Who Is This For?
Best For:
Apps, websites, and projects needing a free modern translation; those preferring Majority Text; missionaries and those doing Bible distribution.
Not Ideal For:
Those wanting extensive scholarly backing, denominational endorsement, or Critical Text basis.
Strengths & Limitations
✓ Strengths of the WEB
- Modern, readable English updated from ASV
- Completely public domain - no restrictions
- Based on reliable manuscript traditions
- Includes deuterocanonical books in some editions
- Free to use in any project commercial or otherwise
✗ Limitations to Consider
- Less literary polish than commercial translations
- Not as widely known or adopted
- Volunteer-produced with less institutional backing
- Limited denominational support
- Majority Text basis differs from most modern translations
Overview
The World English Bible is a modern revision of the American Standard Version designed from the start to be in the public domain. Led by Michael Paul Johnson, this volunteer-driven project provides a free, accurate modern English translation that anyone can use, copy, and distribute without restriction - making it ideal for apps, websites, and ministry projects.
Want to read the WEB Bible online? Use our Bible search tool to find any verse, or start reading from Genesis.
Notable Features of the WEB
- Completely public domain
- Based on Majority Text for NT
- Modern readable English
- Multiple editions (Protestant, Catholic, Messianic)
- Free for any use without permission
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the World English Bible?
The World English Bible is a modern revision of the American Standard Version designed from the start to be in the public domain. Led by Michael Paul Johnson, this volunteer-driven project provides a free, accurate modern English translation that anyone can use, copy, and distribute without restriction - making it ideal for apps, websites, and ministry projects.
How can I read the WEB Bible online?
You can read and search the World English Bible online for free at Acts1 Family. Use our Bible search tool to find any verse, chapter, or keyword in the WEB translation.
When was the WEB Bible published?
The World English Bible was first published in 2000. It is classified as a Formal Equivalence translation with a 10th Grade reading level.
Who should use the WEB Bible?
Apps, websites, and projects needing a free modern translation; those preferring Majority Text; missionaries and those doing Bible distribution.
How does the WEB compare to other Bible translations?
The World English Bible (WEB) is a Formal Equivalence translation. Compare it with other versions like the KJV, ASV, or NIV using our Bible comparison tools to find the best translation for your needs.
Read the WEB Online
Search any verse, compare with other translations, or start reading from Genesis.
Start ReadingHistory
Complete History of the WEB Translation
In March 1994, Michael Paul Johnson felt called to create a modern English Bible translation that would be freely available without copyright restrictions. At that time, the American Standard Version of 1901 was firmly in the public domain, making it an ideal base text for revision.
Johnson, who holds a Master's degree in Electrical Engineering from the University of Colorado and a Certificate in Bible Translation from the Graduate Institute of Applied Linguistics, began the project under the auspices of Rainbow Missions, Inc. The work proceeded through seven 'passes' of editing and proofreading. An initial automated pass updated approximately 1,000 archaic words and phrases, followed by manual passes that added modern punctuation, checked the translation against Greek and Hebrew texts, and refined the English.
The translation method is primarily formal equivalence, based on the 1901 ASV revised against the Greek Majority Text for the New Testament and the Biblia Hebraica Stuttgartensia for the Old Testament. Numerous volunteers assisted over the years, and the entire translation was completed in 2020, though minor refinements continue.
The World English Bible's public domain status makes it unique among modern translations. The ebible.org project maintains a trademark on the phrase 'World English Bible' to prevent substantially altered versions from using the name, but the text itself is completely free.
Translators
Meet the 1 Key Translators and Contributors
Michael Paul Johnson
Senior Editor and Project Founder
Electrical engineer and Bible translation specialist who felt called to create a free modern English Bible. Holds credentials from the Graduate Institute of Applied Linguistics.
Textual Basis
Manuscript Sources and Translation Methodology
The New Testament is based on the Greek Majority Text (Robinson-Pierpont), differing from most modern translations which use the Critical Text. The Old Testament follows the Biblia Hebraica Stuttgartensia (Hebrew Masoretic Text). Deuterocanonical books are translated from the Greek Septuagint.
Reception
Scholarly Praise
"The World English Bible is to be commended for being a modern, free, and public domain English translation. Overall, the WEB is a very good translation, sticking closely to formal equivalence in most instances."
— GotQuestions.org, What is the World English Bible (WEB)? (2024) [source]
Scholarly Concerns
There are concerns that all decisions go through one point: one man named Michael Johnson, who lacked formal training in biblical languages—though he dedicated himself to studying Greek and Hebrew.
— Kevin R.K. Davis, An Introduction to the World English Bible (2023) [source]
Revision History
View 4 Major Revisions and Updates
- 1997 Initial publication of early portions.
- 2000 Substantially complete version available.
- 2020 Translation project officially completed.
- Ongoing Minor corrections and updates continue to be released.
Compare Translations
See how the WEB compares to other English Bible translations.
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