Bible ReaderBible translations
Why there are many English Bible translations, which are public domain (KJV, WEB) and which are copyrighted (NIV, ESV), and why this site uses the World English Bible.
The Bible was written in Hebrew, Aramaic and Greek, and every English Bible is a translation. Some follow the original words closely, some aim at easy reading, and some are paraphrases.
Public domain translations
- King James Version (KJV, 1611, text of 1769): beloved for its language but old-fashioned. In the United Kingdom it is published under Crown letters patent.
- World English Bible (WEB): a modern English update of the American Standard Version of 1901, dedicated to the public domain by its editors. It is the text used on this site.
Copyrighted translations
Modern translations such as the New International Version (NIV), the English Standard Version (ESV) and the New Living Translation (NLT) are copyrighted and can be quoted only within limits, so they are not on this site. You can read them on the sites of their publishers or in a printed Bible.
Reading more than one
It helps to read a passage in two translations: one close to the original and one in easy English.
The Bible text is the World English Bible, a modern English translation in the public domain. Christians differ in how they read and apply the Bible, and the notes on this site are plain descriptions, not teaching. Ask your own church or teacher about what it means for you.