The Bible has been translated into many languages from the original biblical languages of Hebrew, Aramaic and Greek. The latest number of the languages that the bible has been translated into is 2,479 languages. These translations include parts of the bible, one of the two Testaments, or the full bible. In many of those languages, there are several versions of the bible. There are over 50 different versions of the Bible in English alone.

For over three hundred years the King James Version, published in 1611, was the prominent translation used in most Protestant churches. However, as the English language continued to change, it became increasingly more difficult for people to understand the Old English vernacular. Faced with the obvious need for our society to understand God’s Word, scholars sought to update the scriptures into more contemporary language.

With the passage of time, words change in meanings. For instance, in King James’ day the word ‘prevent’ could mean ‘come before’ but not necessarily in a hindering way. So the translators in that day rendered 1 Thessalonians 4:15, ‘For this we say unto you by the word of the Lord, that we which are alive and remain unto the coming of the Lord shall not prevent them which are asleep.’ But today the word ‘prevent’ has lost that earlier meaning (come before), so it must be translated differently to convey the proper meaning: ‘According to the Lord’s own word, we tell you that we who are still alive, who are left till the coming of the Lord, will certainly not ‘precede’ those who have fallen asleep’ (NIV). ...To keep the translation of God’s Word living it must be kept in the living language the people are using.

Of the many bible versions, they can be categorized as following:

Word-for-word

Phrase-for-phrase

Gender Specific

Gender Nonspecific

Victory Christian Center recommends the following versions:

Word-for-word and Gender-Specific Translations:

NKJV New King James Version

AMP Amplified Bible

NASB New American Standard Bible

ESV English Standard Version

HCSB Holman Christian Standard Bible

KJV King James Version

Phrase-for-phrase translations and Gender-Specific Translations:

NIV New International Version

NIRV New International Reader's Version (1998 Revision)

VCC does NOT use or recommend the following gender-neutral bibles:

Gender Nonspecific or Gender Neutral Translations:

TNIV Today's New International Version

NLT New Living Translation

NRSV New Revised Standard Version

NCV New Century Version

CEV Contemporary English Version

NIVI New International Version Inclusive Language Edition

There are several electronic bible programs that can be very useful for finding verses based on a word or a phrase. They can also be used to compare bibles in different versions and languages. One of the many internet sites that offer bible programs is BibleGateway.com. This electronic bible site offers a free service for reading and researching scripture online--all in the language or translation of your choice. They have over 100 bible versions available.