📘 Simplified for Children or ESL Readers (Grade 2–4)
| Bible Version | Reading Level | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| NIrV – New International Reader's Version | 2nd–3rd grade | Simplified NIV, ideal for children and ESL learners. |
| ICB – International Children’s Bible | 3rd grade | Full Bible made for children. Simple and accurate. |
| CEV – Contemporary English Version | 4th grade | Clear, thought-for-thought; great for kids and outreach. |
| GNT/TEV – Good News Translation / Today’s English Version | 4th–5th grade | Easy language; very readable and used worldwide. |
📗 Middle School to High School Level (Grade 5–9)
| Bible Version | Reading Level | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| NLT – New Living Translation | 6th grade | Highly readable; great for devotional use and comprehension. |
| NCV – New Century Version | 5th–6th grade | Accessible and clear; good for preteens and youth. |
| MSG – The Message (paraphrase) | 6th–7th grade | Paraphrased, very conversational. Best as a secondary version. |
| ERV – Easy-to-Read Version | 4th–6th grade | Written for the deaf and ESL learners; also good for kids. |
| Living Bible (TLB) (Paraphrase) | 8th grade | Older paraphrase with smooth flow. Not ideal for deep study. |
📙 Standard Adult Reading Level (Grade 8–12)
| Bible Version | Reading Level | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| NIV – New International Version | 7th–8th grade | Popular modern version; balance between readability and accuracy. |
| HCSB/CSB – Holman/Christian Standard Bible | 8th–9th grade | Clear and accurate. Updated as CSB in 2017. |
| REB – Revised English Bible | 8th–9th grade | British English, smooth style; a revision of NEB. |
📕 Advanced or Formal Versions (College Level or Above)
| Bible Version | Reading Level | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| ESV – English Standard Version | 10th grade | Formal, more literal; excellent for study. |
| NASB – New American Standard Bible | 11th grade | Very literal; accurate but sometimes stiff. |
| KJV – King James Version (1611) | 12th grade+ | Archaic English; poetic but harder to read. |
| NKJV – New King James Version | 9th–10th grade | Updates KJV language while keeping traditional tone. |
| RSV – Revised Standard Version | 12th grade | More academic; predecessor to ESV and NRSV. |
| NRSV – New Revised Standard Version | College+ | Gender-inclusive, scholarly; used in academia and liturgy. |
| AMP – Amplified Bible | Varies (10th–college+) | Expands word meanings; useful for in-depth study, but wordy. |
📝 Summary Table (Abbreviated)
| Reading Level | Recommended Versions |
|---|---|
| 2nd–4th Grade | NIrV, ICB, ERV, CEV |
| 5th–8th Grade | NLT, NCV, MSG, GNT |
| 9th–12th Grade | NIV, CSB, NKJV, ESV |
| College+ | NASB, KJV, NRSV, AMP |
