One of the most common questions I get asked is, What is your favorite Bible translation? Since I’m a bit of a “Bible junkie,” picking one is a bit of a challenge. However, I have narrowed it down to five! (BTW…There’s a really good reason behind each one.)
Here’s where we’re headed in this post…
- First…I’ll share a brief description of my five favorites.
- Second…I’ve posted an infographic with the “reading level” of the 15 most popular Bible translations. (Feel free to download and share.)
My 5 Favorite Bible Translations
Christian Standard Bible (CSB) – This is a new translation as of 2017. It has become my “go to” translation for almost all of my regular reading and study. The translation philosophy is called “Optimal Equivalence,” which is a middle ground between Dynamic Equivalence (thought-for-thought) and Formal Equivalence (word-for-word). When the meaning is clear, they stuck with word-for-word. When the meaning might be obscured, they used thought-for-thought. The result is a fantastic, accurate, readable translation. I also like the fact that their translation team was made up of over 100 scholars from 17 different denominations. (EXCITING NEWS: I have been given permission to record an audio Bible using the CSB! My goal is to have the New Testament completed by the end of 2017.) Here’s the one I have.
New International Version (NIV) – This is the translation I grew up with. It just “sounds right” in my head. The NIV is popular, so it’s easy to find, has lots of resources that go with it, and there is a high percentage that people you discuss the Bible with (which I highly recommend) will be using it too. NOTE: The main change they made in the 2011 update is to take passage that have male pronouns – but aren’t truly gender specific – and translated them with either gender-neutral pronouns or “brothers and sisters” instead of “brothers.” Here’s the one I have.
English Standard Version (ESV) – This is becoming more popular every year. It is a bit more “word-for-word” than the NIV. If you grew up on the King James Version, the Revised Standard Version, or the New American Standard Bible, then the ESV will probably “sound right” in your head the way the NIV does for me. Here’s the one I have.
New Living Translation (NLT) – Many people assume this is simply an update of the 1970’s paraphrase The Living Bible. Not true. This is a true translation. The folks at Tyndale have done a terrific job of creating a translation that is accurate, readable, and at a reading level (6th Grade) that helps you immerse yourself in the narrative. While it’s not my primary study Bible, it is always one of the translations I use for comparing multiple versions. NOTE: This is also the translation I recommend for those who want an English translation, but English is not their first language. Here’s the one I have.
The Message (MSG) – I’ve gotten some slack for recommending this, since it is more of a paraphrase than a translation. Hear me out! I do NOT recommend The Message as a study Bible, as your primary Bible, and definitely not if you are new to the Bible and this is the only one you’re buying. That said…it is a fantastic translation to give fresh insight and perspective. Put it this way: The Message is like sitting down with a friend (who happens to be a Biblical scholar who knows Greek!) and asking them to put a passage of Scripture in their own words. Their common language interpretation would in no way replace your Bible, but it would give you a fresh look. That’s how I use The Message. Here’s the one I have.
Reading Levels of the 15 Most Popular Bible Translations
The NLT is not a translation if you understand a translation to be a work that brings the whole meaning of each verse into the receptor language. On numerous occassions I have found the NLT leaves out meaning from the text.
I would strongly discourage anyone from using the NLT as a primary Bible or for anything other than a consulting text.
Hi David. I have no desire to start an argument here (nor will I continue it after this reply), but I couldn’t disagree more strongly with what you have written. The NLT is absolutely a translation. I have met the people at Tyndale, heard their heartbeat for this translation, and read it myself. Because it is written at a lower reading level (on purpose) than some other translations, does not negate its validity. I highly recommend that you – and ANYONE interested in exploring the rich intentionality behind the NLT translation should visit this link https://www.tyndale.com/nlt/translation-process/ and make their own decision. BTW…One of the reasons I wrote this post is because I believe we should ALL be looking at multiple translations (rather than only focusing on one). It helps with our thinking, keeps things fresh, and it’s way more fun!
When I was an undergraduate, I used the RSV and sometimes the KJV which I was familiar with as a child and I still love some of the phrases ‘consider the lilies of the field’. We also used the newly published NEB at school (showing my age here!) Currently I mainly use the NIV, followed by the NLT. I also dip into the MSG, using it more like a commentary, as you, Keith, suggested in an earlier post. I’ve also recently acquired The Passion Translation which I shall be treating similarly to the MSG as it is another very free paraphrase.
Thanks Sandra. I haven’t looked at the Passion Translation. I’ll have to check it out!
Hi Keith, you will love the Passion Translation. Currently it only contains New Testament, Psalms, Proverbs and Song of Solomon.
It wasn’t until I read the Song of Solomon in this version that I really got a glimpse of God’s love for us. If you have the Bible App it’s available on there for free
Interesting! I’ll give it a look. Thanks Cherlyn.
I’m conservative as well as a college graduate so I only read the KJV. However I often go to the commentaries at BibleHub for help in understanding.