Question 44 – Which Bible translation is best?

The Bible, in its truest form, exists only in the original languages in which it was written—the New Testament in Greek, the Old Testament in Hebrew, and partly in Aramaic. Ideally, it should be read in these languages. However, for the vast majority of ordinary people, this is simply not possible. That is why many translators have sought to bring the words of these ancient texts closer to us by rendering them into languages we can understand. Yet this process is not without its complications. It inevitably involves questions about how faithfully the original message can be conveyed, especially when the historical context of the events described is not fully known to the reader.

Every translation into any language must strike a balance between clarity for the reader and fidelity to the original text. In the case of the New Testament, the source language is primarily Greek. Like English, Greek sometimes allows a single word to carry multiple meanings. A translator is thus frequently faced with the challenge of choosing how to render a particular word in a given passage. For this reason, translations may differ slightly from one another. In other cases, the translator must consider how to interpret a passage whose meaning is bound to cultural or contextual factors.

Let me offer one rather curious example. The Lord's Prayer is widely known and includes the line: "Give us this day our daily bread…" But when missionaries worked among a group of Eskimos, they encountered a difficulty—these people had never seen bread and had no concept of what it was. So, when translating the Bible into their language, the translators rendered the phrase along the lines of: "Give us this day our daily portion of seal meat…" A literalist might say the translation is utterly unfaithful. And yet, the purpose and intent of the text—the plea for sustenance—remain intact.

It is therefore clear that no translation we possess is a completely literal rendering of God's Word. But this need not cause panic or lead us to despair. Some translations are intentionally crafted this way—to help readers better understand the meaning of the text. And at its core, the Bible remains sound and trustworthy (excluding versions distorted by sects or fringe groups). In every healthy church, there are preachers who have studied theology and can read the Bible in its original languages—or who know how to use biblical commentaries, where various translation options for specific words are discussed. I am convinced that all the essential truths God wishes us to know through Scripture are indeed known to us. Some translations may be less precise than others—but the message remains.

Note Regarding the English Context

This particular question concerns Czech Bible translations—something that may not apply to you, dear reader. English-speaking Christians have access to far more versions, each with its own rich background and story. As a Czech believer, I cannot claim to have deep knowledge of English translations, and so I would hesitate—out of respect for the work of various translators—to make judgments or criticisms. Nevertheless, I would like to briefly mention a few English versions that are generally recommended for regular study and use:

• New International Version (NIV) – A very popular modern translation, widely used in evangelical churches. It aims to balance literal accuracy with ease of understanding.

• English Standard Version (ESV) – A more literal translation, valued for its faithfulness to the original texts. It is also frequently used among evangelicals and is well-suited for in-depth study.

• Christian Standard Bible (CSB) – A contemporary translation that emphasizes both accuracy and accessible language. Its popularity continues to grow within evangelical circles.

• New King James Version (NKJV) – A modernized version of the classic King James Bible, often preferred where a traditional tone is appreciated alongside modern clarity.

Summation

Answering this question is not easy, and perhaps there is no single clear favorite. Every translation has its strengths and weaknesses. Still, within the Czech context, I believe that all non-sectarian versions do contain and convey the message they are meant to carry.