Bible translation
Amplified Bible (AMP): history, style and where to read it
The Amplified Bible expands key words with alternative meanings in brackets and parentheses, so a reader sees the range of sense in the original word. It was first completed in 1965 by the Lockman Foundation under the direction of Frances Siewert, with later revisions. In The Living Bread you can read the Amplified Bible inside the app.
At a glance
| Full name | Amplified Bible |
|---|---|
| Abbreviation | AMP |
| First published | 1965 (revised 1987, 2015) |
| Publisher or sponsor | The Lockman Foundation |
| Language | English |
| Translation philosophy | Expanded literal |
| How it reads | Detailed, sometimes dense |
| In The Living Bread | In the app |
Who made the AMP and when
The Amplified Bible was the work of Frances Siewert, a scholar who led a team supported by the Lockman Foundation. The Gospel of John appeared in 1954, the New Testament in 1958 and the whole Bible in 1965. The foundation revised it in 1987 and published an updated edition in 2015.
It was built on the American Standard Version of 1901, the same ancestor as the NASB, and its distinctive feature is the explanation of key terms within the text itself.
How the AMP translates
Rather than choose one English word for a rich Greek or Hebrew word, the Amplified Bible gives the primary rendering and then adds, in brackets, other meanings the word can carry. The aim is to let a reader sense what the original word holds that no single English word can.
Readability and typical use
The inserted phrases slow the reading and lengthen the text. It is not meant for reading a book straight through; it works best for slow, close study of a passage.
Strengths
Helpful for seeing why translators struggle, for word study, and for meditating on the depth of terms like love, faith and grace.
Cautions, stated fairly
The bracketed alternatives are not all equally weighted, and a reader can mistake a possible shade for the meaning of the verse. Read a standard translation as your anchor and use the Amplified for exploration.
Familiar renderings, in our own words
A familiar verse can nearly double in length as the alternatives are added. That makes it a poor choice for memorizing and a rich one for wondering what a word contains.
Who should choose the AMP
Choose the Amplified Bible as a study companion to an everyday translation.
Where to read the Amplified Bible in The Living Bread
In the app To read the Amplified Bible here, use the app. Its rights belong to The Lockman Foundation, and our license through the YouVersion Platform lets the app display it live, with the copyright line beside it, but not keep a copy. Available in the app. Switch to it from the version picker in the Bible reader.
Because of that license, this website, our AI answers and our MCP server do not quote the AMP, and it is left out of audio, share images and offline copies. For a translation to read right on the website, the public domain King James Version, Berean Standard Bible and World English Bible are always free. Compare every translation before you choose.
Related translations
- New American Standard Bible (NASB)Word for word. Precise, a little formal.
- New International Version (NIV)Balanced. Clear, everyday English.
- English Standard Version (ESV)Word for word (essentially literal). Literary, dignified.
- King James Version (KJV)Word for word. Early Modern English; majestic but older.
- Berean Standard Bible (BSB)Balanced, leaning literal. Modern, clear.
Frequently asked questions
- What makes the Amplified Bible different?
- It adds alternative meanings of key words inside the text, in brackets and parentheses, so you can see the range of sense in the original language.
- Can I read the Amplified Bible in The Living Bread?
- Yes, inside the app. It is licensed through the YouVersion Platform and shown live with its copyright line. Our website, AI answers and MCP server do not quote it.
- Is the Amplified Bible a good everyday Bible?
- Most readers use it as a companion for study rather than as their main text, because the added phrases make straight reading slow.
The Word became flesh
The AMP is one of many faithful ways into the same story. Whichever translation you choose, the point of Scripture is the One it gives you: Jesus Christ, who said that we are to love one another as he loved us. Read a little each day, read it with someone, and ask him to open the page.
Open the Bible readerGet the appAsk the BodyJesus Christ is Lord.
