Bible Translations Comparison

ent. hey

um

SV LT EV IrV

e

h ability al

and

pts 898), nd

e he n, t odmer

ian

Compare 20 Popular Versions of the Bible

Why Are There so Many Bible Translations? For more than 2000 years, scholars have been translating the Bible. more than 2000 scholars been translating the Bible. TheForOld Testament wasyears, written over ahave 1500-year period before the The Old Testament was written over a 1500-year period before the birth of Christ. It was written primarily in Hebrew, with a few portions of Christ. It wasTestament written primarily in Hebrew, a fewofportions in birth Aramaic. The New was written withinwith 70 years Christ’s in Aramaic. The New Testament was written within 70 years of Christ’s death and resurrection (AD 50-100). The writers of the New Testament death and resurrection ( AD 50–100). The writers of the New Testament wrote in koine Greek (“common” Greek). wrote in koine Greek (“common” Greek). The original manuscripts have not survived, but God’s Word has been The original manuscripts havecopying. not survived, God’s methods Word hasof been preserved through meticulous Threebut primary preserved through meticulous copying. Three primary methods of translation (and a fourth translation treatment) have evolved over thetranslation centuries:(and a fourth translation treatment) have evolved over the centuries: – A process in which biblical and linguistic scholars • Word-for-Word process whichupon biblical linguistic attempt to translate– Aeach wordinbased theand word usagescholars at the attempt translate word based upon “word-for-word,” the word usage at the time of thetowriting. Noeach translation is actually but of the Noclose translation is actually “word-for-word,” but thetime intent is towriting. come as as possible. the intent is to come as close as possible. – A process in which scholars attempt to mediate between Balance – A process in which scholars attempt to mediate between a• word-for-word approach and a thought-for-thought approach. a word-for-word approach and a thought-for-thought approach. – A process in which scholars translate the • Thought-for-Thought – A process in which scholars translate the meaning of each thought. This approach is also known as “dynamic meaning of each thought. This approach is also known as “dynamic equivalence.” This is how most non-biblical translation for modern equivalence.” This is how most non-biblical translation for modern books is done. books is done. – A re-statement of a translation in modern terms and • Paraphrase – A re-statement of a translation in modern terms and vocabulary, often expanded (or “amplified”) for clarity. vocabulary, often expanded (or “amplified”) for clarity.

Why Do New Translations Continue to Appear? 1. Words change.Modern Modernlanguage languagechanges changesconstantly, constantly,and and the the Bible Bible must use understandable words for everyday life. must use understandable words for everyday life. 2. Understanding of ancient languages changes.The TheBible Bible was was written using hundreds of words that are no longer understood. written using hundreds of words that are no longer understood. Scholars continue Scholars continuetotodiscover discoverthe themeanings meaningsofofwords wordsand and phrases, phrases, and and either update or create new translations. either update or create new translations.

When an ancient wordword maymay be translated 3. Translators' purposes vary. When an ancient be correctly in several different ways,different the translators' purpose affectspurpose the translated correctly in several ways, the translators' words chosen. affects the words chosen.

BIBLE In orderTRANSLATION by date of release In order by date of release

TRANSLATION METHOD & & READING LEVEL Year complete YEAR Bible was released Year complete Bible was released

Word-f Reading 1611,

TRANSLATORS Number of scholars and linguists Number and linguists involved of in scholars translating involved in translating

54 tran

SPONSOR The organization(s) that helped The organization(s) sponsor the versionthat helped sponsor the version

Six pan King Ja

Bishops (1535) BASIS WhichTEXTUAL English Bible(s) and Greek Old Tes Which Englishmanuscripts Bible(s) andwere Greek and Hebrew Complu and Hebrew manuscripts were used (see p. 7) Antwer used (see p. 7) New Te

PURPOSE

The purpose each translation was The purpose each translation was trying to accomplish trying to accomplish

NOTABLE

Interesting facts Interesting facts

SAMPLE VERSE

Matthew 4:19 4:19 and andJohn John3:16–17 3:16,17 Matthew as they are found in each version as they are found in each version

Color Key: Word-for-Word Word-for-Word Balance Balance

Kin

Thought-for-Thought Thought-for-Thought

Paraphrase Paraphrase

Permission granted to the original purchaser to print out. It is illegal to sell, email, replicate, duplicate, or post any part of this on the Internet. More than 70 Bible reference charts and PowerPoints® available. Download catalog and sign up for Rose Bible e-Charts at www. rose-publishing.com Title: Bible Translation Comparison Product Code: 597X ISBN-13: 9781596361331

