With so many translations available, picking the right Bible can be a daunting task. With decades of experience connecting Christians with a new Bible, Baker Book House is ready to help you choose the perfect translation for your faith journey.

There are many Bible translations available because there is a wide spectrum of needs in the church. Because the original texts that make up the Bible were written in Hebrew, Greek, and Biblical Aramaic, it can be difficult to capture the exact meaning in modern English. To overcome this language and cultural barrier, translations exist on a spectrum from literal translation to paraphrasing.

Our guide will walk you through the major translations, and give a brief explanation of where they fall on this spectrum. There is not a right or wrong translation, as no translation can be absolutely perfect. However, it is important to select the translation that is right for you; it is important to approach the Word of God with an open heart and awareness of the context in which the Bible was written.

The English Standard Version (or ESV) is a literal translation of the Bible to contemporary English. Originally published in 2001 by a team of more than 100 leading evangelical scholars, this version focuses less on capturing the contextual meaning, but maintaining a literal word accuracy. This version allows for readers to deeply study and analyze the Biblical text with the help of commentaries, their pastor, or devotionals. This version is at an approximately 10th grade reading level.

Originally published in 1611, the King James Version (Or KJV) remains a very popular Bible among churches today. Thanks to the printing press, this was one of the first times in history that the Bible became widely available to those outside of the clergy. This set the stage for the Protestant reformation. The KJV is another literal translation of the Bible. The focus at the time was on having words remain as close as possible to the words of the original languages, while still maintaining the poetic prose it is known for. This is a good translation for those who enjoy the high English style, and don't mind having to do more work to understand the meaning of the text. Similar to the ESV, it pairs well with a commentary, devotional, or pastoral teaching. This version is at an approximately 12th grade reading level.

As you may guess, the New King James Version (or NKJV) is an update on the KJV for modern English readers. Published in 1982, the NKJV sought to bring the beautiful prose into the modern tongue. Striking a balance between literal translation and paraphrasing, this version brings the meaning of the passages into focus alongside the literal translation. This makes understanding the Bible more approachable for modern readers who may not have a deep knowledge of the context and intent of the original text. This version is at an approximately 7th grade reading level.

Originally published in 1984, and updated in 2011, the New International Version (or NIV) is a widely used translation in churches. Striking a balance between literal translation and author intent, the NIV is in the middle of the translation spectrum. Their stated goal is accuracy alongside clarity. As the original readers of scriptures understood the meaning, so too should modern readers. This is a good Bible for those who want the depth of the Bible, with less barriers between the translation and modern understanding. This version is at an approximately 7-8th grade reading level.

The Christian Standard Bible (or CSB) was created with an "optimal equivalence" philosophy. This means striking a balance between the meaning of the original text and literal translation. Bringing faithfulness to the original text together with clarity, this is a Bible that is easy to read and share with others. Many Southern Baptist, Lutheran, and conservative Anglican churches use this translation. Readers who enjoy a blend of literal translation and modern dialect will enjoy this Bible. This version is at an approximately 7th grade reading level.

The New Living Translation (or NLT) uses a thought-for-thought translation philosophy called dynamic equivalence. This means the NLT focuses on making the thoughts and ideas of Scripture take importance over the literal translation to English. While the translation is less "precise" the meaning and intent is more clearly conveyed to modern readers. This version is more approachable and is helpful for individuals who may struggle with archaic language or traditional religious terminology. This version is at an approximately 6th grade reading level.

The Message Bible is a unique and distinct version of the Bible. Created in 2002 this Bible takes a "paraphrase approach". The authors are more interested in conveying the meaning of the original text in a contemporary fashion than maintaining a word-for-word translation. It is a good choice for those who are new to the Bible and may not be familiar with the original scriptural context or religious terminology. The Message is often used for devotional and inspirational uses. It may not be suitable for in-depth study, as it will not have all the nuanced language other translations offer.

Finding the right Bible for your child may seem difficult, but many translations aim to be approachable by anyone reading at a 7th-9th grade level. We have provided teen versions of the NLT, NIV, and ESV for your selection. For your younger children, the NIV Adventure Bible is full of notes that can help children understand some of the more confusing passages.