Walk into any bookstore's Bible section and you'll find shelf after shelf of options — KJV, NIV, ESV, NLT, NASB, and more. They're all "the Bible," so why do they read so differently? This guide walks through eleven of the most common English translations, in plain language, so you can pick the one that actually fits where you are right now.
Why Are There So Many English Translations?
The Bible was originally written in Hebrew and Aramaic (Old Testament) and Greek (New Testament). Every English translation is an attempt to carry those ancient words faithfully into the English we speak today — and "faithfully" can mean different things depending on the goal.
Three things mainly explain why translations differ from one another:
- Translation philosophy — Does the translator stay as close as possible to the original wording and sentence structure, or focus on capturing the original meaning in natural English?
- Translation basis — Was this a brand-new translation from the original languages, a careful revision of an earlier English Bible, or one person's paraphrase?
- Publication era — English changes over time, so newer translations naturally read differently than a version from 1611 or 1971.
Let's take these one at a time.
The Spectrum: Literal ⟷ Paraphrase
Most English translations sit somewhere on a spectrum:
Literal (word-for-word) ⟵⟶ Paraphrase (thought-for-thought, in everyday language)
- More literal versions try to preserve the exact wording and grammar of the original Hebrew or Greek sentence, as closely as English allows. Great for close study, but sometimes the English can feel a little formal or even awkward.
- More paraphrased versions prioritize communicating the meaning clearly, using natural, modern phrasing — even if that means restructuring a sentence completely. Easier to read, but you're trusting the translator's interpretive choices a bit more.
Neither end is "more correct" — it depends on what you need the Bible for right now: careful word study, or just reading for understanding.
The 11 Translations, One by One
King James Version (KJV) — 1611
The original English classic. Translated from the Textus Receptus Greek text and the Masoretic Hebrew text, and shaped by earlier English translations like Tyndale's. Its formal, poetic language has influenced English literature for over 400 years — but "thee," "thou," and centuries-old vocabulary can make it a slower read today. Best for readers who love the traditional cadence, memorization, or liturgical reading.
New King James Version (NKJV) — 1982
Keeps the KJV's word-for-word accuracy and its underlying Greek text (Textus Receptus), but updates the grammar and vocabulary into modern English. A good middle ground if you love the KJV's style but want something easier to follow.
English Standard Version (ESV) — 2001
A revision of the 1971 Revised Standard Version, re-translated closely against the original Hebrew, Aramaic, and Greek. Known as "essentially literal" — word-for-word accuracy with strong literary quality. Very popular for preaching and serious Bible study, especially in evangelical and Reformed churches.
New American Standard Bible (NASB) — 1971
Widely considered the most literal English translation available — a revision of the 1901 American Standard Version, checked word-by-word against the original languages. It prioritizes precision above all else, which makes it a favorite for in-depth word studies, even if the English sometimes reads a bit less smoothly.
Amplified Bible (AMP) — 1965
A unique approach: based on the 1901 American Standard Version, but expanded with bracketed synonyms and alternate word meanings drawn from the original Hebrew and Greek. Instead of picking just one English word, it shows you the fuller range of meaning behind the original — helpful for deeper personal study.
Revised Standard Version (RSV) — 1952
A careful, moderately literal revision of the 1901 American Standard Version. For decades it was the standard Bible in mainline Protestant and Catholic scholarship, and it's still the ancestor of both the NRSV and the ESV.
New International Version (NIV) — 1978
A completely fresh translation from the original languages — not a revision of any earlier English Bible. It aims for a careful balance between accuracy and natural, readable English, which has made it the best-selling modern English Bible translation in the world.
New Living Translation (NLT) — 1996
The NLT actually began as a project to revise Kenneth Taylor's paraphrase The Living Bible (1971) — but it grew into a full, fresh translation from the original languages by over 90 scholars, using a thought-for-thought approach. Warm, conversational, and easy to read, it's a favorite for devotional reading and for readers newer to the Bible.
Good News Translation (GNT) — 1976
Also known as Today's English Version or the Good News Bible. One of the earliest "plain English" translations, produced by the American Bible Society directly from the original languages. Clear and simple — a spiritual cousin to the CEV, published about twenty years earlier.
Contemporary English Version (CEV) — 1995
Also from the American Bible Society, translated from the original languages with one specific goal: to be easily understood when read out loud, even by children or people newer to English. Written at roughly a 4th-grade reading level — genuinely simple without being a paraphrase.
The Message — 2002
Eugene Peterson's personal paraphrase of the entire Bible, worked from the original Hebrew and Greek but rendered in bold, everyday, conversational English. It reads almost like a novel and can offer a fresh angle on very familiar passages — though because it's one person's paraphrase rather than a committee translation, it's best used alongside a more literal translation rather than for close study on its own.
Quick Comparison Table
| Version | Year | Type | Translation Basis | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| KJV | 1611 | Literal | Fresh translation (drew on Tyndale) | Traditional/liturgical reading, memorization |
| NKJV | 1982 | Literal | Revision of KJV | KJV lovers wanting modern English |
| ESV | 2001 | Literal | Revision of RSV (1971) | Bible study, preaching |
| NASB | 1971 | Literal | Revision of ASV (1901) | In-depth word studies |
| Amplified | 1965 | Literal | Revision of ASV (1901), expanded | Deeper word-meaning study |
| RSV | 1952 | Literal | Revision of ASV (1901) | Academic, mainline/Catholic use |
| NIV | 1978 | Balanced | Fresh translation | General reading, most popular |
| NLT | 1996 | Dynamic | Began as revision of Living Bible | Devotional reading, newer believers |
| Good News | 1976 | Dynamic | Fresh translation (ABS) | New readers, cross-cultural ministry |
| CEV | 1995 | Dynamic | Fresh translation (ABS) | Children, ESL readers |
| The Message | 2002 | Paraphrase | Personal paraphrase (Peterson) | Fresh perspective, casual reading |
So, Which One Should You Read?
There's no single "best" translation — only the one that best fits where you are right now:
- If you want to study Scripture closely, word by word: reach for the NASB, ESV, KJV, or RSV — translations built to stay as close as possible to the original sentence structure.
- If you're newer to the Bible, or want something you can just read like a book: try the NLT, NIV, Good News, or CEV — clear, natural English that gets out of the way of the story.
- If you want to double-check the range of meaning behind a specific word: the Amplified Bible is uniquely helpful for that.
- If you want a fresh, contemporary voice on passages you've read a hundred times: The Message can help familiar verses feel new — just pair it with a more literal translation for careful study.
- If you're not sure: many readers find it genuinely rewarding to keep two translations side by side — one more literal, one more readable — and let them inform each other.
At the end of the day, no translation is "the best" in the abstract — only the one you'll actually open and read. The most important step isn't choosing the perfect version; it's choosing one and starting.
If you're still not sure where to start, come visit us at Faith Book Store — we'd love to help you find the translation that fits you best.
Sources: Wikipedia entries for each translation, publisher histories (Crossway, Lockman Foundation, Tyndale House, Thomas Nelson, American Bible Society), and Bible-Researcher.com.