In respo inaccur (Tyndal

The mo version reading prefer t

And he and I w

For God his only believe have ev Son int but tha be save

METHOD EVEL

eleased

Version (ASV)

(KJV)

For more than 2000 years, scholars have been translating the Bible. Word-for-word Word-for-word The Old Testament was written over a 1500-year period before the & Reading Grade Level: Unstated Reading Grade Level: 12.0 birth of Christ. It was written primarily in Hebrew, with a few portions in Aramaic. The New Testament was written within 70 years of Christ’s death and resurrection (AD 50-100). The writers of the New Testament Year complete Bible was released 1611, current edition, 1769 9 1901 wrote in koine Greek (“common” Greek). Method

ease

In order by date of release

Year

ION

 American Standard King James Version

Re

Word-f Reading 1952

Thetranslators original manuscripts have not survived, but God’s Word been 32 tran 54 30has American scholars wereand part of Number who of scholars linguists preserved through meticulous copying. Three primary methods of the English Revised Version project in involved in translating translation (and a fourth translation treatment) have evolved over 1885 the centuries:

R

Six panels of translators appointed by British scholarsThe from a variety ofthat helped organization(s) – A process in which biblical and linguistic scholars King James I of England denominationssponsor the version attempt to translate each word based upon the word usage at the time of the writing. No translation is actually “word-for-word,” but the intent is to come as close as possible. Bishops Bible (1568) and Tyndale’s Bible Derived from the English Revised Version (1535) – A process in which scholars attempt to mediate (ERV) and the King James Version (KJV) between Which English Bible(s) and Greek Old Testament: Hebrew Masoretic Old Testament: Masoretic Texts: a word-for-word approach and a thought-for-thought approach. and Hebrew manuscripts were Text, and Septuagint (see p. 7) Complutensian Polyglot and used (see p. 7) – A process in which scholars translate New the Testament: Westcott-Hort Greek Antwerp Polygot meaning of each thought. This approach is also known New as “dynamic Testament New Testament: Textus Receptus equivalence.” This is how most non-biblical translation for modern books is done. In response to Protestant concerns of To address approximately 300 suggestions from The purpose each translation was – Aearlier re-statement a translation in modern American terms andtranslators to change the English inaccuracies in Englishof versions trying to accomplish vocabulary, often expanded (Tyndale, Geneva, Bishops)(or “amplified”) for clarity. Revised Version to acceptable American word use

and Greek pts were

E

slation was

E

Sponsor Textual Basis

ASIS

Purpose

at helped

The most widely printed and distributed ASV has earned the reputation as being version of the Bible. Used for devotional very true to the Greek and Hebrew texts. Interesting facts Modern language changes constantly, and the Bible Used reading and Bible study by adults who Very formal. for serious Bible study. must use for everyday life. prefer theunderstandable English foundwords in older versions. Notable

d linguists

Translators

ORS

hrase

For God so loved the world, that gaveword may beFor God so loved the world, that he gave When anhe ancient translated his only begotten Son, that whosoever his only correctly in several different ways, the translators' purpose affects the begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but believeth on him should not perish, but words chosen. have everlasting life. For God sent not his have eternal life. For God sent not the Son Son into the world to condemn the world; into the world to judge the world; but that but that the world through him might the world should be saved through him. beWord-for-Word saved. —John 3:16–17 —John 3:16–17 Balance Thought-for-Thought Paraphrase

n 3:16–17 ch version

Sample Verse

RSE

The Bible was And heusing saithhundreds unto them, Follow And he saith unto them, Come ye after me, written of words thatme, are no longer understood. and I will make you fishers of men. I willand make you fishers of men. Scholars continue to discover the meanings of words and and phrases, —Matthew 4:19 —Matthew 4:19 either update or create new translations.

