Which translation do you or should I use? This question is raised often. As a new year is coming soon, and Bible reading plans start to circulate, here is a review of current translations. Bottom line up front: If you have no working knowledge of Greek or Hebrew, I suggest using a couple of translations and not just one. What you will see here is that all translations have issues and uses. All the ones here are faithful to the original languages and can be used effectively for ministry. But not all of these translations would be best for YOUR ministry. The Bible is perfect and without flaw as it was originally written. I have no issue holding up these Bibles and saying it is the Word of God because they accurately reflect the original manuscripts to the best of the translation teams’ abilities. The best Bible is the one you use and read.

Two terms you’ll see is formal and functional equivalence. This is a spectrum as all translations do both. Formal is more the idea being accurately communicate, functional is more the word and syntax as much as possible communicated. At the end I will give a rough balance for each translation.

KJV- Retired with honor 

God greatly used the KJV, and essentially all modern translations are KJV. The translation process set up by them is what is used today. The difference is then there were only a handful of Greek Manuscripts, and today there are thousands. Given the many changes within English, I would not consider the KJV to be accurate to today’s readers. Used by God, absolutely. But it should be retired in honor like a beloved sports jersey. I only use this translation for research purposes. Formal to Functional 55/45

NKJV- An English no one has spoken

The translation team sought to modernize the vocabulary and have a fresh translation of the same manuscript used by the KJV. (Most don’t realize that the current KJV is actually one of a number of revisions.) They accurately translated in a KJV syntax with modern vocabulary. In essence, an English that has never been spoken. The ESV does that in places as well. The NKJV Study Bible is well done and has a helpful apparatus that shows where the Majority Text and Critical Text differ from the Textus Receptus, and how it shows up in the NKJV translation. If you are repenting from the KJV Only heresy, I highly recommend this translation. Formal to Functional 55/45

NIV- Readable & faithful, marred by controversy

The NIV is a solid translation that is a functional equivalent. This makes it much more readable. For the book of Proverbs, it’s the best translation. Attempts at revisions were met with pushback given egalitarian language usage, forcing that update to be the TNIV. The more recent update is solid, though faith in the translation team faded due to TNIV mistakes. Pushback by other publishers who did the same thing the NIV revision did needlessly stirred the pot. If the drama is not an issue in your context, it’s a solid translation. NIV Study Bible edited by D.A. Carson is solid and reliable. I used this translation for about a decade. Formal to Functional 45/55

NASB- Wooden and helpful

The NASB stood as the academic translation for quite some time, replaced by the ESV after the turn of the century. The translation is hard to read and wooden because it is a very strong formal equivalent translation, reading very much like a second-year Greek student. This makes it helpful for Bible study, but reading and public usage can be challenging. For those without a working knowledge of the biblical languages, this is a very helpful translation in deep Bible study. I used this translation for a dozen years. Formal to Functional 75/25

ESV- Wonky and readable

The ESV is a reworking of the RSV. Solidly done in some spots and awkward in others. The translation has a reformed bent to it, but I would not call it a reformed translation. At times it reads like the NKJV, an English never spoken. Others it reads like the NIV, and others like a NASB. It is widely considered the academic translation at the moment. For Bible study, it is faithful and a good main translation. I used this translation for a decade. Formal to Functional 55/45

NET- Most honest translation

The NET Bible is becoming more accessible and available. It reads well and is a solid translation. Recently, it is one I would consider to be used for church ministry because accessibility has improved so much. I call this the most honest translation because the first edition includes all of the translator’s notes. One needs a working knowledge of textual criticism and original languages to understand all the notes. I wish all translations would do what the NET did; we’d all be better off for it. I regularly use the NET Bible for study, but I have not used it as my main translation yet. It will most likely be my next. Formal to Functional 50/50 (Notes often show when functional or formal phrase could be used)

CSB— Modern and solid

Once called the HCSB, it sometimes was mockingly called the Southern Baptist Bible. It was the first ground-up, non-revision translation that also utilized Bible software, Accordance specifically, for the development of the translation. It reads as well as the NIV, perhaps better in some respects, but is not as readable as the NLT. It is a great translation and worthy of usage. Their preface states their translation technique is optimal equivalence, the best balance between functional and formal. While that feat is admirable, I find the term a bit silly. I have not yet used this as my main translation, but it is on the short list along with the NET. Formal to Functional 40/60

NLT— Understandable but challenging for deep study

The NLT is my current main translation. For contexts where reading is not a priority, this is an excellent translation. There are times I am frustrated by how sections are translated, but the team did an excellent job. They often translate idioms to what they mean as this is a very functional equivalent translation. For Bible reading, it is the best. For academic study, this is not the most helpful translation. By using the translation in preaching, I am given more time to explain theology or application aspects of the passage and less time having to explain what the passage means. For new believers especially, that is invaluable. Though it is very readable, it can still be used for expository preaching. I’ve used this translation for the last 4-5 years. Formal to Functional 25/75

LSB— Oy vey but solid

I have concerns with the LSB. When one hyper-fixates on a small aspect of Scripture, that can be concerning. A revision of the NASB ’95 versions, the LSB is more classic leaning, whereas the NASB 2020 moved a little towards readability. In the preface, the LSB makes a point to talk about the word slave and using consistent vocabulary with particular words, such as the Greek word for slave. This is problematic. Words have a range of meanings, and it is important to translate a word with the intended meaning of that word. Consistent usage can lead to issues even if it is the same word. The LSB is a formal equivalent translation like the NASB. It will work well for academic study, but those backing it and why they made it raise some caution for me. Formal to Functional 75/25

My short list

I currently use three translations regularly. My main translation is the NLT for teaching, preaching, etc. In my study, I regularly use the NET and the ESV. I am considering going back to the NASB instead of the ESV. About every 10 years, I intentionally change my main translation to make sure I am staying fresh in my study. This forces me to dig into the original languages. When my time with the NLT is complete, I am considering the NET or CSB.