Word for Word Bibles

Word-for-word Bibles strive to translate each word, phrase, and concept in the original text with an exactly matching word, phrase, and concept in the target language.

ALL BIBLES | WORD-FOR-WORD | THOUGHT-FOR-THOUGHT | PARAPHRASE

AMP

AMP

Amplified Bible

Translation Type:  Word-for-Word plus additional amplification of word meanings. Formal Equivalence.
Target Audience:  Those looking for more detailed shades of meaning in scripture.
Denominational Affiliation:  None
Publisher:  Zondervan
Year Released:  1965, 1987

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ESV

ESV

English Standard Version

Translation Type:  Formal Equivalence: essentially literal
Target Audience:  Bible readers of all ages.
Denominational Affiliation:  Evangelical, interdenominational, conservative
Publisher:  Crossway
Year Released:  2001

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ESV

HCSB

Holman Christian Standard Bible

Translation Type:  Formal Equivalence
Target Audience:  Bible readers of all ages
Denominational Affiliation:  Protestant, evangelical, conservative, interdenominational
Publisher:  Holman Bible Publishers
Year Released:  2000, 2002, 2004

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ESV

KJV

King James Version

Translation Type:  Formal Equivalence
Target Audience:  Conservative protestant
Denominational Affiliation:  Church of England, conservative and evangelical
Publisher:  Various
Year Released:  1611

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ESV

KJVER

King James Version Easy Read

Translation Type:  Formal Equivalence
Target Audience:  Conservative protestant
Denominational Affiliation:  Conservative and evangelical
Publisher:  Whitaker House
Year Released:  1974

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TLB

NAB

New American Bible

Translation Type:  Formal equivalence.
Target Audience:  Catholic.
Denominational Affiliation:  Roman Catholic
Publisher:  Various
Year Released:  1970, 1986, 1991

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TLB

NABRE

New American Bible Revised Edition

Translation Type:  Formal equivalence.
Target Audience:  Catholic Youth.
Denominational Affiliation:  Roman Catholic
Publisher:  Various
Year Released:  2011

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TLB

NASB

New American Standard Bible

Translation Type:  Formal equivalence.
Target Audience:  Conservative, evangelical, protestant.
Denominational Affiliation:  Conservative and evangelical
Publisher:  Various
Year Released:  1971, 1995

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TLB

NIV

New International Version

Translation Type:  Dynamic equivalence. Balance between between word-for-word and thought-for-thought.
Target Audience:  Bible readers of all ages.
Denominational Affiliation:  Conservative and evangelical
Publisher:  Zondervan
Year Released:  1978, 1984, 2010

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TLB

NKJV

New King James Version

Translation Type:  Formal equivalence.
Target Audience:  Those who want a readable translation of the Bible that is great for study but maintains the poetry of the King James Version.
Denominational Affiliation:  Conservative, evangelical Protestant, Orthodox.
Publisher:  Thomas Nelson Publishers
Year Released:  1982

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TLB

NRSV

New Revised Standard Version

Translation Type:  Formal equivalence.
Target Audience:  All mainline denominations.
Denominational Affiliation:  Mainline and interconfessional.
Publisher:  Various
Year Released:  1989

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TLB

RVR

Reina-Valera Revised 1960

Translation Type:  Formal equivalence. Spanish.
Target Audience:  Adults, pastors, ministries.
Denominational Affiliation:  Universal.
Publisher:  American Bible Society and licensees
Year Released:  1960

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