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New Revised Standard Version (NRSV) great update of RSV into contemporary English and is dignified and resonant in style. Gender-inclusive the meaning of the male pronouns to both genders as the original readers would have understood it. NRSV includes the Apocrypha (deuterocanonical of Catholic and Eastern Orthodox churches) and translators were from a wide variety of denominations safeguarding against a denominational bias. Isaiah 7:14 translated as young woman. Nice balance between word for word (formal equivalence) and thought for thought (dynamic equivalence) translation. Reading Level, grade 11.
Revised Standard Version, Second Catholic Edition (RSV-2CE) great update of RSV (RSV-CE) into contemporary English and not gender-inclusive also dignified and resonant in style. Removed archaic pronouns (thee, thou) and accompanying verb forms (didst, speaketh) uses contemporary. RSV-2CE includes the deuterocanonical books (Catholic Church). Isaiah 7:14 "virgin" instead of "young woman" and Tetragram is replaced with LORD as the church fathers would've read it; follow Christian tradition in the Old Testament and the New. Nice balance between word for word (formal equivalence) and thought for thought (dynamic equivalence) translation. Conforms with the norms of Liturgiam authenticam for liturgy. Imprimatur granted by United States Conference of Catholic Bishops. Reading Level, grade 11.
Lexham English Bible (LEB) for its relatively literal translation approach and clear language. Its starting point is the Lexham Greek-English Interlinear. It use of corner brackets to mark idioms in the English translation. Italics indicate words supplied by the translator with no equivalent in the underlying Koine Greek. Does not include the Apocrypha/Deuterocanonical. Isaiah 7:14 translated as virgin. Available only in digital format with your logos/verbum software or at biblia.com. Reading Level, grade 11.
Easy-to-read, reading difficulties or English as a second language:
New Living Translation, Catholic Edition (NLT-CE) written in contemporary language. Weights and measures, money, dates and times, etc., given in modern units. Greek and Hebrew phrases and idioms translated into contemporary English. Gender-inclusive language. Translation philosophy of thought for thought, tries to get the meaning across of the words and sentences. Isaiah 7:14 translated as virgin. NLT-CE includes the deuterocanonical books (Catholic Church). One critique is that it reads more like a Protestant Bible with Apocrypha than a Catholic one. Imprimatur granted by Indian Catholic Bishops conference. Reading Level, grade 6.
Contemporary English Version (CEV) is written for people that have reading difficulties or new to English as a second language. Rephrased traditional biblical jargon to make it easier to read for beginners and avoid offensive language (the people, the Jewish leaders instead of the Jews, etc. and partner instead of helper, etc.); gender-neutral language. Isaiah 7:14 translated as virgin. CEV includes the Apocrypha (deuterocanonical of Catholic and Eastern Orthodox churches). Translation method is dynamic-equivalence (thought for thought). Reading Level, grade 4.
For Septuagint:
IMPORTANT: Greek Old Testament (Septuagint) are Greek translation of the Hebrew scriptures and is quoted in New Testament more than 85% of the time and more often than not the Apostolic Fathers quoted the Septuagint as scripture.
New English Translation of the Septuagint (NETS) a academic translation of Greek Old Testament using the NRSV is a Jumping-off point removing gender-inclusive language not in source texts, altering it to match the Greek texts, transliterating the underlying texts for names and; keeping Greek and Hebrew idioms/isms. Used the two critical editions of the Septuagint, primarily the incomplete Göttingen and then Alfred Rahlfs' when needed. Reading Level, grade 12+.
Lexham English Septuagint, 2nd ed. (LES) for its literal translation approach of Septuagint and clear language; uses familiar names of people and places. More consistent than first edition of LES. Translated directly from Swete's edition of the Septuagint. Reading Level, grade 11.
Western and Byzantine text types:
note^2
Knox Bible aka Knox Version (don't know). Translated from Sixto-Clementine Vulgate compared to Greek and Hebrew sources. High literary quality, and repays the attention even of people who prefer a more literal approach. In idiomatic English and much freer in renderings of passages than the Douay–Rheims Bible. Dynamic and formal equivalence approach. Imprimatur granted by Archbishop of Westminster and owned by him. Reading Level, grade 8.
