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Practical Faith

Bible Barometer

Every Bible sits somewhere between two goals: staying as close as possible to the original words – or being as easy to understand as possible today. Move the needle, flick through the cards or search for your edition.

Which Bibles?

Meaning firstthought-for-thought

Word firstword-for-word

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German Bibles

  1. Free paraphrase 1 of 15

    Volxbibel

    For an aha moment – you simply have to have read it once.

    • Probably the most communicative rendering you could imagine.
    • Retells each passage the way young people from a deprived background might – much of it moved into the present day.
    • Hugely helpful for grasping the bigger picture.
    Sample: John 1:1–3
    Ein Code war es, mit dem alles begann. Ein ganz spezieller Code, der Leben erschaffen kann. Dieser Code war wie Gott, ja Gott selbst hat ihn gesagt. Er hat alles gemacht. Er war es, in der Tat. Genauso andersrum und wie man's auch dreht, Gott machte alles, was da geht und steht. Es gibt nichts, was ohne diesen Code entstand – Gott selbst hat alles in seiner Hand.
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  2. Thought-for-thought 2 of 15

    Hoffnung für alle (HFA)

    Great for first-time readers – ideal as a gift.

    • Easy to read, conveys the meaning clearly and naturally.
    • Popular in free churches and with people new to the Bible.
    Sample: John 1:1–3
    Am Anfang war das Wort. Das Wort war bei Gott, und das Wort war Gott selbst. Von Anfang an war es bei Gott. Alles wurde durch das Wort geschaffen; nichts ist ohne das Wort entstanden.
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  3. Thought-for-thought 3 of 15

    Neues Leben

    For newcomers who like fluent, modern language.

    • Close to everyday speech and pleasant to read.
    • Ideal for reading whole books in one go.
    Sample: John 1:1–3
    Am Anfang war das Wort. Das Wort war bei Gott und das Wort war Gott. Er war am Anfang bei Gott. Durch ihn wurde alles geschaffen, was ist. Es gibt nichts, was er, das Wort, nicht geschaffen hat.
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  4. Thought-for-thought, ecumenical 4 of 15

    Gute Nachricht Bibel (Gute Nachricht)

    For first-time and more experienced readers alike.

    • Mostly stays close to the original, but paraphrases special terms (such as “faith”) so they're easier to understand.
    • Produced jointly by Protestant and Catholic churches.
    Sample: John 1:1–3
    Am Anfang war das Wort. Das Wort war bei Gott, und in allem war es Gott gleich. Von Anfang an war es bei Gott. Alles wurde durch das Wort geschaffen; und ohne das Wort ist nichts entstanden.
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  5. Thought-for-thought 5 of 15

    Neue evangelistische Übersetzung (NeÜ)

    For first-time readers – clear, precise and natural.

    • Easy to read and still close to the original.
    • A great one to give away.
    Sample: John 1:1–3
    Im Anfang war das Wort. Das Wort war bei Gott, ja, das Wort war Gott. Von Anfang an war es bei Gott. Alles ist dadurch entstanden. Ohne das Wort entstand nichts von dem, was besteht.
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  6. Thought-for-thought, NT and Psalms 6 of 15

    Das Buch

    For people who want to read and understand the New Testament in one go.

    • A modern, explanatory rendering by Roland Werner.
    • So far mainly the New Testament and Psalms.
    Sample: John 1:1
    Zuerst das Wort. Ganz am Anfang war es. Das Wort. Auf Gott ausgerichtet war es. Gott selbst war das Wort.
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  7. Modern 7 of 15

    BasisBibel

    For more experienced readers who want to understand terms and ideas more precisely.

    • Short sentences, modern language and lots of explanatory notes.
    • Designed from the ground up for screens and smartphones.
    Sample: John 1:1–3
    Von Anfang an gab es das Wort. Das Wort gehörte zu Gott und es war Gott in allem gleich. Dieses Wort gehörte von Anfang an zu Gott. Alles wurde durch dieses Wort geschaffen. Und nichts, das geschaffen ist, ist ohne dieses Wort entstanden.
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  8. Balanced 8 of 15

    Neue Genfer Übersetzung (NGÜ)

    For people who grew up in church and want to get closer to the original text.

