| KJV | NKJV | NIV |
|---|---|---|
| NCV | NRSV | ESV |
King James Version (KJV)
The King James Version (otherwise known as the Authorized Version) was translated in 1611, after Protestants had gained favour with the ruling monarch in England (King James I) who commanded that this work should be done. The translators took account of all the previous versions (as there were a lot of them) and also the Masoretic Hebrew Text and the Greek Received Text (Textus Receptus). While some view this version as using archaic and hard to understand language, there is a beauty about it that is missing from the modern versions.Please click here to get a daily verse from the King James version.
New Century Version (NCV)
The New Century version of the Bible is a highly readable version. It was published as recent as 1991 the aim being to produce a version of the Bible which while retaining accuracy was readable by one and all. Its forerunner the International Children's Bible came out 5 years earlier aimed specifically at children, this version is aimed at both children and adults. Its text is also used in the Youth Bible. As with the NIV it is a thought for thought translation as opposed to word for word, so you are getting what the translator thinks a passage is meant to mean as opposed to the original words.Please click here to get a daily verse from the New Century version.
New King James Version (NKJV)
The New King James is a popular version amongst many who read the Bible. It is the version following the King James Version, and is seen as as a continuation of the labours of the earlier translators. A feature of the New King James Version is its conformity to the thought flow of the King James Version. Most readers discover the sequence of phrases and selection of words and clauses of the new edition, while much clearer, are so close to the traditional that there is a remarkable ease in listening to the reading of either edition while following the other. On the whole words such as thee, thou, thy and thine are replaced by the simple you, your and yours making the New King James Version much easier to understand.Please click here to get a daily verse from the New King James version.
New International Version (NIV)
The New International version, is a very popular version of the Bible used all over the world. It was translated during an eleven year period from 1967 to 1978 and revised in 1983. Over 100 scholars combined with the aim of producing a version that was accurate and clear suitable for any situation. If English is not your first language then you will find this version easier to understand than some of the others. However, rather than being a word for word translation it is thought for thought. Which is better? Good question, a word for word translation (e.g. KJV or NKJV) will give you the original words translated and let you work out what you think it means, while a thought for thought translation (like this or the NCV gives you what the translator thinks the passage means.Please click here to get a daily verse from the New International version.
English Standard Version (ESV)
The English Standard version of the Bible was published just a few years ago in October 2001. While quite a few of the modern versions of the Bible seem to be going for thought for thought paraphrases of the Bible, the English Standard version translates each word literally word for word. This tends to mean you are getting a more accurate but perhaps not so readable translation of what was originally written compared to a thought for thought translation such as the NIV. Out of the Bibles published in the last 25 years, this is probably the nearest to the King James style.Please click here to get a daily verse from the English Standard version.
New Revised Standard Version
The New Revised Standard Version is the latest version in the continuing process of revising the King James Version in the light of advancing discoveries and scholarship. It is therefore a literal translation, yet great attention has been paid to the readability of the text. It has also been kept theologically and politically neutral.Please click here to get a daily verse from the New Revised Standard version.
Please note the New King James version and the New Century version of the Bible are copyright of Thomas Nelson, Inc. and are used with their kind permission. Their website is www.thomasnelson.com
The New International version is copyright of the International Bible Society and is used with their kind permission. Their website is: http://www.gospelcom.net/ibs/niv
The English Standard version is copyright of Crossway Bibles, a division of Good News Publishers and is used with their kind permission. Their website is: http://www.gnpcb.org/home/esv
The New Revised Standard version is copyright of the National Council of Churches (NCC) and is used with their kind permission. Their website is: http://ncccusa.org/newbtu/nrsvtypes.html
