Picture this - someone decides they want to start reading the Bible for the first time. So, they go into a book store, or search online, only to find all type of Bibles, several sizes, several styles, and most confusing of all, several different translations. Just to give you an idea, the YouVersion Bible app has 88 English versions to choose from! Mama Mia!
For someone who is trying to pick out their first Bible, their obvious question is most likely, "What's the difference between all these Bibles?" Hopefully, the store clerk would know, but I wouldn't count on it. They might just point you to the "most popular" ones, or to the best selling ones, and not have a clue. But, everyone, not just someone new to Bible reading, should really know the difference.
Here is the KEY....understanding that there are 3 general types of Bible translations. You can categorize all Bibles into these 3 types of translations:
1. Word for Word
These types of Bibles are those in which the translators are trying their best to accurately take a word in the Hebrew or Greek (the languages that the Old Testament and the New Testament were written in) to a corresponding word in the English. Many call these 'literal' translations -- at least as literal as you can get considering there are always shortcomings when trying to match a Hebrew or Greek word to an English word.
Examples: Young's Literal Translation, the King James Bible, the New American Standard Version Bible, among others.
2. Thought for Thought
These types of Bibles are those in which the translators are more interested in the meaning of a phrase or thought in the Hebrew or Greek, expressed in a corresponding phrase or thought in the English language. These types of Bibles are much easier to read.
Examples: the New King James Bible, the New International Version Bible, the New Living Translation, the Holman Christian Standard Bible, and more.
3. Paraphrase
These types of Bibles are those in which the translation takes a passage in the Hebrew or Greek, and expresses it in their own words, sort of rephrasing it. In the case of the Message, it is written by one person, and is not written by a team of scholars as in most of the other types of Bible translations.
Examples: The Living Bible, The Message, among others.
THE GOOD AND BAD..................
1. Word for Word
POSITIVE: Accurate; excellent for study; closest to the Hebrew/Greek
NEGATIVE: Sometimes difficult to read and understand
2. Thought for Thought
POSITIVE: Much easier to read and understand.
NEGATIVE: May use wording that is more general in meaning, although still accurate.
3. Paraphrase
POSITIVE: Very easy to read, simplistic
NEGATIVE: May be somewhat watered down; sometimes several verses are grouped together and generalized. Not a good 'study' Bible.
My recommendation if I were the salesperson? For a first time Bible reader, I would recommend choosing a "thought for thought" translation. Easy to read, but still retaining the general meaning. The New International Version (NIV) is probably the most readily available, although The New Living Translation (NLT) among others are popular too.
And as far as the question of which Bible translation is the best -- it depends.
A) For someone who wants to accurately and seriously study, giving up an easier read -- a word for word.
B) For someone who wants an easy to understand read -- a thought for thought.
C) For someone who wants a very easy to understand read that's written in simplistic style -- a paraphrase.
My current personal choice? I usually read from the New Living Translation, using the The New American Standard as a reference, and just periodically compare them with The Message.
And what if you come across a passage doesn't quite make sense? Then compare translations! It will help. Different translations may use different words, but the meaning will be the same. The various versions just say it differently.
EXAMPLES OF THE 3 TYPES OF TRANSLATIONS:
1. Word for Word Translation (King James Bible) - Psalm 6:1
"O Lord, rebuke me not in thine anger, neither chasten me in thy hot displeasure."
2. Thought for Thought Translation (New Living Translation) - Psalm 6:1
"O Lord, don’t rebuke me in your anger or discipline me in your rage."
3. Paraphrase Translation (The Message) - Psalm 6:1
"Please, God, no more yelling, no more trips to the woodshed."
And what if you come across a passage doesn't quite make sense? Then compare translations! It will help. Different translations may use different words, but the meaning will be the same. The various versions just say it differently.
EXAMPLES OF THE 3 TYPES OF TRANSLATIONS:
1. Word for Word Translation (King James Bible) - Psalm 6:1
"O Lord, rebuke me not in thine anger, neither chasten me in thy hot displeasure."
2. Thought for Thought Translation (New Living Translation) - Psalm 6:1
"O Lord, don’t rebuke me in your anger or discipline me in your rage."
3. Paraphrase Translation (The Message) - Psalm 6:1
"Please, God, no more yelling, no more trips to the woodshed."
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