There are many translations of the Bible ranging from word-for-word (literal) to thought-by-thought (paraphrase) translations. Literal translations are excellent for those who study the Bible in depth word-for-word. Paraphrases are designed for those who are new to the Bible and who desire to understand basic concepts. There is a wide range between.
Below is a listing of translations available ranked in order according to translation type.
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Word-for-Word (Literal) End of the Scale
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Interlinear Bible
NASB: New American Standard Bible
AMP: Amplified
ESV: English Standard Version
RSV: Revised Standard Version
KJV: King James Version
NKJV: New King James Version
HCSB: Holman Christian Standard Bible
NRSV: New Revised Standard Version
NAB: New American Bible
NJB: New Jerusalem Bible
NIV: New International Version
TNIV: Today’s New International Version
NLT: New Living Translation
GNT/TEV: Good News Translation (also known as Today’s English Version)
CEV: Contemporary English Version
TLB: Living Bible
The Message
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Thought-for-Thought (Paraphrase) End of the Scale
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