Bible Translations Comparisons

Who knew there were so many translations of God’s Word. This PowerPoint program compares 20 popular English versions used today, listed by year of release.  By 2006, 2,426 languages have some portions of Scripture. It was interesting to note that the King James Version was written in 1611, last revision in 1769 and written at a twelfth grade reading level. No wonder some people have such a hard time comprehending the text. Several easier versions available are not “word for word” translations but a paraphrase like the Message written in today’s common language at a sixth grade reading level. Each of the 20 versions examined has a slide displaying two sample verses Matthew 4:19 and John 3:16 for comparison. Other information includes the number of translators along with the textual basis for the Bible translation. Some of these texts such as “Biblia Hebraica Stuttgartensia” go back to the original language.  Notable details are given for each translation for example The NIV Readers Bible

·       The 1996 version contained gender inclusive language, but it was removed from the 1998 edition.

·       Has the lowest reading level of any English translation on the market

·       Used by children for devotionals and worship

HCSB uses six English renderings for names of God:

·       God (Elohim)

·       LORD (YHWH)

·       Lord (Adonai)

·       Lord God (Adonai YHWH)

·       Lord of Hosts (YHWH Sabaoth)

·       God Almighty (El Shaddai)