Brief Translation Recommendations
Short Translation recommendations (choose one or more if you wish):
For more information click the link in the name of translation.
[New Revised Standard Version/Updated Edition](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/New_Revised_Standard_Version) (NRSV/NRSVue) great update of RSV into contemporary English and is dignified and resonant in style. Gender-inclusive the meaning of the male pronouns to both genders as the original readers would have understood it. NRSV includes the Apocrypha (deuterocanonical of Catholic and Eastern Orthodox churches) and translators were from a wide variety of denominations safeguarding against a denominational bias. Isaiah 7:14 translated as a young woman. Nice balance between word for word (formal equivalence) and thought for thought (dynamic equivalence) translation. Good for the academic study. Reading Level, grade 11.
[Revised Standard Version, Second Catholic Edition](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Revised_Standard_Version_Catholic_Edition#RSV_Second_Catholic_Edition) (RSV-2CE) great update of RSV (RSV-CE) into contemporary English and not gender-inclusive also dignified and resonant in style. Removed archaic pronouns (thee, thou) and accompanying verb forms (didst, speaketh) uses contemporary. RSV-2CE includes the deuterocanonical books (Catholic Church). Isaiah 7:14 "virgin" instead of "young woman" and Tetragram is replaced with LORD as the church fathers would've read it; follow Christian tradition in the Old Testament and the New. Nice balance between word for word (formal equivalence) and thought for thought (dynamic equivalence) translation. Conforms with the norms of Liturgiam authenticam for liturgy. Imprimatur granted by United States Conference of Catholic Bishops. Reading Level, grade 11.
[New American Bible, Revised Edition](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/New_American_Bible_Revised_Edition) (NABRE) a revision of a fresh translation from the original languages. Not used in the lectionary and which is approval for private use and study by the USCCB. Includes Catholic deuterocanonicals. Gender-inclusive. Isaiah 7:14 not "virgin" instead of "young woman" Luke 1:28, “Hail, favored one!" not "Hail, full of grace!" Mostly formal equivalence with some dynamic equivalence. Good for the academic study via the “higher-critical” notes. Reading Level, grade 9.
[Lexham English Bible](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lexham_English_Bible) (LEB) for its relatively literal translation approach and clear language. Its starting point is the Lexham Greek-English Interlinear. It uses of corner brackets to mark idioms in the English translation. Italics indicate words supplied by the translator with no equivalent in the underlying Koine Greek. Does not include the Apocrypha/Deuterocanonical. Isaiah 7:14 translated as a virgin. Available only in a digital format with your logos/verbum software or at [biblegateway.com](https://www.biblegateway.com/versions/Lexham-English-Bible-LEB/). Reading Level, grade 11.
> Easy-to-read, reading difficulties or English as a second language:
Weights and measures, money, dates and times, etc., are given in modern units. Greek and Hebrew phrases and idioms translated into contemporary English.
[New Living Translation, Catholic Edition](http://catholicbibles.blogspot.com/2016/05/nlt-catholic-edition-official.html) (NLT-CE) written in contemporary language. Gender-inclusive language. Translation philosophy of thought for thought, tries to get the meaning across of the words and sentences. Isaiah 7:14 translated as a virgin. NLT-CE includes the deuterocanonical books (Catholic Church). Small numbers changes from the Protestant edition. One criticism is that it reads more like a Protestant Bible with Apocrypha than a Catholic one. Imprimatur granted by Indian Catholic Bishops conference. NLT Catholic Holy Bible Readers Edition in North America. Reading Level, grade 6.
[Contemporary English Version](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Contemporary_English_Version) (CEV) is written for people that have reading difficulties or are new to English as a second language. Rephrased traditional biblical jargon to make it easier to read for beginners and avoid offensive language (the people, the Jewish leaders instead of the Jews, etc. and partner instead of helper, etc.); gender-neutral language. Isaiah 7:14 translated as a virgin. CEV includes the Apocrypha (deuterocanonical of Catholic and Eastern Orthodox churches) depending on edition. The translation method is dynamic-equivalence (thought for thought). Reading Level, grade 4.
