Bible Version Selection Tool

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.
	Show Detailed Options

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

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