Translation

English Bible Translations

There are over 20 different Bible translations currently available in English. This wide choice can make it difficult to choose the translation which is best for you. The following has been designed to help you make that important choice.

As a general guide Bible versions can be divided into three categories:
1. those produced and generally used by the Roman Catholic Church (Douay Rheims, Jerusalem, New Jerusalem, New American Bible, the Way, the Christian Community Bible

2. those produced by and generally used by the Protestant Churches (King James/Authorised Version, New King James, Revised Version, New International Version, New American Standard Version)

3. those produced by an interdenominational team and used by most of the Christian churches (Revised Standard Version, New English Bible, Good News Bible, Revised English Bible, Living Bible, New Revised Standard Version, Contemporary English Version)

Below you will find links to the same three passages in several translations - one from the Old Testament [Isaiah 9:1(2)-3], one from the Psalms [Psalm 23 (22):1-3] and one from the New Testament [1 John 4:7-8].

You can compare the passages, decide which version you like best, and then either visit your local bookshop to look at it more closely or contact the National Bible Society of Ireland on further information on all the editions that are available or to purchase your choice.

Amplified Bible (1964)

Christian Community Bible (1994)

Contemporary English Version (1995)

Douay Rheims Bible (1749-1752)

English Standard Version (2001)

Good News Bible (1976,1994)

International Children's Bible

Jerusalem Bible (1966)

King James / Authorised Version (1611)

Living Bible (1971)

Message, The (1995)

New American Bible (1963)