4 Reasons Why Apps Need a Great Domain Name

It’s now 2026 and the increased usage of mobile apps has no sign of slowing down. Did you know that Mobile Internet Usage Surpasses Desktop for First Time in October 2016? That was nearly 10 years ago, a whole decade! And, it just so happens that .BIBLE domain names were first publicly available on March 8, 2016.

Have you considered what a Bible app is today? It’s more than just a piece of software. It has the incredible potential to be a digital sanctuary that gives rest to the soul, a study tool that sharpens the mind, and a global mission field that reaches people instantly around the world. 

However, with thousands of apps competing for attention in the Apple App Store and Google Play Store, the one thing that stands out to connect your app with the people that need it can most clearly be your app’s domain name. The domain name serves as your digital front door that gets people to your app website, where you can present a lot more information about how your Bible app can help them.

Here are four reasons why a strategic domain name is the most valuable asset for your Bible app: Visibility, Credibility, Relevancy, and Identity.

1. The Impact of a Domain Name on Your Bible App’s Visibility

Visibility is the access point for any digital platform. You could have the most intuitive, feature-rich Bible app in the world, but if users can’t find it, they can’t use it. That results in your app having very little use and minimal impact. A well-chosen domain name is a foundational element of Search Engine Optimization (SEO).

Search Engine Rankings and Organic Traffic

Search engines like Google use the domain name as a primary signal to determine what a website—and by extension, an app—is about. When a user searches for “daily Bible app” or “how to understand the Bible,” having a domain that aligns with those queries gives you a competitive edge. A dedicated domain acts as a landing page that captures web traffic and funnels it directly to your app store links, making another way for users to discover your app..

The higher the ranking you have for your app website, that will display your website and its domain name near the top of the search results page. Being one of the top search results would get your app website more clicks. More clicks means more people visiting your website. And your website will clearly signal to people how to download and install your app on their mobile device. That results in more people using your Bible app.

The Role of Keywords in Discoverability

Keywords within a domain name (e.g., DailyPrayer.bible or StudyTheWord.com) immediately tell the search engine and the user what to expect. While “exact match domains” aren’t the magic bullet they once were, they still hold significant weight in user click-through rates. People are more likely to click on a link that contains the exact words they are searching for. By securing a keyword-rich domain, you aren’t just boosting your rank; you are making it easier for a seeker to find the Word.

2. Building Trust and Credibility with a Strong Domain Name

In the Christian world, trust is paramount. When users are looking for spiritual guidance and community, they want to know that the source they are engaging with is faithful, reliable, and trustworthy.

Enhancing User Trust

A trustworthy domain name acts as a digital “seal of approval.” An app that relies on a long, convoluted URL or a free subdomain (like mybibleapp.hostingsite.com) appears amateurish and feels kind of insecure. Conversely, a clean, custom domain name suggests that the website is operated by an established organization that is committed to its mission. This professional appearance reassures users that your Bible app is being actively developed and reliable to use for months and years ahead.

The Psychological Impact of Memorability

There is a psychological phenomenon where simplicity equals familiarity, and familiarity equals trust. A short, punchy domain name is easy to remember and share by word of mouth. If a user can easily recall Free.Bible or Library.Bible without having to look it up or spell it out letter-by-letter, the friction is lowered. A memorable name stays in the user’s mind, making your app unforgettable.

3. The Importance of a Relevant Domain Extension for Your Audience

For years, .com was the undisputed king of the internet. However, as the digital landscape has matured, Top-Level Domains (TLDs) have become more specialized. For a Bible app, the extension you choose says as much about your mission as the name itself.

Why .BIBLE is a Fitting Choice

The introduction of the .bible extension was a game-changer for faith-based developers. It provides instant context. When a user sees a .bible URL, there is zero ambiguity about the site’s purpose. It creates a “neighborhood” of like-minded organizations, ministries, apps and websites. Using this extension immediately associates your app with the global Bible community, signaling that you are part of a specific, trusted niche.

Significance in User Perception

Domain extensions influence how users perceive the “authority” of a site. While .org suggests a non-profit mission and .com suggests a commercial enterprise, a specialized TLD like .bible suggests intentionality. It shows that you have gone the extra mile to secure a digital identity that reflects your core values. This relevance helps in narrowing the “intent gap”—the space between what a user wants and what they find.

