Which Bible translation is the most accurate? Is one of the most asked questions about the Bible. If you wish to know the perfect answer to that question then you should read this well-detailed article on the 15 Most Accurate Bible Translations.
A lot of Christians and Bible readers have debated on Bible translations and their accuracy. Some say it’s the KJV and Some say it’s the NASB. You will get to know which of these Bible translation is more accurate in this article by World Scholars Hub.
The Bible has been translated into different languages from the Hebrew, Aramaic and Greek texts. This is because the Bible was not originally written in English but in Hebrew, Aramaic and Greek.
Table of Contents
What is the Best Bible Translation?
To be honest, there is no perfect translation of the Bible, the idea of the best Bible translation depends on you.
Do well to ask yourself the following questions:
- Is the Bible translation accurate?
- Will I enjoy the translation?
- Is the Bible translation easy to read?
Any of the Bible translation that answers these questions is the best Bible translation for you. For new Bible readers, it’s advisable to avoid word-for-word translation especially KJV.
The best translation for new Bible readers is thought-for-thought translation, in order to avoid confusion. Word-for-word translation is suitable for people who wish to learn an in-depth knowledge of the Bible. This is because word-for-word translation is very accurate.
For new Bible readers, you can also play Bible quizzes. It is an ideal way to start studying the Bible as it will help you to develop more interest in reading the Bible always.
Let us quickly share with you the list of 15 most accurate Bible translations in English.
Which version of the Bible is closest to the original?
Bible scholars and theologians find it difficult to say a particular version of the Bible is the closest to the original.
Translation is not as easy as it looks, this is because languages have different grammar, idioms and rules. So, it is impossible to perfectly translate one language into another.
However, New American Standard Bible (NASB) is widely considered the most accurate Bible translation due to strict adherence to word-for-word translation.
Most accurate Bible translations was developed using word-for-word translation. Word-for-word translation gives priority to accuracy, so there is little or no room for errors.
Apart from NASB, King James Version (KJV) is also one of the Bible versions close to the original.
Top 15 Most Accurate Bible Translation
Below is the list of 15 most accurate Bible translations:
- New American Standard Bible (NASB)
- Amplified Bible (AMP)
- English Standard Version (ESV)
- Revised Standard Version (RSV)
- King James Version (KJV)
- New King James Version (NKJV)
- Christian Standard Bible (CSB)
- New Revised Standard Version (NRSV)
- The New English Translation (NET)
- New International Version (NIV)
- The New Living Translation (NLT)
- God’s Word Translation (GW)
- Holman Christian Standard Bible (HCSB)
- International Standard Version (ISV)
- Common English Bible (CEB).
1. New American Standard Bible (NASB)
New American Standard Bible (NASB) is mostly considered the most accurate Bible translation in English. This translation used only literal translation.
New American Standard Bible (NASB) is the revised version of the American Standard Version (ASV), published by the Lockman Foundation.
NASB was translated from original Hebrew, Aramaic, and Greek texts.
Old Testament was translated from Rudolf Kiffel’s Biblia Hebraica as well as the Dead Sea Scrolls. The Biblia Hebraica Stuttgartensia was consulted for the 1995 revision.
New Testament was translated from Eberhard Nestle’s Novum Testamentum Graece; the 23rd edition in the 1971 original, and the 26th edition in the 1995 revision.
The complete NASB Bible was released in 1971 and the revised version was released in 1995.
Sample Verse: How blessed is the man who does not walk in the counsel of the wicked, Nor stand in the path of sinners, Nor sit in the seat of scoffers! (Psalm 1:1).
2. Amplified Bible (AMP)
Amplified Bible is one of the most easy-to-read Bible translation, jointly produced by Zondervan and The Lockman Foundation.
AMP is a formal equivalent Bible translation that enhances the clarity of scripture by using in-text ampilfications.
Amplified Bible is a revision of the American Standard Version (1901 edition). The complete Bible was published in 1965, and was revised in 1987 and 2015.
The Amplified Bible includes explanatory notes next to most passages. This translation is ideal for Bible study.
