Bible Translations for Everyone: A Guide to Finding a Bible That’s Right for You

by Tim Wildsmith

Bible Translations for Everyone is a fun and engaging guide in which pastor, professor, and popular YouTuber Tim Wildsmith will help you navigate the complex world of Bible translations and determine which one(s) you should be reading.

Have you ever wondered why there are so many translations of the Bible? It can be overwhelming and challenging to make sense of the differences, similarities, strengths, and weakness of each. With over 400 English translations to choose from, how do you know one is right for you? This book is here to help. Chapter by chapter, it tells the story of many different versions of the Bible, including information about their historical context, the people who translated them, and what makes them unique.

Bible Translations for Everyone

An introduction to how Bible translations work.The fascinating history of early English Bibles like Tyndale and Wycliffe.The textual basis, translation philosophy, strengths, and weaknesses of each popular English translation, including The New King James Version, The New International Version, The English Standard Version, and more.Translation comparisons.Timelines and charts.After reading this book, you will understand the essentials of each translation and make an informed decision about which one(s) to read regularly.

Genres: Christian, Nonfiction, Audiobook, Theology, Christianity, Faith, Spirituality

178 pages, Kindle Edition

Published November 19, 2024

About the author

Tim Wildsmith is a pastor, writer, and content creator whose videos on YouTube have generated millions of views while helping countless people around the world make informed, meaningful decisions about the Bibles they buy and the way they engage with Scripture. Tim brings a unique blend of creativity and clarity to everything he does, and whether he's reviewing a premium Bible or explaining the differences between translations, his goal remains the same: to help people find a Bible that’s right for them and apply it to their lives.

His first book, Bible Translations for Everyone (2024, Zondervan Reflective), is designed to help readers make sense of the differences, similarities, strengths, and weakness of the many English Bible translations available today. His second book, Daily Scripture Guidebook (2025, Zondervan Reflective), takes readers on a one-year journey through the entire Bible.

Tim earned a Master of Divinity from Fuller Theological Seminary, after which he was a Visiting Scholar at the University of Oxford’s Wycliffe Hall. He has more than two decades of ministry experience and teaches a course called “Understanding the Bible” at Belmont University.

Tim lives in Nashville with his wife, Becca, and their 50-pound “lap dog” named Louie.

Reviews

[MIKE Watkins Jr. · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a book that proves a theory I have had for years: that there is no perfect English Bible translation. When something is translated, some aspect of the language is lost.


1. For starters, Tim Wildsmith does a brilliant job of bringing out that older English translations, including my favorite the KJV, relied on the Textus Receptus, the oldest Greek manuscript of the bible until the 1800s. Hence, translations like the KJV include verses, or phrases, that were likely added to that later manuscript.



2. Translations of the Bibles were created by different committees of experts with different priorities. For instance, as Tim points out in the book "On one side are translations considered more literal or “word-for-word,” meaning they stay as close as they can to the original Hebrew, Aramaic, and Greek.


Then there are "thought for thought" translations like the NLT or NIV that prioritize clarity in English. What's interesting is that a number of these translations were inspired by fathers with kids, that couldn't keep up with word-for-word translations like the KJV.




Pros of this book:

1. The author wasn't biased towards a particular translation; he conveyed the pros and cons of each one.


2. Tim, at the end of the book, provides a practical way to decide what translations to pair with one another. He also provides a list of translations that pair well together.


3. Tim does a wonderful job breaking down how the major and minor translations were formulated. I didn't realize that a committee of experts would partner with a publishing or bible organization to formulate a translation. I also didn't know that various publishing houses update their translations every 15 years or so.


4. Tim does a wonderful job of defending thought-for-thought translations. To be honest, going into this book, I had a biasedness against some "thought for thought" translations. But when you understand that the publishing companies were simply trying to alleviate certain "arguments" against the bible you can better appreciate the publisher's efforts.

For example, some word-for-word translations like the ESV added "sisters" to verses that have "brothers" or "brother" not to support feminism, but to counter this false narrative that the bible is anti-female.



5. Tim did a great job of breaking down translations that perfectly fall between thought for thought and word for word; such as the CSB. I didn't know that such translations existed before reading this book. However, I wish Tim noted that the CSB adds some heavily pro-Trinitarian language to scriptures such as John 14:21.




6. Tim takes time to break down catholic bibles and how those were formulated as well.

[Jake Preston · Rating 4 out of 5]

A helpful guide to both the history of the Bible across the centuries and the development of the major translations in use today. I learned quite a bit about translation philosophy and how it impacts the Bible. Above all, I appreciated Wildsmith’s encouragement to assemble a team of translations (as opposed to only using a single translation), read from and study them regularly, and commit to knowing the God revealed in those translations. Highly accessible, this book can be read in one sitting.

