Paperback: 220 pages ; Dimensions (in inches): 0.70 x 8.42 x 5.54
Publisher: University Press of America; (May 1, 2003)

To order this book in Canada, CLICK HERE

To order this book in the United Kingdom, CLICK HERE

Hardcover: 220 pages ; Dimensions (in inches): 0.84 x 9.38 x 5.78
Publisher: University Press of America; (July 1, 2003)

To order this book in Canada, CLICK HERE

To order this book in the United Kingdom, CLICK HERE

Description given by a reader (obtained from Amazon.com): :

No two translations of the Bible read exactly alike. Many people want to know why. Does a particalar translation read differently than the one I am familiar with because it is more accurate or because it is biased? Jason BeDuhn's goal is to provide the non-bible language scholar the reasons why he grades some translations as being more accurate than others when he is asked which Bible translation is the most accurate.

In the book nine major English N.T. translations are examined. They are the:

King James Version
New Revised Standard Version
New International Version
New American Bible
New American Standard Bible
Amplified Bible
Living Bible
Today's English Version
New World Translation of the Holy Scriptures.

BeDuhn grades them on accuracy based on how they handled nine key verses or translation issues:

CHAPTER NAME: TRANSLATION ISSUE

Bowing to Bias: Bow or worship? At Mattthew 28:9 and other verses

Grasping at Accuracy: Phillipians 2:6

When is a Man not a Man?: Gender bias issues

Probing the Implicit Meaning: Words added to translated text Colossians 1:15-20

Words Together and Apart: Titus 2:13

An Uncertain Throne: Hebrews 1:8

Tampering with Tenses: John 8:58

And the Word Was ... What?: John 1:1

The Spirit Writ Large: Translating the Greek word for "spirit"

BeDuhn chose these points because these are important to many people and it it at important points that bias tends to creep into the picture. Unexpectedly two translations that most people would assume to be biased turned out to be the most accurate. BeDuhn gives his reasons on why he thinks this happened.

There is also an appendix article on one of the two translations that was rated most accurate by BeDuhn concerning a particular point where he thinks it is most biased that is presented in a tactful way.

BeDuhn writes in such a way that the average reader can follow. He presents his arguments in a calm respectful way. Tactful but not obtuse. No translation is without bias but BeDuhn helps us to see that just because a translation is different from the ones we are familiar with doen't mean that the difference is because of bias. He also helps us to see why we should be willing to do additional research, not just accepting without question any Bible translation. --This text refers to the paperback edition.