 Guide to Bibles
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Bibles are highly personal possessions. Selecting a Bible that is right for you or for someone else should be done with care and prayer. We cannot do the praying for you, but we can provide some basic guidelines to help you choose wisely.
The number, type, and available bindings for English translations of the Bible is staggering and can make choosing a Bible a daunting task. There are over two dozen English translations of the Bible currently in print, from nearly sixty publishers, in four dozen different formats, and more than twenty different bindings!
Here are three key questions to guide you and to make selecting the right Bible relatively easy.
• WHO is this Bible for?
♦ Age. Is it for an infant, a child, a teen, a young adult, an adult, or an older person?
♦ Gender. Is it for a male or a female?
♦ Knowledge. Is it for a person who is relatively new to the Bible, fairly well versed, or a long-time student of the Word?
♦ Calling. Is it for a "lay person," a Bible student, a Bible teacher, or a pastor?
♦ Education. How much education has the recipient received? Junior high? High school? College? Graduate school? Seminary? Doctorate?
♦ Occasion. Is it for a special occasion such as a wedding? Is it to be a family Bible? Is it a pew Bible, a pulpit Bible, or a lectern Bible?
♦ Special. Does the person for whom you are selecting this Bible have any special needs when it comes to reading and handling books? For example, is English their first language? Do they have difficulty reading small print? Do they tend to subject books to unintentional rough treatment? Do they travel a lot? Are size and weight considerations?
• HOW will this Bible be used?
♦ Will it be used for daily devotions?
♦ Will it be used as a study Bible?
♦ Will it be used to compare different translations?
♦ Will it be used as a Bible from which to teach or preach?
♦ Will it be taken to church, school, or on trips?
• WHAT is the preferred translation?
♦ If the Bible is for personal use, what is the person's translation preference?
♦ If the Bible is to be used in a church or school setting, what is their translation preference?
♦ If the Bible is to be used for teaching or preaching, what is the teacher's or preacher's translation preference?
Answers to WHO questions help narrow your search. For example:
• If the Bible is for an adult or an older person, then any of the Bibles for adults in Books & Bibles/ Bibles are fair game, and you will have to narrow your search using other criteria.
• If the Bible is for a person who is relatively new to the Bible and has not had much education, consult the Bible Translation Comparison Chart below for help and consider buying a "dynamic equivalence" version such as the NIV or NLT, though these translations are by no means designed for people with relatively little education.
• If the Bible is for a person who is fairly well versed or a long-time student of the Word, you will have to narrow your search using other criteria.
• If you need a tough and durable Bible, choose one with a leather binding. In Bible covers, you get what you pay for. Generally speaking, the most expensive are the most durable and will withstand the most abuse. The most durable common Bible leather is Genuine Morocco (also known as Morocco or Moroccan), not to be confused with a good but less durable leather known as French Morocco (also known as French Moroccan). Calfskin also is a supple and durable leather. Berkshire leather, a high-quality pigskin, with a smooth, even grain, specially tanned to enhance its appearance and durability, is the material most commonly used when a Bible is described as "genuine leather." Occasionally, you will find Bibles bound in exotic leathers such as buffalo and ostrich.
Answers to HOW questions also help narrow your search. For example:
The WHAT question—what translation does the person prefer—is the most important question.
• If you know which translation you wish to purchase, then look for it in the category you have been directed to above.
• Bits & Bytes offers over 25 translations in 18 different bindings and 47 different types from almost 50 different publishers—over 2,250 Bibles in all. You will find our main listing at Books & Bibles/Bibles.
If you need a specific recommendation for a Bible, please answer the Who, How, and What questions (see above) as best you can and Contact Us with your answers. We will do our best to provide several recommendations within 24 hours. "How to Select a Bible," credit: Bits & Bytes
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Bible Paper Types
Bible Paper
A strong, opaque paper used in many low- to medium-priced Bibles.
India Paper
Thinner, lighter weight and made of higher quality than Bible
paper. Strong and durable.
Indopake
A high-quality paper with improved brightness and higher strength
for durability. Chemically treated to prevent yellowing of
pages.
Binding Materials
Balacron
Imitation leather.
Berkshire Leather
High-quality pigskin, with a smooth, even grain, specially tanned
to enhance its appearance and durability—the material most commonly used by Bible publishers when "genuine leather" is the description used.
Bonded Leather or Genuine Bonded Leather
High-quality material of genuine leather fibers bonded with
latex.
Buckram
A rich, natural cloth, often hand-detailed.
Buffalo Leather
Tanned leather from domesticated land and water buffalo of the Far
East. Highly durable and very handsome.
Calfskin
Very supple, luxurious leather made from the skin of young cattle.
Characterized by distinctive grain and fiber structure.
