NIV New International Version

ESV English Standard Version

The English Standard Version (ESV) Bible incorporates recent advances in scholarship and modern language while retaining many traditional, conservative theological terms. It attempts to render each Hebrew or Greek word with one equivalent English word, making it an excellent tool for detailed Bible study.

It was produced by evangelical scholars looking to produce a modern, readable, literal and accurate translation, yet one that stands in the tradition of the King James Version of 1611 (also know as the Authorised Version). It is a new edition of the Bible, first printed in 2001 by Crossway Bibles and revised recently in 2011. It is also a revision of the 1971 edition of the Revised Standard Version (RSV).

The ESV comes in various editions including a Study Bible, and is often used in diglots with other languages. It has also been anglicised for the British market. In 2011 the ESV was selected by the Catholic Church for its lectionary in English speaking countries.

Sample verse

But if anyone has the world's goods and sees his brother in need, yet closes his heart against him, how does God's love abide in him? (1 John 3:17)

NIV New International Version

The New International Version (NIV) is a Bible translation in modern contemporary English. The text has been updated with two key revisions to date in 1984, and most recently in 2011. The latest edition includes inclusive language. It is fairly literal translation, but uses dynamic translation where necessary for clarity in meaning, and this balanced translation makes it a firm favourite of many churches.

The NIV was originally made by a large group of evangelical scholars working from the Hebrew, Aramaic, and Greek source language texts. The New Testament was produced in 1973 and the whole Bible in 1978. It was printed in the USA with an anglicised version adapted for the UK.

The NIV is the best selling Bible in the USA and very popular with evangelical Christians in the UK. It is printed by Hodder and Stoughton in the UK and comes in many formats and editions.

Sample verse

If anyone has material possessions and sees a brother or sister in need but has no pity on them, how can the love of God be that person? (1 John 3:17)