4. How a Good Domain Name Strengthens Your Brand Identity

Your brand is the “personality” of your Bible app. In the digital space, where physical touchpoints are non-existent, your brand identity must be communicated through visuals, tone, and—most importantly—your domain name.

Creating a Cohesive Brand

A domain name is often the first interaction a user has with your brand. It sets the tone for the entire user experience. If your app is called “The Lamp” but your domain is spiritual-app-123.net, there is a disconnect. A cohesive brand requires that your app name, your social media handles, and your domain name all sing the same note. This consistency reinforces your message and makes your brand feel “larger” and more influential.

Branding for Bible Apps

In the digital Christian world, branding isn’t about “selling” a product; it’s about stewardship. It’s about presenting the life-changing message of the Bible in a way that is current, accessible, and clear. A strong domain name helps you carve out a unique place in a crowded world. It allows you to move beyond being “just another app” to becoming a recognized resource. 

Conclusion

A domain name is far more than a technical requirement. It is a strategic asset that increases visibility, conveys credibility, shows relevancy, and establishes your brand identity. For a Bible app, the right domain is an investment that contributes to accomplishing your mission. By choosing a name that is discoverable, credible, and relevant, you ensure that your digital ministry has the strongest possible foundation for more Bible engagement.

Check Availability

Right now, you can check if your .BIBLE domain name is available for registration. Go to get.bible/register and select any registrar listed. (Domain names are registered on a first-come, first-serve basis. That means you’ll want to act quickly and wisely.)

Register .BIBLE Domain Names at Lower Prices Now

Want to make a bigger impact online with your Bible-inspired website or app? Now’s your chance! 

Starting April 7, 2025, premium .BIBLE domain names are available at lower prices, making it easier than ever for ministries, churches, organizations, and individuals to claim a powerful web address.

Using a premium .BIBLE domain name is more than an ordinary web address—it’s a trusted, memorable, and mission-driven way to share God’s Word in an increasingly digital world. Launched in 2016 by American Bible Society, ABS furthers its mission of making the Bible available to every person in a language and format each can understand and afford, so that all people may experience its life-changing message.

Why Choose a .BIBLE Domain Name?

Clear & Memorable – Instantly tells visitors your website is Bible-centered.
Credible & Trusted – Elevates your online presence with a domain that signals purpose.
Stronger Engagement – Helps ministries, churches, and individuals stand out in a cluttered digital space.

Since launching in 2016, thousands of websites have embraced .BIBLE to inspire and connect people with Scripture. Check out some great examples:

Now More Affordable Than Ever!

With our new lower pricing, getting a premium .BIBLE domain name is easier and more accessible than ever before. Whether you’re launching a new ministry, creating Bible study resources, or building an app to spread God’s Word, now is the perfect time to secure your .BIBLE web address.

Don’t miss out—register your .BIBLE domain today!  Go to get.bible/register

Let’s fill the Internet with the message of hope and truth—one .BIBLE domain at a time!

p.s. You may have noticed a new look & design here at get.bible. This redesign has streamlined our web presence. We hope you like it! And, we’d love your feedback—contact us.


About the .BIBLE Top-Level Domain Registry

The .BIBLE top-level domain registry is an initiative of American Bible Society. The .BIBLE registry helps Bible-inspired websites bring clarity to their brand and empower Scripture engagement, translation, innovation, and global partnerships so that all people may experience the life-changing message of the Bible. Learn more at get.bible.

About American Bible Society

For over 200 years, American Bible Society has remained committed to its mission of making the Bible available to every person in a language and format each can understand and afford, so that all people may experience its life-changing message. We believe the Bible is the ultimate source of truth with the power to transform lives and eternities, and for over two centuries, we have seen it do exactly this as millions have received God’s Word and discovered the powerful hope of Scripture and the promise of new life through Jesus Christ. For more information, visit www.americanbible.org

How Many Top Level Domains are on the Internet?

The Internet currently has 1,437 top-level domains (TLDs) as of February 12, 2026. This number may change from time to time, whenever new ones are delegated or old ones get retired. (cf. IANA root zone)

Top-level domains are also commonly known as domain extensions, the portion of a domain name to the right of the dot. A complete list of all the top-level domains (TLDs) on the Internet can be referenced below. Before looking at the big list, let’s get some context from the Internet’s history. 

