Why are there different versions of the Bible?

The Bible was originally written in Hebrew (Old Testament) and Greek (New Testament). Most people in this country cannot read Greek or Hebrew. Even people from Greece would find the Greek of the New Testament hard to understand as it is Greek from a very long time ago. Sometimes we find the English Shakespeare uses hard to understand and that was written only 400 years ago. The Bible was written 2-3000 years ago!

So, most Christians read the Bible in a translation. It has been translated into many, many languages.

When the Bible is translated, it is always translated from the original Greek and Hebrew, so that the new translation isn't a translation of a translation!

It is hard to translate with accuracy as sometimes, you can be translating the Bible for people who live in a very different country from the country Jesus lived in. A hot country may not have a word for snow. A flat country may not have a word for mountain. If you live in a dry country, there may not be a word for river.

In the Bible, Jesus is described as 'The Good Shepherd'. If you live in a country where there are no sheep, it would be difficult to translate this phrase. The translator has to decide how best to translate the meaning of the phrase. In the Book of Revelation (3:20), Jesus is described as standing at the door knocking. In parts of Africa, only thieves knock on the door, trying to discover if there is anyone inside. If you were a normal visitor, you call your name out and wait to be invited in. In Revelation, the passage is meant to show that Jesus is asking to be a part of our lives (asking to come in). If the translator translated it literally into this African tribal language, the people would think Jesus is a thief trying to steal someone or something.

In English, there are several translations of the Bible. Some favour a literal translation (e.g. Revised Standard Version), others like the Good News Version, seeks to convey meaning in a more readable, understandable way. All have a high degree of accuracy and Christians can choose which version they wish to use.