Cloth
Standard binding material. Cotton fabric often coated with
protective plastic. Varnish is applied to hard boards, producing a
stiff, durable cover.
Cordoban
A high-quality, extremely durable reconstituted material made from
100 percent leather.
Cowhide
A very strong, soft, long-wearing leather made from the hide of a
cow. Very popular.
Flexicover
A tough film-laminated paperback with extended cover. Attractive
and durable.
French Morocco
A medium-quality leather made from sheepskin. Soft, flexible and
attractive, it needs special care to prevent cracking and drying.
Can be embossed in various grains.
Genuine Leather
Natural leather cut from cowhide or pigskin, especially selected
and tanned for bookbinding.
Genuine Morocco or Morocco
Comes from the skins of Indian goats. Thicker, less apt to dry and
longer wearing than sheepskin (French Morocco). One of the most
luxurious and durable of all book leathers.
Hyflex
A latex impregnated paper binding material that is more durable
than ordinary paper binding.
Imitation Leather
A cloth or paper-based material that has been chemically
impregnated and grained to look like genuine leather. An economical
alternative for the customer who wants the look, but not the price,
of leather.
Kivar
A durable plastic-coated latex binding material.
Leather-Grain Vinyl
A durable synthetic material that is pleasing to the hand. Grained
to closely resemble leather.
Leatherflex
A latex-impregnated fibrous base coated with tough plastic.
Resembles leather but is washable and resists soiling, cracking,
scuffing and scratching.
Leathertex
Imitation leather.
Legostre
A type of grain embossed on leather.
Natural Morocco
Genuine Morocco with a natural grain worked up by hand. One of the
very best of all Bible binding leathers.
Skivertex
A durable latex-based imitation leather.
Soft Cover
A flexible synthetic material that combines strength and
durability.
Split-Grain Cowhide
Leather from a lower level of the hide than top grain and of lesser
quality.
Top-Grain Cowhide
Leather from the top and outside of a hide.
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Binding Terms
Antique Gold
A metallic finish that is applied to page edges by a spraying
process called gilding.
Board Cover
A binding with stiff covers made by mounting cloth, leather or
other material over bookbinder’s board. (Hardcover)
Button Flap
The back cover is elongated so that it wraps around the open end of
the book. The elongated flap is secured to the front cover by a
snap button.
Die Cut
A cover style that extends beyond the page edges and is not turned;
a cover that is characterized by a cut-out section.
Divinity Circuit
A flexible binding in which the cover edges meet when the book is
closed. Originally designed to protect the page edges for clergy
traveling on horseback.
Edge-Lined
Lining that is fitted to the cover prior to the turning of the
cover over the lining material. Primarily a hand binding technique
used in producing the finest quality styles.
Flush Cut
A cover style often used on inexpensive Bibles, with the covers not
extending beyond the page edges.
Gilding Gold
Gold or silver foil is bonded under heat to the page edges of the
Bible after they have been carefully sanded and sized to create the
smoothest possible surface.
Gold Roll
A gold ornamental border stamped around the edges of the inside
cover.
Half-Circuit
A flexible binding in which the covers slightly overlap the page
edges, but do not meet as in the divinity circuit binding.
Hardcover
See Board Cover.
Limp Binding
A flexible binding with covers projecting slightly beyond the edge
of the pages: approximately 1/8 inch. This does not refer to the
flexibility of the cover.
Overlap Style
See Half-Circuit and Divinity Circuit.
Padded cover
A binding that uses a board and foam to pad the front and back
covers.
Printed Casebound
A hardcover book in which the cover material is printed before
being applied to the binder’s boards.
Ribbon Marker
A ribbon bound into the top of the Bible spine and used as a
bookmark. More expensive Bibles often include more than one
ribbon.
Semi-Overlapping
Overlapping cover that extends at least 3/16 inch beyond the page
edges.
Slide Tab
A tab on one side of the cover that is inserted for closure into a
loop on the opposing side.
Smyth Sewn
A binding procedure in which each signature (group of pages) is
sewn through its center fold to the next signature as well as to
the preceding signature. The result is great strength and
durability.
Snap-Flap Closure
See Button Flap.
Stained Page Edging
Page edges tinted to match or contrast with the binding color.
Thumb-Indexing
A method of identifying books of the Bible by attaching tabs to the
edge of the pages. Most Bibles may be indexed unless they are so
small that the margins will not allow room for placement of the
labels. This process can be done either by cutting into the pages
or self-attached to stick out from the pages.
Turned-Edge
The edge of the cover material is turned to the inside and covered
with the lining material.
Whipstitching
Side sewing from the center of the first and last section of pages
in a binding to give added strength to the parts of the Bible that
endure the greatest stress.
Zipper Closure
An overlapping binding with a zipper closure that covers
completely. Not only protects the Bible, but provides safekeeping
for notes.