New King James Version (NKJV) contemporary English replaces "thou" and "thine" and corresponding verb forms, such as "speakest"; with their twentieth-century equivalents. Formal equivalence approach. Translated from Byzantine text type with Western passages for example last six passages of Revelation and Johannine Comma. Reading Level, grade 9.
Freely Licensed
“The whole body of those who had become believers in Christ were of one heart and mind. Not one of them claimed any of his goods as his own, but everything was held for the common use." (Acts 4:32-33 OEB). Everybody is entitled fair day's wage unless they volunteer for the common good. (Matthew 20:1-16) Please help if you can?
Open English Bible (OEB) is licensed with a Creative Commons zero (CC0) license which allows for maximum use. Made by volunteers. Derived from Twentieth Century New Testament and from the Jewish Publication Society of America's the Tanakh of 1917 for the Old Testament. Contemporary English in style. Old Testament is incomplete, NT finished and Apocrypha might at later a date. Reading Level, High Schools.
World English Bible (WEB) revision of American Standard Version 1901 into contemporary English that is good and reminiscent of the King James this includes the Apocrypha. Made by volunteers. Dedicated to the public domain by Rainbow Missions. Formal equivalence. Reading Level, High Schools.
Tanakh/Hebrew Bible
To show love to neighbor and cousins in God's family.
The Hebrew Bible: A Translation with Commentary (don't know). This beautifully written translation of the Tanakh. Aims to convey the literary style of the original Hebrew text in English, recreating as much as possible its poetic rhythms and metaphors and in its elegant prose style is reminiscent of the King James but in contemporary English. Reading Level, grade (don't know).
Paraphrases:
IMPORTANT: I do not recommend anybody read paraphrases without reading translations first. I would suggest reading translations until you're familiar with them and then a paraphrase to generate fresh ideas and connections. Form the KJV preface: "Even the worst English Bible translations available contain—no, they are—the word of God. When the king speaks, the speech he delivers is still his speech even after it gets translated into French, Dutch, and Italian—and even if certain translators are not as graceful as others. We judge something by its predominant character, not by its exceptions."^1
The Message (MSG) and with reservations. Dynamic equivalence and Paraphrase translation approach. It is a highly idiomatic translation, using contemporary US English and slang. Also render Hebrew puns in English does it successfully. MSG includes the Apocrypha/Deuterocanonical books. Gender-inclusive language. Reading level, grade 4.
The Voice (VOICE) and with reservations. It uses contextual equivalence approach for translation as described by its preface. Rendering of a passage with several different indicators: Standard type, Italic type, Delineated material and Screenplay format. The literary styles of the different authors in sentence structure and vocabulary are taken in consideration for the original languages. Christos (Messiah) as "God's Anointed," the "Anointed," the "Anointed One," or "God's Anointed, the Liberating King" all work. Gender-inclusive language. Reading level, grade 6.
And further to help you with the Bible:
Bible Project - Provides short animated overviews of each testaments and books, in-depth podcasts, a blog, word study, themes and more.
Where to purchase:
Amazon.com or its sister sites.
Christianbook.com
Lulu.com for OEB printed copies.
eBible.org for WED printed copies.
Or Publisher's website.
Notes:
1 Translators to the Reader (KJV preface), translation of the preface here and here by Mark Ward.
2 Third edition of Textus Receptus by Erasmus (used for the King James and NKJV) contains Western type versus and passages. Of the six manuscripts used five were present in Byzantine and one was a back translation of Vulgate into Greek. As a result the TR differs in over 1000 places from the Byzantine text type. Also I could not find a purer Byzantine text type translation into English.
In general Dr. Robert Alter explains in The Art of Bible Translation: "The practice of translation…entails an endless series of compromises, some of them happy, some painful and not quite right because the translator has been unable to find an adequate English equivalent for what is happening—often brilliantly—in the original language.… Translation often involves painful compromise—you gain something through the loss of something else." I add translation is an act of interpretation inherently no matter where it is on the spectrum of translation ranging from word-for-word to paraphrase. Mostly translations are a mix of all of the spectrum. The Italians say it bluntly: tradutorre, traditore—"The translator is a traitor."