    • The most precise translation you can still follow without any prior knowledge.
    • So far mainly the New Testament (plus Psalms and Proverbs).
    Sample: John 1:1–3
    Am Anfang war das Wort; das Wort war bei Gott, und das Wort war Gott. Der, der das Wort ist, war am Anfang bei Gott. Durch ihn ist alles entstanden; es gibt nichts, was ohne ihn entstanden ist.
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  9. Catholic, balanced 9 of 15

    Einheitsübersetzung (Einheit)

    For special occasions and for people who have been following Jesus for a while.

    • The official Catholic translation, with Protestant involvement.
    • Balanced between accuracy and readability.
    Sample: John 1:1–3
    Im Anfang war das Wort und das Wort war bei Gott und das Wort war Gott. Dieses war im Anfang bei Gott. Alles ist durch das Wort geworden und ohne es wurde nichts, was geworden ist.
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  10. Protestant, classic 10 of 15

    Lutherbibel 2017 (Luther)

    For special occasions and for people who have been following Jesus for a while.

    • Has shaped the German language for 500 years – resonant and familiar.
    • The standard Bible in German Protestant churches.
    Sample: John 1:1–3
    Im Anfang war das Wort, und das Wort war bei Gott, und Gott war das Wort. Dasselbe war im Anfang bei Gott. Alle Dinge sind durch dasselbe gemacht, und ohne dasselbe ist nichts gemacht, was gemacht ist.
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  11. Word-for-word, readable 11 of 15

    Menge-Bibel (Menge)

    For a text that's close to the original yet still easy to follow.

    • Carefully translated, with helpful headings and additions in brackets.
    • Valued by Bible readers for its accuracy.
    Sample: John 1:1–3
    Im Anfang war das Wort, und das Wort war bei Gott, und Gott war das Wort. Dieses war im Anfang bei Gott. Alle Dinge sind durch dieses (Wort) geworden, und ohne dieses ist nichts geworden (von allem), was geworden ist.
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  12. Word-for-word 12 of 15

    Schlachter 2000 (Schlachter)

    For experienced readers digging into individual verses and comparing them with their own translations.

    • Literal in approach, close to the traditional underlying text.
    • For reading straight through, best suited to experienced readers.
    Sample: John 1:1–3
    Im Anfang war das Wort, und das Wort war bei Gott, und das Wort war Gott. Dieses war im Anfang bei Gott. Alles ist durch dasselbe entstanden; und ohne dasselbe ist auch nicht eines entstanden, was entstanden ist.
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  13. Reformed, word-for-word 13 of 15

    Zürcher Bibel (Zürcher)

    For readers looking for a particularly precise, sober translation.

    • From Zwingli's tradition, linguistically very careful and consistently close to the original.
    • Highly regarded by scholars.
    Sample: John 1:1–3
    Im Anfang war das Wort, der Logos, und der Logos war bei Gott, und von Gottes Wesen war der Logos. Dieser war im Anfang bei Gott. Alles ist durch ihn geworden, und ohne ihn ist auch nicht eines geworden, das geworden ist.
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  14. Very literal 14 of 15

    Elberfelder

    For experienced readers studying individual verses in detail.

    • One of the most literal German translations.
    • Ideal for comparison; for reading straight through, best left to experts.
    Sample: John 1:1–3
    Im Anfang war das Wort, und das Wort war bei Gott, und das Wort war Gott. Dieses war im Anfang bei Gott. Alles wurde durch dasselbe, und ohne dasselbe wurde auch nicht eines, das geworden ist.
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  15. Word by word 15 of 15

    Interlinearübersetzung (Interlinear)

    For real experts, to compare with their own translations.