Sample Verse: Blessed [fortunate, prosperous, and favored by God] is the man who does not walk in the counsel of the wicked [following the advice and example], Nor stand in the path of sinners, Nor sit [down to rest] in the seat of scoffers (ridiculers) (Psalm 1:1).
3. English Standard Version (ESV)
English Standard Version is a literal translation of the Bible written in contemporary English, published by Crossway.
ESV is derived from the 2nd edition of Revised Standard Version (RSV), created by a team of over 100 leading evangelical scholars and pastors using word-for-word translation.
The ESV was translated from Masoretic text of the Hebrew Bible; Biblia Hebraica Stuttgartensia (5th edition, 1997), and Greek text in the 2014 editions of the Greek New Testament (5th corrected edition) published by the United Bible Societies (USB), and Novum Testamentum Graece (28th edition, 2012).
English Standard Version was published in 2001 and revised in 2007, 2011, and 2016.
Sample Verse: Blessed is the man who walks not in the counsel of the wicked, nor stands in the way of sinners, nor sits in the seat of scoffers; (Psalm 1:1).
4. Revised Standard Version (RSV)
Revised Standard Version is an authorized revision of the American Standard Version (1901 edition), published in 1952 by National Council of Churches of Christ.
Old Testament was translated from Biblia Hebraica Stuttgartensia with limited Dead Sea Scrolls and Septuagent influence. It was the first Bible translation to make use of the Dead Sea Scroll of Isaiah. New Testament was translated from Novum Testamentum Graece.
RSV translators made use of the word-for-word translation (formal equivalence).
Sample Verse: Blessed is the man who walks not in the counsel of the wicked, not stands in the way of the sinners, nor sits in the seat of scoffers. (Psalm 1:1).
5. King James Version (KJV)
The King James Version, also known as Authorized Version, is an English translation of the Christian Bible for the Church of England.
KJV was translated originally from Greek, Hebrew, and Aramaic texts. The books of Apocrypha was translated from Greek and Latin texts.
The Old Testament was translated from Masoretic text and the New Testament was translated from Textus Receptus.
The books of Apocrypha was translated from Greek Septuagint and Latin Vulgate. The King James Version translators made use of word-for-word translation (formal equivalence).
KJV was originally published in 1611 and revised in 1769. Currently, KJV is the most popular Bible translation around the World.
Sample Verse: Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor standeth in the way of sinners, not sitteth in the seat of the scornful (Psalm 1:1).
6. New King James Version (NKJV)
New King James Version is a revision of the 1769 edition of King James Version (KJV). Revisions were made on KJV to improve clarity and readability.
This was achieved by a team of 130 Biblical Scholars, pastors, and theologians, using word-for-word translation.
(The Old Testament was derived from Biblia Hebraica Stuttgartensia (4th edition, 1977) and the New Testament was derived from Textus Receptus.
The complete NKJV Bible was published in 1982 by Thomas Nelson. It took seven years to produce the complete NKJV.
Sample Verse: Blessed is the man Who walks not in the counsel of the ungodly, Nor stands in the path of sinners, Nor sits in the seat of the scornful; (Psalm 1:1).
7. Christian Standard Bible (CSB)
Christian Standard Bible is an updated version of the 2009 edition of Holman Christian Standard Bible (HCSB), published by B & H Publishing Group.
The Translation Oversight Committee updated the text of HCSB with the aim to increase both accuracy and readability.
CSB was created using optimal equivalence, a balance between both formal equivalence and functional equivalence.
This translation was derived from original Hebrew, Greek, and Aramaic texts. Old Testament was derived from Biblia Hebraica Stuttgartensia (5th edition). The Novum Testamentum Graece (28th edition) and United Bible Societies (5th edition) was used for the New Testament.
CSB was originally published in 2017 and revised in 2020.
Sample Verse: How happy is the one who does not walk in the advice of the wicked or stand in the pathway with sinners or sit in the company of mockers!