Early Modern English Bibles I never recommend due to the fact. There is false friends, anachronistic and obsolete words. Usually the punctuation is different than contemporary because there was no standardization standard. This usually confuses people and wrecks their comprehension of the passage or verse. Leading to bad ideas. EMEB especially not for beginner readers turns them off. Even educated readers misunderstand at times wrecking their understanding.
DSS = Dead Sea scrolls
LXX = Septuagint
Revised Standard Version, Second Catholic Edition (RSV-2CE) great update of RSV (RSV-CE) into contemporary English and not gender-inclusive also dignified and resonant in style. Removed archaic pronouns (thee, thou) and accompanying verb forms (didst, speaketh) uses contemporary. RSV-2CE includes the deuterocanonical books (Catholic Church). Isaiah 7:14 "virgin" instead of "young woman" and Tetragram is replaced with LORD as the church fathers would've read it; follow Christian tradition in the Old Testament and the New. Nice balance between word for word (formal equivalence) and thought for thought (dynamic equivalence) translation. Conforms with the norms of Liturgiam authenticam for liturgy. Imprimatur granted by United States Conference of Catholic Bishops. Reading Level, grade 11.
Lexham English Bible (LEB) for its relatively literal translation approach and clear language. Its starting point is the Lexham Greek-English Interlinear. It use of corner brackets to mark idioms in the English translation. Italics indicate words supplied by the translator with no equivalent in the underlying Koine Greek. Does not include the Apocrypha/Deuterocanonical. Isaiah 7:14 translated as virgin. Available only in digital format with your logos/verbum software or at biblia.com. Reading Level, grade 11.
Easy-to-read, reading difficulties or English as a second language:
New Living Translation, Catholic Edition (NLT-CE) written in contemporary language. Weights and measures, money, dates and times, etc., given in modern units. Greek and Hebrew phrases and idioms translated into contemporary English. Gender-inclusive language. Translation philosophy of thought for thought, tries to get the meaning across of the words and sentences. Isaiah 7:14 translated as virgin. NLT-CE includes the deuterocanonical books (Catholic Church). One critique is that it reads more like a Protestant Bible with Apocrypha than a Catholic one. Imprimatur granted by Indian Catholic Bishops conference. Reading Level, grade 6.
Contemporary English Version (CEV) is written for people that have reading difficulties or new to English as a second language. Rephrased traditional biblical jargon to make it easier to read for beginners and avoid offensive language (the people, the Jewish leaders instead of the Jews, etc. and partner instead of helper, etc.); gender-neutral language. Isaiah 7:14 translated as virgin. CEV includes the Apocrypha (deuterocanonical of Catholic and Eastern Orthodox churches). Translation method is dynamic-equivalence (thought for thought). Reading Level, grade 4.
For Septuagint:
IMPORTANT: Greek Old Testament (Septuagint) are Greek translation of the Hebrew scriptures and is quoted in New Testament more than 85% of the time and more often than not the Apostolic Fathers quoted the Septuagint as scripture.
New English Translation of the Septuagint (NETS) a academic translation of Greek Old Testament using the NRSV is a Jumping-off point removing gender-inclusive language not in source texts, altering it to match the Greek texts, transliterating the underlying texts for names and; keeping Greek and Hebrew idioms/isms. Used the two critical editions of the Septuagint, primarily the incomplete Göttingen and then Alfred Rahlfs' when needed. Reading Level, grade 12+.
Lexham English Septuagint, 2nd ed. (LES) for its literal translation approach of Septuagint and clear language; uses familiar names of people and places. More consistent than first edition of LES. Translated directly from Swete's edition of the Septuagint. Reading Level, grade 11.
Western and Byzantine text types:
note^2
Knox Bible aka Knox Version (don't know). Translated from Sixto-Clementine Vulgate compared to Greek and Hebrew sources. High literary quality, and repays the attention even of people who prefer a more literal approach. In idiomatic English and much freer in renderings of passages than the Douay–Rheims Bible. Dynamic and formal equivalence approach. Imprimatur granted by Archbishop of Westminster and owned by him. Reading Level, grade 8.
New King James Version (NKJV) contemporary English replaces "thou" and "thine" and corresponding verb forms, such as "speakest"; with their twentieth-century equivalents. Formal equivalence approach. Translated from Byzantine text type with Western passages for example last six passages of Revelation and Johannine Comma. Reading Level, grade 9.
