Bible Version Comparison Tool

Instructions

First, this is ALPHA software. I have just finished writing it and I have done a minimum amount of testing. Please watch for bugs and if you find some, let me know via comments added to this post on my Participatory Bible Study Blog.

Usage is fairly simple even though it may look confusing at first. You can initially ignore the list of 11 characteristics. Each one is set by default to (1), which makes them all of even value. They can be set to any value from '0' (ignore) to '5' (critical). Setting a high value means that any difference in this area is very important to you in your comparison. Setting the value to '0' means that this value will be ignored in calculating the difference between the versions.

Immediately after these 11 drop-down boxes for characteristics you will find a drop down box listing versions. Choose the one you want used as a base of comparison. The default is NRSV. All the other versions are listed from the least to the greatest difference from the NRSV. You can choose any version as the base using this drop-down box.

Once you have chosen your base Bible version, click the "Sort!" button to produce the list according to your characteristics. The score in the right hand column gives you the points of difference between the base version and the one listed on that line.

Choose Your Version and Weight your Preferences

How important is each of the following to you?
Functionality
Functionality refers to how well a translation transfers the function, or the meaning to the new language. A high score in this category indicates that idioms in the source languages are translated into idioms in the target language. This is often called dynamic or functional equivalence.
Formality
Formality refers to how closely a translation follows the grammatical forms and wording of the source language. This is often known as literal translation.
Easy Reading
Easy reading refers to how easy a translation is to read. This should not be confused with reading grade level. A children's Bible would rate a 10 here, while a scholarly version using many theological terms would rate a 1.
Use in public reading
If the translation is to be used in public reading, for example as a pew Bible, how well does it flow orally. A translation that lacks dignity or is clumsily worded will rate poorly here; one with dignified vocabulary but also smoothly designed will rate well.
Use in serious study
For serious study, often a more formal translation is required, even when a more functional translation is easier to understand. This is especially true if one wants to do word studies or make effective use of a concordance in other ways. This rating combines formality, good scholarly notes, and consistent translation practice.
Gender Neutral language
Gender neutral refers to translations such as "brothers and sisters" for Greek adelphoi, or use of plurals rather than singular masculine references, and not to use of gender neutral terms for God. A translation is considered gender neutral if groups of mixed gender are referenced neutrally where allowed by the source texts.
Capitalization of divine names
Divine names and pronouns are capitalized in some modern versions. This is strictly a matter of translator practice as there is no capitalization in the original. The rating indicates whether words such as "Son" referring to Jesus, and pronouns referring to God or any person of the trinity are capitalized.
Translation of cultural references
Cultural references always require some translating. I only rate a Yes for cultural translation when extensive items such as species of animal, or even geographic references (such as in the Cotton Patch version) are transposed..
Translation by committee rather than individual
Committee simply means that more than one translator was involved in producing the translation.
Interdenominational participation
Interdenominational means that translators from more than one Christian denomination were involved, even if they came from one broader group, such as evangelical denominations.
Interfaith participation
Interfaith means that there was interfaith cooperation. Generally this means both Jewish and Christian translators were involved in some way.

Abbr	Name	Func	Form	Easy Read	Public Read	Study	Gender	Capital	Cultural	Committee	Inter-denom	Inter-faith	Score
Comparing versions to the NRSV
NRSV	New Revised Standard Version	3	9	3	4	10	10	No	No	Yes	Yes	Yes	0
NET	New English Translation	5	9	7	6	10	9	No	No	Yes	Yes	No	10
TNIV	Today's New International Version	3	8	7	6	5	9	No	No	Yes	Yes	No	14
NASB	New American Standard Bible	1	9	4	4	8	1	Yes	No	Yes	Yes	No	16
ESV	English Standard Version	1	9	5	5	8	2	No	No	Yes	Yes	No	16
HCSB	Holman Christian Standard Bible	2	9	5	5	6	2	Yes	No	Yes	Yes	No	18
RSV	Revised Standard Version	1	10	3	3	7	No	No	No	Yes	Yes	No	18
NKJV	New King James Version	2	10	2	3	6	1	Yes	No	Yes	Yes	No	19
REB	Revised English Bible	7	6	7	9	6	9	No	No	Yes	Yes	Yes	21
NLT	New Living Translation	7	6	7	7	5	9	No	No	Yes	Yes	No	21
NAB	New American Bible	4	9	6	7	6	1	No	No	Yes	No	No	22
KJV	King James Version	1	10	1	3	3	1	No	No	Yes	Yes	No	23
NIV	New International Version	5	8	7	8	8	2	Yes	No	Yes	Yes	No	23
NCV	New Century Version	8	7	10	5	4	9	No	No	Yes	Yes	No	23
CJB	Complete Jewish Bible	6	8	3	3	4	1	No	No	No	No	No	23
NEB	New English Bible	6	9	5	7	4	1	No	No	Yes	Yes	No	24
JPS	Jewish Publication Society Tanakh	6	8	8	7	9	1	Yes	No	Yes	No	No	25
YLT	Young's Literal Translation	1	10	1	1	5	1	No	No	No	No	No	25
GW	God's Word	7	7	6	6	6	1	Yes	No	Yes	Yes	No	26
NJB	New Jerusalem Bible	5	7	7	9	6	2	No	No	Yes	No	No	27
TEV	Today's English Version	9	6	9	6	2	9	No	No	Yes	Yes	No	27
NIRV	New International Reader's Version	8	5	10	5	2	9	No	No	Yes	Yes	No	27
TS	The Scriptures	1	10	1	1	2	1	Yes	No	Yes	No	No	28
MSG	The Message	9	2	8	4	1	10	No	Yes	No	No	No	31
CEV	Contemporary English Version	9	5	8	8	2	5	No	No	Yes	Yes	No	33
Phil	Phillip's New Testament	7	1	8	6	3	1	No	No	No	No	No	38
TLB	The Living Bible	7	1	8	3	1	2	Yes	No	No	No	No	39
NLV	New Life Version	6	4	10	2	2	1	Yes	Yes	No	No	No	39

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