[Anthony Ortiviz · Rating 3 out of 5]

I got high expectations of this book, considering he has top tier YouTube content he puts out .

[shanghao · Rating 4 out of 5]

Succinct and heartwarming

Tim’s earnestness and jovial personality shines through as he gives a fair layout of the land, so to speak.

I liked learning about the stories behind how each translation came about, especially the NIV. It wasn’t my main go-to translation but now I’m willing to give it a go.

[Paul · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great resource. Good information and an easy read.

[James Rickenbaker · Rating 5 out of 5]

Tim Wildsmith has given us an amazing resource here! This is an exceptionally helpful book for learning about the differences between English translations of the Bible. Tim does an excellent job of breaking down the translation philosophies and underlying theological concerns that were behind the various different English translations. This book is very accessible to people of all different levels of knowledge concerning the Bible. I will happily recommend this to any parishioner that I have who would like to know more about Bible translation, as well as what translation might be best for them in their own personal devotion.

[Gabriel J. Lorenzo · Rating 5 out of 5]

Bible Translations for Everyone is a beneficial book when it comes to looking for a Bible translation. The book uses a vernacular language to understand the history, translation philosophy and other considerations. I would recoomend this to someone who is looking for a Bible translation that suits them best and to explore beyond that.

[Kique · Rating 5 out of 5]

For anyone who’s trying to read the Bible or is confused about different Bible translations and philosophies, I highly recommend this book! It is extremely useful and easy to read, while still engaging in Bible history and lots of information! 5/5 stars from me!

[Abbey Meyerholz · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very simple primer on the different translations. Good knowledge for my Bible study tool belt.

Fun fact I learned: JRR Tolkien translated the book of Jonah in the Jerusalem Bible (JB) - a Catholic translation.

[Jacob Akens · Rating 5 out of 5]

I absolutely loved this book. I felt like I had a decent understanding of the various types of Bible translations before reading this book, yet I still learned far more than I had anticipated!

This is an excellent primer for anyone interested in the history of several popular English translations of the Bible, and it provides a solid foundation for those interested in the Bible translation process.

I have read the Bible in the KJV and am currently reading through the Bible in the ESV. After reading this book, I intend to read through the Bible in a couple other versions as well.

I will certainly be referring back to this book numerous times in the future!

For my own future notes:

Page 3 - “When it comes to the Old Testament, most Bible translations rely on a manuscript called the Leningrad Codex, which contains the complete text of the Hebrew Bible including the verses mentioned previously that were originally written in Aramaic). This copy of the Old Testament in its original languages is from the eleventh century AD, and it is part of a textual tradition known as the Masoretic Text, named after the community of scribes and scholars called the Masoretes who produced it. Ancient scribes played a vital role in maintaining and carefully transmitting the text of the Hebrew Bible from generation to generation.
A lot has happened in the many centuries since the Masoretic Text
was produced, and as new linguistic and archaeological discoveries are made (e.g., the discovery of the Dead Sea Scrolls in the 1940s), biblical scholars update the Masoretic Text through editions known as the Biblia Hebraica, which are published by the German Bible Society. This means that for most modern English Bible translations, the textual basis for the Old Testament is an edition based on the Masoretic Text, which biblical scholars. have thoroughly examined, studied, and updated for hundreds of years.”

Page 4 - “The textual basis of the New Testament is a bit more complicated because there are thousands of New Testament manuscripts from the first few centuries AD, in the form of everything from papyrus fragments to intricate manuscripts like the Codex Sinaiticus from fourth-century Alexandria. All these Greek documents are classified using a system that is internationally agreed upon by scholars and managed by the Institute for New Testament Textual Research in Germany. Two different scholarly editions of the Greek New Testament are updated based on new research just like the Biblia Hebraica. The German Bible Society produces the Nestle-Aland (Novum Testamentum Graece), and another edition is simply called The Greek New Testament, published by the United Bible Societies.
These two editions are essentially the same, and they are commonly referred to as the Critical Text.
However, some English translations of the Bible do not use the Critical Text as the textual basis for the New Testament. Some opt to go with what is known as the Textus Receptus (Latin: "received text"), which served as the leading Greek text of the New Testament until the late 1800s. Others use a third option called the Majority Text, which prioritizes renderings found in the majority of Greek manuscripts.”

Page 13 - “The first English translation of the entire Bible was the work of Oxford scholar John Wycliffe and his students, which was completed in the late 1300s. Wycliffe's Bible was based on the Vulgate, a late fourth-century translation of the Bible in Latin that was the official Bible of the Catholic Church at that time. This means Wycliffe did not translate from the original languages but from Latin into English.”

