H & C Religious Supplies

Bible Comparison Chart

Bible Abbreviations	Bible Translation
NIV	New International Version
KJV	King James Version
LB	Living Bible
NLT	New Living Translation
CEV	Contemporary English Version
NKJV	New King James Version
NASB	New American Standard
NRSV	New Revised Standard

Translation	Grade Level	Translation Philosophy	Sample Passage Hebrews 1:1-2	Distinctive Features	Theological Affiliation
NAB New American Bible	6.6	word-for-word	In times past, God spoke in partial and various ways to our ancestors through the prophets; in these last days, he spoke to us through a son, whom he made heir of all things and through whom he created the universe,	Official translation of the Roman Catholic Church in the United States. All editions include Deuterocanical/Apocryphal books. First published in 1970.	Roman Catholic
NIV New International Version	7.8	Balance between word-for-word and thought-for-thought	In the past God spoke to the forefathers through the prophets at many times and in various ways, but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son, whom he appointed heir of all things, and through whom he made the universe.	Popular modern language translation. Attempts to balance literal and dynamic translation methods. Does not include Deuterocanical/Apocryphal books. Published in 1978. Omits some verses found in the King James Version.	Transnational, trans-denominational team of scholars. Conservative evangelical
RSV Revised Standard Version	10	Maintain a word-for-word accuracy using modern American language	In many and various ways God spoke of old to our fathers by the prophets; but in these last days he has spoken to us by a Son, whom he appointed the heir of all things, through whom also he created the world.	Although attempting to update the "Bible English" of the KJV, some thous, and beholds still remain. First published in 1952.	Mainline and interconfessional
NRSV New Revised Standard Version	8.1	Balance between word-for-word and thought-for-thought	Long ago God spoke to our ancestors in many and various ways by the prophets, but in these last days he has spoken to us by a Son, whom he appointed heir of all things, through whom he also created the worlds.	Revises the RSV into fully modern language. Uses gender neutral language and removes thees, thous and beholds. Published in 1990.	Mainline and interconfessional
DR Douay Rheims	12	word-for-word	God, who at sundry times and in divers manners spoke in time past to the fathers by the prophets, last of all, In these last days hath spoken to us by his Son, whom he hath appointed heir of all things, by whom also he made the world.	English translation from the Latin Vulgate with comparisons the Hebrew and Greek. Its language contains "Latinisms," common in the English writing of the day. First published in 1609.	Roman Catholic
NJB New Jerusalem Bible	7.4	Balance between word translation and meaning	At many moments in the past and by many means, God spoke to our ancestors through the prophets; but in our time, the final days, he has spoken to us in the person of his Son, whom he appointed heir of all things and through whom he made the ages.	An update of the Jerusalem Bible first translated into French. Includes comprehensive introductions, footnotes and gender neutral language. Published in 1985.	Roman Catholic official English language text outside United States.
LB Living Bible	8.3	Paraphrase	Long ago God spoke in many different ways to our fathers through the prophets [in visions, dreams and even face to face], telling them little by little about his plans. But now in these days he has spoken to us through his Son to whom he has given everything and through whom he made the world and everything there is.	A very popular interpretive rephrasing of the text. First released as "The Way", it was originally intended for personal devotional use only. Deuterocanical/Apocryphal books, if included, placed at the end of the entire text. Published in 1971.	Conservative and evangelical
NLT New Living Translation	6.4	thought-for-thought	Long ago God spoke many times and in many ways to our ancestors through the prophets. But now in these final days he has spoken to us through his Son. God promised everything to the Son as an inheritance, and through the Son he made the universe and everything in it.	This successor of the Living Bible seeks to produce the closest natural equivalent of the message in contemporary English. Published in 1996.	Evangelical
KJV King James Version	12	word-for-word	God, who at sundry times and in divers manners spake in time past unto the fathers by the prophets, hath in these last days spoken unto us by his Son, whom he hath appointed heir of all things, by whom also he made the worlds;	Poetic literary style using Elizabethan English. Most universally accepted translation for centuries. Considered the most difficult to read. Deuterocanical/Apocryphal books placed at the end of the Old Testament. First published in 1611.	Church of England, conservative and evangelical
NKJV New King James Version	8	Based on the original KJV, yet attempting to produce an accurate and modern word-for-word translation	God, who at various times and in various ways spoke in time past to the fathers by the prophets, has in these last days spoken to us by His Son, whom He has appointed heir of all things, through whom also He made the worlds;	Captures the accuracy and beauty of the KJV in contemporary, readable language. Published in 1982.	Transnational, trans-denominational team of scholars. Conservative evangelical
NASB New American Standard Bible	11	word-for-word	God, after He spoke long ago to the fathers in the prophets in many portions and in many ways, in these last days has spoken to us in His Son. whom He appointed heir of all things, through whom also He made the world.	Updating the American Standard Version into modern language. Generally considered an accurate translation. Does not include Deuterocanical/Apocryphal books. Published in 1971.	Conservative and evangelical

Amplified
Provides the full range of possible meanings of words in the original languages. It attempts to help modern readers understand the meanings ancient readers might have considered.

