Differences Between Bible Versions

Additional Books and eBooks by the Director

Differences Between Bible Versions
Translation Principles, Greek Text-types, and KJV-onlyism

Book and eBook by Gary F. Zeolla,
the director of Darkness to Light ministry

“Differences Between Bible Versions: A Clear, Balanced Guide to Translation Debates”

Third Edition – Updated & Expanded

Finally Understand Why Your Bible Reads the Way It Does

This comprehensive guide cuts through the confusion to answer:

Why do Bible versions differ?

Which translations are most faithful?

Is the KJV really the only reliable version?

What’s New in the Third Edition?

✔ Expanded Coverage – New chapters on ESV, NLT, The Message, HCSB, and The Voice

✔ Updated Evaluations – Reflects current Bible publishing trends

✔ Typos Fixed – Polished for clarity and accuracy

Key Sections

1. Translation Principles

Word-for-Word vs. Thought-for-Thought – Which approach is best?

Readability vs. Accuracy – Can a Bible be both clear and precise?

The Author’s Three Standards for evaluating translations

2. Greek Text-Types

Textus Receptus (TR) – The Greek text behind the KJV

Majority Text (MT) – Closest to the Byzantine tradition

Critical Text (CT) – Used in most modern translations

Which is most reliable? Evidence examined fairly

3. KJV-Onlyism Debunked

Common KJV-Only Claims – Refuted with logic and evidence

Difficult KJV Terms – Archaic language that misleads modern readers

KJV vs. NKJV – Side-by-side comparisons of key verses

4. Version-by-Version Breakdown

40+ Translations Evaluated – From KJV to ESV to The Message

Surprising Flaws – Even “reliable” versions have weaknesses

Hidden Biases – How theology affects translation choices

5. Recommended Versions

Best Options for study, preaching, and devotional reading

Sample Passages – See how different versions handle tricky texts

Why This Book?

For Christians confused by translation debates

Pastors & teachers needing to defend their Bible choice

KJV-Only advocates willing to examine their assumptions

Anyone who wants to read Scripture with confidence

“Most books on this topic are either too academic or too biased. This one is just right.”

The Author’s Stance

Rejects KJV-Only Extremism – But respects the KJV’s legacy

Prefers Majority Text/TR – Over the modern Critical Text

Values Accuracy and Readability – No translation is perfect, but some are better

Available In:

Sturdy Hardback

Paperback (Lay-flat binding for easy study)

eBook (Fully searchable, budget-friendly)

“Your word is truth” (John 17:17) – Shouldn’t your translation reflect that truth accurately?”

Why do Bible versions differ? Why does the same verse read differently in different versions? Why do some versions contain words, phrases, and even entire verses that other versions omit? Which Bible versions are the most reliable? These and many other questions are answered in this book. Forty versions of the Bible are compared and evaluated.

Third Edition (April 2012)

Amazon:

Kindle Reading Device eBook: 589 KB. $3.99. Order and download from Amazon.

Paperback format: 328 pages (6"x9"). $12.95. Order from Amazon.

Hardback format: 328 pages (6"x9"). $20.75. Order from Amazon .

Lulu:

Acrobat Reader® (pdf) eBook: 10,798 KB. $4.50. Purchase and download from Lulu Publishing

ePUB for iPad and Nook: $4.25. Order and download from Lulu Publishing .

Paperback format: 328 pages (6"x9"). $12.95 Order from the publisher via their Web site Lulu Publishing .

Hardback format: 328 pages (6"x9"). $20.95. Order from the publisher via their Web site Lulu Publishing .

Notes:

Different formats and publishers might have different covers, but the content is the same in all of them.

The links to Amazon are advertising links, for which I receive a commission in addition to my royalty i

Note to readers of the Second Edition, what is new in the Third Edition is I brought it up to date in terms of the Bible versions I evaluate. Some of the versions mentioned in the second edition are no longer available while new ones have come out or have become popular. For instance, I’ve added more about the NLT, a chapter each on “The Message,” the HCSB, and “The Voice” and three chapters on the ESV. I’ve also corrected all of the typos in the second edition, and added bits of info here and there to bring various other things up to date.

Second Edition (June 2001)

This second edition has been superseded by the above third edition, but it is still available.

Paperback format: 330 pages (5"x8"). $12.95. Order from the publisher via their Web site AuthorHouse or by calling toll-free: 1-888-280-7715. Also available from Amazon .

Acrobat Reader® eBook: 1426 KB. $4.95. Purchase and download from AuthorHouse.

Readers

Download the free PDF Reader (Acrobat Reader®)

Purchase the Kindle Wireless Reading Device

Contents
(Third Edition)

Bible Versions List
Preface

Translation Principles

1. My Bible Versions Experiences
2. Classification of Bible Versions – Part One
3. Classification of Bible Versions – Part Two
4. Five Different Translation Principles
5 Three Popular Bible Versions (KJV, NKJV, NIV)

Greek Text-types

6. Introduction to Textual Criticism
7. The Majority Text vs. the Critical Text – Part One
8. The Majority Text vs. the Critical Text – Part Two
9. Significant Textual Variants – MT vs. CT
10. Significant Textual Variants – TR vs. MT
11. Meaning of "Majority Text"

KJV Only-ism

12. Critique of KJV-only Arguments
13. Difficult Terms in the KJV
14. KJV-only Arguments Against the NKJV
15. Verse Evaluations: KJV vs. NKJV – Part One
16. Verse Evaluations: KJV vs. NKJV – Part Two

Various Versions

17. Review of the NAS95
18. Two NCC Bible Versions (RSV, NRSV)
19. Review of the New Living Translation
20 Review of the ESV – Part One
21 Review of the ESV – Part Two
22 Review of the ESV – Part Three
23 “The Lord’s Prayer” in The Message
24 Review of the HCSB
25 Review of The Voice
26 Recommended Versions: Sample Passages

Appendixes

1. Summary Outlines on Bible Versions
2. Additional Books by the Author
3. About Darkness to Light
4. Contacting the Author

The above Book Preview was posted on this site in 2001.
It was last updated June 19, 2025.

Additional Books by the Director

Alphabetical List of Pages Subject Index
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Darkness to Light Home Page
www.zeolla.org/christian