| Translation | Date Completed | Sample Verse | Reading Level | Comments |
| King James Version | 1611
Revised 1768 | 1 Peter 3:15: But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts; and be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear. | 12th Grade | Commissioned by King James I of England, this translation is still recognized for the beauty of its language which dates from the time of William Shakespeare. |
| The Message | New Testament 1993 - Psalms 1994 - Complete Bible 2002 | 1 Peter 3:15: Through thich and thin, keep your hearts at attention, Master. Be ready to speak up and tell anyone who asks why you're living the way you are, and always with the utmost courtesy. | 7th Grade | Pastor and biblical scholar Eugene H. Peterson's aim in developing this contemporary language version is to transfer the informal and earthy flavor of the Greek into the rhythms and idiom of everyday English. |
| New American Bible | 1970 - NT revised 1986 - Psalms revised 1992 | 1 Peter 3:15: . . . But sanctify Christ as Lord in your hearts. Always be ready to give an explanation to anyone who asks you for a reason for your hope. | 11th Grade | This is the first complete American Catholic Bible translated from the original languages. Its style is more direct than that of the Jerusalem Bible. The New American Bible is currently used from the pulpit in the Catholic Church. |
| New International Version | New Testament 1973 - Old Testament 1978 | 1 Peter 3:15: But in your hearts set aside Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect. | 7th Grade | Called "international" because it is transdenominational and contains the work of many English-speaking nations, the NIV is a straightforward translation in contemporary English. |
| New King James Version | 1982 | 1 Peter 3:15: But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts, and always be ready to give a defense to everyone who asks you a reason for the hope that is in you, with meekness and fear. | 8th Grade | This translation updates the language of the King James Version, changing archaic inflections and obsolete words, while preserving its basic literary structure. |
| New Revised Standard Version | 1990 | 1 Peter 3:15: . . . But in your hearts sanctify Christ as Lord. Always be ready to make your defense to anyone who demands from you an accounting for the hope that is in you. | 10th Grade | An update of the Revised Standard Version (1952), this translation incorporates changes and discoveries in recent decades. |
| Revised English Bible | 1989 | 1 Peter 3:15: . . . but hold Christ in your hearts in reverence as Lord. Always be ready to make your defense when anyone challenges you to justify the hope which is in you. But do so with courtesy and respect. | 6th Grade | This revision of the New English Bible, which began in 1973, features clear, contemporary international English. This text is intended for both private reading and public worship. |
| Revised Standard Version | NT 1946 - OT 1952 - Revised 1971 | 1 Peter 3:15: . . . but in your hearts reverence Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to make a defense to anyone who calls you to account for the hope that is in you, yet do it with gentleness and reverence; | 7th Grade | A revision of the American Standard Version (1901), the RSV was intended to preserve the best of that version while incorporating modern English. |
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