It’s hard to know which Bible to get.

There are dozens of translations, each with a different style and approach. So here is our trusted guide to which Bible you should buy. We also cover some common terms you’ll find when browsing.

Choosing a Bible Version

There is no one way to translate a book as large as the Bible.

With such a long distance between the time of the Bible and now, translation is really more of an art than a science. One that seeks to communicate the Bible’s truth to today’s readers. That means that there are numerous different Bible translations out there. Nowadays, they are more commonly called different versions of the Bible. The two words, though meaning different things, are used pretty interchangeably. For ease, I’m just going to stick with ‘version’.

The big stumbling block for people trying to choose a Bible is which version to pick. There is a lot to choose from. It also doesn’t help that they almost all go by acronyms. How would you, as a new Christian, feel if you were asked to choose from NIV, ESV, NRSV, NLT, KJV, NKJV?

To help you choose with speed and confidence, here is a run-through of the most popular versions of the Bible.

The New International Version Bible:

Short for the New International Version Bible, the NIV is the most popular version of the Bible. It’s written in pretty standard English and is the one you’ll most likely find in a Church. Its simple text means that it is often given away to new Christians. If you are looking for a first Bible, the NIV Bible would be a solid choice.

The New Living Translation Bible:

Short for the New Living Translation Bible, the NLT is one of the most accessible and easy-to-read versions of the Bible. It’s written in smooth, conversational modern English and reads almost like a novel. Its focus on thought-for-thought clarity means that it is often the go-to choice for youth groups and new Christians. If you are looking for a highly understandable first Bible, the NLT Bible would be a solid choice.

The King James Version Bible:

For almost as long as there have been English Bibles, there has been the King James Version Bible. This one is the classic Bible. It was made to be a Bible for the people, but it is now seen as more of a difficult Bible that is the mainstay of seasoned readers and Christians. It’s very poetic and not easy to read, but it is also the best written of all the Bibles. This has led many people to wonder if Shakespeare wrote the King James Bible.

The New King James Version Bible:

Short for the New King James Version Bible, the NKJV is a highly accurate, modern update to the classic 1611 translation. It’s written in updated English while preserving the majesty of the original text. Its commitment to word-for-word accuracy means that it is often the go-to choice for traditional churches and deep theological study. If you are looking for a Bible that perfectly balances historical tradition with modern readability, the NKJV Bible would be a solid choice.

The Good News Bible:

The UK's favourite Bible. The Good News Bible is a relevant, readable and reliable translation of God's word. The Good News Bible features Annie Vallotton’s iconic line drawings, along with the easy-to-read style. This makes the Good News Translation a highly popular choice for all ages. Especially children and youth.

The English Standard Version:

Like the King James Bible, the ESV Bible is a complex and rich version. The main difference between the two is the nearly 400 years between them. The ESV was the choice of many Bible scholars, students, teachers and preachers. Now, though, that has changed somewhat. With a range of attractively presented journaling and illustrating editions, the ESV has become a choice for creative journalers thanks to the intended beauty and richness of the version.

Looking for more insight into the range of Bibles available today? Our FREE 97-page eBook 'How to Choose Your Bible' offers a deeper look at everything you need to know about the Bible.

How do Bible translations work?

In the world of Bible translation, there is often a perceived trade-off. You can have a Bible that is either accessible to modern readers or one that holds fidelity to original manuscripts far and above all else. I’ll come back to ‘perceived’ in a minute, but for anyone new to Bibles, this distinction is a useful guide.

So, you’d be surprised to know that translators don’t like to refer to their translations as “easy to read” or “accurate but difficult”. They call the translation styles by a different set of names: formal, dynamic, and idiomatic.

In short, these names describe how the Bible is translated.

Imagine a spectrum of how accurate a Bible is. At one end are all the literal Bibles. At the other, paraphrases. But that division is not nearly as simple or true as we’d like to think. After all, no Bible sets out to be purposefully inaccurate. Nobody is trying to water down the Bible. Because language and meaning have changed so much in 2,000 years, simply translating words on a one-to-one basis is impossible. Language doesn’t work that way. If every word in German, for example, had a one-to-one English translation, we wouldn’t be using words like iceberg, doppelganger, kindergarten, and schadenfreude.

It’s worth bearing in mind that every Bible translation has an element of interpretation. There is no trade-off between accuracy and readability because there is no way to have a translation of the Bible that is 100% accurate.

So, when picking a Bible, don’t feel like you have to go for a word-for-word Bible. They are right for a particular reader, but if you are new to choosing a Bible, then feel free to explore the wider array of what is available.

When choosing a Bible, there still tends to be these three main avenues. Word-for-word, thought-for-thought, and paraphrase. To help you find the right Bible, here’s a quick list of the most popular Bible versions, grouped by these three different styles.

Word-for-word Bibles:

Formal means they kept to the form the text takes. This means being literal right down to the very words used. The more common name for this is ‘word-for-word translation’.

