Anchor Distributors Bible Finder

Find the Right Bible

Bibles come in a variety of formats and sizes. Many are targeted for specific people or special occasions. Some have additional material for devotion or study. Here are the most popular Bible translations grouped by type, with a brief description, a sample reading, and a link that will allow you to quickly find more Bibles of the same type.

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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CEB

CEB

Common English Bible

Translation Type:  Hybrid verbal equivalent with dynamic balance and common language.
Target Audience:  Bible readers of all ages.
Denominational Affiliation:  Interdenominational
Publisher:  Abingdon Press (Sole Distributor)
Year Released:  2010, 2011

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CEV

CEV

Contemporary English Version

Translation Type:  Dynamic Equivalence - thought-for-thought
Target Audience:  Unchurched.
Denominational Affiliation:  Conservative, evangelical and mainline
Publisher:  American Bible Society
Year Released:  1995

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CJB

CJB

Complete Jewish Bible

Translation Type:  Dynamic Equivalence: thought-for-thought
Target Audience:  Jews and Christians interested in Jewish roots.
Denominational Affiliation:  Messianic Jewish
Publisher:  Messianic Jewish Publishers / Jewish New Testament Publications
Year Released:  1998

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CJB

CSB

Christian Standard Bible

Translation Type:  Dynamic Equivalence: thought-for-thought
Target Audience:  Anyone interested in reading the Bible.
Denominational Affiliation:  None
Publisher:  Broadman and Holman
Year Released:  2017

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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

GNT

Good News Translation

Translation Type:  Dynamic Equivalence: thought-for-thought
Target Audience:  Evangelical and mainline Protestant. Catholic Orthodox.
Denominational Affiliation:  Evangelical snd interconfessional
Publisher:  American Bible Society
Year Released:  1976, 1992, 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

ICB

International Children's Bible

Translation Type:  Dynamic Equivalence: thought-for-thought
Target Audience:  Elementary readers
Denominational Affiliation:  Broad evangelical
Publisher:  Thomas Nelson
Year Released:  1989

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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

MSG

The Message

Translation Type:  Paraphrase. Contemporary equivalence.
Target Audience:  People who have never read the Bible. Long time Christians wanting to read with new eyes.
Denominational Affiliation:  Evangelical
Publisher:  NavPress Publishing Group
Year Released:  2002

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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

NCV

New Century Version

Translation Type:  Dynamic equivalence.
Target Audience:  Those who want a highly readable translation of the Bible in today's language.
Denominational Affiliation:  Conservative and evangelical
Publisher:  Thomas Nelson Publishers
Year Released:  1988, 1991

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TLB

NIRV

New International Reader's Version

Translation Type:  Dynamic equivalence. Simplified NIV with an emphasis on meaning when necessary.
Target Audience:  Children ages 10 and under and adults.
Denominational Affiliation:  Conservative and evangelical
Publisher:  Zondervan
Year Released:  1996, 1998

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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

NLT

New Living Translation

Translation Type:  Dynamic equivalence. Thought-for-thought, original meaning focused.
Target Audience:  For readers of all ages desiring a readable contemporary English translation.
Denominational Affiliation:  None. Broadly conservative and evangelical.
Publisher:  Tyndale House Publishers
Year Released:  1996, 2004, 2015

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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

NTV

Nueva Traducción Viviente

Translation Type:  Dynamic equivalence. Spanish
Target Audience:  Adults and children.
Denominational Affiliation:  All mainstream evangelical denominations.
Publisher:  Tyndale House Publishers
Year Released:  2010

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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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NLT

TLB

The Living Bible

Translation Type:  Paraphrase
Target Audience:  Adults and children.
Denominational Affiliation:  All denominations
Publisher:  Tyndale House Publishers
Year Released:  1971

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NLT

VOICE

The Voice

Translation Type:  Dynamic equivalence.
Target Audience:  Those seeking to connect or reconnect with God.
Denominational Affiliation:  Broad evangelical
Publisher:  Thomas Nelson Publishers
Year Released:  2012

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