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Care and Handling
Leather, unlike many modern materials, will maintain its attractiveness if you follow a few simple guidelines. Keep the Bible away from sources of extreme heat and from water. Use a slightly damp cloth to clean it but please do not use any detergents or packaged Bible cleaning products. The best preservative for leather bindings is a natural substance, the oils transferred from your hands. The more you handle the Bible, the more quickly it will become supple to the touch.
The combination of very thin paper and a generous layer of gilding means that sometimes the pages stick together until they are separated for the first time. If this occurs, 'fan' the pages to allow air to enter between them, by gripping the spine of the Bible and thumbing the fore-edge from front-to- back and back-to-front. If individual pages still stick together, carefully hold the pages between thumb and index finger and rub them together with only just enough pressure as is necessary to release the pages.
"Care and Handling," credit: Cambridge University Press
"Bible Binding Glossary," credit: Ingram Book Group
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"Bible Font Sizes," credit: Ingram Book Group
Amplified
Provides the full range of possible meanings of words in the
original languages. It attempts to help modern readers understand
the meanings ancient readers might have considered.
Analytical
A Bible with a comprehensive study system and study aids that
analyzes the structure and meanings of passages.
Annotated
Includes study notes.
Award
A text Bible designed for presentation from a church or Sunday
school. It usually contains maps and other study aids.
Apocrypha or Deuterocanon
Name given to the 14 books of the Septuagint, a third-century B.C.
Greek translation of the Hebrew Bible. These 14 are excluded from
the Jewish and Protestant canons, but 11 are part of the Roman
Catholic canon.
Baby’s
Gift Bibles or New Testaments, often bound in pastel colors, to
commemorate births.
Catholic
Includes the deuterocanonical/Apocryphal books and often an
imprimatur indicating it to be officially authorized by the Roman
Catholic Church.
Center-Column Reference
Cross-references are printed in a narrow, center column between
columns of text.
Chain-Reference
Explores key words and major themes by referring text to the
preceding or following text containing the same word or theme.
Children’s
A text Bible often containing simple study helps, maps, and
illustrations, designed to meet the unique needs of children.
Christian Life
A Bible or New Testament containing master outlines and study notes
to assist in evangelistic work.
Christian Worker’s
A New Testament with a reference system to assist in evangelistic
work.
Chronological
A Bible with the text arranged in the supposed order in which
events occurred.
Concordance
An index of names, words, and phrases, showing their book, chapter,
and verse in the Bible. An analytical concordance also will show
the Greek or Hebrew word translated in each case.
Counselor’s
A New Testament indexed to topics especially used in
counseling.
Dictionary
A collection of definitions or identifications of key terms,
places, and people in the Bible.
Dictionary/Concordance
A Bible which has a combination Bible dictionary, concordance, and
subject index all in one alphabetical sequence.
Family
A large Bible containing family-record pages, often with additional
material for study or family devotions.
Gift or Gift and Award
A text Bible intended for gift or presentation, often including a
presentation page. Gift and award Bibles usually carry a lower
price so that they are an affordable gift option. Gift Bibles are
available in any binding material.
Imprimatur
Latin for “let it be printed.” The imprimatur, found in
a Catholic Bible, indicates that an ecclesiastical censor has given
permission for it to be printed.
Interlinear
A Greek New Testament or Hebrew Old Testament with a literal
English translation for each word or phrase printed between the
lines.
Key
A New Testament with Psalms that has a system of topical subheads
to help readers understand key passages.
Lectern
A large Bible with large print designed for use in reading the
Scriptures in public worship from a lectern.
Library
Inexpensive, sturdy hardcover Bibles used in libraries or church
pews.
Loose-Leaf
A Bible with a loose-leaf binding that allows readers to write in
their own notes and remove sections of text.
Masonic
Includes special section on Freemasonry.
Parallel
A Bible with the text of two or more versions printed
side-by-side.
Personal Worker’s
A New Testament with Psalms that contains a reference system to
help in personal evangelism.
Pew
Inexpensive, sturdy hardcover Bibles used in church pews.
Pronouncing or Self-Pronouncing
Indicates pronunciation of difficult names by means of diacritical
markings.
Pulpit
A large Bible with large print designed for use in reading the
Scriptures in public worship from a pulpit.
Red Letter
Abbreviation: RL. Words attributed to Christ are printed in red
letters.
Reference
The text contains cross-references to related Scripture passages,
either in columns (center-column or side-column references),
footnotes, or within the verse.
Side-Column Reference
A Bible with the reference in columns on the side of each page.
Soul Winner’s
A New Testament that contains step-by-step instructions for
personal evangelism as well as a chain-reference system.
Student
A Bible with study articles and helps especially for use in the
classroom.
