Know Your English Bible Translations - An Overview

The previous post contains a more thorough exploration of the Bible as a whole, and it's historical accuracy and evidence. But, contained near the bottom of that post is the portion would which likely interest people the most.

So, in a first time move, allow me to copy/paste that section from my previous post, into it's own post, for easier viewing.

Definitions:
Formal Equivalency- refers to a Word-for-Word translation of the original manuscripts, and reflects the most accurate representation possible from the original texts. The drawbacks are minimal, usually being a more difficult reading when translated to English.

• These are best to have as our study Bible translations, and even our primary use Bibles. 
• Best Examples are English Standard Version (ESV), New American Standard Bible (NASB)

Dynamic Equivalency- referring more to a "thought for thought" translation that takes the original texts, and translates them accurately, but with a stronger emphasis on putting them in easy to read English.

• While we generally get near the original meaning, translator bias can sometimes slip into these as they seek to simplify the original words to make them more palatable to the reader
• This is also where we end up with translations that are more gender inclusive
• Best examples would be The New Living Translation (NLT) and the Good News Bible (GNB) translation
• The New International Version (NIV) is the most conservative Dynamic equivalent translation, and falls more in between Dynamic and Formal equivalency- with a leaning towards Dynamic. 

Paraphrase- Refers to a translation that has been put completely into colloquialisms and modern language, often losing the original meanings and words of the text.

• Examples- "The Message" and "The Living Bible" 
• Best for younger readers, but not good as study Bibles 

*Bible Translations Overview 

Formal Equivalency: (Highest degree of accuracy to the original manuscripts in spelling, grammar, and structure)


King James Version  (KJV) (1769 Revision)

• 12th grade reading level 
• Most widely printed and distributed Bible translation 

Pros

• Poetic beauty
• Formal equivalency (though limited based on the available manuscripts at the time)
• Best when closest to William Tyndale's translation into English
• "Virgin" for Isaiah 7:14 prophecy

Cons

• Word usage has changed so that some words mean different things now (example "gay" for happy)
• Erasmus edit was rushed and he used Latin to back translate to Greek resulting in much interpretation of the original intent of the texts
• Incorrect renderings throughout history due to rushed printing 
• Used defective manuscripts
• Translators did not have as good of a scholarly understanding of Hebrew, Aramaic, and Greek as today

The Revised Standard Version (RSV) (1952)

• Middle school reading level
• Revision of the 1901 American Standard Version
• Goal to preserve the good qualties of KJV, but more accurately reflect the meaning of original languages
• Rendered in readable English
• Kicked off the KJV only movement as many conservative Christians believed it to be too theologically liberal of a translation based on some passage translations like Isaiah 7:14 as "Young Woman" instead of "virgin"

Pros

• More accurate than KJV with better readability
• Acceptable for study Bible

Cons

• Used "Young Woman" in Isaiah 7:14 prophecy translation 
• Considered Theologically liberal
• Kicked off the KJV only movement 

The New American Standard Bible (NASB) (1971)

• 11th Grade reading level
• No Gender inclusive language (sticks to original language translations for masculine pronouns)
• True to the original Hebrew Aramaic, and Greek texts
• Understandable and grammatically correct 
• Goal was to produce a literal, but readable translation to bring reader as close as possible to reading of the original languages

Pros

• Highly Literal and great for Bible study
• Excellent cross reference system
• Old Testament quotes in the New Testament are in capital letters to distinguish from NT writers quotes.
• Use of "Virgin" in Isaiah 7:14 prophecy with footnote indicating "or maiden"

Cons

• Harder to read than a dynamic translation
• Not as suitable for public or pulpit use
• Greek perfect tense is translated often same as English perfect tense, but different meaning 
• Considered "wooden" and not in contemporary English.