8. New Revised Standard Version (NRSV)
New Revised Standard Version is a version of the Revised Standard Version (RSV), published in 1989 by the National Council of Churches.
NRSV was created using formal equivalence (word-for-word translation), with some mild paraphrasing especially gender neutral language.
The Old Testament was derived from Biblia Hebraica Stuttgartensia with Dead Sea Scrolls and Septuagint (Rahlfs) with Vulgate influence. United Bible Societies’ The Greek New Testament (3rd corrected edition) and Nestle-Aland Novum Testamentum Graece (27th edition) was used for the New Testament.
Sample Verse: Happy are those who do not follow the advice of the wicked, or take the path that sinners tread, or sit in the seat of scoffers; (Psalm 1:1).
9. New English Translation (NET)
New English Translation is a completely new english Bible translation, not a revision or an update of a preview english Bible translation.
This translation was created from the best currently available Hebrew, Aramaic, and Greek texts.
NET was created by a team of 25 Biblical scholars using dynamic equivalence (thought-for-thought translation).
The New English Translation was originally published in 2005, and revised in 2017 and 2019.
Sample Verse: How blessed is the one who does not follow the advice of the wicked, or stand in the pathway with sinners, or sit in the assemble of scoffers. (Psalm 1:1).
10. New International Version (NIV)
New International Version (NIV) is a completely original Bible translation published by Biblical formerly International Bible Society.
The core translation group consisted of 15 Biblical scholars, with aim to produce a more modern english Bible translation then the King James Version.
NIV was created using both word-for-word translation and thought-for-thought translation. As a result, NIV delivers the very best combination of accuracy and readability.
This Bible translation was develop using the very best manuscripts available in the original Greek, Hebrew, and Aramaic of the Bible.
The Old Testament was created using the Biblia Hebraica Stuttgartensia Masoretic Hebrew Text. And the New Testament was created using Kome Greek language edition of the United Bible Societies and of Nestle-Aland.
NIV is said to be one of the most widely read Bible translation in contemporary English. The complete Bible was published in 1978 and revised in 1984 and 2011.
Sample Verse: Blessed is the one who does not walk in step with the wicked or stand in the way that sinners take or sit in the company of mockers, (Psalm 1:1).
11. New Living Translation (NLT)
New Living Translation came from a project aiming to revise The Living Bible (TLB). This effort eventually led to the creation of the NLT.
NLT uses both the formal equivalence (word-for-word translation) and dynamic equivalence (thought-for-thought translation). This Bible translation was develop by more than 90 Bible scholars.
The translators of the Old Testament used the masoretic text of the Hebrew Bible; Biblia Hebraica Stuttgartensia (1977). And the translators of the New Testament used USB Greek New Testament and Nestle-Aland Novum Testament Graece.
NLT was originally published in 1996, and revised in 2004 and 2015.
Sample Verse: Oh, the joys of those who do not follow the advice of the wicked or stand around with sinners, or join in with mockers. (Psalm 1:1).
12. God’s Word Translation (GW)
God’s Word translation is an English translation of the Bible translated by the God’s Word to the Nations Society.
This translation was derived from the best Hebrew, Aramaic, and koine Greek texts and using the translation principle “closest natural equivalence”
The New Testament was derived from Nestle-Aland Greek New Testament (27th edition) and the Old Testament was derived from Biblia Hebraica Stuttgartensia.
God’s Word translation was published by Baker Publishing Group in 1995.
Sample Verse: Blessed is the person who does not follow the advice of wicked people, take the path of sinners, or join the company of mockers. (Psalm 1:1).
13. Holman Christian Standard Bible (HCSB)
Holman Christian Standard Bible is an english Bible translation published in 1999 and the complete Bible was published in 2004.
HCSB’s translation committee aim was to strike a balance between formal equivalence and dynamic equivalence. The translators called this balance “optimal equivalence”.
HCSB was developed from the Nestle-Aland Novum Testamentum Graece 27th edition, UBS Greek New Testament, and 5th edition of the Biblia Hebraica Stuttgartensia.
