NCV
Thought-for-ThoughtTranslation profile
New Century Version
NCV
How it translates, how hard it is to read, where it came from, and what makes it distinctive.
Now showing Guided. How it translates, how hard it is to read, where it came from, and what makes it distinctive.
This is an educational comparison guide — not a Bible reader, and not a quiz that picks a best Bible. You can change this anytime.
The short version
NCV puts the meaning into natural modern English.
These sentences use the listed method, reading-grade, lineage, and notable-facts fields. They are not a ranking.
Translation approach
NCV puts the meaning into natural modern English. This guide lists this as Thought-for-Thought.
Reading difficulty
Easier modern English. This guide lists grade 5.6.
What makes it distinctive
Use of footnotes to clarify ancient customs and other concepts requiring special explanation.
How it translates
Translation approach: . NCV puts the meaning into natural modern English.
Scholars translate the meaning of each thought. This is how most non-biblical translation for modern books is done. This method is also called functional (or dynamic) equivalence.
Reading level
Easier modern English. This guide lists grade 5.6. Reading level does not measure accuracy.
Where it came from
This guide does not list an English Bible lineage for this translation.
First listed 1987, revised in 1991.
Text and source listings
Old Testament: ,
New Testament: United Bible Societies
What makes it distinctive
A translation’s story
Why this translation exists
1
Before it
This guide does not list an earlier English Bible in this translation’s lineage field.
2
Why it was created
To make a readable version that uses modern terms such as measurements and geographic names.
3
How it translates
Thought-for-Thought. Scholars translate the meaning of each thought. This is how most non-biblical translation for modern books is done. This method is also called functional (or dynamic) equivalence.
4
Who / what it was designed for
Use of footnotes to clarify ancient customs and other concepts requiring special explanation. Widely used by children and teenagers for personal devotional reading.
5
Where it sits
Thought-for-Thought · Grade 5.6 · First released 1987 (Modern English).
See it in action
Compare with translations that offer a useful contrast — not a ranking.
KJV
Different translation approach
ASV
Different reading grade
RSV
Older and newer English
Sample verses
Jesus said, “Come follow me, and I will make you fish for people.”
16 God loved the world so much that he gave his one and only Son so that whoever believes in him may not be lost, but have eternal life. 17 God did not send his Son into the world to judge the world guilty, but to save the world through him.