Study
A Bible with many extra features to help readers better understand
the Bible. These may include book introductions, dictionary,
concordance, references, maps, scholarly notes and other study
aids.
Tanakh
This refers to the Jewish Scriptures, which commonly is called the
Old Testament by non-Jews. The word is derived from the Hebrew
letters of the three parts that make it up: the Torah (the first
five books of Moses), the N’viim (Prophets), and the
K’Tuvim (the Writings).
Teacher’s
Contains study aids especially useful to teachers: concordance,
dictionary, maps, or other material.
Text
Contains only the Bible text with no reference material.
Verse Reference
A Bible with cross-references contained within the corresponding
verse.
Wide Margin
A Bible printed with generous margins on both sides of each page,
allowing room for personal notes.
Youth
A Bible containing special study and devotional aids designed
specifically for the unique needs, questions, and interests of
teenagers.
"Bible Terms," credit: Ingram Book Group
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A Brief Explanation of Bible Translation Types
A Brief Explanation of Bible Translation Types
• All Bible translations fall somewhere on a scale from word-for-word to thought-for thought.
♦ "Word-for-word" means that the translator's goal is to produce an English translation of the Bible that follows the Hebrew and Greek word order and that translates the Hebrew and Greek words as consistently and literally as possible, while still being readable English.
♦ "Thought-for-thought" means that the translator's goal is to produce an English translation of the Bible where the thoughts expressed in the Hebrew and Greek texts are expressed as accurately as possible by equivalent English concepts.
♦ Thought-for-thought translations of the Bible tend to be more interpretative—more paraphrastic—than word-for-word translations.
♦ Looking at the diagram above (from http://www.zondervanbibles.com/translations.htm), only interlinear translations are "perfect" word-for-word translations, while a highly paraphrastic work like "The Message" exemplifies an extreme in current thought-for-thought translations.
♦ Word-for-word translations traditionally are called "literal," and thought-for-thought translations traditionally are called "paraphrases."
♦ Word-for-word translations are the product of a translation philosophy known as "formal equivalence"; thought-for-thought translations are the product of a translation philosophy known as "dynamic equivalence" or "functional equivalence."
♦ As you can see from the chart above, most translations fall somewhere between the extremes of word-for-word and thought-for-thought translation philosophies.
• Both basic types of translations—"literal" and "paraphrase"—have legitimate uses.
♦ "Literal" translations are better suited for those who wish to study the Bible using an English translation that follows the Hebrew and Greek word order and that translates words as consistently and literally as possible, while still being readable English.
♦ "Paraphrases" are better suited to helping people who are new to the Bible understand it with a minimum amount of interpretation on their part.
• We recommend using several "literal" translations and at least one "paraphrase."
♦ For translations that follow the formal equivalence theory, we prefer the ESV and NASB.
♦ For translations that follow the dynamic equivalence theory, we prefer the NIV and NLT.
"A Brief Explanation of Bible Translation Types," credit: Bits & Bytes
Bible Translation Comparison Chart
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Translation
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Abbr.
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Date Completed
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Sample Verse
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Reading Level
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Translation Information
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Comments
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American Standard Version
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ASV
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1901
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1 Peter 3:15: ...but sanctify in your hearts Christ as Lord:
[being] ready always to give answer to every man that asketh you a
reason concerning the hope that is in you, yet with meakness and
fear...
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12th Grade
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Type: Formal Equivalence
Reference Support Materials: Low
Number of Translators: Not known
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This translation was the work of the American committee which
had consulted on the English Revised Version (1885), which was
itself a revision of the King James Version
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Amplified Bible
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AMP
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New Testament 1958; Old Testament 1964; Revised 1987
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1 Peter 3:15: But in your hearts set Christ apart as holy [and
acknowledge Him] as Lord. Always be ready to give a logical defense
to anyone who asks you to account for the hope that is in you, but
do it courteously and respectfully.
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11th Grade
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Type: Dynamic Equivalence
Reference Support Materials: Low
Number of Translators: 13
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This translation is really a mini-commentary which features a
system of verse-end alternate translations and comments on
different shades of meaning in the original languages.
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Contemporary English Version
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CEV
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New Testament 1991; Old Testament 1995
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1 Peter 3:15: Honor Christ and let him be the Lord of your life.
Always be ready to give an answer when someone asks you about your
hope.
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4th Grade
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Type: Formal Equivalence
Reference Support Materials: Low
Number of Translators: 100+
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This version seeks to be readable, yet faithful to the meaning
of the original texts. Nouns describing God's actions
(righteousness, salvation, etc.) are rendered in varying ways. This
version avoids complicated language, obscure vocabulary and
difficult sentence structure to produce a translation
understandable to a wide variety of modern readers.