> For Septuagint:
IMPORTANT: Greek Old Testament (Septuagint) is a Greek translation of the Hebrew scriptures and is quoted in New Testament more than 85% of the time and more often than not the Apostolic Fathers quoted the Septuagint as scripture.
[New English Translation of the Septuagint](http://ccat.sas.upenn.edu/nets/) (NETS) an academic translation of the Greek Old Testament using the NRSV is a Jumping-off point removing gender-inclusive language, not in source texts, altering it to match the Greek texts, transliterating the underlying texts for names and; keeping Greek and Hebrew idioms/isms. Used the two critical editions of the Septuagint, primarily the incomplete Göttingen and then Alfred Rahlfs' when needed. Isaiah 7:14 translated as a virgin. Reading Level, grade 12+.
[Lexham English Septuagint, 2nd ed](http://catholicbibletalk.com/2020/01/now-available-lexham-english-septuagint-second-edition/). (LES) for its literal translation approach of Septuagint and clear language; uses familiar names of people and places. More consistent than the first edition of LES. Translated directly from Swete's edition of the Septuagint. Isaiah 7:14 translated as a virgin. Reading Level, grade 11.
> Western church and Received text types:
note^2
[Knox Bible aka Knox Version](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Knox_Bible) (KNOX). Translated from Sixto-Clementine Vulgate compared to Greek and Hebrew sources. High literary quality, and repays the attention even of people who prefer a more literal approach. In idiomatic English and much freer in renderings of passages than the Douay–Rheims Bible. Dynamic and formal equivalence approach. Imprimatur was granted by the Archbishop of Westminster and owned by him. Reading Level, grade 8.
[New King James Version](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/New_King_James_Version) (NKJV) contemporary English replaces "thou" and "thine" and corresponding verb forms, such as "speakest"; with their twentieth-century equivalents. Formal equivalence approach. Translated from Byzantine text-type with Western passages for example last six passages of Revelation and Johannine Comma. Isaiah 7:14 translated as a virgin. Reading Level, grade 9.
> Freely Licensed:
“The whole body of those who had become believers in Christ were of one heart and mind. Not one of them claimed any of his goods as his own, but everything was held for the common use." (Acts 4:32-33 OEB). Everybody is entitled to a fair day's wage unless they volunteer for the common good. (Matthew 20:1-16) Please help if you can? If you can translate or help differently.
[Open English Bible](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Open_English_Bible) (OEB) is licensed with a Creative Commons Zero (CC0) license which allows for maximum use. Made by volunteers. Derived from Twentieth Century New Testament and from the Jewish Publication Society of America's the Tanakh of 1917 for the Old Testament. Contemporary English in style. Old Testament is incomplete, NT finished and Apocrypha might at later a date. Reading Level, grade 12.
[World English Bible](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/World_English_Bible) (WEB) revision of American Standard Version 1901 into contemporary English that is good and reminiscent of the King James this includes the Apocrypha. Made by volunteers. Dedicated to the public domain by Rainbow Missions. Formal equivalence. Isaiah 7:14 translated as a virgin. Reading Level, grade 10.
> Tanakh/Hebrew Bible
To show love to neighbours and cousins in God's family.
The Hebrew Bible: A Translation with Commentary (don't know). This beautifully written translation of the Tanakh. Aims to convey the literary style of the original Hebrew text in English, recreating as much as possible its poetic rhythms and metaphors and in its elegant prose style is reminiscent of the King James but in contemporary English. Reading Level, grade (don't know). https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hebrew_Bible_(Alter)
> Paraphrases:
IMPORTANT: I do not recommend anybody read paraphrases without reading translations first. I would suggest reading translations until you're familiar with them and then a paraphrase to generate fresh ideas and connections. Form the KJV preface: "Even the worst English Bible translations available contain—no, they are—the word of God. When the king speaks, the speech he delivers is still his speech even after it gets translated into French, Dutch, and Italian—and even if certain translators are not as graceful as others. We judge something by its predominant character, not by its exceptions."^1 Weights and measures, money, dates and times, etc., are given in modern units. Greek and Hebrew phrases and idioms translated into contemporary English.
