There are apparently over 450 English translations in existence. This page is not designed to address each and every single version available, whether as a complete Bible or merely the New Testament alone, but to address the more common or more recent versions. Some versions use a combination of two different approaches to translation, and so they were organized under the translation method that they are identified with and is most recognized within their pages.
Word-for-word (Formal Equivalent) Bibles are actual translations. These versions are usually good, reliable Bibles to use as a study Bible. Thought-for-thought (Dynamic Equivalent) Bibles are interpretations, paraphrases that range from the conservative to the extremely liberal. The conservative versions are usually good Bibles to use as a daily reading Bible, but the liberal versions should be avoided. Paraphrases (Functional Equivalent) are commentaries, and usually extremely bad ones at that. These versions, along with versions that have been completely re-written to favour a particular theological bias, should be avoided like the plague. They are not "Bibles" in the least. Is it not interesting that the further you go on the translation spectrum away from the Literal side, the farther from Jesus you go? As men become bolder with manipulating the Word of God, newer modern thought-for-thought versions are actually and truly paraphrases. “Political correctness” and “gender inclusiveness” are merely terms for liberal interpretation and modern nonsense. These versions are often enjoyed by the lost and the spiritually immature because they accommodate their feelings and opinions.
Whether or not I would recommend any Dynamic Equivalency (thought-for-thought) versions depends on how far they have gone with their “political correctness” and “gender inclusiveness,” as well as their treatment of some very important passages of Scripture. For example, in the original Hebrew for Psalm 8:4-5 and the original Greek for Hebrews 2:7-8, the grammar is in the masculine and the singular. These passages are prophetically referring to the Lord Jesus. If these passages have been translated as gender neutral and plural, then I do not recommend those translations because such a rendering teaches a clear and outright heresy. Mankind is not the fulfillment of those passages.
Political "correctness" and gender neutrality over foolish "offense" is sheer asininity! If you are "offended" over a word (such as "mankind," "man," or "he"), then you have much bigger psychological problems that need to be dealt with in your life. Grow up and get a life!
FORMAL EQUIVALENT (WORD-FOR-WORD) VERSIONS
ALV — American Literary Version (2016)
AMP — Amplified Bible (1965)
ASV — American Standard Version (1901)
BBE — Bible in Basic English (NT:1951; OT: 1949)
BISHOP — Bishop's Bible (1568)
BSB — Berean Study Bible (2016)
COVERDALE — Coverdale Bible (1535)
DBY — Darby Translation (1890)
ESV — English Standard Version (2001)
GNV — Geneva Bible (1560)
GREAT — Great Bible (1539)
KJV — King James Version (1611) [a.k.a. AV — Authorized Version]
LEB — Lexham English Bible (2010)
LSB — Legacy Standard Bible (2021)
LSV — Literal Standard Version (2020)
MATTHEW — Matthew's Bible (1537)
MEV — Modern English Version (2014)
MJLT — Messianic Jewish Literal Translation ()
NASB — New American Standard Bible (1971)
NKJV — New King James Version (1982)
RSV — Revised Standard Version (1952)
RV — Revised Version (1885)
TYN — Tyndale New Testament (1526)
UASV — Updated American Standard Version (2022)
WEB — World English Bible (2000)
WYC — Wycliffe Bible (1388)
YLT — Young's Literal Translation (1862)
DYNAMIC EQUIVALENT (THOUGHT-FOR-THOUGHT) VERSIONS
CEB — Common English Bible (2011)*^
CJB — Complete Jewish Bible (1998)
CSB — Christian Standard Bible (2017) [formerly HCSB (2004)]
EXB — Expanded Bible (2011)
ISV — International Standard Version (2011)
NCV — New Century Version (1991)* [revision of ICB]
NEB — New English Bible (1970)
NET — New English Translation (2005)
NIV — New International Version (1978) [2011 edition*^]
NIVI — New International Version Inclusive (1996)*
NLT — New Living Translation (1996)*
NRSV — New Revised Standard Version (1989)*^
OEB — Open English Bible (NT: 2010; OT: WIP)
REB — Revised English Bible (1989)* [revision of NEB]
TNIV — Today's New International Version (2005)*
FUNCTIONAL EQUIVALENT (PARAPHRASE) VERSIONS
CEV — Contemporary English Version (1995)*
ERV — Easy-to-Read Version (1989)
GNT — Good News Translation (1976)* [or GNB; a.k.a. TEV]
GW — GOD'S WORD Translation (1995)*
ICB — International Children's Bible (1987)
MSG — The Message (2002)
NIrV — New International Reader's Version (1998)*
TEV — Today's English Version (1976)* [a.k.a. GNT or GNB]
TLB — The Living Bible (1971)
TV — The Voice Translation (2012)
RE-WRITTEN PER-VERSIONS
JST — Joseph Smith Translation (1867) [Mormons]
MB — Mirror Bible (2012) [New Age Mysticism] This version is anti-gospel and anti-Christ.
NWT — New World Translation (1960) [Jehovah's Witnesses]
PWB — Pure Word Bible (2017) [Prophecy Watchers]
QJB — Queen James Bible (2012) [Homosexuals] This version rewrites 8 particular passages.
TPT — The Passion Translation (2017) [New Apostolic Reformation]
CATHOLIC VERSIONS
DRB — Douay-Rheims (NT: 1582; OT: 1609-1610)
JB — Jerusalem Bible (1966)
NAB — New American Bible (1970)*
NJB — New Jerusalem Bible (1985)* [revision of JB]
* = Gender inclusive
^ = Politically correct