Let me just set you to rest at the beginning. There is no perfect translation. The originals were written in Hebrew, Aramaic and Greek, so unless you can read any of those, you are out of luck without a translation. We would hold that the Bible is perfect in its original form, but over the years of translation, small mistakes have crept in. Very small, as in 99% of the typical translation is accurate. There are discrepancies over small words, but none of these arguments would change the meaning of the text. All that to say, the Bible is absolutely trustworthy.

Translations can take one of three basic forms. The translators can adopt a ‘word for word’ method, what we call a ‘phrase for phrase’ method, or a ‘thought for thought’ (paraphrase) method. I think each of these methods have a place in the believer’s library. Translations aim at different goals. Each translation must choose their basic reading level, which ranges from 12 th grade all the way down to 3rd grade. You may not believe it, but not everyone reads on the same level. Those who have a large vocabulary will not be distracted by the 12th grade level of the KJV or NASB. I prefer the ESV, which comes in at a 10th grade level. But, as you’ll see, I also very much enjoy the NLT that is on a 6th grade
level. (The lower the grade level, the smaller the words.)

The word for word method is a favorite because of its closeness to the original. Obviously, you can’t take any document and move it from one language to another without some rearranging. But translations like ESV, NASB and RSV come very close. I study and preach from the ESV because it represents the latest in this field. It will incorporate the most up to date archaeology in the translation work. You may wonder why that matters? Archaeologists are constantly finding older copies of the Bible. The closer we get to the originals, the more accurate we can be with the translation. This is why there are passages ‘missing’ when you compare the KJV with more modern translations. There is no conspiracy to erase the
Bible. Those stories simply weren’t there in the original. When trying to break the text down in study, aword for word translation is the most helpful.

The phrase for phrase method is probably the most popular. Instead of making the order of the words the primary goal, this translation will make readability primary. CSB and NIV fall into this category and they are fine, time-tested translations. They are more on a 7-8 th grade reading level, meaning they are just easier to read and this is good. I would never give a word for word translation to a new believer, someone who is questioning the faith, or someone for whom English is their second language. Why complicate the process if we have a good way of making it simpler?

The thought for thought method often ends up in paraphrase mode. This means the translators, typically individual, will work to capture the story. They aren’t nearly as focused on the order of the words as they are the meaning behind the words. The NLT is the best in this market. They have a large team of translators and work hard to stay true to the original meaning. The Message is another translation in this category that comes from a single man, Eugene Peterson. He represents the best in modern translation in this area, but he is still just a single individual. A team approach is always best.

Because word order isn’t the primary goal, books like the Psalms (wisdom books) and Isaiah (books of prophecy) take on an extra special touch. You can hear the emotion behind the words and begin to see more of the original rhythm and rhyme of the text. I love to use these translations when I just sit down to read. No study, no breaking down the text, no memorizing…just enjoying the Word for what it is.

Now, let me offer a word of warning. Not all translations are good. When a translation deviates from the original meaning and attempts to speak a new message to the current culture, trouble inevitably comes.

The Bible is plenty able to speak on its own. It doesn’t need a mediator. The goal of translation is strictly to adapt language, not meaning. I strongly encourage you to stick to the translations mentioned here as trustworthy. The Bible app offers many more! I’m sure some of them are fine. I’m very sure many are not.

The goal of this article is for you to be able to read the Bible with confidence. I can assure you, it has not been corrupted. There are no ‘lost passages.’ Modern translations are very helpful! Each new generation has produced their own. I have a page out of the Geneva Bible, which predates the KJV by almost 100 years! Trust that God has been in the business of gifting individuals with the ability to keep His Word readable and reliable for the last 2000 years. He’s not going to stop now.