There are basically two methods, that are used individually or in combination, in Bible translation:
- Word-for-Word: In this method, the translators take each word from the orignal Hebrew, Aramaic or Greek text and directly translated or substituted it into English. Also known as formal equivalent.
- Thought-for-Thought: In this method, the translators take the meaning from the original language, and rewrite it into modern English that is easy to understand. Also known as functional equivalent.
Word-for-Word:
"for God did so love the world, that His Son--the only begotten--He gave, that every one who is believing in him may not perish, but may have life age-during" (Literal Translation)
Thought-for-Thought:
"God loved the people of this world so much that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who has faith in him will have eternal life and never really die." (Contemporary English Version - CEV)
Combination of Word-for-Word and Thought-for-Thought (known as dynamic equivalent):
"For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life." (New International Version - NIV)
The translation chart below shows how different translations fit into the word-for-word and thought-for-thought translation methods.
Note the CEV translation to the far right hand side, and the Literal Translation (Interlinnear) to the far left.
Here is a brief overview of some of the more popular Bible translations, beginning with the Word-for-Word, progressing towards the Thought-for-Thought methods of translation:
- New American Standard Bible - NASB: This is a highly respected, Word-for-Word translation of the Bible, and is based on texts more superior to those that were available during the time of translating the King James Version. It has undergone some revision to make the language more understandable, but retains a formal style.
"But we will not boast beyond our measure, but within the measure of the sphere which God apportioned to us as a measure, to reach even as far as you." (2 Corinthians 10:13) - Amplified Bible - AMP: A popular translation that uses a unique system of punctuation, italics, reference, and synonyms to explain, in expanded form, the meaning found in the original Hebrew and Greek languages.
"We, on the other hand, will not boast beyond our legitimate province and proper limit, but will keep within the limits [of our commission which] God has allotted us as our measuring line and which reaches includes even you." (2 Corinthians 10:13) - English Standard Version - ESV: This is an update of the Revised Standard Version translation in the Word-for-Word method. Currently one of the most trusted translation by many well-known Evangelical theologians.
"But we will not boast beyond limits, but will boast only with regard to the area of influence God assigned to us, to reach even to you.." (2 Corinthians 10:13) - King James Version - KJV: This is the translation that is loved and accepted by most Christians. Commissioned by King James I as a translation that was to deliver the Word of God into the language of the people in the 1600's. Originally published in 1611, it has undergone a number of reviews. It was translated using the Word-for-Word method of translation.
"But we will not boast of things without our measure, but according to the measure of the rule which God hath distributed to us, a measure to reach even unto you." (2 Corinthians 10:13) - New King James Version - NKJV: This is the translation that was done in order to modernise the language of the King James Version. It has retained the beauty of the original KJV as much as possible. It used the original King James Version as the base of the translation, using the Word-for-Word method of translation.
"We, however, will not boast beyond measure, but within the limits of the sphere which God appointed us - a sphere which essentially includes you." (2 Corinthians 10:13) - Holman Christian Standard Bible - HCSB: A new translation published in 2004 that attempts to combine both Word-for-Word and Thought-for-Thought methods of Bible translation.
"We, however, will not boast beyond measure, but according to the measure of the area [of ministry] that God has assigned to us, [which] reaches even to you." (2 Corinthians 10:13) - New Revised Standard Version - NRSV: A widely accepted Word-for-Word translation which was the first translation to consistently and comprehensively introduce gender inclusive language (He/She) for the masculine terms used in Hebrew and Greek.
"But we will not glory beyond our measure, but according to the measure of the province which God apportioned to us as a measure, to reach even unto you." (2 Corinthians 10:13) - New American Bible - NAB: This is the translation that is used in the Mass in the Roman Catholic Church in the USA. This Bible is a Word-for-Word translation that includes explanatory study notes throughout the text as a response to Pope Pius XII request.
"But we will not boast beyond measure but will keep to the limits God has apportioned to us, namely to reach even you." (2 Corinthians 10:13) - New International Version - NIV: This is an accurate and clear translation that is suitable for daily reading, public reading, teaching, preaching, memorising and liturgical use. It is both accurate and readable and represents a strong balance between Word-for-Word and Thought-for-Thought methods of translation. The NIV is the best-selling and is a widely accepted translation by Evangelical Christians.
