The Open Source Bible (OSB) is a gently updated version of existing public domain Bible translations.

We started with trusted translations that were designed to balance accuracy and readability. They were built on a foundation of meticulous scholarship and a commitment to the original Hebrew, Aramaic, and Greek texts. Having our own translation based off of this scholarship allows us to do the following:

1. First, a driving philosophy behind the Open Source Bible is to have a timeless translation that won’t be updated, which causes people to have to re-purchase Bibles to have the latest translation. By creating our own translation we can ensure that it remains as-is for generations to come, without relying on others to decide if and when it gets updated.

2. The second reason we decided to create our own translation is so that the OSB could be under a Creative Commons license that ensures that all derivative works are also open. This is one of the pitfalls of the public domain. The public domain ensures that a work itself is open, but it doesn’t ensure that future updates to it remain open. Learn more here.

3. Third, by having our own translation we are able to create a bundle of the necessary ingredients to spread the word of God in the modern age. It allows us to have a translation, a font, and layout files, that are all under the exact same license which keeps everything open, forever.

Our gentle update to existing public domain translations does not change the translation choices in any way. We have left all of the scholarship intact. The Open Source Bible merely updates the section headings in the New Testament (which are man-made, and not in the original manuscripts) to better reflect the content below them. As an example, instead of Matthew 6:25 having the section heading of “Do Not Worry” we have made the section heading read “Seek First the Kingdom” as this better represents the ultimate point that Jesus is making in this section. Jesus is not just teaching that worrying is bad, but rather, that if we seek first the kingdom that we don’t have to worry because God will take care of us.

Learn more about the Open Source Bible License, and how you can freely use this translation for your projects.

Bible Verse Comparisons:

Romans 8:28

• NIV
  And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.
  

• NLT
  And we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them.
  

• Open Source Bible
  And we know that God works all things together for the good of those who love Him, who are called according to His purpose.

Matthew 6:9

• NIV
  This, then, is how you should pray: ‘Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name,
  

• NLT
  Pray like this: Our Father in heaven, may your name be kept holy.
  

• Open Source Bible
  So then, this is how you should pray: ‘Our Father in heaven, hallowed be Your name.

Hebrews 4:12

• NIV
  For the word of God is alive and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart.
  

• NLT
  For the word of God is alive and powerful. It is sharper than the sharpest two-edged sword, cutting between soul and spirit, between joint and marrow. It exposes our innermost thoughts and desires.
  

• Open Source Bible
  For the word of God is living and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it pierces even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow. It judges the thoughts and intentions of the heart.