Page 15-16 - “John Wycliffe gets credit for producing the first complete English translation of the Bible, but the person historians widely recognize as the most important figure in the history of the English Bible is William Tyndale. Tyndale was a leading figure of the Protestant Reformation, and he was the first person to create an English translation of the Bible using Hebrew and Greek manuscripts as the textual basis. It is hard to overstate the importance of Tyndale's work, not only because he was focused on translating directly from the Hebrew and Greek but also because of his passion for creating a Bible that could be read by everyday people. This approach became the archetype for many future translations, and Tyndale's work was so significant that much of what we find in the King James Bible is a direct result of his efforts.
Much like Wycliffe, William Tyndale was met with opposition by the church, and he lived in exile for years in various locations throughout Europe. The first complete copies of his translation of the New Testament were produced in 1526 in the German city of Worms, but only after an earlier printing in Cologne had to be abandoned when authorities raided the printer's shop. Tyndale also found himself on the wrong side of King Henry VIII when he publicly opposed the king's decision to annul his marriage to Catherine of Aragon. While working to complete his translation of the Old Testament in Belgium in 1535, Tyndale was betrayed by a so-called friend and arrested on charges of heresy. He was executed before he could complete his translation of the entire Bible.
Despite his untimely death, William Tyndale's work carried on.”

Page 16 - “Enter Myles Coverdale, Tyndale's friend and fellow translator who completed and revised the work begun by Tyndale. The resulting translation was known as the Coverdale Bible, which became the first complete printed Bible into English when it was published in 1535. Coverdale dedicated his Bible to King Henry VIll even though it wasn't an authorized version…Perhaps he hoped for a different fate than his friend Tyndale.”

Pages 36-37 - “The textual basis for the Old Testament of both the RV and the ASV was the Masoretic Text, which at that time was essentially the same Hebrew text the King James translators had used. The New Testament, however, was a different story.
Again, one of the primary reasons the RV was approved was to address the fact that, in the more than 250 years since the KJV was translated, many ancient Greek manuscripts had been discovered that predated and were deemed more reliable than the ones used in the early seventeenth century. The Codex Sinaiticus, Codex Alexandrinus, and Codex Vaticanus (three of the oldest and most reliable Greek New Testament manuscripts in the world, were not available for the King James translators but were now able to be included in the revision process. In fact, two of the RV translators, Brooke Foss Westcott and
F. J. A. Hort, published an updated Greek-language edition of the New Testament in 1881 to coincide with the new English translation.
Again, we go to the preface of the 1881 New Testament:
Nearly all the more ancient of the documentary authorities have become known only within the last two centuries; some of the most important of them, indeed, with the last few years. Their publication has called forth not only improved editions of the Greek Text, but a succession of instructive discussions on the variations which have been brought to light, and on the best modes of distinguishing original readings from changes introduced in the course of transcription. While therefore it has long been the opinion of all scholars that the commonly received text needed thorough revision, it is but recently that materials have been acquired for executing such a work with even approximate completeness.
Essentially, they are saying that their translation of the Greek New Testament was based on the latest and best textual research available to them. For most of us, that sounds like a solid plan. We recognize that as time goes on, new information arises, and each generation of leaders in any field must make updates to the efforts of their predecessors.”

Pages 48-49 - “The textual basis for the Old Testament of the RSV was the traditional Masoretic Text used as the basis for previous translations, but the RSV translators were the first English Bible translation committee to also use the legendary Dead Sea Scrolls (they had access to the scroll of Isaiah that was found in 1946). The discovery of hidden caves in Israel filled with ancient Hebrew scrolls that were one thousand years older than the Masoretic Text did for the Old Testament what the discovery of Greek manuscripts like the Codex Sinaiticus, Codex Alexandrinus, and Codex Vaticanus did for the New Testament back in the nineteenth century.
But there's a catch.
As we saw in the previous chapter, those Greek manuscripts led some scholars to have doubts about the textual basis they had been using for the New Testament up until that time. The Dead Sea Scrolls, however, gave translators even more contidence in the accuracy of the Masoretic Text. There are, of course, some differences between the Dead Sea Scrolls and the Masoretic Text, but the similarities far outweigh them. It is clear that the ancient scribes who copied the Hebrew Bible were very good at their jobs.”

Pages 62-63 - “The NASB uses small caps in the New Testament whenever it is directly quoting or referencing a text from the Old Testament. You can't help but recognize just how much of the Old Testament is quoted in the New Testament when reading the NASB. This feature is particularly helpful in places where the New Testament writer does not use a phrase like "as it is written" to explicitly let readers know when they are quoting the Old Testament.”

