Young's Literal Translation (YLT)
Scottish linguist Robert Young, compiler of Young's Analytical Concordance, published his Literal Translation in 1862 and revised it in 1898 to capture the grammar of the source text more precisely than the King James Version (KJV) or most other English Bibles. Its unusual phrasing is on full display from Genesis (YLT) onward.
The Old Testament (often abbreviated OT) is the first division of the Christian biblical canon, which is based primarily upon the 24 books of the Hebrew Bible (or Tanakh), a collection of ancient religious Hebrew writings by the Israelites believed by most Christians and religious Jews to be the sacred Word of God.
The New Testament (NT) is the second division of the Christian biblical canon. It discusses the teachings and person of Jesus, as well as events in first-century Christianity.
About the Young's Literal Translation (YLT) Translation
Young's Literal Translation (YLT), produced by Scottish minister and self-taught linguist Robert Young (1822-1888) — the same scholar who compiled Young's Analytical Concordance to the Bible — is one of the most painstakingly literal English Bible translations ever made. Published in 1862 with a revised edition in 1898, Young's Literal Translation seeks to render every word and grammatical form of the original Hebrew and Greek texts into English with maximum precision, including tense, mood, and syntax that most translations simplify for readability. The result is a Bible translation that reads quite differently from most English versions, preserving verbal and grammatical features that reveal the texture of the original text. Though demanding to read, the YLT Bible is an invaluable resource for serious Bible students who want to understand what the original languages actually say. Read Young's Literal Translation online here, verse by verse through all 66 books of the Bible.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who was Robert Young and what else is he known for?
What does "literal" actually mean in the context of the YLT?
Why does the YLT read so differently from other English Bibles?
Who is Young's Literal Translation meant for?
Is the full Bible available in Young's Literal Translation online?
Today's Verse
Son of man, put forth a riddle, and speak a parable unto the house of Israel;
Verse Of The DayBecause Young prioritized grammatical accuracy over smooth English, the YLT often reads quite differently from more conventional translations like the American Standard-ASV1901 (ASV), which makes it a valuable second opinion for serious study. Compare its rendering of Psalms (YLT) against a more familiar version.
