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
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
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
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
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 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 Revised Standard Version
Translation Type: Formal equivalence.
Target Audience: All mainline denominations.
Denominational Affiliation: Mainline and interconfessional.
Publisher: Various
Year Released: 1989
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