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English Standard Version
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ESV
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Fall 2001
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1 Peter 3:15: but in your hearts sanctify Christ as Lord, always
being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a
reason for the hope that is in you.
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8th Grade
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Type: Formal Equivalence
Reference Support Materials: Low
Number of Translators: 100+
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The ESV uses the classic principles of word-for-word translation
and literary excellence as exemplified by the KJV and most recently
the RSV. Highly accurate, the ESV closely reflects the original
meaning of the text in clear, readable, enduring English.
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God's Word
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GW
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New Testament 1988; Old Testament 1995
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1 Peter 3:15: But dedicate your lives to Christ as Lord. Always
be ready to defend your confidence in God when anyone asks you to
explain it. However, make your defense with gentleness and
respect.
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4th-5th Grade
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Type: Dynamic Equivalence
Reference Support Materials: Low
Number of Translators: Not known
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This revision utilizes the translation process employed by
global mission organizations for translating the Bible into new
foreign languages. The goal is to express the meaning of what
appears in the forms of the original biblical languages into those
expressing essentially the same meaning in modern English.
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Good News Version
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GNV
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New Testament 1966; Old Testament 1974, Revised 1993
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1 Peter 3:15: But have reverence for Christ in your hearts, and
honor him as Lord. Be ready at all times to answer anyone who asks
you to explain the hope you have in you.
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7th Grade
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Type: Emphasis on Functional Equivalence
Reference Support Materials: Low
Number of Translators: 7
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A thought-for-thought translation theory called dynamic
equivalence was used for this version. It uses common English
throughout, and modern idioms are sometimes substituted for ancient
ones in the interest of clarity.
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Holman Christian Standard Bible
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HCSB
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New Testament 2001; Old Testament 2003
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1 Peter 3:15: but set apart the Messiah as Lord in your hearts,
and always be ready to give a defense to anyone who asks you a
reason for the hope that is in you.
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NT 7th-8th Grade. When OT is available, it will be
re-evaluated.
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Type: Optimal Equivalence
Reference Support Materials: Low
Number of Translators: 90
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The HCSB is a combination of word-for-word and dynamic
renderings that is both faithful to the words God inspired and user
friendly to modern readers.
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Jerusalem Bible
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JB
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1966
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1 Peter 3:15: Simply reverence the Lord Christ in your hearts,
and always have your answer ready for people who ask you the reason
for the hope that you all have.
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7th Grade
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Type: Formal Equivalence
Reference Support Materials: Low
Number of Translators: 36
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Based on the French Bible de Jerusalem (1956), this Roman
Catholic Bible is noted for its fine literary style, and is used
across denominational lines.
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King James Version
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KJV
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1611; Revised 1768
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1 Peter 3:15: But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts; and be
ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a
reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear.
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12th Grade
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Type: Formal Equivalence
Reference Support Materials: High
Number of Translators: 54
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Commissioned by King James I of England, this translation is
still recognized for the beauty of its language which dates from
the time of William Shakespeare.
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Living Bible
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TLB
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New Testament 1962; Old Testament 1971
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1 Peter 3:15: Quietly trust yourself to Christ the Lord and if
anybody asks why you believe as you do, be ready to tell him, and
do it in a gentle and respectful way.
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8th Grade
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Type: Paraphrase
Reference Support Materials: Low
Number of Translators: Not known
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This paraphrase of the American Standard Version was an attempt
by Kenneth L. Taylor to put the Bible in G73a language his children
could understand. It is useful for introducing the Bible to people
who are unfamiliar with it.
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The Message
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Message
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New Testament 1993; Psalms 1994; Complete Bible, July 2002
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1 Peter 3:15: Through thick and thin, keep your hearts at
attention, in adoration before Christ, your Master. Be ready to
speak up and tell anyone who asks why you're living the way you
are, and always with the utmost courtesy.
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7th Grade
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Type: Paraphrase
Reference Support Materials: Low
Number of Translators: 1
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Pastor and biblical scholar Eugene H. Peterson's aim in
developing this contemporary language version is to transfer the
informal and earthy flavor of the Greek into the rhythms and idiom
of everyday English.
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New American Bible
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NAB
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1970; NT revised 1986; Psalms revised 1992
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1 Peter 3:15: . . . But sanctify Christ as Lord in your hearts.
Always be ready to give an explanation to anyone who asks you for a
reason for your hope.
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11th Grade
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Type: Dynamic Equivalence
Reference Support Materials: Low
Number of Translators: 55
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This is the first complete American Catholic Bible translated
from the original languages. Its style is more direct than that of
the Jerusalem Bible.
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New American Standard Bible
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NASB
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New Testament 1963; Whole Bible 1971, Revised 1995
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1 Peter 3:15: But sanctify Christ as Lord in your hearts, always
ready to make a defense to everyone who asks you to give an account
for the hope that is in you, yet with gentleness and reverence.