    • Translates literally, word by word, beneath the original text.
    • Hard to read without knowing the original languages.
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English Bibles

  1. Paraphrase 1 of 18

    The Message (MSG)

    A vivid paraphrase that captures the Bible's tone in everyday, idiomatic English.

    • Reads like a modern conversation – great for a fresh perspective.
    • Best used alongside a more literal Bible, not for close study.
    Sample: John 1:1–3
    The Word was first, the Word present to God, God present to the Word. The Word was God, in readiness for God from day one. Everything was created through him; nothing—not one thing!—came into being without him.
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  2. Paraphrase 2 of 18

    The Living Bible (TLB)

    A warm, easy paraphrase – good for first-time readers and children.

    • Rephrases an older English Bible in plain, everyday language.
    • Largely succeeded by the NLT, which is a fresh translation.
    Sample: John 1:1–3
    Before anything else existed, there was Christ, with God. He has always been alive and is himself God. He created everything there is—nothing exists that he didn't make.
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  3. Thought-for-thought 3 of 18

    Contemporary English Version (CEV)

    Very clear, simple English designed to be read aloud and easily understood.

    • Great for new readers, children and English learners.
    • Focuses on natural, uncomplicated sentences.
    Sample: John 1:1–3
    In the beginning was the one who is called the Word. The Word was with God and was truly God. From the very beginning the Word was with God. And with this Word, God created all things. Nothing was made without the Word.
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  4. Thought-for-thought 4 of 18

    Good News Translation (GNT)

    Simple, clear English for a broad audience, including new readers.

    • Also known as the Good News Bible.
    • Widely used for outreach and with younger readers.
    Sample: John 1:1–3
    In the beginning the Word already existed; the Word was with God, and the Word was God. From the very beginning the Word was with God. Through him God made all things; not one thing in all creation was made without him.
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  5. Thought-for-thought 5 of 18

    New International Reader's Version (NIrV)

    A simplified NIV with short sentences – for early readers and learners.

    • Based on the NIV, with easier vocabulary and grammar.
    • A good stepping stone towards the full NIV.
    Sample: John 1:1–3
    In the beginning, the Word was already there. The Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was with God in the beginning. All things were made through him. Nothing that has been made was made without him.
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  6. Thought-for-thought 6 of 18

    International Children's Bible (ICB)

    Written for children, at the reading level of roughly an eight-year-old.

    • One of the simplest full translations available.
    • Ideal for kids and beginning readers.
    Sample: John 1:1–3
    Before the world began, there was the Word. The Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was with God in the beginning. All things were made through him. Nothing was made without him.
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  7. Thought-for-thought 7 of 18

    New Century Version (NCV)

    Clear, accessible English for a general and younger audience.

    • Related to the ICB, aimed at easy comprehension.
    • Good for family and devotional reading.
    Sample: John 1:1–3
    In the beginning there was the Word. The Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was with God in the beginning. All things were made by him, and nothing was made without him.
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  8. Thought-for-thought 8 of 18

    New Living Translation (NLT)

    Smooth, natural English that's easy to read while staying reliable.

    • A fresh translation (not a paraphrase), popular for reading and study.
    • A great balance of clarity and accuracy for everyday use.
    Sample: John 1:1–3
    In the beginning the Word already existed. The Word was with God, and the Word was God. He existed in the beginning with God. God created everything through him, and nothing was created except through him.
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  9. Balanced 9 of 18

    New International Version (NIV)

    The world's most popular modern English Bible – balanced and readable.

    • The middle ground between word-for-word and thought-for-thought.
    • A dependable all-purpose choice for reading, study and church.
    Sample: John 1:1–3
    In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was with God in the beginning. Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made.
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  10. Optimal equivalence 10 of 18

    Christian Standard Bible (CSB)

    Aims for both accuracy and readability (“optimal equivalence”).