The Message (MSG) and with reservations. Dynamic equivalence and Paraphrase translation approach. It is a highly idiomatic translation, using contemporary US English and slang. Also, render Hebrew puns in English does it successfully. MSG includes the Apocrypha/Deuterocanonical books. Gender-inclusive language. Isaiah 7:14 translated as a virgin. Reading level, grade 4. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Message_(Bible)
The Voice (VOICE) and with reservations. It uses a contextual equivalence approach for translation as described by its preface. Rendering of a passage with several different indicators: Standard type, Italic type, Delineated material, and Screenplay format. The literary styles of the different authors in sentence structure and vocabulary are taken into consideration for the original languages. Christos (Messiah) as "God's Anointed," the "Anointed," the "Anointed One," or "God's Anointed, the Liberating King" all work. Gender-inclusive language. Reading level, grade 6. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Voice_(Bible_translation) __________ > And further to help you with the Bible:
[Bible Project](https://bibleproject.com/) - Provides short animated overviews of each testaments and books, in-depth podcasts, a blog, word study, themes, and more.
> Notes:
1 Translators to the Reader (KJV preface), translation of the preface [here](https://blog.logos.com/new-translation-bible-translation-preface/) and [here](https://blog.logos.com/400-year-old-bible-preface-can-teach-us-translations/) by Mark Ward.
2 Third edition of Textus Receptus by Erasmus (used for the King James and NKJV) of the six manuscripts used five were present in seeing the received text and one was a back-translation of Vulgate into Greek. As a result, the TR differs in over 1000 places from the Byzantine text-type. Also, I could not find a purer Byzantine text-type translation into English.
In general Dr. Robert Alter explains in The Art of Bible Translation: "The practice of translation…entails an endless series of compromises, some of them happy, some painful and not quite right because the translator has been unable to find an adequate English equivalent for what is happening—often brilliantly—in the original language.… Translation often involves painful compromise—you gain something through the loss of something else." I add translation is an act of interpretation inherently no matter where it is on the spectrum of translation ranging from word-for-word to paraphrase. Most translations are a mix of all of the spectrum. The Italians say it bluntly: tradutorre, traditore—"The translator is a traitor."
Early Modern English Bibles I can't recommend due to the fact. There is false friends, anachronistic and obsolete words. Usually the punctuation is different than contemporary because there was no standardization standard. This usually confuses people and wrecks their comprehension of the passage or verse. Leading to bad ideas. EMEB especially not for beginner readers turns them off. Even educated readers misunderstand at times wrecking their understanding. -- Please read, [Authorized: The Use and Misuse of the King James Bible](https://lexhampress.com/product/144705/authorized-the-use-and-misuse-of-the-king-james-bible) to understand problems with 411-year-old **translations** or watch [YouTube playlist](https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLq1Aq0ucgkPA18L9HH_HC4IEgUNvMxsku) from [Mark Ward](https://byfaithweunderstand.com/about/), a former KJV onlyist.
DSS = Dead Sea scrolls
LXX = Septuagint
Bonus reviews [here](https://old.reddit.com/r/Christianity/comments/19fjvpu/brief_translation_recommendations/kjk7rp1/).
Early Modern English translations (not recommended for non-academics or casual readers) [here](https://old.reddit.com/r/Christianity/comments/19fjvpu/brief_translation_recommendations/kjk895m/)
Video: What Bible Should I Use? [here](https://reddit.com/r/Christianity/comments/tu03sx/what_bible_should_i_use_qa_2_a_short_course_on/)
Video: A short introduction to Bible study through the lens of study Bibles. [here](https://old.reddit.com/r/Christianity/comments/tusmmd/what_is_your_favorite_study_bible_qa_5_a_short/?)
> Where to purchase:
[Amazon.com](https://www.amazon.com/) or its sister sites.
[Christianbook.com](https://www.christianbook.com/)
[Lulu.com](https://www.lulu.com/en/ca/shop/glenn-obrien/open-english-bible/hardcover/product-18rqvpgv.html?page=1&pageSize=4) for OEB printed copies.
[ebible.org](https://ebible.org/buy.php) for WED printed copies.
Or Publisher's website.