Bible Translations: What You Need to Know

Get out your Bibles—all of them. We are going to look at every single difference between every translation using a few Venn diagrams crossed with an abacus, which will decipher the best translation there has ever been or will ever be. I'm excited. Are you excited? Let's go!

Sponsor: Pioneer Bible Translators (pioneerbible.org/clearly)

Content Timestamps:

(00:09:25) - Why do Bible translations matter?

(00:10:39) - What are the different Bible translations?

(00:11:11) - Different translation philosophies

• Word-for-word (formal equivalent) vs. thought-for-thought (dynamic)
• Readability
• Target audience

(00:25:00) - Warning: Not all translations are created equal!

• The New World Translation of the Holy Scriptures
• The Message (our view might surprise you!)
• The King James Version (juicy stuff here!)

(00:38:39) - Bible translation is a really undervalued gift!

(00:41:06) - Pay attention to what you’re reading.

(00:42:24) - Be a part of Bible translation.

Check out JimmyandKelly.com for more extensive show notes. Want to ask us a question? Email [email protected].

Our Recommendations:

• Sponsor: Pioneer Bible Translators (pioneerbible.org/clearly)
• 👀 Resources: 
• Get to Know Your Bible (Free Download!)
• Check out some ancient Biblical manuscripts here: csntm.org
• Get translator notes: netbible.org
• Bible translation guide: mardel.com/bibletranslationguide
• ⛪ Sermon: Dr. Dan Wallace's sermon "Is what we have now what they wrote then?"
• 📖 Reading:
• Wide as the Waters by Benson Bobrick
• Peculiar Glory by John Piper
• Our Favorite Translations:
• New American Standard Bible (NASB)
• English Standard Version (ESV)
• Christian Standard Bible (CSB)
• New English Translation (NET)
• New International Version (NIV)
• New International Readers Version (NIrV) – our favorite translation for kids
• ✝️ Recommended Bibles:
• The New Inductive Study Bible (ESV) (NASB)
• ESV Study Bible
• ESV Literary Study Bible
• ESV Illuminated Scripture Journals (New Testament) (Old Testament)
• 👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Favorite Resources for Kids
• Bibles
• The Illustrated Holy Bible for Kids (NIrV)
• Adventure Bible for Early Readers (NIrV)
• Explorer Bible for Kids (CSB)
• Bible resources:
• The Action Bible
• The Jesus Storybook Bible
• The Biggest Story Bible Storybook

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