    • Successor to the HCSB – faithful yet smooth.
    • Good for study and public reading alike.
    Sample: John 1:1–3
    In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was with God in the beginning. All things were created through him, and apart from him not one thing was created that has been created.
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  11. Balanced, annotated 11 of 18

    New English Translation (NET)

    Famous for its tens of thousands of translators' notes.

    • Excellent for seeing why a verse is rendered a certain way.
    • Freely available online and a strong study resource.
    Sample: John 1:1–3
    In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was fully God. The Word was with God in the beginning. All things were created by him, and apart from him not one thing was created that has been created.
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  12. Word-for-word, classic 12 of 18

    New King James Version (NKJV)

    Keeps the KJV's dignity in updated, modern English.

    • Word-for-word, based on the traditional Greek text.
    • Great for those who love the KJV but want clearer wording.
    Sample: John 1:1–3
    In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things were made through Him, and without Him nothing was made that was made.
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  13. Word-for-word, classic 13 of 18

    King James Version (KJV)

    The historic 1611 translation that shaped the English language.

    • Word-for-word and majestic, though the English is archaic.
    • Still beloved for its literary and liturgical beauty.
    Sample: John 1:1–3
    In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. The same was in the beginning with God. All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made.
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  14. Word-for-word 14 of 18

    Revised Standard Version (RSV)

    A mid-century literal standard, ancestor of the ESV and NRSV.

    • Accurate and dignified, long respected for study.
    • Bridges the KJV tradition and modern scholarship.
    Sample: John 1:1–3
    In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God; all things were made through him, and without him was not anything made that was made.
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  15. Word-for-word 15 of 18

    English Standard Version (ESV)

    An “essentially literal” translation popular for study and preaching.

    • Reads more smoothly than most word-for-word Bibles.
    • Widely used in evangelical churches and seminaries.
    Sample: John 1:1–3
    In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things were made through him, and without him was not any thing made that was made.
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  16. Word-for-word, expanded 16 of 18

    Amplified Bible (AMP)

    Expands key words with brackets to show their range of meaning.

    • Useful for word study without knowing Greek or Hebrew.
    • The added brackets make it best for study rather than reading straight through.
    Sample: John 1:1–3
    In the beginning [before all time] was the Word (Christ), and the Word was with God, and the Word was God Himself. He was [continually existing] in the beginning [co-eternally] with God. All things were made and came into existence through Him; and without Him not even one thing was made that has come into being.
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  17. Most literal 17 of 18

    New American Standard Bible (NASB)

    One of the most literal English translations – a study favourite.

    • Prioritises precise, word-for-word accuracy.
    • Excellent for detailed study and comparison.
    Sample: John 1:1–3
    In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things came into being through Him, and apart from Him not even one thing came into being that has come into being.
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  18. Word by word 18 of 18

    Interlinear Bible (Interlinear)

    The Greek or Hebrew text with an English gloss under each original word.

    • Shows the original word order literally, word by word.
    • A study tool – not meant to be read as normal English.
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Which one suits me?

Three quick questions, then the barometer sets the needle for you.

1. How familiar are you with the Bible?
2. What matters most to you?
3. What will you mainly use it for?

Quick test

To see where your own Bible sits, just read John 1. The faster you understand it without having to think, the further towards “thought-for-thought” it leans.

The two translation goals

The Bible was written in ancient Hebrew, Aramaic and Greek, so meaning can never be carried across perfectly word for word. There's no single “perfect” translation either – a kids' group needs something different from a doctoral thesis. Broadly, there are two approaches.

Thought-for-thought

Carry the meaning

Works phrase by phrase and puts each one into natural, present-day language (“dynamic equivalence”); a paraphrase goes furthest. Strength: clarity. Trade-off: more interpretation.

Word-for-word

Keep the wording

Follows the original words and sentence structure as closely as possible (“formal equivalence”). Strength: precision. Trade-off: can read stiffly.

The exact position on the scale is an approximation – translations can't be pinned to a single point, and the placement is partly subjective.

Practical Faith