"We, however, will not boast beyond proper limits, but will confine our boasting to the field God has assigned to us, a field that reaches even to you." (2 Corinthians 10:13) - Today's New International Version - TNIV: This is an accurate and clear translation that uses today's English suitable for the new generation of believers. It is both accurate and readable and represents a strong balance between Word-for-Word and Thought-for-Thought methods of translation..
"We, however, will not boast beyond proper limits, but will confine our boasting to the sphere of service God Himself has assigned to us, a sphere that also includes you." (2 Corinthians 10:13) - New Century Version - NCV: Using the Thought-for-Thought method of Bible translation, the NCV aims to be an easy-to-read translation with short, simple sentences.
"But we will not brag about things outside the work that was given to us, and this includes our work with you." (2 Corinthians 10:13) - New Living Translation - NLT: Originally the Living Bible, the NLT has been retranslated using the Thought-for-Thought method. Going back to the original languages, the translators have produced an accurate translation in contemporary English.
"But we will not boast of authority we do not have. Our goal is to stay within the boundaries of God's plan for us, and this plan includes our working there with you." (2 Corinthians 10:13) - New International Reader's Version - NIrV: This translation has been designed to help young children, new readers, and those where English is not their first language to be able to read and understand the Bible for themselves. It creates an easy stepping stone from a children's Bible to an adult Bible. It has been translated with a balance between Word-for-Word and Thought-for-Thought, and emphasises the meaning when necessary for translation.
"But I won't brag more than I should. Instead, I will brag only about what I have done in the area God has given me. It is an area that reaches all the way to you." (2 Corinthians 10:13) - Contemporary English Version - CEV: A translation written at elementary school reading level and is suitable for children, those with reading difficulties and whose first language is not English..
"We won't brag about something we don't have a right to brag about. We will only brag about the work that God has sent us to do, and you are part of that work." (2 Corinthians 10:13)
What will it be used for?
When choosing the type or style of Bible that best meets your needs, consider the following:- FOR STUDY: Study Bibles are designed for those who want to dig deeper and know more about the text. Most of them include explanatory notes, cross-references, maps, charts, diagrams, concordances, along with other features that may be specific to the type of study Bible.
- FOR DEVOTION: Devotional Bibles are designed for those who want to read and reflect on Scripture on a daily basis. Devotional Bibles have been designed for people of all age groups, male and female, parents, couples, leaders, students, and children.
- FOR GENERAL READING: These are Bibles that contain the Scripture text only, with no other notes, devotions, etc. These are generally called Gift and Award Bibles or Pew Bibles. Some of the newer editions do include some additional, very basic, notes, charts or maps in the back of the Bible.
- FOR COMPARING TRANSLATIONS: Parallel Bibles have been designed for those who want to compare the same passage of Scripture from different translations. Two or more translations are set side-by-side on the same page for easy comparison.
- FOR COMPARING LANGUAGES: Interlinear Bibles have been designed for those who want to compare the English translation to the original languages of Hebrew, Aramaic or Greek. The two languages are placed side-by-side or under each other on the same page for easy comparison.
- FOR REFERENCE: Reference Bibles are designed to help the reader compare one passage of Scripture to another. They contain center-columns or margin systems that provide a guide to other passages that deal with the same topic or concept. In most cases, book introductions, word/topic lists, and concordances are included.
- FOR EASY READING: Large or giant print Bibles contain type that is bolder and up to 5 points larger than the type in standard Bibles.
- FOR LISTENING TO: Audio Bibles help listeners to make the most of every opportunity to take in the Word of God by listening to it instead of reading it. Excellent for use at home, in the car, or even for ministry. Available in voice only or dramatised versions.
- FOR YOUR PC: Electronic versions of the Bible are widely available. Though often expensive, they include most of the Bible translations available, and have hundreds of other tools available to enhance your study of the Bible and other related topics.
- FOR YOUTH/STUDENTS: Teen, young adult and student Bibles have been designed to demonstrate the relevance of Scripture to the changing needs of today's culture by dealing with contemporary issues that helps these groups of people apply the Word of God to their daily callenging lives.
- FOR CHILDREN: For children under 12, many Bibles have been designed using translations that are appropriate for the different ages and stages of learning. They range from picture Bibles, cartoon Bibles and full-text Bibles, to Bibles designed specifically for girls or boys.