What's Your Favorite Bible Translation?
Here's mine.
So, about a week ago, I asked you what your favorite Bible verse was, and I was blown away at the response!
Over 30 of you responded to that post sharing your favorite Bible verse - and I’m so thankful you did!
So, I thought today I would try another post along those lines. But this, I’d like to know your favorite Bible translation.
I’ll tell you my favorite - in fact, I’ll share three of my favorites.
The New King James Version (NKJV).
First, I preach from and mostly write from the New King James Version (NKJV). The NKJV is a bit easier to read than the KJV but still maintains that “KJV feel.”
It’s also a good “go-between” translation between the KJV, which is still popular among many older Bible students, and newer translations like the next one on my list.
The English Standard Version (ESV).
My second favorite translation - the English Standard Version (ESV) - is probably my favorite to read from. While the NKJV language has been updated quite a bit from the KJV, it can still be difficult at times to read in today’s English.
The ESV is one of the more accurate Bible translations and one of the most readable.
The New English Translation (NET).
While the New English Translation (NET) is more of a “thought-for-thought” translation than the NKJV and ESV, it is still an accurate translation in many cases and does an excellent job of putting the Bible in a more current-day language.
Some versions of the NET Bible also have highly detailed footnotes explaining why a word was translated a certain way or providing additional context for a word in the Scriptures. It’s a great help in Bible study!
While I use other translations, these three - the NKJV, ESV, and NET - are the ones I use the most in preparing sermons, Bible classes, articles, and for my personal reading.
What’s your favorite translation? Why is it your favorite?
I look forward to reading your answers!
My actual Bible is NKJV. My phone has NASV. Several people I know use the ESV. I am going to download that version and use it when studying and comparing versions. I have the KJV on my phone but rarely if ever refer to it.
I personally would like to know which commentaries you use. I had always used Coffman until It was recently suggested by a preacher of the Gospel who is highly regarded by many within the Lords church to be careful about Coffman and suggested I use GBN's resource information for accurate authoritative commentaries. That suggestion just added to my confusion regarding commentaries. Is there just one commentary source that can be used to provide accurate scripture clarification, general overview of each book in the Bible, historical occurances during the time the book was being written and the intended audience of the inspired writers. I don't ask for much, right?
NKJV is my go-to. The KJV is endearing to me because I grew up on it (but it is approaching foreign language territory for a lot of people my age and younger). I still love it though. The ESV is pretty good for readability. I like the NASB, and I've heard that the new(ish) Christian Standard Bible is good, so I am thinking about buying one for personal study.