What is the Number of Domains Registered, not Top-Level Domains

Some of you might want to know how many domains exist, in terms of how many registered domain names are on the Internet, you can get that answer at this domainnamestats.com page or The Verisign Domain Name Industry Brief, published quarterly. (One caveat: not every registered domain name has a website associated with it.)

When did the Internet start?

The underlying Internet infrastructure was developed in the 1960s and 1970s. The Internet as we know it today with its domain name system was launched in 1985. The first 6 top-level domains launched are: .COM, .ORG, .NET, .EDU, .GOV, .MIL (cf. IETF RFC 920). As an aside, the term Internet itself was not formally defined until October 1995 (cf. Brief History of the Internet, Internet Society, 1997.)

The Internet is constantly developing and growing in usage, content, and domain names. The number of top-level domains have also grown over the years. For instance, 2-letter country code top-level domains (ccTLDs) like .US, .UK, and .IL were launched first. Since then, over 200 other ccTLDs have become part of the Internet, like .RU, .DE, .JP, and many more.

How did we get so many domain extensions?

ICANN (Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers) has coordinated the Internet domain namespace since 1998. In 2011, ICANN launched the  New gTLD Program (2012 program) to expand the Internet namespace. Organizations and companies could apply to operate its own top-level domain. These new TLDs would benefit the global Internet community by providing people with more meaningful and memorable domain names to access Internet resources.

During the rigorous application process, 1,930 applications were submitted for creating new top-level domains in various categories, geographies, brands, and languages. Not all of the applications were approved in the evaluation process and some applications were withdrawn. 

By 2017, more than 1,200 new top-level domains have been delegated to the Internet. Add that number to the existing top-level domains. That’s how we have nearly 1,500 TLDs today. 

Note that not all top-level domains are available for public registration. Some TLDs have registration requirements (like .NYC, .BANK, and .LAW) and some TLDs are exclusive use by brands (like .GOOGLE, .MICROSOFT, and .BMW). And, would you believe there are discussions in progress that will open up another round of applications for more top-level domains to be added to the Internet? It’s true.

How the Internet is growing again

The New Generic Top-Level Domains (gTLD) Program: 2026 Round is an ICANN initiative to enable the expansion of the Internet’s Domain Name System (DNS) through the introduction of new top-level domains. By applying for and securing a gTLD allows a business, community, and other organization the opportunity to create a customized online space to clearly designate a digital neighborhood with many related destinations.

List of Domain Extensions 

Where can I find a list of all the TLDs on the Internet? The authoritative list of all the top-level domains (TLDs) is maintained by IANA (Internet Assigned Numbers Authority). and the Root Zone Database is updated daily. The current list is at https://data.iana.org/TLD/tlds-alpha-by-domain.txt and also available via FTP at ftp://data.iana.org/TLD/tlds-alpha-by-domain.txt.

What exactly is a valid domain name?

With so many top-level domains and knowing that it changes from time to time, how does one know if a domain name is valid? See this article for A Clear Description for a Valid Domain Name, that also describes which characters are allowed in a domain name.

OneMillionMore.Bible is home to the One Million More Bible Reading Challenge

From the website onemillionmore.bible

What if ONE MILLION MORE fell in love with the Bible? How can your church, small group & community be transformed? Join the One Million More Challenge!

The Bible Was Written To Communities… Let’s Read It That Way.

Reading the Bible together transformed our church. Now we want to give away everything you need to see it ignite yours:

  • A unique church-wide framework for Bible reading
  • An 8 week reading and engagement plan
  • Free Tools & Resources to equip your church

WHY BOOK CLUBS?

LET’S REDISCOVER “ONE ANOTHER”

The One Million More Bible Reading Challenge is a movement born out of the dream of Pastor Andy Wood from Saddleback Church. After witnessing the transformative power of committing to reading the Bible all together as a church community, the dream was born to invite others to do the same in their communities globally. 

The mission is to challenge One Million More people to read the Bible daily, connect with community, grow deeper in their faith, and experience life change through God’s Word. Once we reach one million, we will go for One Million More people, and then One Million More. 

This initiative is only possible if we work together. We invite you to join the efforts and join the passionate leadership of Tyndale, The Bible Project, Our Daily Bread, The Small Group Network, Celebrate Recovery, and Lumivos. Together, we’re providing resources, tools, and community support to help believers everywhere engage with Scripture like never before.

Join in this God-sized dream as we transform lives, one verse, one person, and One Million More at a time!

