Why are there so many translations?
The Bible was written in Hebrew, Aramaic and Greek. For everyone to read it in their own language it must be translated, and every translation involves choices: how to balance faithfulness to the original words with clarity for today’s reader. What is more, languages change over time, ancient manuscripts are better understood thanks to archaeology, and new audiences arise, such as children or people learning to read. That is why there are many translations, each with its purpose. Far from being a problem, this variety is a treasure: comparing translations helps us understand the text better.
Two main approaches to translation
Formal equivalence (word for word): seeks to reproduce the words and structure of the original as faithfully as possible. It is very useful for detailed study, though its language is sometimes less natural. Examples: Reina-Valera and La Biblia de las Américas in Spanish; in English the King James Version, the New American Standard Bible and the English Standard Version. Dynamic or functional equivalence (thought for thought): seeks to convey the meaning in natural, current language. It is ideal for continuous reading and new readers. Examples: Dios Habla Hoy, the Nueva Traducción Viviente and the Traducción en Lenguaje Actual in Spanish; in English the New Living Translation. Middle approaches: balance both criteria, such as the Nueva Versión Internacional and, in English, the New International Version and the Christian Standard Bible.
Main English translations
King James Version (1611): the classic translation, in the public domain in most of the world, which we use on this site. New King James Version (1982): modernises its language. New International Version (1978, revised 2011): one of the most widely read. English Standard Version (2001) and New American Standard Bible (1971, updated 2020): more literal. New Living Translation (1996): contemporary language. Christian Standard Bible (2017). New Revised Standard Version (1989, updated 2021): widely used in academic and ecumenical settings. In the Catholic world, the New American Bible and the Revised Standard Version Catholic Edition.
Main Spanish translations
Reina-Valera: the best-loved tradition among Spanish-speaking evangelicals. It began with the Bear Bible, translated by Casiodoro de Reina and published in Basel in 1569, and revised by Cipriano de Valera in 1602. Its most used revisions are the 1909 edition (public domain, the one used on this site) and the 1960 edition, published by the Bible Societies in Latin America. La Biblia de las Américas (1986) and its revision, the Nueva Biblia de las Américas: literal translations by the Lockman Foundation. Nueva Versión Internacional (1999): by Biblica, in balanced contemporary language. Dios Habla Hoy: by the United Bible Societies, in popular language, with Catholic and Protestant editions. Nueva Traducción Viviente (2010): clear and fluent. Traducción en Lenguaje Actual: very simple, ideal for children and new readers. In the Catholic world, notable versions include the Nácar-Colunga (1944), the first Catholic Spanish translation made directly from the original languages; the Jerusalem Bible, valued for its notes; the Biblia Latinoamericana; and the official version of the Spanish Bishops’ Conference.
Which translation should I choose?
For daily reading: a clear, fluent translation such as the NIV or NLT. For in-depth study: a literal translation such as the ESV, NASB or NKJV, compared with others. For children and new readers: a simple-language or illustrated Bible. For church: the version your community uses makes it easier to follow the preaching. For memorising: the one that feels most natural to you and that you will use consistently. The most important thing is not having the perfect translation, but reading the Bible faithfully and humbly.
Study Bibles and tools
Study Bibles include notes, introductions to each book, maps, timelines and cross-references. Concordances let you find every passage where a word appears. Bible dictionaries and commentaries explain the historical and cultural context. Today many of these tools are freely available online, on the sites we link to on this page. There are also audio Bibles, very helpful for people with reading difficulties or for listening while travelling.
Copyright and the use of translations
Many modern translations are under copyright held by the Bible societies or publishers that produce them, which fund their translation and distribution work in this way. That is why on this site we quote the Reina-Valera 1909 and the King James Version, which are in the public domain. If you want to quote other translations in your publications, check each publisher’s terms of use, which usually allow brief quotations with the source indicated.
The Bible in every language
Today the complete Bible exists in more than 800 languages and the New Testament in more than 1,700. Even so, hundreds of millions of people still do not have the complete Scriptures in their language. Organisations such as the United Bible Societies and Wycliffe work with local translators to change that. You can read recent progress in Good news.
“נ NUN. Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path.”
Psalm 119:105
See also our guide God and the Bible, with a simple plan to start reading.
A brief history of the Bible in English
Parts of the Bible were rendered into Old English in the Middle Ages, such as the Gospels in Anglo-Saxon manuscripts. In the 1380s John Wycliffe and his associates produced the first complete English Bible, translated from the Latin Vulgate and copied by hand. In 1526 William Tyndale published the first printed New Testament translated directly from Greek; he was executed in 1536, but much of his wording lived on in later versions. The Geneva Bible of 1560, with its study notes, was the Bible of Shakespeare and of the Pilgrims. In 1611 the King James Version appeared and shaped the English language for centuries. In the twentieth century, new manuscript discoveries and changes in the language led to many modern translations. Each of these works was the fruit of years of labour and, in some cases, of great personal sacrifice.
Tips for comparing translations
When a verse is difficult, read it in two or three different translations: one literal and one in contemporary language. Notice which words change and why. If the differences are significant, consult a study Bible or commentary. Sites such as Bible Gateway or YouVersion let you view several versions side by side. This simple exercise greatly enriches your reading and helps you discover nuances that a single translation does not always show.
Frequently asked questions
Is there one “correct” translation? All serious translations, made by teams of specialists from the original texts, are reliable; the differences are usually of style rather than doctrine. Why do some Bibles have more books? Catholic and Orthodox Bibles include the deuterocanonical books, as we explain in God and the Bible. Can I read the Bible for free? Yes: the sites linked on this page offer many translations at no cost. What should I do if I don’t understand a passage? Compare translations, pray, ask your pastor or a more experienced believer, and don’t be discouraged: understanding grows with faithful reading. Are paraphrases like The Message translations? Paraphrases express the meaning very freely; they can help with devotional reading, but for study it is better to use a translation.
Reading the Bible in two languages
If you speak both Spanish and English, reading a passage in both languages can open new insights: a Spanish version may bring out a nuance that the English conceals, and vice versa. On this site every quotation appears in the Reina-Valera 1909 in the Spanish version and in the King James Version in the English version, so you can switch languages and compare. Whatever translation you choose, what transforms a life is reading the Word in faith, letting the Holy Spirit apply it to the heart and putting it into practice every day.