Bible translations

Scripture Translations and Versions

Every translation balances the wording of ancient texts with the needs of modern readers. Explore how each version came to be and what it brings into focus.

Why translations differ

Translation Choices

The Bible was written in Hebrew, Aramaic, and Greek across many centuries. Translators must decide how closely to follow the original sentence structure, how to express idioms, and which English words best communicate the meaning.

Some translations preserve traditional phrasing. Others favor language that sounds natural today. Reading more than one can reveal where the original text allows nuance and help you notice details that a single rendering may not show.

Compare at a glance

How KJV and WEB differ

Start with the translation itself, then see which version-specific study and formatting tools are available in Script Bible today.

Comparison	KJVKing James Version	WEBWorld English Bible
Translation
First published	1611	Drafts from 1997; stable 2020
English lineage	Bishops’ Bible and earlier English Bibles	1901 ASV
English style	Early Modern English	Modern American English
Translation approach	Formal, literary revision	Formal, readability-conscious revision
Old Testament basis	Masoretic Hebrew tradition	ASV tradition, reviewed with Biblia Hebraica Stuttgartensia
New Testament basis	Textus Receptus	Greek Majority Text, with inherited ASV decisions
Text rights	Public domain in many places; Crown rights in the UK	Public domain (CC0)
In Script Bible
Full-text reading and search	Yes	Yes
Side-by-side reading	Yes	Yes
Bookmarks and notes	Yes	Yes
Original-language interlinear	Yes	No
Strong’s-linked word senses	Yes	No
Source-aware poetry formatting	No	Yes
Source-aware paragraph and stanza formatting	No	Yes
Distinctive divine-name styling	No	Yes

Translation

First published: KJV1611; WEBDrafts from 1997; stable 2020
English lineage: KJVBishops’ Bible and earlier English Bibles; WEB1901 ASV
English style: KJVEarly Modern English; WEBModern American English
Translation approach: KJVFormal, literary revision; WEBFormal, readability-conscious revision
Old Testament basis: KJVMasoretic Hebrew tradition; WEBASV tradition, reviewed with Biblia Hebraica Stuttgartensia
New Testament basis: KJVTextus Receptus; WEBGreek Majority Text, with inherited ASV decisions
Text rights: KJVPublic domain in many places; Crown rights in the UK; WEBPublic domain (CC0)

In Script Bible

Full-text reading and search: KJVYes; WEBYes
Side-by-side reading: KJVYes; WEBYes
Bookmarks and notes: KJVYes; WEBYes
Original-language interlinear: KJVYes; WEBNo
Strong’s-linked word senses: KJVYes; WEBNo
Source-aware poetry formatting: KJVNo; WEBYes
Source-aware paragraph and stanza formatting: KJVNo; WEBYes
Distinctive divine-name styling: KJVNo; WEBYes

Translation guides

Explore the translations in Script Bible

WEB2000

World English Bible

The World English Bible is a modern-English revision of the 1901 American Standard Version, created for unrestricted reading, sharing, publishing, and digital use.

Open translation guide

KJV1611

King James Version

The King James Version is a 1611 Church of England revision whose measured cadence and memorable phrasing have shaped English-speaking worship, literature, and public speech for four centuries.

Open translation guide

More coming soon

This library will keep growing

Future guides will make it easier to compare translation history, philosophy, textual basis, and distinctive renderings before you choose what to read.