Zondervan Website on TranslationsNKJV New King James Version
Reading Level: 8.0
Readability: Modern English makes it easier to read than the King James, while retaining the familiarity of the 17th century sentence structure.
Reference Support Material: 12.8%; some KJV materials can be used
Number of Translators: 130
Translation Philosophy/Format: Communicates the meaning contained in the words and the word order of the original languages.
Notes: Captures the accuracy and beauty of the KJV in contemporary readable language. Suitable for study, teaching, and devotions. Published in 1982.
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NLT New Living Translation
Reading Level: 6.3
Readability: A readable translation; uses vocabulary and language structures commonly used by the average person
Reference Support Material: Low
Number of Translators: 90
Translation Philosophy/Format: Translators were involved in bringing the classic Living Bible from its status as a paraphrase to a thought-for-thought translation of Scripture.
Notes: The New Living Translation is a dynamic equivalence translation based on the work of 90 Bible scholars and a smaller team of English stylists. These scholars and stylists went back to the original languages and sought to produce the closest natural equivalent of the message in natural, contemporary English. Published in 1996.
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Updated NASB New American Standard Bible
Reading Level: 11.00
Readability: Formal style, but more readable than the King James Version.
Reference Support Material: Medium
Number of Translators: 54
Translation Philosophy/Format: Word-for-word
Notes: A highly respected formal translation of the Bible. Purpose of the work was to update the American Standard Version into more current English. Published in 1971. Updated in 1995. The most literal is now more readable.
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NRSV New Revised Standard Version
Reading Level: 10.40
Readability: Contemporary, dignified with generic language in reference to humans
Reference Support Material: Medium
Number of Translators: 30
Translation Philosophy/Format: Balance between word-for-word and thought-for-thought
Notes: A widely accepted translation in the tradition of the King James Version. Purpose was to "make a good one better." Published in 1990. A Bible for all Christians.
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The Message
(New Testament and OT Wisdom Books)
Reading Level: 4.8
Readability: An easy-to-read, modern-language paraphrase
Reference Support Material: Low
Number of Translators: Eugene H. Peterson
Translation Philosophy/Format: Thought-for-thought. Converts the original languages into the tone and the rhythms of modern-day American speech while retaining the idioms and meaning of the original languages.
Notes: This paraphrase was translated using the rhythms and tone of contemporary English to communicate to the modern reader. New Testament published in 1993, Old Testament in 2002.
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GNT Good News Translation, formerly Today's English Version and Good News Bible
Reading Level: 6.0
Readability: Very simple, readable version without jargon. Uses a limited vocabulary.
Reference Support Material: Low
Number of Translators: R. Bratcher (NT); Bratcher plus six others (OT)
Translation Philosophy/Format: Thought-for-thought
Notes: "A translation intended for people everywhere for whom English is either their mother tongue or an acquired language." Published in 1976. The Good Book that reads like a good book.
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KJV King James Version
Reading Level: 12.00
Readability: Difficult to read due to 17th-century English vocabulary and word order
Reference Support Material: High
Number of Translators: 54
Translation Philosophy/Format: Word-for-word
Notes: Traditionally loved and accepted by all Christians. Purpose in translation was "to deliver God's book unto God's people in a tongue which they can understand." Published in 1611. Timeless treasure.
