![[PNG image.png]] # Bible Translations: Which One Should I Use? > [!summary] The short answer There's no single "perfect" English translation, but there are many excellent ones. The best Bible is the one you'll actually read, and the best way to study is to compare more than one. My recommendations are at the end. --- ## Why Are There So Many Translations? The Bible wasn't written in English. It was written in three languages: - **Hebrew** (most of the Old Testament) - **Aramaic** (parts of Daniel and Ezra, and a few other verses) - **Greek** (the New Testament) Every English Bible is a translation from those languages. Translators have to make thousands of decisions about how to carry meaning from one language and culture into another. Different translations exist because translators balance two goals differently: 1. **Accuracy to the original words** 2. **Clarity in today's English** Both goals are good. No translation can maximize both at the same time, which is why having several good options is a blessing, not a problem. Translations are also updated over time because English changes, and because scholars continue to discover and study ancient manuscripts, such as the Dead Sea Scrolls found in the 1940s and 1950s. --- ## Three Approaches to Translation |Approach|Also called|Goal|Strength|Weakness| |---|---|---|---|---| |**Formal equivalence**|Word-for-word|Stay as close as possible to the original words and structure|Great for detailed study|Can read stiffly| |**Functional equivalence**|Thought-for-thought|Express the original meaning in natural English|Easy to read and understand|More interpretation by the translators| |**Paraphrase**|Free translation|Retell the meaning in fresh, everyday language|Brings familiar passages to life|Least precise; best not used alone| Some translations aim for a balance between word-for-word and thought-for-thought. The CSB calls its approach **optimal equivalence**. ### The translation spectrum ``` Word-for-word Paraphrase |---------------------------------------------------------------------------| NASB ESV NKJV CSB NET NIV NLT MSG ``` Placement is approximate. Each translation varies somewhat from passage to passage. --- ## Seeing the Difference Two examples show why translation choices matter: **"Flesh" in Romans 8.** Paul uses the Greek word _sarx_, literally "flesh." The ESV and NASB translate it "flesh," which preserves Paul's word but can confuse new readers who think he means skin and muscle. The NLT translates it "sinful nature," which is clearer for many readers but makes an interpretive decision for them. **"Brothers" in Paul's letters.** The Greek word _adelphoi_ literally means "brothers," but Paul often addresses the whole church, men and women. The NIV, CSB, and NLT often translate it "brothers and sisters." The ESV and NASB usually keep "brothers" and add a footnote. Neither choice is wrong. They reflect different goals, which is why comparing translations is so helpful. --- ## The Major Translations ### NASB (New American Standard Bible) - **Publisher:** The Lockman Foundation - **First published:** 1971 (updated 1995 and 2020) - **Approach:** Word-for-word - **Known for:** One of the most literal English translations. Excellent for word studies. ### ESV (English Standard Version) - **Publisher:** Crossway - **First published:** 2001 (a revision of the RSV) - **Approach:** Essentially word-for-word - **Known for:** A literal translation with a more literary, readable style than the NASB. Widely used in study and preaching. ### NET (New English Translation) - **Publisher:** Biblical Studies Press - **First published:** 2005 - **Approach:** A balance, leaning toward thought-for-thought - **Known for:** Tens of thousands of translators' notes explaining the original language, alternative translations, and textual issues. Free to use online. ### CSB (Christian Standard Bible) - **Publisher:** Holman Bible Publishers - **First published:** 2017 (a revision of the HCSB) - **Approach:** Optimal equivalence, a balance between accuracy and readability - **Known for:** Clear and accurate. Great for both reading and study. ### NIV (New International Version) - **Publisher:** Biblica, published by Zondervan - **First published:** 1978 (updated 1984 and 2011) - **Approach:** A balance, leaning toward thought-for-thought - **Known for:** One of the most widely read English translations in the world. Clear, natural, and reliable. ### NLT (New Living Translation) - **Publisher:** Tyndale House - **First published:** 1996 (updated 2004 and 2015) - **Approach:** Thought-for-thought - **Known for:** Very readable and warm. A true translation from the original languages, not to be confused with _The Living Bible_ (1971), which was a paraphrase. ### MSG (The Message) - **Author:** Eugene Peterson - **Completed:** 2002 - **Approach:** Paraphrase - **Known for:** Fresh, vivid, everyday language from a pastor who wanted his congregation to hear Scripture with new ears. Best read alongside a translation, not instead of one. ### KJV and NKJV - **KJV (King James Version):** 1611. Beautiful and historically significant, but its English can be difficult today. - **NKJV (New King James Version):** 1982. Updates the KJV's language while keeping its style. - Both are based mainly on a family of Greek manuscripts called the _Textus Receptus_, while most modern translations draw on a wider range of manuscripts, including older ones discovered since 1611. --- ## Common Questions **Why are some verses missing or in brackets in my Bible?** Modern translations are based on thousands of ancient manuscripts, and older manuscripts sometimes don't include a verse or passage found in later ones. Examples include Mark 16:9-20, John 7:53-8:11, and Acts 8:37. Translators usually include these with brackets or footnotes so readers can see the evidence. No core Christian doctrine depends on any of these passages. **Is the KJV the only accurate Bible?** The KJV is a faithful and influential translation, but it is one translation among many. Its translators themselves said in their preface that the Word of God remains the Word of God even in imperfect translations, and they encouraged comparing translations. **Can I trust modern translations?** Yes. The major translations above were produced by teams of scholars working from the original languages, and they agree on every essential teaching of the Christian faith. --- ## Other Views - **KJV-only advocates** believe the King James Version, or the Greek text behind it, should be preferred over modern translations. - **Some readers prefer only word-for-word translations,** concerned that thought-for-thought translations include too much interpretation. - **Gender language** is debated. Some prefer translations that keep the literal "brothers" and "man," while others prefer "brothers and sisters" and "people" where the original clearly includes both. Faithful Christians land in different places on these questions. Our encouragement is to use a reliable translation, read it often, and compare it with others when studying. --- ## My Recommendations > [!tip] Reading Bible **NLT.** Clear, warm, and easy to read in large portions. Ideal for reading through the Bible, devotions, and new believers. > [!tip] Overall Bible **CSB** or **NIV.** A strong balance of accuracy and readability. Great for church, small groups, personal reading, and study. > [!tip] Study Bible **ESV, NASB,** and **NET.** The ESV and NASB keep you close to the original wording. The NET's translators' notes open up the Hebrew and Greek even if you've never studied them. > [!tip] Paraphrase **MSG.** Read it alongside a translation to see familiar passages in a fresh way. Not recommended as your only Bible. **The best plan:** Choose one Bible to read every day, and keep one or two others close by when you study. When translations differ, that's usually a sign there's something worth digging into. > [!quote] Psalm 119:105 (ESV) Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.