Pages 82-83 - The translation guidelines for the NKJV were pretty neat!

Page 93 - “As the name suggests, the New Revised Standard Version (NRSV) is a revision of the RSV, which was the focus of chapter 5. The NRSV is considered an ecumenical translation of the Bible used by Protestants, Catholics, and Orthodox Christians around the globe. Because of this, it is available in several formats. There are Protestant editions with or without the Apocrypha (where the Apocrypha appears in its own section between the Old and New Testaments). Catholic editions feature the deuterocanonical books within the Old Testament in the order approved by the Roman Catholic Church. And "anglicized" editions revise the text to be consistent with British spelling and grammar. The NRSV is the preferred translation in the academic world as well. Visit the campus of a university or seminary and you will likely see the NRSV as one of the approved English versions for Bible courses.”

Page 94 - “The NRSV Bible Translation Committee was formed in 1974. Ic had been just over twenty years since the RSV was published in full, and the translation's oversight committee at the National Council of Churches knew it was time to authorize a formal revision. Since many Catholics had adopted the RSV, the committee decided that the NRSV should be a truly ecumenical translation. The NRSV committee consisted of scholars (both men and women) from Protestant, Catholic, and Orthodox traditions. They also included a Jewish scholar who worked on the Old Testament.”

Page 110 - “A good example of how the NLT translation philosophy works can be found in passages of the Bible that talk about numerical values. Most of today's Bible readers are unfamiliar with ancient units of measurement or currency, so the NLT (as well as several other translations) renders them in more familiar terms. The Hebrew text of Genesis 6, for example, gives us the dimensions of Noah's ark in cubits. The NLT opts to list these measurements in feet. Likewise, when the Greek New Testament mentions payment in the form of a denarius, the NLT translates it as "a full day's wage" so that modern readers can better grasp how much it represents. We can see similar examples in how the NLT translates dates and times, like in Luke 23:44, where "sixth hour" and "ninth hour" are translated as "noon" and "three o'clock," respectively.”

Page 117 - “The second half of the twentieth century saw a flurry of activity in the world of Bible translations. Much of this work was focused on making the Bible more accessible and easier to understand. But the first major English Bible translation to be released in the twenty-first century swung the pendulum back toward a more traditional approach to Bible translation. The English Standard Version (ESV) made its debut in 2001 and adhered to the principles of formal equivalence. As a revision of the RSV, the ESV is an essentially literal translation that counts itself as part of the same family tree as the ASV, KJV, and even the work of William Tyndale.
For those of you keeping score, the ESV is the second revision of the RSV, following the NRSV (chapter 9). But where the NRSV was developed by an ecumenical translation committee that included Protestant, Catholic, and Orthodox scholars, the ESV's translation committee consisted solely of conservative evangelicals. Because of this, the ESV has become the Bible translation of choice for many in the evangelical world.”

Page 127 - “Holman Bible Publishers is the copyright holder of the CSB. Holman is an imprint of Lifeway Christian Resources, which is an entity of the Southern Baptist Convention (SBC). The translation was originally called the Holman Christian Standard Bible (HCSB) when the complete Bible was first released in 2004, but they dropped the H when the translation was updated and rebranded in 2017.
Thanks in part to the vast size of the SBC, one of the largest Christian denominations in the United States, the CSB is increasingly popular among evangelicals in America.”

Page 132 - “Out of all the Bible translations examined in this book, the CSB is the only one deliberately designed to be a balance between formal and functional equivalence.”

Page 146 - “In the early twentieth century, not long after the Revised Version and American Scandard Version ushered in a new age of biblical scholarship in the Protestant world, Catholic scholars began to see the need for a new translation that would supersede the Douay-Rheims Bible.
Members of the Catholic Biblical Association of America, established in 1936, began working on an updated translation based on the Latin Vulgate called the Confraternity Bible, but their work shifted when Pope Pius XII issued an encyclical (a letter to all bishops of the Roman Catholic Church) in 1943 called Divino Afflante Spiritu, which means "Inspired by the Divine Spirit." This letter permitted the development of new translations based not on the Latin Vulgate but on the ancient Hebrew, Aramaic, and Greek biblical manuscripts.”

[Mr. Perry · Rating 5 out of 5]

Well this was a nice (and quick) book to read! I knew of it from the author's YouTube channel (which is an awesome source of information along these lines as well). Contains enough historical information/context about the major English Bible translations that one will know how things ended up the way they are, while also not getting so "in the woods" that you're presented with a ton of verbiage that you might not be familiar with. Details similarities, differences, and even handles the "KJV only" controversy in a gracious manner (while also mentioning the great work Mark Ward has done on that front as well). Even mentions Catholic translations at the end of various types. I had personally reached the conclusion he presents at the end already of using multiple translations for various objectives and additional contextualization (I use the ESV [like a good Reformed person would], NASB95, NLT and BSB[a newer one that isn't actually mentioned in this book]), but getting the inside story of a number of translations I wasn't familiar with has put a spotlight on some others I'll have to check out as well. Great book overall.

