Who Is This For?
Best For:
Bible apps, ministry distribution, Scripture memorization, study, any use where copyright-free text is needed.
Not Ideal For:
Those preferring more natural/dynamic translations, or wanting critical text only.
Strengths & Limitations
✓ Strengths of the WEB
- No copyright - completely free
- Modern, readable English
- Based on respected ASV translation
- Suitable for all uses
- Wide availability
✗ Limitations to Consider
- Can feel somewhat formal
- Some ASV readings retained
- Less polished than commercial translations
- Multiple editions can cause confusion
Overview
The World English Bible is a public domain modern English translation based on the American Standard Version of 1901. Led by Michael Paul Johnson with volunteer collaborators since 1994, this translation updates archaic language while maintaining accuracy. It is one of the few modern translations with no copyright restrictions.
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
- No copyright restrictions
- Modern English update of ASV
- Available in multiple editions
- Freely distributable
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the World English Bible?
The World English Bible is a public domain modern English translation based on the American Standard Version of 1901. Led by Michael Paul Johnson with volunteer collaborators since 1994, this translation updates archaic language while maintaining accuracy. It is one of the few modern translations with no copyright restrictions.
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?
Bible apps, ministry distribution, Scripture memorization, study, any use where copyright-free text is needed.
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
The World English Bible project was conceived by Michael Paul Johnson in 1994 and first published in 1997 through Rainbow Missions, Inc. The translation began as an update of the public domain American Standard Version, modernizing archaic language and correcting known errors while maintaining the ASV's accuracy.
Volunteers from around the world collaborated via the Internet to complete the translation. The project was declared essentially complete in 2020 after 26 years of work. Because both the source text (ASV) and the revision are in the public domain, the WEB can be freely copied, shared, and distributed without restrictions.
The name 'World English Bible' is trademarked to ensure only faithful copies bear the name, but the text itself is completely unrestricted.
Translators
Meet the 1 Key Translators and Contributors
Michael Paul Johnson
Senior Editor
Holds a Master of Science in Electrical Engineering from the University of Colorado and a Certificate in Bible Translation from the Graduate Institute of Applied Linguistics. He served as the catalyst and focal point for the WEB translation project.
Textual Basis
Manuscript Sources and Translation Methodology
Based on the Biblia Hebraica Stuttgartensia for the Old Testament. The New Testament uses a combination of the original ASV source choices and readings from the Greek Majority Text.
Reception
Scholarly Praise
"The World English Bible remains an excellent choice for a well-respected, accurate, modern English translation that you are free to print, publish, share, and record with no copyright hassles."
— eBible.org, World English Bible FAQ (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.
— Kevin R.K. Davis, An Introduction to the World English Bible (2023) [source]
Revision History
View 3 Major Revisions and Updates
- 1997 Initial publication by Rainbow Missions.
- 2000 Major revision and expansion.
- 2020 Translation declared complete.
Compare Translations
See how the WEB compares to other English Bible translations.
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