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11th Grade
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Type: Formal Equivalence
Reference Support Materials: Medium
Number of Translators: 54
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Especially popular among Evangelicals and others who want a
word-for-word translation of the original manuscripts, this
translation was prepared as an update of the 1901 American Standard
Version (ASV).
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New Century Version
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NCB
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New Testament 1978; Old Testament 1986
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1 Peter 3:15: But respect Christ as the holy Lord in your
hearts. Always be ready to answer everyone who asks you to explain
about the hope that you have.
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3rd Grade
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Type: Formal Equivalence
Reference Support Materials: Low
Number of Translators: Not known
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Also called the International Children's Version, this
conservative evangelical translation is in very simple English,
designed for those with a limited vocabulary.
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New English Bible
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NEB
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New Testament 1961; Old Testament 1970
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1 Peter 3:15: do not be perfurbed, but hold the Lord Christ in
reverence in your hearts. Be always ready with your defence
whenever you are called to account for the hope that is in you, but
make that defense with modesty and respect.
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8th Grade
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Type: Dynamic Equivalence
Reference Support Materials: Low
Number of Translators: Not known
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The first British Bible to be translated from the original
languages since the King James Version, this is a
thought-by-thought translation in modern British English. It has
been replaced, for the most part, by the Revised English Bible.
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New International Version
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NIV
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New Testament 1973; Old Testament 1978
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1 Peter 3:15: But in your hearts set aside Christ as Lord.
Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to
give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with
gentleness and respect.
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7th Grade
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Type: Primarily functional equivalence with some attention to formal
considerations
Reference Support Materials: High
Number of Translators: 115
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Called "international" because it is transdenominational and
contains the work of many scholars from many English-speaking
nations, the NIV is a straightforward translation in contemporary
English.
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New International Readers' Version
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NIrV
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1996
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1 Peter 3:15: But make sure in your hearts that Christ is Lord.
Always be ready to give an answer to anyone who asks you about the
hope you have. Be ready to give the reason for it. But do it gently
and with respect.
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3rd Grade
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Type: Simple Functional Equivalence
Reference Support Materials: Low, but NIV materials may be used
Number of Translators: 11
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The NIrV is a simplified version of the NIV, developed by the
same translation team that prepared the NIV. Very easy reading,
designed for children as a stepping stone to the NIV, as well as
those for whom English is a second language.
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New Jerusalem Bible
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NJB
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1985
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1 Peter 3:15: Simply proclaim the Lord Christ holy in your
hearts, and always have your answer ready for people who ask you
the reason for the hope that you have.
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9th Grade
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Tytpe: Primarily functional equivalence with some attention to formal
considerations
Reference Support Materials: Low
Number of Translators: 36
|
An update of the Jerusalem Bible, with revised footnotes and
more dignified language.
|
|
New King James Version
|
NKJV
|
1982
|
1 Peter 3:15: But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts, and
always be ready to give a defense to everyone who asks you a reason
for the hope that is in you, with meekness and fear.
|
8th Grade
|
Type: Formal Equivalence
Reference Support Materials: Medium, but some KJV materials may be used
Number of Translators: 130
|
This translation updates the language of the King James Version,
changing archaic inflections and obsolete words, while preserving
its basic literary structure.
|
|
New Living Translation
|
NLT
|
1996
|
I Peter 3:15: Instead, you must worship Christ as Lord of your
life. And if you are asked about your Christian hope, always be
ready to explain it.
|
6th-7th Grades
|
Type: Functional Equivalence
Reference Support Materials: Low
Number of Translators: 90
|
Using Kenneth Taylor's paraphrase, The Living Bible, as a base,
a team of 90 Bible scholars worked for seven years, carefully
comparing each verse with the Greek and Hebrew Scriptures to
produce a true translation that is accurate and easy to
understand.
|
|
New Revised Standard Version
|
NRSV
|
1990
|
1 Peter 3:15: . . . But in your hearts sanctify Christ as Lord.
Always be ready to make your defense to anyone who demands from you
an accounting for the hope that is in you.
|
10th Grade
|
Type: Emphasis on Functional Equivalence
Reference Support Materials: Medium
Number of Translators: 30
|
An update of the Revised Standard Version (1952), this
translation incorporates changes resulting from archaeological and
textual discoveries in recent decades.
|
|
Revised English Bible
|
REB
|
1989
|
1 Peter 3:15: ...but hold Christ in your hearts in reverence as
Lord. Always be ready to make your defense when anyone challenges
you to justify the hope which is in you. But do so with courtesy
and respect.
|
6th Grade
|
Type: Emphasis on Functional Equivalence
Reference Support Materials: Low
Number of Translators: Not known
|
This revision of the New English Bible, which began in 1973,
features clear, contemporary international English. This text is
intended for both private reading and public worship.
