Every student of the Bible has their favorite Bible version. And with so many versions, there’s much room for opinion on which version is best. But which one really is the best? A more accurate version? One that’s easiest to read?
Here’s my honest answer. The best versions of the Bible are in the original languages. The most effective way to study the Bible is to put in the time to learn Biblical Hebrew, Aramaic, and Koine Greek well enough to derive the true meaning from the original texts within the context of the ancient culture. Any Bible version that’s not an original text is an interpretation. Since Hebrew, Aramaic, and Greek don’t directly translate into English (or other languages), all translations require the translator to interpret the original text and give their personal version of what they think it’s saying as a translation. This individual interpretation is why Bible translations – even those of the same language (all English, for example) – can be vastly different.
Don’t get me wrong. I don’t think everyone should wait until they have put years of study in to learn the original languages before they study the Bible. I’m grateful we live in a time where we have Bible translations in many different languages and technology that gives us access to the original culture and languages. But there are over 100 English translations out there! How can we know which one is the best?
I don’t think there’s a “best” English version. There’s room for varying opinions as to which version you prefer. I even have different versions I use for various applications. Below is a summary of the common (Protestant) English Bible translations and my thoughts on each.
Literal vs. Paraphrase
Before we get to the versions, I must explain the difference between a literal translation and a paraphrased one. While this may seem obvious – the literal is a word-for-word translation, and paraphrasing (also called dynamic translation) captures the general idea of the text – it’s more like a range between the two.
No translation can be exactly word-for-word literal because it wouldn’t make any sense. First, the words would be out of order, but the meaning would be lost even if you rearranged them. We would lose meaning because there are some words in the original texts that we don’t have a precisely accurate word for in English.
To make these translations easier to read and understand, translators must paraphrase to some degree. They extract the meaning as far as they comprehend it from the original text, then convey the concept in the best way they can in English (or another language).
Here are my summaries on the most common versions.
NIV (New International Version)
In the 1950s, Howard Long, who studied the KJV version, found that those around him didn’t connect well with the Bible. He had a desire for a Bible he could share with others that was in modern English. His idea gained support, and the NIV was eventually published. Many translators and Bible scholars from different backgrounds worked on the project to bring what is a very well-known version to us today.
Example verses:
Then God blessed the seventh day and made it holy, because on it he rested from all the work of creating that he had done. Genesis 2:3 (NIV)
I give you sound learning, so do not forsake my teaching. Proverbs 4:2 (NIV)
For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him. John 3:17 (NIV)
Literal/Paraphrase: in between, a little to the paraphrase side.
Pros: Easy to read, many different forms available
Cons: Some disagree with the interpretation of sections that are paraphrased.
KJV (King James Version)
(including NKJV)
The Church of England commissioned this version. It was funded by King James and was printed by the king’s printer. King James himself ensured that this translation aligned with the doctrine and structure of the Church of England. The original KJV was published in 1611, and the NKJV, a more modern and readable version of the KJV, was published in 1982.
Example verses:
And God blessed the seventh day, and sanctified it: because that in it he had rested from all his work which God created and made. Genesis 2:3 (KJV)
For I give you good doctrine, forsake ye not my law. Proverbs 4:2 (KJV)
For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved. John 3:17 (KJV)
Literal/Paraphrase: On the literal side.
Pros: More literal than many translations.
Cons: Heavily influenced by church doctrine.
NASB (New American Standard Bible)
NASB is my personal favorite to use for Bible study. Since it’s a more literal translation than others, I find it leans less toward furthering a particular church doctrine and is more informational instead.
The NASB was developed to fill the need of having a more literal translation that was still accessible through modern English. Its translators used the same Hebrew and Greek texts used in developing similar translations but also used the Dead Sea Scrolls. The NASB translators come from various Protestant backgrounds.
Example verses:
Then God blessed the seventh day and sanctified it, because in it He rested from all His work which God had created and made. Genesis 2:3 (NASB)
For I give you sound teaching; Do not abandon my instruction. Proverbs 4:2 (NASB)
For God did not send the Son into the world to judge the world, but that the world might be saved through Him. John 3:17 (NASB)
Literal/Paraphrase: Far on the literal side.
Pros: Considered the most literal common English translation.
Cons: Wording can be awkward at times.
CSB (Christian Standard Bible)
(including HCSB)
The CSB is a revision of the HCSB (Holman Christian Standard Bible). The translators of both translations used what they call “optimal equivalence” in the translation process. This phrase means they aimed to be true to the original Biblical texts while creating an easily readable format. The CSB has the reputation of being well-balanced between a literal translation and smoothly readable text. Holman Bible Publishers says they incorporated advances in Biblical scholarship in their most current translation.
Example verses:
God blessed the seventh day and declared it holy, for on it he rested from all his work of creation. Genesis 2:3 (CSB)
for I am giving you good instruction. Don’t abandon my teaching. Proverbs 4:2 (CSB)
For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him. John 3:17 (CSB)
Literal/Paraphrase: Near the middle, a bit to the literal side.
Pros: Considered a good balance between literal and readable.
Cons: Translator interpretation reflected in the part of the translation that’s not literal.
ESV (English Standard Version)
(Including RSV)
The ESV is a revised version of the RSV (Revised Standard Version), published in 1952. And the RSV is a revised version of the ASV (American Standard Version) published in 1901. Like other translations, the ESV translators attempt to create a Bible that’s pleasant to read while retaining the text’s original meaning. The ESV uses doctrinal terms, such as justification, sanctification, propitiation, etc.