Matthew 4:19 and John 3:16,17 as they are found in each version

2

Permission granted to the original purchaser to print out. It is illegal to sell, email, replicate, duplicate, or post any part of this on the Internet. More than 70 Bible reference charts and PowerPoints® available. Download catalog and sign up for Rose Bible e-Charts at www. rose-publishing.com Title: Bible Translation Comparison Product Code: 597X ISBN-13: 9781596361331

Interna Educat

Based o (ASV) Old Tes Scrolls, New Te

To prese versions

Because such as version

And he make yo

For God his only should God sen condem might b

ns from sh word use

ing exts. udy.

ter me,

ew 4:19

gave ver but he Son ut that him. :16–17

Method Year

New

Word-f Reading

1966, u

Translators

Thetranslators original manuscripts have not survived, but God’s Word has been 36 tran 32 Frances E. Siewert preserved through meticulous copying. Three primary methods of others Number of scholars and linguists and 12 involved in translating translation (and a fourth translation treatment) have evolved over the centuries:

Roman

Because the translation changed words Unique system of punctuation, typefaces, such as “virgin” to “young woman,” this and synonyms (in parentheses) to more Interesting facts Modern changes constantly, fully and the Bible words. version was criticized by language conservatives. explain Used for devotional must use understandable words for everyday life. study.

J.R.R. To the Ring translato Typicall for serio

Sponsor

International Council of Religious The Lockman Foundation/Zondervan The organization(s) that helped – A process in which biblical and linguistic scholars Education sponsor the version attempt to translate each word based upon the word usage at the time of the writing. No translation is actually “word-for-word,” but the intent is to come as close as possible. Based on the American Standard Version Derived from the American Standard (ASV) Version (ASV) – A process in which scholars attempt to mediate between Which Old Testament: Masoretic Text, Dead Sea Old Testament: RudolfEnglish Kittel’sBible(s) Biblia and Greek a word-for-word approach and a thought-for-thought approach. and Hebrew manuscripts Scrolls, Septuagint Hebraica, Dead Sea Scrolls, Septuagint were used (see p. 7) Greek – A processtext in which scholars translate the New Testament: Nestle-Aland New Testament: Westcott-Hort meaning of each thought. This approach is also known New as “dynamic Testament Nestle-Aland Novum equivalence.” This is how most non-biblical translation for modern Testamentum Graece (26th Edition) books is done. To preserve the best of the English Bible To allow the reader to better understand The purpose each translation was A re-statement terms and versions that –preceded it of a translation in modern the meaning of words as they were used in trying to accomplish vocabulary, often expanded (or “amplified”) for clarity. their original context Textual Basis

Greek

(AMP)

For more than 2000 years, scholars have been translating the Bible. Word-for-word Word-for-word, plus & The Old Testament was written over a 1500-year period before the Reading Grade Level: 10.0 amplification of meaning birth of Christ. It was written primarily in Hebrew, with a few portions Reading Grade Level: 11.0 in Aramaic. The New Testament was written within 70 years of Christ’s death and resurrection (AD 50-100). The writers of the New Testament Year complete Bible was released 1952 1965 wrote in koine Greek (“common” Greek).

Purpose

rsion JV) tic

Amplified Bible In order by date of release

Notable

part of ct in

Revised Standard Version (RSV)

The Bible was And He said to them, Come after Me [as disciples-And heusing said to them, of “Follow me,are and will understood. written hundreds words that noIlonger letting Me be your Guide], follow Me, and I will make you fishers of men.” Scholars continue to discover the meanings of words and make phrases, youand fishers of men! —Matthew 4:19 —Matthew 4:19 either update or create new translations.

John For God so greatly Matthew loved and 4:19 dearlyand prized the3:16,17 as they are found in each that He [even] gave up His only begottenversion For God so loved the world thatanhe gaveword may beworld When ancient translated (unique) his only in Son, that whoever in him correctly several different ways,believes the translators' purpose affects the Son, so that whoever believes in (trusts in, clings to, relies on) Him shall not perish should not perish but have eternal life. For words chosen. (come to destruction, be lost) but have eternal God sent the Son into the world, not to (everlasting) life. For God did not send the Son condemn the world, but that the world into the world in order to judge (to reject, to condemn, to pass sentence on) the world, but might be saved through him. that the world might find salvation and be made —John 3:16–17Thought-for-Thought Word-for-Word Balance Paraphrase 3 safe and sound through Him. —John 3:16–17

Sample Verse

ard



Permission granted to the original purchaser to print out. It is illegal to sell, email, replicate, duplicate, or post any part of this on the Internet. More than 70 Bible reference charts and PowerPoints® available. Download catalog and sign up for Rose Bible e-Charts at www. rose-publishing.com Title: Bible Translation Comparison Product Code: 597X ISBN-13: 9781596361331

Based u La Bible Old Tes Septuag New Te

A respon more cl and oth

And he and I w

“For th gave hi believes have et into the but so t be save

Turn static files into dynamic content formats.

Create a flipbook