The English Standard Version  (ESV) (2001)

• Eighth Grade Reading level 
• Revision of the RSV using most currently available ancient manuscripts 
• Gender inclusive only when author intended a group of men and women to be translated, otherwise maintains masculine when original languages use masculine
• Goal was to translate the original Hebrew, Aramaic, and Greek with greatest possible accuracy
• Maintain the writing style of the Biblical authors (i.e. Paul's logic, John's simplicity, etc...)
• As literal as possible while maintaining clarity 

Pros

• Word-for-word and theologically conservative makes it an ideal study Bible
• Highly accurate and readable (as accurate as NASB, and as readable as NIV) 
• Maintains theological terms like "justification", "propitiation", "God-breathed", etc...
• Textual footnotes and section headings
• Bible translation of choice for well known pastors and theologians
• Use of "Virgin" in Isaiah 7:14 prophecy 
• Most theological conservative revision of the RSV

Cons

• Literal but opportunities still for some improvement according to a handful of scholars

New King James Version (NKJV) (1982) - Trends towards Formal equivalence word for word w/some exception

• 8th Grade reading level
• No gender inclusive language
• Goal was to maintain literal approach to translation except where idiom of original languages cannot be translated to English tongue 
• A continuation of efforts of earlier translations on the "Authorized version of the scriptures"

Pros

• Great option for those who prefer the elegance and beauty of KJV in modern language 
• Maintains cadence and style of KJV 
• Acceptable for Bible study
• Footnotes alert reader to alternate readings in critical text based on the most recently discovered old manuscripts 
• Use of "Virgin" in Isaiah 7:14 prophecy 
• Translators held firmly to inspiration (God breathed) and inerrancy of scripture

Cons

• Based primarily on the Textus Receptus (1550 Edition) manuscripts which are not as accurate as the most recently discovered manuscripts, and were based on relatively few available manuscripts at the time it was written
• 2000 instances of incorrect translation- though none change meaning of crucial passages
• Not as accurate as other word-for-word translations like NASB 

Middle of the Road Equivalence (Mix of Formal and dynamic with leanings towards dynamic)

New International Version (NIV) (1978, 1984)- Leans towards dynamic

• 7th grade reading level
• No gender inclusive language 
• Goal was to produce an accurate and readable translation between formal and dynamic equivalence- seeking balance of beauty, clarity, and dignity 

Pros

• Extremely readable with good clarity and literary quality
• Succeeded in being a true "middle of the road" equivalency, and is the most conservative of the dynamic equivalency spectrum 
• Suitable for devotion, study, and public reading
• Translated directly from the Hebrew, Aramaic, and Greek manuscripts instead of revising a prior translation
• Use of "Virgin" in Isaiah 7:14 prophecy (though footnote offers "young woman" as other possible translation
• Majority of its translators subscribed to the infallibility of Bible as God's word in written form

Cons

• Use of "Lord Almighty" instead of "Lord of Hosts" loses some of the original language meaning
• Middle of the road, but still leans towards dynamic equivalency, so not as good for study as Formal translations
• conjunctions left out blurring some continuity 

The New Revised Standard Edition (1989)

• Formal equivalence with dynamic portions 
• 8th to 10th grade reading level
• Sensitive to Gender Inclusive language (more so than TNIV)
• Used latest manuscript discoveries like Dead Sea Scrolls (which were unknown at time or original RSV translation)
• Sought to be ecumenical and cross church line divisions to appease as many as possible
• First English Translation to exclusively use gender inclusive language for generic masculine terms in Greek/Hebrew

Pros

• Easier to read and more accurate than RSV
• Essentially Formal equivalence makes it acceptable for Bible study 

Cons

• Renders Isaiah 7:14 prophecy as "Young woman"
• Many scholars believe gender inclusive language departs from literal text or subtly changes meanings 
• Gender inclusive language can take verses which intend to convey intimacy with an Individual, and make it more group oriented (Ex: John 14:23)
• Changes 1 Timothy 3:2 from "husband of one wife" to "married only once" eliminating the need for an elder to be male 

The Holman Christian Standard Bible (HCSB)-2004

• 7th-8th grade reading level
• Moderate Gender Inclusive language- only changes if necessary to context
• More literal than NIV, but less than ESV and NASB
• Retains some theological words and provides word studies in back of Bible with meanings
• Nouns and pronouns referring to deity are capitalized
• OT citations in the NT are boldface
• Translation team used most up to date modern critical Greek texts, but reference Textus Receptus and majority text in footnotes
• Inerrancy of scripture affirmed by the 100 scholars and proofreaders 
• Designed for Bible readers of a protestant, conservative, evangelical nature 