Visit the website onemillionmore.bible

the Fastest Bible on the Internet

Since our beginning, the .BIBLE top-level domain (TLD) partnered with YouVersion, the maker of the Bible App, to fulfill our respective missions. One of the projects is providing the fastest Bible on the internet by making available fast-loading AMP pages for every Bible verse. (Every Bible verse is optimized for search engines and designed to load as fast as possible using Accelerated Mobile Pages (AMP) specifications.) And, what’s super nice is this online Bible website has no ads! No advertising to distract you from reading the pure Word of God.

Accelerating Every Book of the Bible Online

To make it easy to remember and to access, users can add the .BIBLE ending to any book of the Bible. And, voila, before you can say Mississippi, there’s the Bible on your web browser. Here’s the 66 books of the Bible in alphabetical order:

1chronicles.bible

1corinthians.bible

1john.bible

1kings.bible

1peter.bible

1samuel.bible

1thessalonians.bible

1timothy.bible

2chronicles.bible

2corinthians.bible

2john.bible

2kings.bible

2peter.bible

2samuel.bible

2thessalonians.bible

2timothy.bible

3john.bible

acts.bible

amos.bible

colossians.bible

daniel.bible

deuteronomy.bible

ecclesiastes.bible

ephesians.bible

esther.bible

exodus.bible

ezekiel.bible

ezra.bible

galatians.bible

genesis.bible

habakkuk.bible

haggai.bible

hebrews.bible

hosea.bible

isaiah.bible

james.bible

jeremiah.bible

job.bible

joel.bible

john.bible

jonah.bible

joshua.bible

jude.bible

judges.bible

lamentations.bible

leviticus.bible

luke.bible

malachi.bible

mark.bible

matthew.bible

micah.bible

nahum.bible

nehemiah.bible

numbers.bible

obadiah.bible

philemon.bible

philippians.bible

proverbs.bible

psalm.bible

revelation.bible

romans.bible

ruth.bible

songofsongs.bible

titus.bible

zechariah.bible

zephaniah.bible

Sharing from the Bible App on Social Media

You may have noticed .BIBLE verses being shared on social media, too. When you use the YouVersion Bible app, that directly links users to these fast-loading Bible verses. For example, here are the latest tweets with psalm.bible.

Free Bible Widget for your Website or Blog

Install the Bible Widget to add a variety of free tools to your website or blog that will enhance your readers’ experience on your site. Choose from a dozen different Bible versions in English. The URL to get it all is https://bibles.org/widget

Search Widget

The Search Widget will place a search box on your site that will allow your users to search for Bible passages and display those search results in a popup modal or take them to the configured Global.Bible site to view the results.

Passage Widget

The passage widget allows you to place almost any length of passage on your site for readers to see. Just include the following code anywhere on your site or blog post. We’ll load the text in for you and make sure it’s properly attributed! For Passage References, please refer to the list of three letter abbreviations (below) for Bible books to use. 

Auto-Linker Widget

Auto-linker is not a widget so much as a utility that turns plain text into into Link Widgets. It looks through text on a web page for Bible references, so you don’t have to provide any additional code. For now it only works with English, but we plan to make more languages available.

Link Widget

With the Link Widget, you can allow users to read a passage in its entirety in a pop up modal on your site by simply adding a small snippet of code to your links. These are auto-created for you via the Auto-Linker, but if your scripture reference has more complicated markup or you want custom text in your scripture reference you cam manually create a Link Widget. Additionally, it can be configured to show the text in a new tab.

Book Abbreviations for Bible Widget

This is the list of three letter abbreviation for each book of the Bible to use for Passage References at https://bibles.org/widget.

AbbreviationBible Book Name
GENGenesis
EXOExodus
LEVLeviticus
NUMNumbers
DEUDeuteronomy
JOSJoshua
JDGJudges
RUTRuth
1SA1 Samuel
2SA2 Samuel
1KI1 Kings
2KI2 Kings
1CH1 Chronicles
2CH2 Chronicles
EZREzra
NEHNehemiah
ESTEsther
JOBJob
PSAPsalms
PROProverbs
ECCEcclesiastes
SNGSong
ISAIsaiah
JERJeremiah
LAMLamentations
EZKEzekiel
DANDaniel
HOSHosea
JOLJoel
AMOAmos
OBAObadiah
JONJonah
MICMicah
NAMNahum
HABHabakkuk
ZEPZephaniah
HAGHaggai
ZECZechariah
MALMalachi
MATMatthew
MRKMark
LUKLuke
JHNJohn
ACTActs
ROMRomans
1CO1 Corinthians
2CO2 Corinthians
GALGalatians
EPHEphesians
PHPPhilippians
COLColossians
1TH1 Thessalonians
2TH2 Thessalonians
1TI1 Timothy
2TI2 Timothy
TITTitus
PHMPhilemon
HEBHebrews
JASJames
1PE1 Peter
2PE2 Peter
1JN1 John
2JN2 John
3JN3 John
JUDJude
REVRevelation