|
|
Revised Standard Version
|
RSV
|
New Testament 1946; Old Testament 1952, Revised 1971
|
1 Peter 3:15: ...but in your hearts reverence Christ as Lord.
Always be prepared to make a defense to any one who calls you to
account for the hope that is in you, yet do it with gentleness and
reverence;
|
7th Grade
|
Type: Formal Equivalence
Reference Support Materials: Low
Number of Translators: Not known
|
A revision of the American Standard Version (1901), the RSV was
intended to preserve the best of that version while incorporating
modern English.
|
|
The Schocken Bible Volume 1: The Five Books of Moses
|
Schocken
|
1983, 1986, 1990, 1995
|
Not Available
|
10th Grade
|
Type: Emphasis on Functional Equivalence
Reference Support Materials: Low
Number of Translators: Not known
|
Translated by Everett Fox, this translation seeks to retain the
full force of the rhetoric and poetry of the original languages and
recover layers of meaning that have been lost in other recent
translations.
|
|
Today's New International Version
|
TNIV
|
New Testament 2001; Old Testament 2005
|
1 Peter 3:15: Bear in mind that our Lord's patience means salvation, just as our dear brother Paul also wrote you with the wisdom God gave him.
|
8th Grade
|
Type: Primarily functional equivalence with some attention to formal considerations
Reference Support Materials: Low
Number of Translators: 115
|
A revision of the New International Version, begun in the late 1980s, features clear, contemporary English. Specifically aimed at 18- to 34-year-olds.
|
|
Tyndale New Testament
|
OE
|
1525, Revised 1534
|
1 Peter 3:15: ...but fancifye the Lorde God in your hartes. Be
redy alwayes to geve an anfwere to every man that axeth you a refon
of the hope that is in you/and that with meaknes and feare...
|
College
|
Type: Emphasis on Functional Equivalence
Reference Support Materials: Low
Number of Translators: Not known
|
William Tyndale's determination to produce a translation
readable by common people eventually led to his death. Although
controversial, the Tyndale New Testament had a great impact on the
language of the KJV.
|
" Bible Translation Comparison Chart," credit: Ingram Book Group
[ Go to Top ]
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| |
Bible Version Abbreviations
|
| Translation Name |
Abbreviation |
| Amplified Version |
AMP |
| Contemporary English Version |
CEV |
| English Standard Version |
ESV |
| Good News Version |
GNV |
| God’s Word |
GW |
| Holman Christian Standard |
HCSB |
| Jewish Publication Society |
JPS |
| International Children’s |
IC |
| Interlinear |
IL |
| Jerusalem |
NJB |
| King James Version |
KJV |
| Living Bible |
LB |
| Message |
Message |
| New American Bible |
NAB |
| New American Standard Bible |
NASB |
| New Century Version |
NCB |
| New English Bible |
NEB |
| New International Readers Version |
NIrV |
| New International Version |
NIV |
| New Jerusalem Bible |
NJB |
| New King James Version |
NKJV |
| New Life |
NL |
| New Living Translation |
NLT |
| New Revised Standard Version |
NRSV |
| Other English |
Other English |
| Parallel |
PR |
| Revised English Version |
REB |
| Revised Standard Version |
RSV |
| Schocken |
Schocken |
| Today’s English (Good News) Version |
TEV |
| The Living Bible |
TLB |
| Today's New International Version |
TNIV |
|
" Bible Version Abbreviations," credit: Ingram Book Group
|
|
Frequently
Asked Questions (FAQs) about Bibles
Click an underlined question to go to its answer. Click the
words Return to FAQs to return to the list of Frequently Asked
Questions about Bibles.
Q: Why are there so many translations of the
Bible?
A: Since the English language continues to change,
revisions of older translations and new translations are made
continually so that people may read the Bible in contemporary
language. Also, the translators strove to achieve different
language styles in each translation. Although they all seek to
convey the original meaning, the translations end up different due
to unique styles.
• Some are close to the original Hebrew and Greek.
• Some are written in modern vernacular.
• Some are very accurate to the text but phrased more lyrically.
• Some are written in easily accessible language for lower reading levels or those with a limited English vocabulary.
• Some use a thought-by-thought, or phrase-by-phrase, equivalent rather than word-for-word.
Q: What is the difference between the
King James Version and the New King James Version?
A: The King James Version (KJV), authorized by King James
I of England, was completed in 1611. It has long been loved for its
poetic, literary style; beauty of language; and accuracy as a
literal translation. For more than 400 years, it was the most
universally accepted translation. Because of changes in the English
language—spelling, grammar, word meanings, and the like—the
original version has been revised from time to time. The KJV we
read today is the fourth revision of the 1611 edition, completed in
1769.