[Becca Wildsmith · Rating 5 out of 5]

Tim wrote a book that provides the perfect overview of English bible translations - why we have so many, where they come from, and why it's important to distinguish the difference! I'm not an academic, but this book was easy to digest and very interesting. I learned a lot and also was able to make an educated decision about which bible translations work best for me.

[Becky · Rating 4 out of 5]

First sentence: Have you ever struggled to follow along when someone else read aloud from the Bible because the words in your Bible didn't match up exactly with theirs?

What you see is what you get, this one promises to be a widely accessible [aka understandable] introduction to Bible translations with the goal of getting YOU the reader fitted with the translation that is right for YOU. It does this by talking in basic, simple terms about the field [or mechanics] of translating, but mainly it just introduces YOU, the reader, to a dozen or so Bible translations. It provides mini-introductions to the translations, which are part history and part translation philosophy. There are photographs to keep things lively on the page, if you will.

The chapters:
The Basics of Bible Translation
The Earliest English Bible Translations
King James Version (KJV)
Revised Version (RV) and American Standard Version (ASV)
Revised Standard Version (RSV)
New American Standard Bible (NASB)
New International Version (NIV)
New King James Version (NKJV)
New Revised Standard Version (NRSV)
New Living Translation (NLT)
English Standard Version (ESV)
Christian Standard Bible (CSB)
A Few More Translations We Need To Talk About (Message, Legacy Standard Bible (LSB), Common English Bible (CEB), Modern English Version (MEV), Revised English Bible (REB).
Catholic Bible Translations
Finding a Bible That's Right for You

Tip of the iceberg. Granted this book is written for beginners. Granted this book is super practical in wanting to connect contemporary readers with translations they can find easily, readily because they are still in print. Granted this one is to appeal to the widest, broadest audience possible. So many translations not covered, not mentioned. So much history skipped--in my opinion.

I really WISH that he had talked about the Berean Standard Bible. It is in the public domain. It is new. It fills the void left behind by the disappearance of the NIV 1984. It is SUCH a readable translation. He could have used this opportunity to point people to a new truly wonderful translation, to build up a readership. I also would have LOVED to see the BSB in his charts to see where he would rate it on the spectrum of translation philosophy.

His thoughts on the Message were interesting to say the least.

I can understand *why* he went with the newest edition of each translation. But choosing the NRSVue over the 1989 NRSV was a definite choice, and may not be doing the NRSV any favors. Same with the NASB 2020 over the NASB 1995. Except that the NASB 2020 does have readers who love it. I still think the NASB 1995 might have a larger readership, but, again this book is for beginners.

I will say I liked the idea of having a "team" of translations. I'm not sure it would work for me since I lean so heavily towards word-for-word instead of thought-for-thought. (With the exception of NIV 84).

[Jodi · Rating 5 out of 5]

I almost didn't read this book after seeing the ESV's initial positive mention, as I have a difficult relationship/past with that translation, but I'm glad I didn't let that stop me. This book is a quick read, but very well done. It's thorough and informative, and the progressive approach of adding to the spectrum chart is helpful.

I grew up with the NIV for the most part, although when we moved to the South and my parents enrolled me in a private Christian school, we were required to only use the NKJV (which has somewhat soured my attitude towards it). We had several copies of the Living Bible because my missionary grandparents knew Kenneth Taylor, so my dad sometimes read it to us at home. The ESV came out when I was in college and from my SBC pastor's enthusiasm for it, I came to believe it was the "best" translation that was obviously the only one I needed to use, I did do just that for the most part for the next 20 years, except for a little bit of NIV use in the Bible study group I attended (although I haughtily assumed my ESV use was "better" than the obviously pedestrian NIV {clearly I struggle with perfectionism}).

It wasn't until I read "Jesus and John Wayne" and then "The Making of Biblical Womanhood" that I learned that men like John Piper wanted to publish a specifically patriarchal translation, and I appreciate that this book lays that truth out plainly. I had heard of the CSB on a podcast I listened to at the time it was released and ended up buying one, but I had no idea that it was another specifically conservative evangelical translation (or that Al Mohler was one of the major people behind it, ew), until I read this book. A few people I followed on social media had mentioned the NRSV and once I bought myself a copy, I couldn't help but be excited about and grateful for the gender inclusive language. It's the translation I have used most of the time ever since (and it's the translation we use at our church now, which makes it even better) It's pretty devastating that so many other translations have come around on gender inclusivity after initially rejecting it because it's just the reasonable thing to do, but then the ESV still refuses to change.

