Bible Comparison Chart

Version

Reading Level

Readability

Number of Translators

Translation Philosophy

Example Verse

NASB

New American Standard Bible (1995)

11.00

Formal style in modern English but more readable than the King James Version.

54

Word-for-word

But we will not boast beyond our measure, but within the measure of the sphere which God apportioned to us as a measure, to reach even as far as you. 2 Corinthians 10:13 (NASB)

AMP

Amplified

NA

Expanded and "amplified" by means of a system of brackets and parentheses, which   sometimes make for fragmented reading

Frances E. Siewert, plus 12 others

Word-for-word plus additional amplification of word meanings.

We, on the other hand, will not boast beyond our legitimate province and proper limit, but will keep within the limits [of our commission which] God has allotted us as our measuring line and which reaches and includes even you.
2 Corinthians 10:13 (AMP) 

ESV 

English Standard Version

8.0

Literal style, but more readable than the King James Version

100+

Word-for-word

But we will not boast beyond limits, but will boast only with regard to the area of influence God assigned to us, to reach even you.

2 Corinthians 10:13 (ESV) 

KJV

King James Version

12.00

Difficult to read due to 17th-century English vocabulary and word order

54

Word-for-word

But we will not boast of things without our measure, but according to the measure of the rule which God hath distributed to us, a measure to reach even unto you. 2 Corinthians 10:13 (KJV)

NKJV

New King James Version

9.0

Easier word usage, but somewhat choppy because it maintains 17th century sentence structure

119

Authors used the original KJV as a benchmark, while working to produce an accurate and modern word-for-word translation

We, however, will not boast beyond measure, but within the limits of the sphere which God appointed us--a sphere which especially includes you.

2 Corinthians 10:13 (NKJV)

HCSB

Holman Christian Standard  Bible

N/A

A highly readable, accurate translation written in modern English

90

Balance between  word-for-word and thought-for-thought

We, however, will not boast beyond measure, but according to the measure of the area of ministry that God has assigned to us, which reaches even you.

2 Corinthians 10:13 (HCSB)

NRSV

New Revised Standard Version

10.40

Contemporary, dignified with generic language in reference to humans

30

Attempts a balance between word-for-word and thought-for-thought

We, however, will not boast beyond limits, but will keep within the field that God has assigned to us, to reach out even as far as you.

2 Corinthians 10:13 (NRSV)

NIV

New International Version

7.80

An accurate and smooth-reading version in modern English

115

Attempts to balance between word-for-word and thought-for-thought

We, however, will not boast beyond proper limits, but will confine our boasting to the field God has assigned to us, a field that reaches even to you.

2 Corinthians 10:13 (NIV)

TNIV

Today's New International Version

N/A

same as NIV

115

Balance between word-for-word and thought-for-thought. Deliberate attempt to be gender neutral

We, however, will not boast beyond proper limits, but will confine our boasting to the sphere of service God himself has assigned to us, a sphere that also includes you.

2 Corinthians 10:13 (TNIV)

NLT

New Living Translation

6.3

A readable translation; uses vocabulary and language structures commonly used by the average person

90

Translators were involved in bringing the classic Living Bible from its status as a paraphrase to a thought-for-thought translation of Scripture.

But we will not boast of authority we do not have. Our goal is to stay within the boundaries of God's plan for us, and this plan includes our working there with you.

2 Corinthians 10:13 (NLT)

CEV

Contemporary English  Version

5.40

Clear, simple English that a child can understand, but with a mature style that adults can appreciate

100+

Thought-for-thought

We don't brag about something we don't have a right to brag about. We will only brag about the work that God has sent us to do, and you are part of that work.

2 Corinthians 10:13 (CEV)

NIrV

New International Reader's   Version

2.90

Easy to read and understand; uses simple, short words and sentence

11

Balance between word translation and meaning, with an emphasis on meaning where necessary for simplification

But I won't brag more than I should. Instead, I will brag only about what I have done in the area God has given me. It is an area that reaches all the way to you.

2 Corinthians 10:13 (NIrV)

GNT

Good News Translation, formerly Today's English Version (TEV) and Good News Bible (GNB)

6.0

Very simple, readable version without jargon. Uses a limited vocabulary.

R. Bratcher (NT); 
Bratcher plus six others (OT)

Thought-for-thought

As for us, however, our  boasting will not go beyond certain limits; it will stay within the limits of   the work which God has set for us, and this includes our work among you.

2 Corinthians 10:13 (GNT)

The Message

4.8

An easy-to-read, modern-language paraphrase

Eugene H. Peterson

Thought-for-thought. Converts the original languages into the tone and the rhythms of modern-day American speech while retaining the idioms and meaning of the original languages.

We're not, understand, putting ourselves in a league with those who boast that they're our superiors. We wouldn't dare do that. But in all this comparing and grading and competing, the quite miss the point. We aren't making outrageous claims here. We're sticking to the limits of what God has set for us. But there can be no question that those limits reach to and include you. 

2 Corinthians 10:13 (The Message)