inverbum
Theme

World English Bible

Region United States Language English

Publisher

Michael Paul Johnson (editor-in-chief), eBible.org

Date

2020 (completed)

Description

The World English Bible (WEB) is a modern English translation of the Bible based on the American Standard Version of 1901, updated using the Biblia Hebraica Stuttgartensia Old Testament and the Greek Majority Text New Testament. It is in the public domain.

Key Features

Modern English translation using formal equivalence. Entirely in the public domain, allowing free copying and distribution. Includes the Apocrypha/Deuterocanonical books (in the ecumenical edition).

Historical Information

Initiated in 1994 by Michael Paul Johnson to create a modern English, public domain Bible translation. It began as an update to the American Standard Version (ASV) of 1901, chosen for its accuracy and public domain status. The project utilized volunteers and online collaboration.

Source Texts

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    American Standard Version

    Base text for modernization

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    Biblia Hebraica Stuttgartensia

    Primary source for the Old Testament update

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    Byzantine Majority Text

    Primary source for the New Testament update

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    Septuagint

    Source for Apocrypha/Deuterocanon (derived from Brenton's translation)

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    Latin Vulgate

    Source for Apocrypha/Deuterocanon

Trustworthiness

As a modern update of the ASV (a well-regarded formal equivalence translation) based on standard critical editions (BHS, Majority Text), the WEB aims for accuracy and readability. Its public domain status and transparent process are notable. Trustworthiness is linked to the reliability of its source texts (ASV, BHS, Majority Text, LXX, Vulgate) and the translation methodology.