Example verses:
So God blessed the seventh day and made it holy, because on it God rested from all his work that he had done in creation. Genesis 2:3 (ESV)
for I give you good precepts; Do not forsake my teaching. Proverbs 4:2 (ESV)
For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him. John 3:17 (ESV)
Literal/Paraphrase: Near the middle, but on the literal side.
Pros: Very easy to read. Accessible even for younger Bible students.
Cons: Translation leans toward traditional Christian doctrine where interpretation is necessary.
The Message
Eugene Peterson, the author of The Message, was bothered that the Bible had become distant and irrelevant to those who had heard it for years. He wanted a new and fresh way for Bible students to connect with the message of the Bible. When creating The Message with a team of translators, Peterson heavily used idioms to make the Bible’s content as easy to read as a novel.
Example verses:
On the seventh day
he rested from all his work.
God blessed the seventh day.
He made it a Holy Day
Because on that day he rested from his work,
all the creating God had done. Genesis 2:3 (MSG)
…for I am giving you good precepts. Do not forsake my teaching. Proverbs 4:2 (MSG)
God didn’t go to all the trouble of sending his Son merely to point an accusing finger, telling the world how bad it was. He came to help, to put the world right again. John 3:17 (MSG)
Literal/Paraphrase: Most paraphrased of the typical English versions.
Pros: It reads like a book.
Cons: Heavily dependent on the opinions of the translator.
CJB (Complete Jewish Bible)
This version, published by David Stern in 1998, aims to restore the “Jewishness” of the Bible. Since the Bible was written primarily by Jews and the culture of Jesus, as well as almost all of the Bible’s main characters, is Jewish, preserving this culture in the text helps keep it true to its origin. Original names of people and places are preserved, as well as the names of Bible books. Many Hebrew words that aren’t clearly translated into English are preserved in their Hebrew form not to lose their intended meaning.
Example verses:
God blessed the seventh day and separated it as holy; because on that day God rested from all his work which he had created, so that it itself could produce. Genesis 2:3 (CJB)
for I am giving you good advice; so don’t abandon my teaching. Proverbs 4:2 (CJB)
For God did not send the Son into the world to judge the world, but rather so that through him, the world might be saved. John 3:17 (CJB)
Literal/Paraphrase: Paraphrase
Pros: Restores the original culture and names.
Cons: Not available in as many forms as some other Bible translations.
TLV (Tree of Life Version)
The TLV is by far my favorite English Bible translation. I use it for reading, and Bible study with my family. If they provided a version with a Hebrew/English Old Testament and a Greek/English New Testament, I would never have a reason to use another Bible!
It not only aims to preserve the culture in which the Bible was written, and the events occurred, it also retains the Hebrew where meaning may be lost in translation. Like the CJB, the TLV keeps the Hebrew names for people and places. It replaces the name of God with “Adonai” out of reverence.
Example verses:
Then God blessed the seventh day and sanctified it, for on it He ceased from all His work that God created for the purpose of preparing. Genesis 2:3 (TLV)
For I give you sound learning – do not forsake my instruction. Proverbs 4:2 (TLV)
God did not send the Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through Him. John 3:17 (TLV)
Literal/Paraphrase: On the more literal side, but added interpretation for clarification.
Pros: Restores the original culture and names.
Cons: Not available in as many forms as some other Bible translations.
ISR (The Scriptures)
Another of my favorites, The Scriptures Bible translators seek to reveal the original meaning in the Bible, losing as little of the original meaning as possible during the translation process. It helps to be familiar with the Biblical Hebrew language when reading The Scriptures, as many authentic names and words for Hebrew concepts have been preserved. It also preserves the name of God in its original Hebrew form (יהוה) out of reverence.
Example verses:
And Elohim blessed the seventh day and set it apart, because on it He rested from all His work which Elohim in creating had made. Genesis 2:3 (ISR)
For I gave you good instruction: Do not forsake my Torah. Proverbs 4:2 (ISR)
For Elohim did not send His Son into the world to judge the world, but that the world through Him might be saved. John 3:17 (ISR)
Literal/Paraphrase: The most literal translation I know of.
Pros: Stays true to the original texts.
Cons: It may be less friendly to those familiar with more traditional Bibles or unfamiliar with Biblical Hebrew.
The Best Bible Version
I have discussed many commonly used Bible versions and briefly summarized their features. Every Bible student has their favorite version for their reasons, which is terrific! We’re so blessed to live in a time when we have access to God’s words and the privilege to choose which available forms are our favorite! I only covered a tiny selection of the available versions here. I could have discussed even more!
But the best and most reliable versions that lose the least meaning as we read are those in the original Hebrew, Aramaic, and Greek texts. I encourage you not only to find and heavily use your favorite version of the Bible but also to seek the meaning in the original language. Electronic resources such as Blue Letter Bible and Bible Hub are not only free; they’re available in convenient app forms to download on your phone and take with you wherever you go! These two resources will allow you to dig deeper as you study and apply the authentic meaning of the Bible to your studies.
And if you want to dig in even more, I encourage you to start on a journey to learn Biblical Hebrew and even Koine Greek! It will take hard work and dedication, but it will be a blessing! Want to start today? Learn the Hebrew alphabet!