The New King James Version is in essence a fifth revision of the
original text; it retains the beauty and accuracy of the KJV in
contemporary, readable language. It is the only modern translation
that keeps the Textus Receptus, the Greek text used in the KJV for
the New Testament.
Q: What is the difference between the
authorized King James Version and the King James Version?
A: They are the same. King James I of England authorized
this translation in 1611.
Q: What is the difference between the New American
Standard Bible and the New American Standard Bible update?
A: The American Standard Version was published in 1901. It
is a word-for-word translation by an American committee that
consulted the English Revised Version of 1885, a British revision
of the King James Version.
The New American Standard Bible (NASB?), published in 1971, is a
revision of the 1901 American Standard Version. The publisher’s
objective was to produce the most literal and accurate translation.
With the NASB, readers have insight into what the original text
really means word for word. With publication of the NASB Update
(1995), the vocabulary, grammar, and sentence structure have been
carefully updated for greater understanding and smoother reading.
It remains the most literal word-for-word and sentence structure
translation of the Bible available in English.
Q: What is the difference between the Living
Bible and the New Living Translation?
A: The Living Bible is a paraphrase based on the 1901
American Standard Version. A paraphrase is a restatement of the
message in the same language, but in different words than were used
in the original text. Its purpose is to put the Bible into
simplified language.
The Living Bible (1971) paraphrase was made by Kenneth Taylor
from the 1901 American Standard Version.
The New Living Translation (1996) is a dynamic equivalence
translation. Ninety Bible scholars used the original languages to
produce the closest natural equivalent, both in meaning and style,
of the message in contemporary English. A dynamic equivalence
translation converts the Greek and Hebrew into modern English
meanings and concepts, placing more importance on the total meaning
than on individual words.
Q: What are the most modern
translations?
A: These include the following:
• The Message—New Testament 1993, Old Testament July 2002.
Q: What is a Red Letter edition?
A: This is a Bible that has words traditionally attributed
to Christ printed in red rather than black lettering (like all the
other verses in the Bible). A problem occasionally occurs with
bleed-through on very thin paper, especially in large and giant
print Bibles. Another problem is that the red color can cause
blurring for some people with vision impairment.
Q: Where can I find the Bible in
translations other than English?
Q: What is considered Large Print?
A: Some companies consider type size 10 point (pt.) as
large print. However, most companies classify 11 pt.-13 pt. as
large print. Giant print ranges from 13.5 pt.-15 pt., and super
giant print is 15 pt.-24 pt., depending on the publisher. Note that
other factors also increase readability of text, such as the space
and distance between lines and words, font style, and paper
brightness.
Q: Why aren’t there many compact
large print Bibles?
A: The Bible is so long that the print size can no longer
be large when reduced to a compact size. However, there are a
number of styles of giant print Bibles available in a size
comparable to other standard-sized Bibles. These usually are
referred to as handy size, hand size, or personal size giant print
Bibles.
[ Go to Top ] [ Return to FAQs ]
Q: What is the difference between an
Interlinear Bible, a Parallel Bible, and a Bilingual Bible?
A: The differences are
• A parallel Bible has the text of two or more translations printed side by side. These can be multilingual or contain multiple versions.
• A bilingual Bible has the text of two languages printed side by side.
Q: Can I find Bibles on audio or
software?
Q: What is the difference between a Study Bible
and a Reference Bible?
A: A Study Bible has many features to help readers
understand the Bible. These usually include resources like a
dictionary, concordance, references, maps, and detailed study
notes. A Reference Bible contains cross-references to related
Scripture passages either in the column with the text, in
footnotes, or within the verses.
Q: What is the difference between a bonded
leather Bible and a genuine leather Bible?
A: Bonded leather is a high-quality material made of
leather fibers bonded with latex. A genuine leather Bible is made
from one solid piece of leather. This may be pigskin, calfskin,
cowhide, Berkshire (a high-quality pigskin), or Morocco (goatskin).
Genuine leather Bibles also cost more.
Q: What is an inclusive-language
Bible?
A: These translations adjust pronouns and other gender
references to include women. This may be referred to as an
inclusive-language version or a gender-neutral version. These
translations use language that replaces gender-specific
implications—such as the term "man," "mankind," and the pronouns
"he" and "him"—with gender-neutral terms, such as "person,"
"woman/man," or "humankind." Also, sometimes "they" or "them"
replace a singular gender-specific pronoun; this does alter the
meaning of that particular text.
Versions of the traditional stance are the King James Version,
New American Standard Bible, Revised Standard Version, New American
Bible, the New International Version, the English Standard Version, and the Holman Christian Standard Bible.
The inclusive, or at least gender-neutral, versions are the New
Revised Standard Version, New Jerusalem Bible, Today’s
English Version, | |
