Various English translations of the Bible

Millions of people around the world own a Bible, profess to read it, and follow its dictates. According to one survey, nine out of ten Americans own a Bible (Davis, xv). There are complete Bibles in more than forty European languages, 125 Asian and Pacific languages, and there are Bible translations into more than 100 African languages with another 500 African-language versions of some portion of the Bible (Davis, xv). At least fifteen complete native-American Bibles have been published. In English, there are more than 3,000 versions of the entire Bible or portions of the Bible (Davis, xv). The King James Version, first produced in 1611, and the Revised Standard Version remain the most popular translations today. The Living Bible is one contemporary, paraphrased version, and has sold more than 40 million copies since 1971 (Davis, xv). Additionally, the underlying issue of inclusive language is at the forefront of many discussions regarding the translations of the Bible. Discussi...