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Bibles come in a variety of formats and sizes. Many are targeted for specific people or special occasions. Some have additional material for devotion or study. Here are the most popular Bible translations grouped by type, with a brief description, a sample reading, and a link that will allow you to quickly find more Bibles of the same type.
ALL BIBLES | WORD-FOR-WORD | THOUGHT-FOR-THOUGHT | PARAPHRASE
Amplified Bible
Translation Type: Word-for-Word plus additional amplification of word meanings. Formal Equivalence.
Target Audience: Those looking for more detailed shades of meaning in scripture.
Denominational Affiliation: None
Publisher: Zondervan
Year Released: 1965, 1987
Common English Bible
Translation Type: Hybrid verbal equivalent with dynamic balance and common language.
Target Audience: Bible readers of all ages.
Denominational Affiliation: Interdenominational
Publisher: Abingdon Press (Sole Distributor)
Year Released: 2010, 2011
Contemporary English Version
Translation Type: Dynamic Equivalence - thought-for-thought
Target Audience: Unchurched.
Denominational Affiliation: Conservative, evangelical and mainline
Publisher: American Bible Society
Year Released: 1995
Complete Jewish Bible
Translation Type: Dynamic Equivalence: thought-for-thought
Target Audience: Jews and Christians interested in Jewish roots.
Denominational Affiliation: Messianic Jewish
Publisher: Messianic Jewish Publishers / Jewish New Testament Publications
Year Released: 1998
Christian Standard Bible
Translation Type: Dynamic Equivalence: thought-for-thought
Target Audience: Anyone interested in reading the Bible.
Denominational Affiliation: None
Publisher: Broadman and Holman
Year Released: 2017
English Standard Version
Translation Type: Formal Equivalence: essentially literal
Target Audience: Bible readers of all ages.
Denominational Affiliation: Evangelical, interdenominational, conservative
Publisher: Crossway
Year Released: 2001
Good News Translation
Translation Type: Dynamic Equivalence: thought-for-thought
Target Audience: Evangelical and mainline Protestant. Catholic Orthodox.
Denominational Affiliation: Evangelical snd interconfessional
Publisher: American Bible Society
Year Released: 1976, 1992, 2001
Holman Christian Standard Bible
Translation Type: Formal Equivalence
Target Audience: Bible readers of all ages
Denominational Affiliation: Protestant, evangelical, conservative, interdenominational
Publisher: Holman Bible Publishers
Year Released: 2000, 2002, 2004
International Children's Bible
Translation Type: Dynamic Equivalence: thought-for-thought
Target Audience: Elementary readers
Denominational Affiliation: Broad evangelical
Publisher: Thomas Nelson
Year Released: 1989
King James Versiion
Translation Type: Formal Equivalence
Target Audience: Conservative protestant
Denominational Affiliation: Church of England, conservative and evangelical
Publisher: Various
Year Released: 1611
King James Versiion Easy Read
Translation Type: Formal Equivalence
Target Audience: Conservative protestant
Denominational Affiliation: Conservative and evangelical
Publisher: Whitaker House
Year Released: 1974
The Message
Translation Type: Paraphrase. Contemporary equivalence.
Target Audience: People who have never read the Bible. Long time Christians wanting to read with new eyes.
Denominational Affiliation: Evangelical
Publisher: NavPress Publishing Group
Year Released: 2002
New American Bible
Translation Type: Formal equivalence.
Target Audience: Catholic.
Denominational Affiliation: Roman Catholic
Publisher: Various
Year Released: 1970, 1986, 1991
New American Bible Revised Edition
Translation Type: Formal equivalence.
Target Audience: Catholic Youth.
Denominational Affiliation: Roman Catholic
Publisher: Various
Year Released: 2011
New American Standard Bible
Translation Type: Formal equivalence.
Target Audience: Conservative, evangelical, protestant.
Denominational Affiliation: Conservative and evangelical
Publisher: Various
Year Released: 1971, 1995
New Century Version
Translation Type: Dynamic equivalence.
Target Audience: Those who want a highly readable translation of the Bible in today's language.
Denominational Affiliation: Conservative and evangelical
Publisher: Thomas Nelson Publishers
Year Released: 1988, 1991
New International Reader's Version
Translation Type: Dynamic equivalence. Simplified NIV with an emphasis on meaning when necessary.
Target Audience: Children ages 10 and under and adults.
Denominational Affiliation: Conservative and evangelical
Publisher: Zondervan
Year Released: 1996, 1998
New International Version
Translation Type: Dynamic equivalence. Balance between between word-for-word and thought-for-thought.
Target Audience: Bible readers of all ages.
Denominational Affiliation: Conservative and evangelical
Publisher: Zondervan
Year Released: 1978, 1984, 2010
New King James Version
Translation Type: Formal equivalence.
Target Audience: Those who want a readable translation of the Bible that is great for study but maintains the poetry of the King James Version.
Denominational Affiliation: Conservative, evangelical Protestant, Orthodox.
Publisher: Thomas Nelson Publishers
Year Released: 1982
New Living Translation
Translation Type: Dynamic equivalence. Thought-for-thought, original meaning focused.
Target Audience: For readers of all ages desiring a readable contemporary English translation.
Denominational Affiliation: None. Broadly conservative and evangelical.
Publisher: Tyndale House Publishers
Year Released: 1996, 2004, 2015
New Revised Standard Version
Translation Type: Formal equivalence.
Target Audience: All mainline denominations.
Denominational Affiliation: Mainline and interconfessional.
Publisher: Various
Year Released: 1989
Nueva Traducción Viviente
Translation Type: Dynamic equivalence. Spanish
Target Audience: Adults and children.
Denominational Affiliation: All mainstream evangelical denominations.
Publisher: Tyndale House Publishers
Year Released: 2010
Reina-Valera Revised 1960
Translation Type: Formal equivalence. Spanish.
Target Audience: Adults, pastors, ministries.
Denominational Affiliation: Universal.
Publisher: American Bible Society and licensees
Year Released: 1960
The Living Bible
Translation Type: Paraphrase
Target Audience: Adults and children.
Denominational Affiliation: All denominations
Publisher: Tyndale House Publishers
Year Released: 1971
Tree of Life Version
Translation Type: A balanced, vetted translation with Hebrew words and concepts.
Target Audience: Messianic Jews and non-Jewish Christians interested in the Jewish essence of the Bible.
Denominational Affiliation: Messianic Jewish
Publisher: Baker
Year Released: 2016
The Voice
Translation Type: Dynamic equivalence.
Target Audience: Those seeking to connect or reconnect with God.
Denominational Affiliation: Broad evangelical
Publisher: Thomas Nelson Publishers
Year Released: 2012