Sample Verse: How happy is the man who does not follow the advice of the wicked or take the path of sinners, or join a group of mockers! (Psalm 1:1).
14. International Standard Version (ISV)
International Standard Version is a new english translation of the Bible completed and published electronically in 2011.
ISV was developed using both formal and dynamic equivalence (literal-idomatic).
The Old Testament was derived from Biblia Hebraica Stuttgartensia, and Dead Sea Scrolls and other ancient manuscripts was also consulted. And the New Testament was derived from Novum Testamentum Graece (27th edition).
Sample Verse: How blessed is the person, who does not take the advice of the wicked, who does not stand in the path with sinners, and who does not sit in the seat of mockers. (Psalm 1:1).
15. Common English Bible (CEB)
Common English Bible is an english Bible translation published by Christian Resources Development Corporation (CRDC).
The CEB New Testament was translated from the Nestle-Aland Greek New Testament (27th edition). And the Old Testament was translated from various editions of the traditional masoretic text; the Biblia Hebraica Stuttgartensia (4th edition) and Biblia Hebraica Quinta (5th edition).
For the Apocrypha, translators used the currently unfinished Göttingen Septuagint and Rahlfs’ Septuagint (2005)
CEB translators used a balance of dynamic equivalence and formal equivalence.
This translation was developed by one hundred twenty scholars from twenty-five different denominations.
Sample Verse: The truly happy person doesn’t follow wicked advice, doesn’t stand on the road of sinners, and doesn’t sit with the disrespectful. (Psalm 1:1).
Bible Translation Comparison
Below is a chart comparing various bible translations:
The Bible was not originally written in English but was written in Greek, Hebrew, and Aramaic, this brings the need to translate to other languages.
Bible translations uses different method of translations, which includes:
- Formal equivalence (word-for-word translation or literal translation).
- Dynamic equivalence (thought-for-thought translation or functional equivalence).
- Free translation or Paraphrase.
In word-for-word translation, translators closely follow the copies of the original manuscripts. The original texts are translated word for word. This means there will be little or no room for error.
Word-for-word translations are widely considered the most accurate translations. Many of the best-known Bible translations are word-for-word translations.
In thought-for-thought translation, translators transfer the meaning of phrases or groups of words from the original to a english equivalent.
Thought-for-thought translation is less accurate and more readable when compared to word-for-word translations.
Paraphrase translations are written to be easier to read and understand than word-for-word and thought-for-thought translations.
However, paraphrase translations are the least accurate translation. This method of translation interprets the Bible rather than translating it.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why are there so many Bible translations?
Languages change over the time, so there is a constant need to adjust and translate the Bible. So that people from all over the world can clearly understand the Bible.
What are the top 5 most accurate Bible translations?
The top 5 most accurate Bible translations in English includes:
- New American Standard Bible (NASB)
- Amplified Bible (AMP)
- English Standard Version (ESV)
- Revised Standard Version (RSV)
- King James Version (KJV).
Which Bible translation is the most accurate?
The most accurate Bible translations are created using Word-for-word translation. New American Standard Bible (NASB) is the most accurate Bible translation.
What is the best version of the Bible?
Amplified Bible is the best version of the Bible. This is because most passages is followed by explanatory notes. It's very easy to read and also accurate.
How many versions of the Bible are there?
According to Wikipedia, as of 2020, the full Bible has been translated into 704 languages and there more than 100 translations of the Bible in English.
What are the most popular Bible translations?
The most popular Bible translations includes the following:
We Also Recommend:
- Free Online Bible Study Courses with Certificates
- 25 Best Free Theology Degree Online
- Low cost Accredited Online Bible Colleges
- Free Online Pentecostal Bible Colleges.
Conclusion
There is no perfect translation of the Bible anywhere, but there are accurate Bible translations. The idea of a perfect Bible translation is the one that suit you best.
If you are finding it difficult to pick a particular version of Bible, then you can pick two or more translations. There are several multiple Bible translations online and in print.
Now that you know some of the most accurate Bible translation, which of the Bible translation do you prefer to read? Let us know in the Comment Section.
