How To: Choose the Right Bible Translation for You
Introduction
As we study the Bible we hear a lot about different translations but they are never really explained. In this post I want to explain the different translations in an effort to help you choose the right one for where you are in your walk now. But first we need to answer a very important question: Why so many English translations? This is unfortunately not an easy question to answer. The short answer is that different translations follow different methodologies and seek to reach a different group of people. At their heart most modern translations use the same source text but the committees have taken different approaches to how they render the text. This usually comes in three forms word for word, thought for thought, and paraphrase let’s look at each of these in a little more detail. Keep in mind that no translation is purely one type they will have elements of both but will be more one than the other. Think of this as more of a spectrum than definitive categories.
Word for Word (Literal)
The word for word or literal translations seek to preserve the original as much as possible. In some cases this is not possible since word order and adjective placement differs between languages. In these cases the translators seek to make the sentence make sense in English. Some translations that fall into this category include The New American Standard Bible (NASB), The English Standard Version (ESV), and the New King James Version (NKJV). There are others that would fall into this category as well. You may find many similarities between he NASB and the ESV. But the NKJV sought to update the language of the KJV since many of the phrases were in old English and difficult for modern readers to understand.
Thought for Thought
This type of methodology seeks to preserve the intended meaning but might sacrifice some of the structure of the source text. Be mindful with versions that drift further into this type as they may stray too far from the source text and inadvertently include the theological leanings of the translators. Some versions that would fit into this category include the New International Version (NIV) and the New Living Translation (NLT). The NIV really serves as a bridge between the word for word and the thought for thought, the language used is modern and easy to understand for the most part. The NLT is one that I think goes too far into thought for thought. There are some passages that have little resemblance to the same text in another version and appears to be pre-interpreted.
Paraphrase
The paraphrase is not really a translation. It is an authors attempt at helping to make the Bible more easily understood for novice readers. You may still find value in using a paraphrase in devotional reading but I wouldn’t advise using one in deeper study. The primary example of this is The Message. The Message has one author while the translations are often undertaken by committees.
Which is Right for Me?
Which translation you use in personal study is truly up to you. I started with an NIV and now switch between NASB and ESV. Use what is most comfortable for you and as your faith matures you can always switch if you feel you need to. If you want to test out different translations and find what you prefer, I would suggest a site like [Bible Gateway]. This will allow you to compare the same verse in multiple translations and find what is easiest for you to understand. The most important thing is that you are taking the time each day to read and study the Bible not the translation you are using.
