Bible Translations

There are two Bible translations I prefer to use depending on what I am trying to accomplish. One is the New American Standard Bible. I use this to really get a good grasp of the Word when I am studying a particular passage. When I just want to meditate on the Word, I prefer the New Living Translation. I really like its conversational feel. It is almost like a big brother explaining things to me and helping me paint a picture of what is taking place.

Matthew 20:16

KJV: So the last shall be first, and the first last: for many be called, but few chosen.

NKJV: So the last will be first, and the first last. For many are called, but few chosen.

NIV: So the last will be first, and the first will be last.

NLT: So those who are last now will be first then, and those who are first will be last.

NASB: So the last shall be first, and the first last.

Differences in translation include:

·         The KJV and The NKJV both include “but few are chosen.”

·         The KJV uses “be,” in “for many be called” whereas, the NKJV uses “are” in “For many are called.”

o   Interestingly enough, the KJV uses a semicolon just before this statement, whereas the NKJV writes it as a new sentence.

·         The KJV and NASB write, “So the last shall be first”

·         The NKJV and the NIV write, “So the last will be first”

·         The NLT writes it completely different; “So those who are last now will be first then.” In fact, this is the only translation that uses the pronoun, “who”

Galatians 3:24

KJV: Wherefore the law was our schoolmaster to bring us unto Christ, that we might be justified by faith

NKJV: Therefore the law was our tutor to bring us to Christ, that we might be justified by faith

NIV: So the law was our guardian until Christ came that we might be justified by faith

NLT: Let me put it another way. The law was our guardian until Christ came; it protected us until we could be made right with God through faith.

NASB: Therefore the Law has become our tutor to lead us to Christ, so that we may be justified by faith.

Differences in translation include:

·         The KJV, the NKJV, and the NIV state, “that we might be justified by faith.”

·         The KJV and the NKJV both write, “to bring us” as though the law was taking us by the hand and delivering us to or unto Jesus.

·         The NASB states, “lead us” almost to say we can decide if we want to go.

·         The NIV and the NLT say “until Christ came” seems the other translations mean we go, and these two say He comes.

·         The NKJV and the NASB use “Therefore” in the beginning of the verse. The KJV uses, “Wherefore” and the NIV uses, “So the.” The NLT is very conversational, so how it begins the verse is typical of its style.

·         The KJV refers to the law as a “schoolmaster.” The NKJV and the NASB refer to it as a “tutor.” The NIV and the NLT call the law a “guardian.”  

·         The NASB states the law “has become our tutor” whereas the KJV, NKJV, NIV, and NLT all say the law “was” our tutor.