SELECTING A TRANSLATION

SELECTING A TRANSLATION

Maybe you’ve heard the famous mot “If the King James Version was good enough for the apostle Paul, it’s good enough for me!” With a humorous twist this saying illustrates the intense loyalty that many people feel for the Bible they grew up with, but it also reminds us that every English version is a translation of the original text. The Old Testament was written principally in Hebrew with a few short sections in Aramaic. The letters that Paul wrote, as well as the Gospels and the rest of the New Testament, were penned in Greek—the common language of the first century. Any time the Bible is conveyed in a language other than Hebrew, Greek, and Aramaic, it is a translation. The Bible holds the distinction of having been translated into more languages—upwards of twelve hundred—than any other book in history. No English-speaking generation has been better served than ours with translations of the Bible. But how do you pick the version that’s right for you? Let’s start by understanding the two fundamental methods of translation.


How the Translators Do Their Job

To convert the text of the Bible from the original languages into English, translators follow one of two basic approaches: either word for word, which is sometimes called “formal equivalence”; or what is known as “dynamic equivalence,” which might be best characterized as a “thought-for-thought” translation. The use of the word equivalence reflects the challenge of taking what is written in a host language and finding the closest corresponding word or phrase in the receptor language so that the reader is able to understand the author’s intended message. I have no fewer than thirty different books in my library on the subject of Bible translations, and the only thing they all agree on is that no translation is perfect. In fact, no translation will ever be perfect, because in the process of transferring words, phrases, and ideas from one language into another, inevitably there will be syntax, figures of speech, and styles of expression that don’t translate readily. And when the receptor language is continually in a state of flux, the translation process can be an even more formidable task.
 

    Formal equivalence is a method of translation that attempts to give a word-for-word, clause-for-clause, and sentence-for-sentence rendering of the original text without sacrificing readability. As much as possible, the translators preserve the original syntax and express the exact meaning of the words used in the original. Examples of this more formal approach include the American Standard Version, the New American Standard Bible, and Young’s Literal Translation of the Holy Bible. The King James Version is another example of formal equivalence, though it is not as literal as the others.
 

    In dynamic equivalence, the translators aim for a rendering that allows the Scripture to have the same aural and emotional impact on the modern reader as it did on the ancient listener in the original language. Although dynamic equivalence often makes the text more readable for a contemporary audience, the translators must be careful not to stray into paraphrasing the text. To avoid this potential pitfall, most modern translations were compiled by teams of biblical scholars who applied their expertise in ancient culture and history to preserve the original meaning of the text. Examples of dynamic equivalent translations include the popular New International Version, the New English Bible, J. B. Phillips’ New Testament in Modern English, and a host of others.
 

    The development of the New Living Translation, another excellent dynamic equivalent version, demonstrates the difference between a translation and a paraphrase. In response to criticism of The Living Bible (a paraphrased version, popular for family devotions, that sold more than forty million copies over thirty years), the text was reviewed using several reliable ancient manuscripts and revised to create a true translation. As a result, the NLT is an easy-to-read Bible in everyday English that communicates the meaning of the original text in a refreshing and enjoyable way.
 

    By now you might be wondering why we have so many English translations of the Bible. Are they all really necessary? Part of the answer is that our language tends to be very fluid, and because connotations of words and figures of speech continually change, the need to revise existing versions or create new ones arises periodically. Newer translations can also take advantage of the latest textual criticism and archaeological research that may shed additional light on the ancient manuscripts. Whenever a new translation is released, some will embrace it immediately, while others will prefer to stick with the familiar “tried and true.” A case in point is the King James Version and the New King James Version. Although much of the language in the old King James is archaic (which is no surprise considering the work was completed in 1611), the sheer beauty and majesty of its style has kept it a favorite of many down through the ages. In 1979, the New King James Version was introduced, and it has proven to be a “reader friendly” modern English translation.
 

    I personally prefer the New King James Version for both studying and teaching, although I often refer to other translations as well. One reason I like the NKJV is that it preserves familiar elements from the King James Bible that I began with in my earlier years. Another reason is that it seems to be a middle-of-the-road translation. Members of my congregation who are reading from a more formal translation can follow along as easily as someone using a dynamic equivalent version.
So which English version is best? A lot depends on the reader. A new Christian, for example, might choose a “dynamic equivalent” translation for its readability, whereas a seminary student might opt for a more literal rendering that holds closely to the original syntax. If your pastor teaches from a particular version that you’re comfortable with, that might be a good choice.
 

    Here’s what I suggest: Find a translation you like and stick with it as your primary Bible. It should be an accurate translation and easy to read. If possible, before you buy, sit down with a few choices and compare a familiar passage of Scripture. How does it read from one version to the next? As long as you’re comfortable with the version you choose, it’s hard to go wrong with any of the major modern translations. Familiarize yourself with your Bible’s layout and format—even the feel of its pages—until it becomes like a friend to you. The most important factor is to find a Bible that you will read regularly.


Heitzig, Skip. 2002. How to Study the Bible and Enjoy It. Carol Stream, IL: Tyndale.