This book helped me feel less conflicted about the translations I own and the ones I use most often. I was also fascinated to learn that J.R.R. Tolkien was involved in a Catholic translation, and that so many Protestant translations now have Catholic editions (especially ones like the ESV, as the vast majority of people I know who are ESV devotees would claim Catholics aren't even Christians).

I would definitely recommend this book to anyone who has an interest in the Bible at all. It's easy to read, short, yet thorough, and quite informative.

[Sean · Rating 4 out of 5]

As anyone familiar with the author's YouTube channel already knows, Tim Wildsmith is a true bibliophile who has more than a passing familiarity with most of the English language's most influential Bible translations. In this book, Wildsmith presents a concise but very sharp overview of the world of English Bible versions with brief summaries of the preeminent ones. After a few chapters on the history of the Bible in English, Wildsmith provides us with snapshots of various Bible translations, ranging from extremely formal editions like the ESV, NASB and NKJV to more dynamic versions such as the popular NIV and NLT, and even touches on paraphrastic interpretations like the Living Bible and the Message. It's hard to imagine a book that might capture the broad world of English Bibles so well without being four or five times larger, and if Wildsmith's goal is to provide a general introduction to English Bibles that inspires readers to check out new editions of the Scriptures, then he succeeds admirably. The book just misses five stars in my estimation because the various profiles are almost unfailingly positive in their outlook and relatively little time is given over to examining possible flaws in the respective translations. Though major controversies, such as the issue of gender-neutrality and the question of whether the best translation of Isaiah 7:14 should be "virgin" or "young woman" are briefly addressed, such matters are not fully explored, let alone questions of whether or not a few translations (like the most recent update of the NRSV) are perhaps guilty of liberal bias when it comes to verses related to sexual morality. While I appreciate that Wildsmith was trying to write a short, punchy introduction to the English Bible landscape, I do think a few more clarifying passages here and there would have been helpful and might prevent a few cases of buyers' remorse amongst his readers. On the other hand, Wildsmith's suggestion that readers put together a reliable team of Bible versions, comprising three or so complementary and contrasting translations, is a great idea and one that most of us would probably do well to follow through on. Overall, this is an excellent book which all Christians should read, especially those who have thus far relied primarily on a single Bible version for many years. English is uniquely blessed to include a host of quality Bible versions (and by his own admission, there are some Wildsmith doesn't even get to cover in this book) and we would do well to take advantage of this blessing and at least acquire a passing familiarity with more than one translation. Wildsmith's book is a terrific invitation to this big, beautiful world, and I think it can help any believer to find the Bible--or Bibles--that is indeed right for you.

[Matthew Gunia · Rating 5 out of 5]

Tim Wildsmith holds an M.Div from Fuller Theological Seminary and works as the Assistant University Minister and Director of Missions and Outreach at Belmont University (Nashville, Tennessee). Wildsmith also hosts a YouTube channel dedicated to Bible reviews.

"Bible Translations for Everyone" is a very interesting book examining the history of English translations of the Bible, major schools of thought on translation, and examining the major English translations today. While this may seem like a dry, dull read suitable for insomniacs, this is far from true. Wildsmith's book is geared toward lay readers of varying levels of Biblical literacy. Wildsmith tells the stories of translations, their impact, and their major figures.

After introductory chapters, each subsequent chapter presents a translation from earliest to most recent. This structure allows the reader to see the flow of history in Bible translation. The reader sees the colossal impact of the King James Version and how our changing language convinced theologians to re-translate Scripture. Wildsmith shows us the tension between faithfulness to the original languages' grammar versus the original writer's meaning, the challenge of manuscript discoveries, and the realities of owning intellectual property. Short chapters on less-popular translations, Roman Catholic translations, and selecting suitable Bibles for you end the book.

Wildsmith is not only engaging, he is even-handed in his reviews. He neither unfairly condemns any translation, but neither does he praise any translation over the others. Wildsmith presents each translation in a favorable light without hiding its drawbacks.

There are only two flaws I see in this book. First, it would have benefited from an appendix so make research and refreshing memories easier. Second, it is not smith-sewn with signatures so it is not a good candidate for re-biding.

In all, I thoroughly enjoyed "Bible Translations for Everyone" and had difficulty putting it down. This is exactly the sort of book deserving of a "revised and updated" edition. Highly recommended.