How New Domains Are Showing Up in Search Results

One important consideration for selecting a domain name is how it would help with better placement in search engine results with the highest possible ranking. This is one of the most prominent factors that is part of the art and science of SEO, or search engine optimization.

With nearly a thousand new domain extensions now available on the internet, including .bible.church.faith, and .media, there are so many more great choices available for getting a better domain name—a domain that’s shortershareable, and memorable. And, a domain name is certainly a most significant factor that’s used to determine your website’s ranking in search engine results. (Research has found over 1,000 factors used in ranking algorithms for popular search engines like Google and Bing.)

Seven Domains on Page 1 of Google Search Results

Our .BIBLE team has noticed 7 particular domain names using the new extensions and how they have stood out in search engine results:

STL.CARS is the new domain name for St. Louis Motorcars, switched from its previous domain name STLMotorcars.com in November 2015. An in-depth case study researched the impact of this change to STL.CARS and found the following:

  • Search engine ranking improved for 50% (8 out of 16) of keyword phrases
  • 7.51% increase of new sessions 
  • 33.67% increase in referral traffic 
  • 20.09% increase in social media referrals 
  • Upward trends in total clicks & impressions and conversions from organic search

Free.bible is the fastest way to download and to share the YouVersion Bible App and it ranks #8 for searches on the phrase “free bible” without extra optimizing of the website. (Note that these rankings are during the time of this blog post and are subject to change over time.)

Deaf.bible is the home page for the Deaf Bible app in 18 sign languages and it ranks #3 for searches on the phrase “deaf bible”.

Newlife.bible is the home page for the mobile app to “Explore what God, faith and Christianity are all about.” This website ranks #4 when searching for “newlife bible” but ranks #1 for the exact phrase “newlife bible”.

Life.church is the website for the often-recognized innovative church located in multiple locations with its central office in Edmond, Oklahoma, and Life.Church switched their domain name in October 2015 from their previous LifeChurch.tv domain. How can 2 letters make a difference? Bobby Gruenewald, Life.Church innovation pastor, explained why:

We believe the transition to Life.Church creates the opportunity to share and talk about the church in a natural way. Plus, it’s a more effective way for people to find and identify us as a church, too.

Coffee.club was launched back in November 2014 and was ranked on page 1 of search results within a week. It continues to rank near the top of searches for the phrase “coffee club” to this day.

Home.barclays is the website address for Barclays Bank, an international bank based in the United Kingdom (with 325 years of history and operating in 40 countries) switched over in May 2015 from its previous .com and .co.uk URLs. 5 of the benefits for this new domain extension is listed by Barclays Group’s Chief Information Security Officer:

  • creates a simplified online user experience, 
  • making it crystal clear to our customers that they are engaging with a genuine Barclays site, 
  • controlling our own online environment, 
  • enables us to provide an even more secure service, 
  • increase trust and confidence in Barclays’ online entities 

These are just a handful of examples for how these new domain extensions are shaping the future of the Internet. Instead of an online world with domain names ending in .COM or .NET that only tells you that it’s a website, organizations and companies can now use every character in the domain name to meaningfully connect with people with its compelling message.

How Users Choose Search Results Based on Domain Names

One more thing to note. It’s not just about how your website’s ranking in search results; it’s also about how your domain name stands out.

A website’s ranking in search results isn’t the only thing that people look for when deciding on which website to click on. “Domain bias” describes the behavior of how users choose which search result to click on based on the domain name. As described in this article, Turn Domain Bias In Search Results To Your Advantage, about the in-depth study:

“… searchers prefer to click on exact match domains, and are actually 25 percent more likely to click them. In other words, if Joe Searcher is looking for “Home Football Jerseys” to wear to a big game, he is more likely to click on FootballJerseys.com than Overstock.com/sports or GoTeam.com.”