Pros

• Achieves balance between Formal and dynamic equivalency
• Great for Serious Bible study
• Accurate translation, clear style, excellent footnotes and cross references
• Only gender inclusive when contexts demands- maintains original masculine translations otherwise
• Renders Isaiah 7:14 prophecy as "virgin"

Cons

• Slightly "wooden" or "awkward" in style
• Not suitable for public reading
• Some complex words used in place of simple (Ex: "Deluge" instead of "Flood")

New English Translation (NET Bible)- 2005

• Originated as a completely free Internet based Bible 
• Beta tested for public review 
• Team of 25 scholars who were experts in Biblical languages and taught either Hebrew or Greek exegesis at seminaries
• No direct denomination association 
• Goals was to consistently translate passage within their grammatical, historical, and theological contexts

Pros

• Readable and accurate 
• 60,000 + translator notes from scholarly research 

Cons

• Not fully formal or fully dynamic makes it hard to place on spectrum- true middle of the road
• Translator notes may be too technical for those without Hebrew or Greek language knowledge
• Exegetical notes are not a substitute for comprehensive exegetical study
• printed version's font is too small for older eyes 
• "Young woman" translation of Isaiah 7:14

Dynamic Equivalence (Thought for Thought Translation)

Good News Translation (GNT) 1976 A.K.A. Good News Bible

• 6th grade reading level
• Moderate use of Gender inclusive language 
• Goal to be natural, clear, simple, and unambiguous common language rendering

Pros

• Easy to read
• Good for first time Bible readers or readers who speak English as second language 

Cons

• Though for Thought not as suitable for Bible study
• Limited vocabulary reduces some elegance
• Too much interpretation by translators including some paraphrasing 
• "Young Woman" in the Isaiah 7:14 prophecy and Luke 1:27 is NOT best translation
• Acts 20:28 in this version undermines Jesus deity according to conservative scholars
• Added the Apocrypha for Roman Catholics as a compromise 
• Primary translator did NOT believe in the inerrancy and infallibility of Bible 

New Century Version (NCV) 1992 Revision

• 5th-6th grade reading level
• Revision of English Version for the Deaf (EVD) which was simplest reading of any translation (3rd grade level)
• International Children's version is based on same, but without gender inclusive language 

Pros

• Makes Bible understandable, particularly for young people, people with low reading skills, or people who speak English as a second language 
• Among the easiest translations to read 
• Renders Isaiah 7:14 as "Virgin" with footnote indicating "young woman" as alternate

Cons

• Dynamic equivalence and greatly simplified language makes it unsuitable for detailed Bible study
• Some detraction from beauty and elegance (Ex: Genesis 1:1 renders sky instead of "heavens and earth")
• Lack of theological words
• Gender inclusive 

New Living Translation (NLT) (1996/2004)

• 2004 revision of the 1996 version was substantial
• 6th Grade Reading level
• Moderate use of gender inclusive language 
• Goal to have the same impact on readers as the original audience 
• Goal to render the message of original texts into clear, contemporary English

Pros

• Understandable and exciting to read "accurate and idiomatically powerful"
• Vast improvement over The Living Bible (LB-1971 Paraphrase) on which it was based 
• Appropriate for young readers or those who speak English as 2nd language 
• Appropriate in context for study, though it is dynamic equivalence 
• Isaiah 7:14 uses "Virgin" -though includes footnote for "Young woman" 

Cons

• Dynamic equivalency is not as good for Bible study
• Gender inclusive 
• Simplified theological terms 

New International Readers Version (NIrV) (1998 Revision)

• 3rd grade reading level
• Goals were readability, understandability, compatibility with NIV, reliability, and trustworthiness
• Cross referenced with quotes from other places in Bible
• Expectation that once a reader's reading level is sufficient, they will "graduate" onto more advanced translations 
• Scholars used original Hebrew, Aramaic, and Greek, but also NIV translation when possible 

Pros

• Appropriate for children, adults with low reading skills, or readers who speak English as 2nd language 
• 3rd grade reading level puts it at grasp for millions of readers
• Isaiah 7:14 prophecy as "virgin" 

