Comparing The Living
Bible and the English Standard Version
KONOS History of the World
David
August 24, 2004
The Living Bible and the English Standard Version of the Bible are quite different. The ESV (English Standard Version) is more of a direct translation than the TLB (The Living Bible), which reads more like a paraphrase. The following are the differences and similarities of these translations.
The ESV appeared somewhat more accurate in my evaluation than the TLB, while the TLB is easier to read. One of the reasons for saying that is that the TLB often combines several verses into one group. The following are translation examples from both versions. The ESV translates John 3:23-24 as the following: “23John also was baptizing at Aenon near Salim, because water was plentiful there, and people were coming and being baptized 24(for John had not yet been put in prison).” In the TLB it says, “23-24At this time John the Baptist was not yet in prison. He was Baptizing at Aenon, near Salim, because there was plenty of water there.” Obviously the TLB is easier to understand. But, being “easier to understand” comes with a price (in this case accuracy). The more accurate ESV version does not combine verses. Rather, it translates verse by verse, making it the more accurate translation (though it may be harder to understand).
One similarity of the two is that they both have the same books in them. Neither includes the Apocrypha, which is included with Catholic versions.
My conclusion would be that the ESV is in general more accurate than the TLB (though they are both great), but the TLB translation offers a slightly easier read.