Bible Versions for Children
The method used to translate Bible versions determines the reading difficulty level of the version and whether it is suited to children. Bible versions can be literal word-for-word translations, thought-for-thought translations or a combination of the two translation methods of the Hebrew Old Testament and the Greek New Testament. Bible versions for children are designed to accommodate children at varying reading levels, with the most literal translation being the most readable to young children.
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Entry-Level Reading Versions
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Entry/easy-level reading versions carry the most literal translations of the Bible for beginning readers. The New Century Version (NCV) and the New International Readers Version (NIrV), a beginning reader's version based on the NIV, are two notable Bible versions for young readers in this category. The two versions bear simple-to-understand translations suited for children at the third-grade reading level.
Medium-Level Reading Versions
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Medium-level reading versions have literal translations designed to cater to children from third-grade and upward. The New American Bible (NAB), New International Version (NIV), Contemporary English Version (CEV), Good News Translation (GNT) and New Living Translation (NLT) are versions in this category. The readability of this category of Bible versions makes them ideal for family Bible study. The NIV, in particular, is a nondenominational translation version that can be used from childhood to adulthood for family Bible study.
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Difficult-Level Reading Versions
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Difficult-level reading versions are not recommended for young children because of their difficult readability. Usually, versions in this category are direct word-for-word translations from the original Hebrew and Greek manuscripts that aim to preserve the classic style and aesthetics of original manuscripts. The New American Standard Bible (NASB), King James Version (KJV), New Revised Standard Version (NRSV)--Catholic and Protestant editions--and the New King James Version (NKJV) are versions in this category. Difficult-level reading versions are suited to advanced readers who can decipher meanings of complex sentence and word structures, such as children doing in-depth Bible study, including Bible grammar and Bible vocabulary study.
Various Formats
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Bible versions for children are published in varying formats just for children to facilitate easy reading and understanding of the Bible. The NIrV and Holy (Catholic) Bible for children, for instance, are published in various study formats with illustrations that are designed to make reading not only enjoyable but fun. Just like with other Bible versions, great care is taken to ensure the true meaning of the Bible is held intact in all versions of Bibles for children.
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