Read the detailed report, Domain bias in web search, from Microsoft Research. 

66 Ideas for .BIBLE Domain Names

Here’s a list of 66 Ideas for .BIBLE Domain Names, with many practical ideas for using .BIBLE domain names to build Bible websites, apps, and resources that help to increase Bible engagement.

How to increase Bible engagement?

The great research team at American Bible Society has synthesized its years of learnings into a Pathway of Scripture Engagement to visualize what a person’s and a group’s concrete steps and milestones for engaging with the Bible. The definition for Scripture engagement is: consistent interaction with the Bible that shapes people’s choices and transforms their relationships with God, self, and others. (source: State of the Bible 2021)

the pathway of scripture engagement

And this webinar about the State of the Bible 2021 report further explains the good life that the Bible brings about many benefits of human flourishing and quality of life.

webinar: the Good Life

How to Increase Scripture Engagement?

With valuable information gathered and analyzed through methodical research, we have confirmation, reassurance, and evidence of the Bible’s life-changing message. But one of the question remains: how can we increase Bible engagement? It doesn’t happen by just knowing information or even benefits or instructions for how to do something. 

For example, to help people go from 1 hour of Bible engagement by attending a church worship service, towards doing a daily Bible reading for 15 minutes a day, that’s a significant and sizeable increase in Scripture engagement, right? In the pathway chart, this could be mapped as someone going from step 4 to step 5.

If someone starts a new behavior, according to behavior economist Dan Ariely (Duke University), they’d need more fuel and less friction: “building a behavior change program is like building a rocket ship: it has to have enough fuel (motivation) and have little enough friction (barriers) to get from the status quo to the new destination.

friction vs. fuel

Staying with our example above, then, what are the things that can be done to fuel and motivate someone to want to change their behavior, from just going to church once a week, to reading the Bible daily? And, if that’s too big of a change, as it well may be for many, what is an easier step that would lower the friction and resistance to change? This very useful model for behavior change also indicates how it’s considerably easier to reduce friction than it is to increase fuel to motivate people into new actions, even if all the benefits were clearly spelled out and people would agree to them being beneficial. 

4 Ways to Increase Bible Engagement in Churches

On another note, based on 30 years of helping churches with Bible engagement, Whitney T. Kuniholm has identified 4 principles that will make any church-wide Bible reading program more effective

How Using .BIBLE Domain Names Increases Bible Engagement

Sticking with the behavior change program model from Dan Ariely, it’s easy to see how .BIBLE domain names help to reduce the friction and increases the likeliness for someone to engage the Bible in a number of ways:

People are 25% more likely to click on a .BIBLE link when searching for relevant Bible content. With over 1,500,000 monthly searches on the keyword Bible at Google around the world (according to searchvolume.net), your web link will stand out in search results and that results in more web traffic. 

When people remember your website or app link, they’re going to your website and coming back again. With so much information already occupying our minds and thousands of messages bombarding our brains daily (though the estimated daily volume of brand messages vary), a branded domain name using .BIBLE grabs attention better than anything else. Almost every time I talk about working with the .BIBLE Registry, that opens up longer conversations and holds people’s attention. 

The fastest Bible on the internet is powered by .BIBLE domain names, thanks to our partnership with YouVersion. Over 2,000,000 links are shared on social media to this collection of Bible pages in AMP (Accelerated Mobile Page) format and increasing Bible engagement digitally.

Easy-to-remember .BIBLE domain names can help you access the Bible anywhere anytime, without downloading or installing an app, on any internet-accessible device at links like genesis.biblematthew.bibleluke.biblepsalm.bible, and every book of the Bible. It doesn’t get any easier or faster!

Why are there so many versions of the Bible in English?

There are over 900 Bible translations available in English today! What makes each version different and unique? 

This article gives you descriptions to 10 popular versions and translations to introduce you to the unique characteristics of each. These selections represent the two primary approaches to translation (“formal equivalent” and “functional equivalent”), as well as both older and more recent translations. Most modern translations benefit from a high level of scholarship and accuracy, because as time goes on, we are learning more from research and new findings. This short list is shown in alphabetical order; for the more complete curated list of English translations that’s kept updated, see A Brief Description of Popular Bible Translations” at American Bible Society Resources (from which this article is adapted). 

