Choosing a Bible Translation

Which Bible translation is the best to use or to buy?" "Which does the Church recommend?" In "Choosing a Bible Translation," John Pilch discusses two kinds of Bible translations: word-for-word (literal or formal correspondence), and meaning-for-meaning (literary or dynamic equivalence) and comments on the merits of each for the needs of Bible readers.

Pilch also emphasizes some challenges that translators of the biblical texts face such as the use of inclusive language, social systems, textual variants, and sensitivity to cultural awareness. He provides readers with a host of resources for choosing Bibles on computer software, obtaining electronic copies of translations, and for locating translations on the Internet.

John J. Pilch, PhD, teaches Scripture at Georgetown University, Washington, DC. He is the author of "The Cultural Dictionary of the Bible;" the three-volume series "The Cultural World of Jesus Sunday by Sunday: Cycles A, B, C; Galatians and Romans" in the "Collegeville Bible Commentary" series; and articles in "The Modern Catholic Encyclopedia, The Collegeville Pastoral Dictionary of Biblical Theology, "and "The Bible Today, " all published by The Liturgical Press."