If you're new to reading the Bible, a helpful tool is to know how different translations work.
All modern translations are based on the most accessible and earliest biblical manuscripts available. As scholars translate, they have an intended audience in mind as they select the right English words to communicate the author's intent. This means two things:
1 - Bible translations do not operate like the telephone game
In the telephone game, one person says something, then tells someone else, and so on, until the last person says something far from the original message. One assumption is this is how Bible translations work. This is not the case. Instead, translators want to be faithful to the text's original meaning, looking at the most reliable manuscripts available and contextualizing them to their audience. (The Preface of most major Bible translations will tell you what manuscripts they have access to and who the intended audience is.)
2 - All Bible translations have their strengths and weaknesses
All languages are the byproduct of their culture. Words in one context may mean something else in a different context. For example, "shame" in collectivist Eastern cultures implies something other than in individualist Western cultures. Similarly, Hebrew (the primary language of the Old Testament) was brought out of an ancient Near Eastern world. Because of this worldview, their language primarily reflects ancient Near Eastern values and ideas. For example, words like "law" and "truth" in Hebrew mean something different than how we use those words in our context. Greek (the primary language of the New Testament) operates differently than English. For example, "love" and "fellowship" have different connotations in the Grek than in English. All this to say, a perfect one-for-one Bible translation doesn't exist because Hebrew, Greek, and English are birthed from radically different cultures.
Any decent Bible translation knows this dilemma and thus explains why so many Bible translations are available. "Is it better to translate more word-for-word to get behind the original text of the Hebrew/Greek?" Or, "Is it better to translate more thought-for-thought to get behind the original meaning of the Hebrew/Greek?" Or is it some mix of the two?
Below is a chart with a brief explanation of the major Bible translations. We’d recommend using multiple translations and comparing them to gain a more comprehensive understanding of biblical passages. Below, you’ll also find a sampling of verses with different translations.
Word for Word - These translations are based on finding a 1-for-1 from the original language to the English. Since biblical languages work differently than modern-day English, these translations can be, at times, hard to read.
Meaning for Meaning - These translations look to bridge the gap between faithfulness to the exact wording of the original language while also communicating the idea behind the author’s word choice.
Thought for Thought - Rather than word-for-word, these translations will try to communicate the author’s intent behind the original words while still maintaining exegetical faithfulness.
Paraphrase - These translations are generally not based on Hebrew and Greek manuscripts. Rather, they aim to be contextual and casual for a specific audience to understand.
Below are samplings of different translations using one translation from each category: word-for-word (NASB), meaning-for-meaning (GW), thought-for-thought (NLT), and paraphrase (The Message).
Psalm 2:7
New American Standard Bible (NASB)
"I will surely tell of the decree of the LORD: He said to Me, 'You are My Son, Today I have begotten You.' "
GOD'S WORD Translation (GW)
I will announce the LORD's decree. He said to me: "You are my Son. Today, I have become your Father."
New Living Translation (NLT)
The king proclaims the LORD's decree: "The LORD said to me, 'You are my son. Today I have become your Father.
The Message
Let me tell you what GOD said next. He said, “You’re my son, and today is your birthday."
Matthew 16:13
New American Standard Bible (NASB)
Now when Jesus came into the district of Caesarea Philippi, He was asking His disciples, “Who do people say that the Son of Man is?”
GOD'S WORD Translation (GW)
When Jesus came to the region of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, “Who do people say the Son of Man is?”
New Living Translation (NLT)
When Jesus came to the region of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, “Who do people say that the Son of Man is?”
The Message
When Jesus arrived in the villages of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, “What are people saying about who the Son of Man is?”
2 Timothy 3:1-5
New American Standard Bible (NASB)
But realize this, that in the last days difficult times will come. [2] For men will be lovers of self, lovers of money, boastful, arrogant, revilers, disobedient to parents, ungrateful, unholy, [3] unloving, irreconcilable, malicious gossips, without self-control, brutal, haters of good, [4] treacherous, reckless, conceited, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, [5] holding to a form of godliness, although they have denied its power; Avoid such men as these.
GOD'S WORD Translation (GW)
You must understand this: In the last days there will be violent periods of time. [2] People will be selfish and love money. They will brag, be arrogant, and use abusive language. They will curse their parents, show no gratitude, have no respect for what is holy, [3] and lack normal affection for their families. They will refuse to make peace with anyone. They will be slanderous, lack self-control, be brutal, and have no love for what is good. [4] They will be traitors. They will be reckless and conceited. They will love pleasure rather than God. [5] They will appear to have a godly life, but they will not let its power change them. Stay away from such people.
New Living Translation (NLT)
You should also know this, Timothy, that in the last days there will be very difficult times. [2] For people will love only themselves and their money. They will be boastful and proud, scoffing at God, disobedient to their parents, and ungrateful. They will consider nothing sacred. [3] They will be unloving and unforgiving; they will slander others and have no self-control; they will be cruel and have no interest in what is good. [4] They will betray their friends, be reckless, be puffed up with pride, and love pleasure rather than God. [5] They will act as if they are religious, but they will reject the power that could make them godly. You must stay away from people like that.
The Message
Don't be naive. There are difficult times ahead. [2] As the end approaches, people are going to be self-absorbed, money-hungry, self-promoting, stuck-up, profane, contemptuous of parents, crude, coarse, [3] dog-eat-dog, unbending, slanderers, impulsively wild, savage, cynical, [4] treacherous, ruthless, bloated windbags, addicted to lust, and allergic to God. [5] They'll make a show of religion, but behind the scenes they're animals. Stay clear of these people.