Christian Standard Bible (CSB, HCSB)
 This is a 2017 update of the Holman Christian Standard Bible (2004), an original translation from Greek and Hebrew manuscripts. Its scholars, most of whom are from conservative and evangelical church traditions, have aimed at a balance between word-for-word and thought-for-thought translation—as close to the original wording as possible while emphasizing clarity for modern English readers. It uses a seventh-grade reading level. 

Contemporary English Version (CEV) 
The CEV is a meaning-based (or functional equivalent) translation done in a contemporary style using common language. It was designed to be understood when read and heard out loud, not just when it is read silently. It is one of the better Bibles for children and youth, as well as for new Bible readers who are not familiar with traditional Bible and church words. It was first published in 1995 and revised in 2006. 

English Standard Version (ESV)
The ESV was published in 2001 (revised in 2007 and 2011) and is another revision of the Revised Standard Version (1971 edition) that follows a formal equivalence approach. It is quickly growing in popularity, particularly among conservative Protestants. 

Good News Translation (GNT) 
The GNT (also known as Today’s English Version or Good News Bible) was one of the first meaning-based (or functional equivalent) translations of the Bible into English. It was originally published in 1976 and was revised in 1992. The GNT presents the message of the Bible in a level of English that is common to most of the English-speaking world. The GNT is still used widely in youth Bible study groups and in less formal worship services. Editions are also available for Roman Catholic readers. 

King James Version (KJV)
The KJV (also known as the Authorized Version) is a word-for-word translation (or formal equivalent) originally published in 1611 at the request of King James I of England. It has been frequently reprinted and its spelling updated, and most copies today are slightly adapted from a 1769 edition. The translators mostly aimed at making a clear and accurate translation from the original languages. So many people have used the KJV over the centuries that it has become the single most important book in shaping the modern English language. Many of the best and most ancient Hebrew and Greek manuscripts of Bible books have been discovered since 1850, so the KJV could not make use of them. In many cases, it is helpful to read and study the KJV alongside another more recent translation. The KJV is still the most widely owned and used English translation in the United States. 

The Message (MSG)
The Message is a popular paraphrase of the Bible by Eugene Peterson, who used the original Greek and Hebrew texts and tried to bring their “feel”—their tone, rhythm, and idiom—directly into contemporary English. It is presented as a Bible more for personal reading than for study or public reading. The Message is often useful to read side by side with other, more word-for-word translations. Peterson’s choice of words can help new readers unlock the sense of the text and can help seasoned Bible readers find fresh energy in passages that have become too familiar. 

New American Bible (NAB, NABRE) 
The NAB was originally published in 1970 as a meaning-based translation intended primarily for Roman Catholic readers. The New Testament was revised in 1986, shifting more toward a word-for-word or formal translation. The full Bible with a newly revised translation of the Old Testament and extensive notes was released in 2011 as the New American Bible, Revised Edition. The NABRE is useful for individual study. The older NAB is approved for public worship for American Catholics. 

New American Standard Bible (NASB)
The NASB, first published in the 1960s, is an excellent example of a formal translation of the Bible in English. It is probably the most “word-for-word” type translation available today. Because of this, the NASB is a good version to use in Bible study where one is concerned with the form of the original Hebrew and Greek. The most recent edition of the NASB was published in 1995. 

New International Version (NIV) 
The NIV was a completely new translation, but it was strongly influenced by the tradition of the King James Version The full Bible was published in 1978. It was revised in 1984 and again in 2011. A blend of form-based and meaning-based translation types, the NIV is one of the most popular English Bibles in use today. It is equally useful for individual study and public worship, especially among more traditional and conservative denominations. 

New Living Translation (NLT) 
The NLT is a meaning-based revision of the Living Bible (LB). The Living Bible is a popular 1971 paraphrase of the 1901 American Standard Version. (A paraphrase is different from a translation. For a paraphrase, authors take an English text and put it into their own words, that is, the way they would say it themselves. A paraphrase does not begin with the Hebrew and Greek texts as a translation does.) The New Living Translation involved comparing the LB to the original-language texts, and then making changes so that the NLT is now a true translation. The NLT is a good translation to use with youth and adults who have difficulty with the traditional language of a formal equivalent translation. 

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P.S. One scholar, Steven J. DeRose, has itemized nearly 400 English Bible Versions, Translations, and Paraphrases, as of 2009. For a more detailed explanation for why there are so many translations, see the article, “What are the different English Bible versions?” (GotQuestions.org).