Introduction

• There are over 100 English translations of the Bible!

• God intended for us to read and understand His word.

  • Matthew 24:15 – “let the reader understand”

  • Luke 10:26 – “how does it read”

  • Ephesians 3:4

Translating isn’t as simple as it sounds

• No translation is inspired or perfect.
  • Example: Exodus 20:14 typo in “The Wicked Bible”, 1631 – “thou shalt commit adultery”
• Languages change over time.
  • When the King James Version first became available, some criticized it for being too easy to understand!
• There is usually no word-for-word correspondence.

  • Example: “Como se llama?” in Spanish:

    • “How yourself call?”

    • “How do you call yourself?” (Translation philosophy similar to the NASB.)

    • “What’s your name?” (Translation philosophy similar to the NIV.)

• Grammar and word order are different.
  • Example: John 3:16

Word-for-word

Thought-for-thought

KJV

CSB

NLT

NASB

NIV

NCV

NKJV

NET

GNT

ASV

NAB

CEV

ESV

NRSV

NIrV

Word-for-word translations aim to closely reflect the original.

• Preserve the Holy Spirit’s phrasing

  • I Kings 2:10 – ASV vs. NLT

  • I Thessalonians 2:12 – NKJV vs. NLT

• Make it easier to notice repetition

  • “immediately” in Mark

  • “abide” in I John (Compare I John 2:24 in NASB vs. NLT)

• Let readers interpret for themselves

  • I Thessalonians 4:3

Thought-for-thought translations aim to interpret the meaning of the original.

• These translations are generally more readable and natural.
• Acts 27:17 – Compare ESV vs NIV vs NLT.
• Matthew 23:5 – Compare NASB vs NIV vs NLT.
• Psalms 23:5 – Compare ESV vs. GNB.

My recommendation: Use several word-for-word translations as your main Bibles

• KJV, NASB, NKJV, ASV, ESV

Compare some thought-for-thought translations to prompt deeper looks … just know what you’re reading!

• I Timothy 5:22