Minister Omar J Stewart
The purpose of comparing Bible versions is to allow users to study Bible verses using more than one translation and version. This study tool can help people see how different translations and versions have interpreted the original Greek and Hebrew/Aramaic languages.
When comparing translations for a Bible verse, users can read the well-known translations including New International Version, King James Bible, The Message, Revised Standard Version, and English Standard Version, as well as more than 30 additional translations. When reading Bible verses in different translations, users can compare word for word translations and thought for thought translations that offer a parallel idiom for contemporary language.
In addition, more recent versions offer a paraphrase translation for modern English. Whether you are a just beginning to read the Bible or a seasoned reader, comparing translations for individual Bible verses allows for a broader understanding of the passage and insight into the intent of the original Biblical manuscripts.
Early Bible Translations Word For Word Translations Meaning For Meaning (Thought for Thought) Translations Paraphrased Translations Bible Translation Chart Version Comparison Exercises
The Septuagint The Jewish Targums Peshitta (Syriac Bible) The Vulgate (Latin Bible)
Abbreviated LXX is the oldest Greek translation of the Old Testament; said to have been translated from the Hebrew Language by Jewish scholars at the request of Ptolemy II Septuagint meaning Translated by the 70 Presumably made for the use of the Jewish community in Egypt when Greek was the predominant lenguage throughout the region
Several translations of the Hebrew Bible translated into the Aramaic Language The earliest Targums date from the time after the Babylonian Exile when Aramaic had superseded Hebrew as the spoken language of the Jews in Palestine. Targums were designed to meet the needs of unlearned Jews to whom the Hebrew of the Old Testament was unintelligible.
The accepted Bible of Syrian Christian churches from the end of the 3rd century AD. The earliest extant versions of the New Testament Peshitta date to the 5th century ad and exclude The Second Letter of Peter, The Second Letter of John, the Third Letter of John, The Letter of Jude, and The Revelation to John, which were not canonical in the Syrian church.
The Vulgate is a Latin version of the Holy Bible, and largely the result of the labors of St Jerome, who was commissioned by Pope Damasus I in 382 A.D. to make a revision of the old Latin translations. By the 13th century this revision had come to be called the Versio Vulgata, that is, the "commonly used translation Ultimately it became the definitive and officially promulgated Latin version of the Holy Bible in the Roman Catholic Church.
Also known as Literal Translations The word-for-word versions most accurately follow the Hebrew, Aramaic and Greek texts. It is a direct translation from one language to another. Attempts to keep the exact words and phrases of the original. It is faithful to the original text, but sometimes hard to understand. Keeps a constant historical distance. Can be a challenge in reading & understanding Ex Philippians 1:23 - For I am in a strait betwixt two, having a desire to depart, and to be with Christ; which is far better:
New American Standard Bible Amplified Bible English Standard Version Revised Standard Version King James Version New King James Version
Also known as the Dynamic Equivalent Translation Translates the original text into what the translator believes would be an equivalent combination of words that have a figurative meaning (idiom) owning to its common usage in the modern language and culture.
Holman Christian Standard New Revised Standard New Jerusalem Bible New International Version (NIV) New Century Version New Living Translation Contemporary English Version (aka The Promise )
Translates the ideas from the original text but without being constrained by the original words or language. Seeks to eliminate historical distance. Readable, but not always precise. Lacks serious scholarship & inconvenient for crossreferencing, & comparison with other versions.
The Living Bible The Message
Word for Word translation lets the reader interpret for himself. But too often, the average reader doesn't have the background or the tools to interpret accurately. The net result is that he often badly misunderstands the text. Thought for Though translation is usually clear and quite understandable. But if the translators missed the point of the original-either intentionally or unintentionally-they will be communicating an idea foreign to the biblical text. A balance of both translation philosophies are needed for healthy biblical studies.
1 st Timothy 3:16 King James Version And without controversy great is the mystery of godliness: God was manifest in the flesh, justified in the Spirit, seen of angels, preached unto the Gentiles, believed on in the world, received up into glory. NIV Beyond all question, the mystery from which true godliness springs is great: He appeared in the flesh, was vindicated by the Spirit, was seen by angels, was preached among the nations, was believed on in the world, was taken up in glory.
John 5:3-5 King James Version In these lay a great multitude of sick people, blind, lame, paralyzed, waiting for the moving of the water. For an angel went down at a certain time into the pool and stirred up the water; then whoever stepped in first, after the stirring of the water, was made well of whatever disease he had. Now a certain man was there who had an infirmity thirty-eight years. NIV Here a great number of disabled people used to lie the blind, the lame, the paralyzed. (VERSE 4???). One who was there had been an invalid for thirtyeight years.
1 st John 5:7-8 King James Version For there are three that bear record in heaven, the Father, the Word, and the Holy Ghost: and these three are one. And there are three that bear witness in earth, the Spirit, and the water, and the blood: and these three agree in one. NIV For there are three that testify: the Spirit, the water and the blood; and the three are in agreement. not found in any Greek manuscript before the fourteenth century.
Phillippians 2:6 King James Version Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God: NIV Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be used to his own advantage
Ephesians 6:6 King James Version Not with eye service, as men pleasers; but as the servants of Christ, doing the will of God from the heart; NIV Obey them not only to win their favor when their eye is on you, but as slaves of Christ, doing the will of God from your heart.
How Do We Know What The Word Of God Really Says???
John 16:13 But when he, the Spirit of truth, comes, he will guide you into all the truth. He will not speak on his own; he will speak only what he hears, and he will tell you what is yet to come. 2 nd Corinthians 3:6 He has made us competent as ministers of a new covenant not of the letter but of the Spirit; for the letter kills, but the Spirit gives life. Ultimately, We Trust in God Leading Us Through His Holy Spirit.
Textual changes in the modern translations affect no major doctrine. The Deity Of Christ The Virgin Birth Salvation By Grace Alone Certain passages are omitted or changed, the doctrines are remain intact.
This is The Bible of Jehovah s Witnesses. It is the first intentional, systematic effort at producing a complete version of the Bible that is edited and revised for the specific purpose of agreeing with a group's doctrine.
The Jehovah s Witnesses and the Watchtower Society realized that their beliefs contradicted Scripture. So, rather than conforming their beliefs to Scripture, they altered Scripture to agree with their beliefs. Their foundational doctrine rejects the Deity of Christ.
John 1:1 King James Version In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.
John 1:1 New World Translation In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was A God.
DO NOT USE THIS ERRONEOUS TRANSLATION