Freely Licensed
“The whole body of those who had become believers in Christ were of one heart and mind. Not one of them claimed any of his goods as his own, but everything was held for the common use." (Acts 4:32-33 OEB). Everybody is entitled fair day's wage unless they volunteer for the common good. (Matthew 20:1-16) Please help if you can?
Open English Bible (OEB) is licensed with a Creative Commons zero (CC0) license which allows for maximum use. Made by volunteers. Derived from Twentieth Century New Testament and from the Jewish Publication Society of America's the Tanakh of 1917 for the Old Testament. Contemporary English in style. Old Testament is incomplete, NT finished and Apocrypha might at later a date. Reading Level, High Schools.
World English Bible (WEB) revision of American Standard Version 1901 into contemporary English that is good and reminiscent of the King James this includes the Apocrypha. Made by volunteers. Dedicated to the public domain by Rainbow Missions. Formal equivalence. Reading Level, High Schools.
Tanakh/Hebrew Bible
To show love to neighbor and cousins in God's family.
The Hebrew Bible: A Translation with Commentary (don't know). This beautifully written translation of the Tanakh. Aims to convey the literary style of the original Hebrew text in English, recreating as much as possible its poetic rhythms and metaphors and in its elegant prose style is reminiscent of the King James but in contemporary English. Reading Level, grade (don't know).
Paraphrases:
IMPORTANT: I do not recommend anybody read paraphrases without reading translations first. I would suggest reading translations until you're familiar with them and then a paraphrase to generate fresh ideas and connections. Form the KJV preface: "Even the worst English Bible translations available contain—no, they are—the word of God. When the king speaks, the speech he delivers is still his speech even after it gets translated into French, Dutch, and Italian—and even if certain translators are not as graceful as others. We judge something by its predominant character, not by its exceptions."^1
The Message (MSG) and with reservations. Dynamic equivalence and Paraphrase translation approach. It is a highly idiomatic translation, using contemporary US English and slang. Also render Hebrew puns in English does it successfully. MSG includes the Apocrypha/Deuterocanonical books. Gender-inclusive language. Reading level, grade 4.
The Voice (VOICE) and with reservations. It uses contextual equivalence approach for translation as described by its preface. Rendering of a passage with several different indicators: Standard type, Italic type, Delineated material and Screenplay format. The literary styles of the different authors in sentence structure and vocabulary are taken in consideration for the original languages. Christos (Messiah) as "God's Anointed," the "Anointed," the "Anointed One," or "God's Anointed, the Liberating King" all work. Gender-inclusive language. Reading level, grade 6.
And further to help you with the Bible:
Bible Project - Provides short animated overviews of each testaments and books, in-depth podcasts, a blog, word study, themes and more.
Where to purchase:
Amazon.com or its sister sites.
Christianbook.com
Lulu.com for OEB printed copies.
eBible.org for WED printed copies.
Or Publisher's website.
Notes:
1 Translators to the Reader (KJV preface), translation of the preface here and here by Mark Ward.
2 Third edition of Textus Receptus by Erasmus (used for the King James and NKJV) contains Western type versus and passages. Of the six manuscripts used five were present in Byzantine and one was a back translation of Vulgate into Greek. As a result the TR differs in over 1000 places from the Byzantine text type. Also I could not find a purer Byzantine text type translation into English.
In general Dr. Robert Alter explains in The Art of Bible Translation: "The practice of translation…entails an endless series of compromises, some of them happy, some painful and not quite right because the translator has been unable to find an adequate English equivalent for what is happening—often brilliantly—in the original language.… Translation often involves painful compromise—you gain something through the loss of something else." I add translation is an act of interpretation inherently no matter where it is on the spectrum of translation ranging from word-for-word to paraphrase. Mostly translations are a mix of all of the spectrum. The Italians say it bluntly: tradutorre, traditore—"The translator is a traitor."
Early Modern English Bibles I never recommend due to the fact. There is false friends, anachronistic and obsolete words. Usually the punctuation is different than contemporary because there was no standardization standard. This usually confuses people and wrecks their comprehension of the passage or verse. Leading to bad ideas. EMEB especially not for beginner readers turns them off. Even educated readers misunderstand at times wrecking their understanding.
DSS = Dead Sea scrolls
LXX = Septuagint
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