How Can We Pick the Best Bible Translation?
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What is the best Bible translation? In the Bible studies I lead, every newcomer asks this question and each member of the study shares her opinion. Each participant in our church Bible study brings her own Bible so it’s not uncommon, as we read passages, for people to compare translations and remark on the variations of word choice or phrasing.
Everyone who studies the Bible wants to know they’re reading the best Bible translation, or the one closest to the original language. We make major life choices and daily decisions based on what we read in God’s Word, so of course, it’s crucial we can trust that our translation is accurate. Beyond accuracy, we care that we understand what is read and that the original intent of the author is communicated in the clearest way.
The Bible was originally written on separate scrolls in Hebrew, Greek, and Aramaic. There are over 400 translations into English alone. With gaps in time, culture, and geography, it’s important that we do all we can to narrow the language gap. Fortunately, scholars and translators have been sensitive to this and committed to meticulous detail and accuracy. So, what are the factors that contribute to making the best Bible translation for us?
Why Isn’t the Most Literal Bible Translation the Best Bible Translation?
The easiest answer to this question would be to say we want the most literal, or “word-for-word” translation available. That makes sense, doesn’t it? In theory, yes, but anyone who has studied a second language knows that not every word-for-word translation of a sentence captures its true meaning.
In Rhode Island where I live, there is one town that was founded by French Canadians. As they translated word-for-word into English, it sometimes resulted in sentences like, “Throw me down the stairs my shoes.” Not exactly the thought-by-thought meaning of the speaker, I hope. Every language has its own rhythms, phrasing, punctuation, idioms, grammatical structure, and nuance.
Most translations fall along a spectrum from word-for-word to thought-to-thought. For example, the New American Standard Bible (NASB), published in 1971, is a revision of the American Standard Bible (ASB) which was published in 1901. The ASB was famously difficult to understand. The NASB is still a word-for-word revision but is a tad easier to read. Still, many find it to be not the smoothest read.
The English Standard Version (ESV), published in 2001, sought to be word-for-word but with increased readability. It was published in 2001 and has a readability index of around eighth grade. The other widely used word-for-word translation is the King James Version (KJV), followed by the New King James Version (NKJV), published in 1979.
While these are known as the most “literal” English translations, readers sometimes find them harder to understand than the thought-for-thought translations such as the New Living Translation (NLT), the Contemporary English Version, the New International Version (NIV), and the Good News Bible. These translations were done to make the Bible accessible to the average reader or somewhere around an eighth-grade reading level, sufficient for reading a newspaper.
Even more readable than thought-for-thought translations are paraphrase versions of the Bible. The most commonly known paraphrase currently in modern use is the Message by Eugene Peterson. This is a form of the Bible that isn’t intended to be a translation but rather a version that helps modern readers understand what the biblical authors were saying in today’s language. Prior to The Message, the Living Bible, which came out in 1971, was the most well-known paraphrase and was popular with new believers in the Jesus movement.
What Factors Might We Look for in the Best Bible Translation?
There are many factors to consider in choosing the best Bible translation for a specific individual or purpose.
First, consider the translation. Most translations are done by teams of scholars and translators working together and coordinating their work. Read the information in the front of the Bible to learn about the process the team took to reach their decisions. Also, consider the reputation of the publisher, articles written about the translation that contain recommendations or criticisms. And consider the audience for whom the translation was written. In these days of the internet, be wary of translations put out by unknown individuals published by little known publishers or even self-published.
Second, consider your reasons for choosing the Bible. Is it for personal use? Are you choosing a Bible for your congregation? Is it intended as a gift for a new believer? A young person? An older reader? Is English their first language? Is this a gift? Perhaps you’re seeking a second translation to read in the new year to broaden your perspective.
We’re fortunate to live in times where we have a myriad of reputable options from which to choose. There are even a variety of styles of Bible from study Bibles to chronological Bibles, devotional Bibles aimed at certain groups of people to read-through-the-Bible-in-a-year Bibles. There are large print Bibles for those with visual challenges and there are digital Bibles for those who prefer to listen to the text either being read or even performed. There are Bible apps that will remind you to read your Bible. There are online Bible websites and software that allow us to compare many translations.
If you want to see the Greek text alongside the word-by-word English, you may opt for an interlinear Greek/English Bible. There are also parallel Bibles where two or more translations appear side-by-side on the page.
Knowing the purpose of the Bible, the intended reader, and the goal (first reading or in-depth study, for example) can help narrow the prospects from the incredible variety of options currently available.
How Do We Talk with Other Christians about Finding the Best Bible Translation?
After a time, we all tend to develop our favorite translation or paraphrase of the Bible. It may be the one we’ve used the longest, or because it was recommended by a mentor or influential pastor, or it may be the one we believe is closest to the Hebrew and Greek. While it’s practical to choose one translation for a congregational pew Bible or for a Bible study group to recommend one version so everyone is reading the same words, it’s wise to maintain humility and gentleness around discussions of which translation is “best” or “preferred.”
When visiting a new church or attending a new Bible study, it’s polite to ask if there’s a preferred translation and why. Sometimes, the leaders have chosen for everyone to read from one translation during group gatherings to save time and to keep the focus on what’s being taught.
If individuals differ over which translation is best, encourage everyone to explain their reasoning without arguing or indulging in pride. It may be a healthy exercise in your small group or Bible study to ask people to present on the history of their preferred translation and to explain the benefits of it. Everyone can benefit from understanding the translation process better.
What’s most important about the Bible is that we read it. Truly, the best translation is the one we read and put into practice.
Hebrews 4:12 (in the ESV translation) says, “For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart.” It’s important for every believer to read, study, and understand the Bible as best we can and to trust that God will work through the version we have in our hands and commit to our hearts and minds.
Do your homework.
Ask mature Christians who know God’s Word and put it into practice which they prefer.
Compare translations at a bookstore or on an internet Bible site to see which you understand best.
Then, bring that Bible home, read it cover to cover, and apply every word.
Ultimately, the best Bible translation is the one you read and live.
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