understanding. This is not a word-for-word translation, and is best used for readability, and not serious Bible study.
New Living Translation (NLT). The NLT is a contemporary, easily understood, modern translation of the Bible. Written with the help of over 90 Bible scholars, the NLT is a very enjoyable translation that is perfect for comparative study of difficult passages. It is published by the Living Bible publishers.
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