Analytical
A Bible with a comprehensive study system and study aids that analyzes the structure and meanings of passages.

Award
A text Bible designed for presentation from a church or Sunday school. It usually contains maps and other study aids.

Apocrypha or Deuterocanon
Name given to the 14 books of the Septuagint, a third-century B.C. Greek translation of the Hebrew Bible. These 14 are excluded from the Jewish and Protestant canons, but 11 are part of the Roman Catholic canon.

Baby’s
Gift Bibles or New Testaments, often bound in pastel colors, to commemorate births.

Catholic
Includes the deuterocanonical/Apocryphal books and often an imprimatur indicating it to be officially authorized by the Roman Catholic Church.

Center-Column Reference
Cross-references are printed in a narrow, center column between columns of text.

Chain-Reference
Explores key words and major themes by referring text to the preceding or following text containing the same word or theme.

Children’s
A text Bible often containing simple study helps, maps, and illustrations, designed to meet the unique needs of children.

Christian Life
A Bible or New Testament containing master outlines and study notes to assist in evangelistic work.

Christian Worker’s
A New Testament with a reference system to assist in evangelistic work.

Chronological
A Bible with the text arranged in the supposed order in which events occurred.

Concordance
An index of names, words, and phrases, showing their book, chapter, and verse in the Bible. An analytical concordance also will show the Greek or Hebrew word translated in each case.

Counselor’s
A New Testament indexed to topics especially used in counseling.

Dictionary
A collection of definitions or identifications of key terms, places, and people in the Bible.

Dictionary/Concordance
A Bible which has a combination Bible dictionary, concordance, and subject index all in one alphabetical sequence.

Family
A large Bible containing family-record pages, often with additional material for study or family devotions.

Gift or Gift and Award
A text Bible intended for gift or presentation, often including a presentation page. Gift and award Bibles usually carry a lower price so that they are an affordable gift option. Gift Bibles are available in any binding material.

Imprimatur
Latin for “let it be printed.” The imprimatur, found in a Catholic Bible, indicates that an ecclesiastical censor has given permission for it to be printed.

Interlinear
A Greek New Testament or Hebrew Old Testament with a literal English translation for each word or phrase printed between the lines.

Key
A New Testament with Psalms that has a system of topical subheads to help readers understand key passages.

Lectern
A large Bible with large print designed for use in reading the Scriptures in public worship from a lectern.

Library
Inexpensive, sturdy hardcover Bibles used in libraries or church pews.

Loose-Leaf
A Bible with a loose-leaf binding that allows readers to write in their own notes and remove sections of text.

Parallel
A Bible with the text of two or more versions printed side-by-side.

Personal Worker’s
A New Testament with Psalms that contains a reference system to help in personal evangelism.

Pronouncing or Self-Pronouncing
Indicates pronunciation of difficult names by means of diacritical markings.

Pulpit
A large Bible with large print designed for use in reading the Scriptures in public worship from a pulpit.

Red Letter
Abbreviation: RL. Words attributed to Christ are printed in red letters.

Reference
The text contains cross-references to related Scripture passages, either in columns (center-column or side-column references), footnotes, or within the verse.

Side-Column Reference
A Bible with the reference in columns on the side of each page.

Soul Winner’s
A New Testament that contains step-by-step instructions for personal evangelism as well as a chain-reference system.

Student
A Bible with study articles and helps especially for use in the classroom.

Study
A Bible with many extra features to help readers better understand the Bible. These may include book introductions, dictionary, concordance, references, maps, scholarly notes and other study aids.

Tanakh
This refers to the Jewish Scriptures, which commonly is called the Old Testament by non-Jews. The word is derived from the Hebrew letters of the three parts that make it up: the Torah (the first five books of Moses), the N’viim (Prophets), and the K’Tuvim (the Writings).

Teacher’s
Contains study aids especially useful to teachers: concordance, dictionary, maps, or other material.

Verse Reference
A Bible with cross-references contained within the corresponding verse.

Wide Margin
A Bible printed with generous margins on both sides of each page, allowing room for personal notes.

Youth
A Bible containing special study and devotional aids designed specifically for the unique needs, questions, and interests of teenagers.