Bible Versions

In the English language, my favorite translation is the King James Version (KJV), also known as the Authorized Version (AV). It towers over other translations in fidelity and beauty of language. However, from time to time there are other translations who render a better meaning than the KJV does. Thus, the benefit of studying the Holy Scriptures with a number of translations. The art of translation is a difficult one, seldom doing justice to the language of the original. Many words have equivalent meanings in both languages, but others do not. At times a word may have several significations, adding to the richness of the original. Translators are then forced to choose only one word or meaning, or place a footnote (e.g., AV, ASV) or parenthetical comment within the translation (e.g., Amplified). In the latter instance, the translation takes the form of a targum (or paraphrase) of sorts. Beside the normal challenges of translation, most modern versions have corrupted the meaning of the original Hebrew either by design (in an attempt to remove from Scripture passages that are Messianic in nature) or lack of understanding.

When I first prepared this page, I had another dozen versions (than what I have here) that I was going to suggest as sources of useful comparison. As I looked at the two sample verses, Isaiah 7:14 and Zechariah 13:6, I began to systematically eliminate more and more of them, mostly for the way Zechariah 13:6 was translated (see page, Integrity of the Holy Scriptures). So, what did I end up with, namely the KJV, since the KJV is a revision and update of the Bishops' Bible and Geneva Bible. In terms of Spurrell and Webster, I did not have the opportunity to look closely at other verses, so I do not wish to imply endorsement of these versions, either. From time to time, I prefer the Bishops or Geneva rendition over the KJV. After the first list below, I include a second list of Bible versions I find useful in that they sometimes render a better translation than the KJV. There is yet a third list, but I have not included these here. Those who are interested can send me a note. Prayer and guidance of the Spirit are essential in our study of the Holy Scriptures.

KJV
King James Version
Isaiah 7:14
Therefore the Lord himself shall give you a sign; Behold, a virgin shall conceive, and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel.
Zechariah 13:6
And one shall say unto him, What are these wounds in thine hands? Then he shall answer, Those with which I was wounded in the house of my friends.


Bishops’ Bible (1568)
Isaiah 7:14
Therefore the Lorde hym selfe shall geue you a token: Beholde, a virgin shall conceaue and beare a sonne, and shall call his name Emmanuel.
Zechariah 13:6
And if it be saide vnto him, How came these woundes then in thyne handes? He shal aunswere: Thus was I wounded in the house of myne owne friendes.

GB
Geneva Bible (1599)
Isaiah 7:14
Therefore the Lord himselfe will giue you a signe. Beholde, the virgine shall conceiue and beare a sonne, and she shall call his name Immanu-el.
Zechariah 13:6
And one shall say vnto him, What are these woundes in thine hands? Then he shall answere, Thus was I wounded in the house of my friendes.

1611 KJV
King James Version (1611)
Isaiah 7:14
Therefore the Lord himselfe shal giue you a signe: Behold, a Uirgine shall conceiue and beare a Sonne, and shall call his name Immanuel.
Zechariah 13:6
And one shal say vnto him, What are these wounds in thine hands? Then hee shall answere: Those with which I was wounded in the house of my friends.

SOT
Spurrell’s Old Testament (1985)
Isaiah 7:14
Therefore Jehovah, He giveth to you a sign: Behold, the virgin conceiveth and beareth a son, And she called His name Immanuel!
Zechariah 13:6
Then shall one say unto him: What are these wounds within thine hands? And he shall reply: Those with which I have been stricken in the house of my friends.

Webster (1833)
Isaiah 7:14
Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign; Behold, a virgin shall conceive, and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel.
Zechariah 13:6
And one shall say to him, What are these wounds in thy hands? Then he shall answer, Those with which I was wounded in the house of my friends.

2. Second list
The following are useful translations although I am disappointed regarding the translation of Zechariah 13:6. These other useful versions include (not in any particular order): Rotherham's Emphasized Bible (REB), Green's Interlinear Hebrew Bible, Amercian Standard Version (ASV 1901), New American Standard Bible (NASB), The Holy Scriptures (Jewish Publication Society Bible, 1917), Siewert's Amplified Bible, Brenton's Translation of the LXX (1851), Douay-Rheims Translation of the Vulgate (1899), Holman Christian Standard Bible (HCSB), English Standard Version (ESV), Hebrew Names Version (HNV), Literal Translation of the Holy Bible (LITV).
For conversation or questions contact Gregorio at bielikov@yahoo.com.

3. Bibles available on the Web (mostly free throughe-Sword but need to download free eSword program first.).

American Standard Version
Amplified Bible
Analytical-Literal Translation
Bible in Basic English
Bishops' Bible, 1568 (w/ Apocrypha)
Contemporary English Version
Darby Bible
Douay-Rheims Bible (w/ Deuterocanon)
English Majority Text Version
English Standard Version
Geneva Bible, 1587 (w/ Apocrypha)
GOD'S WORD
Good News Translation
Greek New Testament (Majority Text)
Greek New Testament (w/ Variants)
Greek Old Testament (Septuagint)
Hebrew Old Testament (Tanach)
International Standard Version
James Murdock New Testament
Jewish Publication Society Old Testament
King James Bible, 1611 (w/ Apocrypha)
King James Version
King James Version (Red Letter)
King James Version (w/ Apocrypha)
King James Version (w/ Strong's)
Latin Vulgate (w/ Deuterocanon)
Literal Translation of the Holy
Modern King James Version
New American Standard Bible Study Set
Robinson/Pierpont Byzantine Greek New Testament (w/ Strong's)
Scrivener Textus Receptus
Textus Receptus Greek New Testament (w/ Strong's)
Webster Bible
Westcott-Hort Greek New Testament (w/ Strong's)
Weymouth New Testament
Young's Literal Translation