Cons

• Overall simplicity makes it inadequate as a study Bible
• Not sufficient as reading level improves- expectation is to graduate to NIV or other more advanced translations 

Paraphrase 
Putting the Bible into modern language, often using the author or translator's own words to translate passages

The Living Bible (TLB) 1971

• 4th Grade reading level
• Paraphrase of the American Standard Version (1901)
• Goal to put basic message of the Bible into modern language that could be understood by typical reader
• Created by Kenneth N. Taylor, founder of Tyndale house Publishers
• Never intended to be used as the reader's only source of Biblical knowledge or as the primary text of scholars 
• Revision beginning in 1980s eventually became the New Living Translation (NLT) in 1996

Pros

• Best selling American book in 1972/73
• Uses "Virgin" for Isaiah 7:14 prophecy- though with footnote for "Young woman" as alternate

Cons

• Too much personal opinion put into what the Bible says when paraphrasing- an author bias is unavoidable
• Not sufficient for study, or to be used as primary Bible translation 

The Message (2002)

• 4th-5th grade reading level
• Goal to convert the tone, rhythm, and ideas of Bible into the way people think and speak now
• One translator- Eugene Peterson, but team of evangelical consultants to review accuracy

Pros

• Interesting to read and makes Bible come alive with western idioms and figures of speech
• Beneficial for someone reading scriptures with fresh eyes
• Helps modern readers grasp something of impact scriptures may have had to original audience
• Good for those with deficient reading skills, or who speak English as second language 
• "Virgin" for Isaiah 7:14 prophecy

Cons

• Significant interpretation by Peterson makes it hard to know where Biblical text ends and commentary begins
• Style chosen over communicating the original content
• Some renderings strip the scripture of its 1st century Jewish context by rendering into Western language phrasings
• Goes Beyond Dynamic Equivalence
• not enough specificity
• Generalities used over specifics (Ex: 1 Corinthians 6:9-10 mentions "general sin" instead of the specific list of sins that Paul provides)
• Not ideal for Bible study, though interesting for a fresh addition to a study Bible 

OTHER Translations 

The Amplified Bible (AMP)  1965

• Formal equivalence with additions for clarity
• 11th Grade reading level 
• Goal to provide insights from original Hebrew and Greek for English readers who do not know Hebrew and Greek
• Compiled by Frances E. Stewart and based on 1901 ASV with references to original languages
• Not intended to replace translations but to supplement them 

Pros

• Essentially a commentary on the original languages of Biblical text
• Acknowledges no single word or phrase can capture exact Hebrew/Greek meaning
• Helpful tool to supplement primary Bible 
• Isaiah 7:14 as Virgin with a footnote supporting "virgin" as the best translation of that passage

Cons

• Text is harder to follow with added notes
• Reads awkward out loud
• Adding to text could lead reader to pick and choose "favorite" not most "accurate" rendering of words and meaning 

Today's New International Version (TNIV)

• Middle of the road translation leaning dynamic
• Designed for 18 to 34 year old readers 
• "Gender accurate" not inclusive means it renders male when obviously male, and renders other when more than males presents (i.e. Brothers and sisters in Christ)
• Despite controversy surrounding it's gender inclusive language, there are more Gender inclusive versions that exist such as The New Revised Standard Version (NRSV), New Living Translation (NLT), and Catholic New Jerusalem Bible
• Goal was to engage 18 to 34 year olds leaving the church with a more modern translation which still reflected Biblical scholarship, clarity, and gender accuracy

Pros

• Maintains and improves readability of NIV, and more accurate in terms of intended meanings
• Easier for modern English readers to understand
• "Virgin" for Isaiah 7:14 prophecy 

Cons

• Largely criticized and condemned, though perhaps unnecessarily considering other version are more gender inclusive than this one 
• Some different meanings communicated in verses (ex Psalm 26:3)
• Gender accuracy relating to verses about an individual (ex Psalm 1:1), can lose meaning when group terms are used 
• Substitutes "Messiah" for "Christ" in many instances (can affect meaning in certain places)
• "Saints" rendered as "God's People or "believers" (not necessarily most accurate rendering every time)

*Reference: The Complete Guide to Bible Translations by  Ron Rhodes is the primary resource for this overview