[Katrina Van Grouw · Rating 4 out of 5]

I can't lie: I started reading this book purely because of the provocative title of "choosing the Bible that right for you" when it appeared in my church library. As someone raised "KJV only" and who has only recently started reading the ESV for personal devotions a few years ago, I am naturally suspicious of other translations. This book was NOT what I expected based on the title, and I wonder if the author actually named it that so folks would read it.
I think the word of God is the Word of God, and although different translations can have some variation, versions that massively differ from each other make me uncomfortable. I do agree with the author that different versions have different strengths, but even considering "The Message" as a translation is not something I would endorse. I understand that for someone that has never read the Bible, reading the KJV might be difficult and a barrier to entry. But dumbing down the gospel is never an option, and we forget that God can do anything and will provide understanding to those He desires to save.
The best part of this book was the beginning chunk explaining the basic texts different translations are based on, and the end graph that compares versions. I thought this was a very well written book that stated facts more than opinions, and it taught me a lot, as someone who really doesn't know what the "Textus Receptus" is besides hearing it in jokes. I think this book is a super valuable resource and I enjoyed the end when the author explained how you can read a few different translations in "team" tandems with each other to glean different insights.
I will always love the KJV and enjoy the simplicity and layout of the ESV as my go-tos, but this book did teach me the merit of other translations in a straightforward way, which is NOT what I expected based on the title.
I would recommend this book especially for the clearly explained information about the most popular English translations.

[betanine · Rating 5 out of 5]

Tim Wildsmith writes a fantastic introductory book to people who are learning about the Bible and the various translations. Wildsmith gives a taste of the history behind the Bible to give the reader context and appreciation for the Bibles we have as well as how and why we have come to have so many translations today. Wildsmith concludes each chapter for each translation talking about the strengths each translation has and what he likes about the translation.

The reader should understand that this book was written for people who do not have a theology degree or have spent extensive research on Bible history and translations. Readers looking for that book will need to look elsewhere. The reader should also understand this book is limited to mainly the most popular translations, currently.

Who is this book for? This book is for the reader who is looking to make regular Bible reading a part of their life and are looking for a translation they will read and understand. This book is for the reader who has a Bible that they struggle to read and want to find a Bible that they will connect with. Finally, this book is for people who do enjoy the Bible and would enjoy learning more about the history of the Bible and our English translations. I took a university class on the history of the Bible and I learned a fair bit reading Wildsmith’s book. There is always something to learn and I truly enjoyed the conversational and approachable tone of this book.

[Danielle Woodward · Rating 5 out of 5]

I first heard of this book on Tim's YouTube channel and knew I had to pick it up. I enjoy watching his videos as they are highly informative. As the subtitle says, this is a guide to finding a Bible that is right for you. Tim does not try to push one translation over another, he gives the reader information on each of them so we can decide for ourselves. I enjoyed learning about how each translation developed and the stories behind them. The translation philosophy sections inform you on where each translation fell on the Bible Translation Spectrum. I find it helpful to know if a translation is on the thought-for-thought side or on the word-for-word side. Tim provided explanations for the unfamiliar words as they appeared. There is also a list of key terms and their definitions in the back. I felt as if I were sitting down with Tim in his studio and he was explaining it directly to me. I was almost expecting a “hello friends” to pop up somewhere in the book.

Overall, I highly recommend this book for anyone that is trying to figure out which Bible is the best one for them. I think every Christian – whether someone new to the faith or a seasoned one – this book breaks down each translation in an easily understandable way. Pick up this book and then visit Tim’s YouTube channel.

[Susan Cook · Rating 5 out of 5]

I first came across Tim Wildsmith via YouTube. Being a bibliophile, I was initially attracted by his quirky videos that nerded out on books as a physical as well as intellectual object, but I soon started watching just for a dose of his cheery kindness. Anyhow, on to the book that grew out of his channel. I can tell that Tim must be a good lecturer because he manages to be both concise and in depth. Although I understand the principles and philosophies of translation, I didn't know much about the specifics of the various English Bible translations we possess, and I learned several interesting facts along the way (did you know that Tolkien translated the Book of Jonah for the Catholic Jerusalem Bible?), some of which made me reassess my opinions of certain translations. If you are interested in the history of the Bible in English or are wondering which version(s) might be right for you, I definitely recommend this book.

[Scott McClure · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have always found it comical when an author includes the phrase "for everyone" in the title but then presents a book that is not accessible. This is one of the few occasions in which the author delivers on the title's promise. This book truly is for everyone who desires to know the word of God, the differences in translations, and how those translations came to be over time. Tim does an excellent job of leaving preference and bias at the door. He presents the simple story of each of the various translations, their histories, philosophies, and why they are beneficial translations. This ability to leave bias aside is complicated in such a conversation, as we can quickly become passionate about our preferences. This will be a highly effective tool to put the hands of individuals wanting to dive deep into translations or simply trying to understand why there are differences.