Formal Translations of the Bible

Thought-for-Thought Bibles:

Dynamic plays a little looser with the exact words used and instead seeks to communicate the meaning of the text. To try and communicate the text so that we would understand it in the same way that somebody alive at the time of the original text’s creation would have understood it.

These Bibles are called ‘thought-for-thought’ translations.

Dynamic Translations of the Bible

Paraphrase Bibles:

Idiomatic is the loosest of the three. Just as an idiom is one way of saying something in a way that is colourful, imaginative or easy to understand, so too is Idiomatic translation. An easier way to understand this is by the other name used for this style, "Paraphrase". Paraphrases use expressly contemporary language to share the message of the Bible.

Idiomatic Translations of the Bible

Which version of the Bible is easiest to understand?

For pure ease of reading, there are two sets of Bibles we’d recommend:

• Thought-for-thought Bibles
• Paraphrases

These two types of Bible translation place an emphasis on making the message of the Bible approachable and easier to understand.

If you find the language of the Bible particuarly hard, don’t worry. There are Bibles made for anyone who struggles with literacy or speaks English as a second language. The EasyEnglish Bible uses a restricted vocabulary and simple sentences to make reading as easy as possible.

Now that we’ve covered the text of the Bible, let's look at everything else.

Bible Features

All translations of the Bible are published in a huge range of covers and styles. Editions specifically designed for children, youth culture and presentation purposes are plentiful. Softcover (paperback), leather cover, metal and even waterproof covers make Bibles practical for many uses and circumstances. And all translations come in a range of print sizes from the most compact to large, easily readable editions.

After choosing covers and print size, the next choice is between the standard 66 books (with more in Catholic Bibles) or one with extra material.

These ‘Bibles-plus’ contain information, illustrations, charts, tables, timelines and notes from Bible scholars. They’re all intended to help you get more out of your Bible reading, whether you read for personal devotion, study, teaching or public ministry.

There are three main types of Bible intended to enrich the reader's experience and understanding. These are Commentaries, Reference Bibles and Study Bibles. There are many similarities in what these Bibles provide, though each tends to specialise in providing the reader with a particular sort of assistance.

Bible Commentaries offer greater understanding with background information, notes on authorship, historical context, Bible themes and life application. Some are ordered ‘thought by thought’, and others follow a 'verse-by-verse’ structure.

Every translation of the Bible is supported by at least one Bible commentary. Many cover the whole Bible in one volume. Other commentaries form a series of books, each matched to a separate Testament or individual Bible book.

The great strength of a commentary Bible is the scriptural insight given by the author, usually a noted and experienced scholar. Commentaries by the great Bible teachers of the past can be compared with those written with the benefit of modern research to show how spiritual thought has developed or remains unchanged.

Reference Bibles are put together so they read like any Bible, but provide links or ‘cross-references’ between related words, phrases, topics, themes or people throughout the whole Bible.

This means you can easily find places in the Bible where the same story is told, the same theme is discussed, the same person appears or the same idea is explored.

Reference Bibles allow you to follow how God reveals his message over many centuries and through many people and events. Often this means ‘cross-referencing’ words of prophecy - the promises and warnings given by God - with the fulfilment of them later in the Bible.

Study Bibles are the most comprehensive Bibles. This is in terms of the amount of background and historical information they include.

Study Bibles usually include a dictionary of Bible terms, diagrams and maps, a time chart, a daily reading plan, introductions and outlines of each book. Discussion starters and even puzzles might be included depending on the intended readers.

As with most commentary and reference Bibles, study Bibles usually include a life application Bible as a guide and support to applying the truth of the Bible to everyday life.

Finally, but just as important, is to know if you're choosing a Bible to keep in one place or to travel with you.

All Bible translations and just about all commentary, reference and study Bibles are available in slimline, pocket and easy-to-read large print editions to suit your needs.

A Quick Guide to Bible Features

No two Bibles are the same. The features that help you read and navigate the text of the Bible vary between editions. Here is a quick rundown of the most popular Bible features available today. Make a note of what you find useful or interesting. These terms will be what lead you to your perfect Bible. You can also use our BIBLE FINDER to quickly pick the right Bible for you.

Once you've seen the features you want, you can now find the Bible that matches how you want to read. Use our Bible Finder to discover your next Bible today.

Frequently Asked Questions When Buying a Bible

To see the full range of Bibles today, with free UK delivery on any Bibles over £10, visit the Eden Bible Store today. You can also browse our extensive collection of Bible Study Guides to help you get more from God's word.

If you aren’t sure which Bible to get, there are a few ways we can help.

1. Try the Bible Finder: We’ve put together a simple way to filter down to the perfect Bible for you. Just choose a translation, pick the features you want and select a comfortable text size. You can try the Bible Finder here.
2. Read more from the Blog: We are always adding new guides, insights and articles that explore ways of understanding the different Bibles available today, as well as how to make your decision. Read our Bible posts today
3. Read our Book: Over the years, we’ve explored hundreds of topics and questions about knowing which Bible to get. We’ve compiled all that information into an easy-to-read eBook that is completely free to download. Download our book “How to Choose Your Bible” today.