[Paul Sheffield · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you are unfamiliar with Tim Wildsmith, familiarize yourself with him! I read this more in support of him rather than actual interest in the topic; however, it was hard to put the book down because Tim is so engaging in how he approaches the topic that is Bible translation. Tim also never speaks negatively about ANY translation he references in the book, and you can tell he has such an appreciation for literal, dynamic equivalent, gender inclusive, and everything else in between.

Even if you aren’t immediately drawn to English history of translation of the Bible, this is worth your time just to learn about translation philosophy and the politics behind Christians and diversity of scholarship.

Also you can read this book in a little over an hour and is great as a one to to sitting reading.

[Petura Peterkin · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have been watching Tim’s YouTube channel for a couple years. I’ve bought a few bibles because of watching his YouTube channel… well not a few, I have so many translations of bibles i’m not sure how many bibles I own , but it’s over 15.

I read this book in a couple hours, I found his writing style relatable and simple to understand. I love bibles but now I have a better appreciation of the various translation in my collection and even tempted to buy more.

Having read at least 7 translations using the chronological reading plan, I enjoyed his perspective.

If you want to spend more time on God’s word and don’t know what translation to use. I would suggest reading Tim’s book.

For a first time author he did a great job.

[Winnie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Tim is a member of my church, and I consider him and his wife and parents to be friends – so, of course, I wanted to read this book. I’m so happy that I did. I learned so much – some things I didn’t even know I wanted to know. Tim has done an incredible amount of research and brought it together in an easy-to-read form. This book is valuable in understanding different Bible translations. I appreciated the historical information about the various translations. I found the Bible Translation Spectrum chart very interesting and informative. I borrowed the book from our church library, and now I’ve decided that I will go and buy a few copies – one for me and a couple more for friends that I know would appreciate having a copy.

[Jason Walters · Rating 4 out of 5]

A Great Resource

I am a big fan of Tim's YouTube channel and Bible reviews. So I was really looking forward to this book!

This is an excellent resource for anyone who is curious about the history of Bible translations or for someone who is trying to find a translation that will work best for them. My only complaint about this book is that it becomes a bit repetitive since many of the translations have things in common.

I especially liked the last chapter where Tim encouraged and gave suggestions for how to create a team of Bible translations that work together. I would highly recommend this book!

[Thomas Berber · Rating 5 out of 5]

By this date I’ve listened to this book about seven times now and I’m absolutely fascinated by its value despite its simplicity.
Also Tim Wildesmith ought to read other books and I’d be buying them in a heartbeat because of his calm and friendly demeanor.
If you’ve ever wondered about the history of the Bible and want to find a translation (team) that will serve you in your exploration of applying God’s Word by the Spirit’s help to your life, this is a must read. No boring scholarly deviations, yet always attempting to explain any theological terms or any other lingo specific to the Bible reviewing world.

[Paige Gordon · Rating 5 out of 5]

As someone who has read multiple books about bible translation and really delved deep into the subject throughout the course of an entire year, I can honestly say that this is THE BEST place to start if you are new to the whole topic. Tim did an amazing job giving a high-level overview of all the key components of translation and telling a fascinating story of the progression of the Bible through all the major English versions. If you are new to the subject, please do yourself a favor and start here. You won't regret it!

[Brian Adams · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book provides an excellent and informative overview of the many English Bible translations. The primary focus is on Protestant texts, with detailed background given for eleven major versions. Wildsmith presents a balanced and positive discussion of each translation’s foundation, purpose, and usage. He also includes a helpful chapter on several prominent Catholic translations.

At just over 180 pages, this is a quick and accessible read. I highly recommend it to anyone interested in understanding the history and diversity of Bible translations.

[Grady J Rice · Rating 5 out of 5]

An excellent guide to find your bible team.

I have followed Tim Wildsmith on his YouTube channel for a couple of years now. He is the reason I now have several bible translations. So, when he announced that he had written this Bible Translations book I had to read it.
It’s a detailed explanation of the major key points of each translation, but in a condensed form. You learn a lot about the historical background of each translation, why it was written, when it was updated and how and why.
I could write more but … just read it.

[Reader · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent book! I could not put it down and read it all in one sitting. Tim does excellent reviews of bibles on YouTube, and thanks to him my bible collection keeps getting bigger and bigger. If you are in the market for a new bible (or a few), this book clearly explains the background of each of today’s major translations (with sample verses) and the philosophy of the translators. I will definitely read this again and again. Thanks Tim! God bless you, Becca, and your family.