That Time of Year Again - What's Your Favorite Translation

[Christo et Ecclesiae]

I’m curious to hear from others here: what is your favorite Bible translation, and which translation does your church primarily use?

I’ll go first.

For personal, devotional reading, my favorite translation is the NLT. I read from it nightly—one chapter from the Old Testament and one from the New Testament. It’s the only translation I’ve ever used to read the Bible straight through from cover to cover. I would never use it for formal study, but devotionally it’s been invaluable. It helps me read Scripture faithfully and steadily, almost like reading a well-written narrative, without losing the weight of the text.

Both churches I’ve been a member of have used the ESV, and it is the only translation I’ve ever personally preached from. I find its literalness beautiful—especially in the Psalms—and very fitting for preaching and public reading. That said, it’s not my go-to translation for extended, casual reading. At times I find it a bit too tight or formal for that purpose, even though I deeply appreciate it.

For nightly Bible study with my wife, we use the MacArthur Study Bible (NKJV). That Bible had a significant influence on me—it’s what originally shaped my thinking toward dispensationalism, even though I now hold to covenant theology. Despite that shift, I still find the commentary faithful, careful, and very helpful. I especially appreciate the way the text is consistently exposed and explained.

Finally, the King James Version (Thomas Nelson) is my primary personal study Bible. It’s the one I take notes in, linger over, and return to when I want to slow down and really “wash” myself in the Word.

I’d love to hear from others—men and women alike—what translations you use devotionally, for study, and in your local churches, and why.

Lord Bless.
-Kerry

 

[davejonescue]

I use the NKJV. Was the Bible I was introduced to as a baby Christian 20 years ago. Still conveys the Word of God the same today as it did then. I see no need to switch it up. My church uses the NASB.

 

[Christo et Ecclesiae]

I use the NKJV. Was the Bible I was introduced to as a baby Christian 20 years ago. Still conveys the Word of God the same today as it did then. I see no need to switch it up. My church uses the NASB.

I am looking forward to the day, Lord willing, to be able to echo that.

Two decades being secured would be an honor.

Great response @davejonescue !!

 

[Joshua]

For private study, I like the KJV, but for devotional reading I prefer the KJV. The KJV is a favorite of mine, and I also really like the KJV, not to mention my use of the KJV and the KJV.

 

[Stephen L Smith]

For private study, I like the KJV, but for devotional reading I prefer the KJV. The KJV is a favorite of mine, and I also really like the KJV, not to mention my use of the KJV and the KJV.

This joke is nothing new. What about a new alternative to this joke such as the New King James Bible.

 

[John Nyberg]

This joke is nothing new. What about a new alternative to this joke such as the New King James Bible.

This joke is unauthorized

 

[BobC]

I’m not KJVO by conviction, but in actual usage, I’m pretty KJVO.

 

[Venator Veritatis]

I vote Geneva. Only because I am too stubborn to admit I like the KJV.

But for daily reading it's the ESV. I've used it for 18 ish years and it would be hard to get away from in terms of memorization.

 

[SShaka]

Combining KJV, ESV, NASB1995 and NIV does it for me.

 

[SojourningSøren]

Honestly, much as I prefer the NASB 1995 for church and study groups, and love the KJV’s variant on the psalms, I truly enjoy just reading the Word for itself in a CSB study Bible with patristic fathers’ commentary in the margins. It just makes reading the word different for me, somehow.

 

[SolaScriptura]

In my studies I use all of the ones listed except the NLT. But my goto standard, the one from which I ordinarily preach, is ESV.

 

[DanM]

My favourite is the NKJV, but I mostly use the ESV for daily reading and for church.

 

[joedavis]

I'm quite torn between ESV and NASB. I have been preaching from NASB primarily because I wanted a large print Bible for preaching and the price was better than the ESV. I would have been fine with either for preaching.

For study, I run the gamut: KJV, NKJV, NASB95, ESV, CSB but NASB and ESV are my primary translations. My thinline that goes everywhere with me is ESV.

I don't use paraphrases at all really. I have a somewhat unwarranted skepticism of them, probably mostly because of a former pastor preaching from the Message by Eugene Peterson.

I haven't used the LSB except out of curiosity. I can replace LORD with Yahweh and bondservant with slave as I read.

 

[Northern Crofter]

I use the Geneva Bible because, like the KJV/AV, it was authorized for use in the Church by the civil magistrate of a Christian nation (but the Geneva has the advantage of wonderful notes from a Continental-Anglo blend of some of the best of our Early Reformation forefathers - picture Knox and Whittingham with Calvin and Beza peering over their shoulders!).

I will consult other translations, but I am always leery of those translations whose compilation involved the labours of avowed non-believers.

Our minster uses his old NASB. There are ESVs in the pews.

 

[J.L. Allen]

I use the KJV for my devotional time and in my study. Since I minister at a church that uses the ESV, I always have it open side-by-side with a NKJV. I should note that I'm doing a chronological reading (listening) plan for the whole Bible in 90 days in the CSB. After that, I'll jump back into my modified Horner plan in my KJV.

 

[B.L.]

My primary for reading is the KJV. It is a beautiful translation that is easiest for my mind to retain and memorize. The older vocabulary and writing style also forces me to read slower and pay attention to what I'm reading. While sympathetic to the arguments for the Textus Receptus, I'm not KJV-O by conviction and do read from the NKJV (best footnotes) and the major translations that use the Critical Text. That said, if I was stuck on an island with just one Bible it would be an R.L. Allan 53C KJV Longprimer.

My PCA congregation uses the ESV for preaching and teaching and I find myself using the ESV for my studies in the MABTS program I'm in.

[P.S. - I pivoted from this post to Logos and see that on this day (17 Jan) in history in 1604 King James I authorized a new translation in the English language, which led to the creation of the Authorized Version.]

 

[Andres]

Personal use is KJV and my church uses KJV from the pulpit also. I have some conscience issues with some of the other translations.

 

[Blood-Bought Pilgrim]

The translation that has the most sweet/sentimental spot in my heart is the ESV, as I have used it for many years, and my most formative years as a Christian. However, quite surprisingly to me I have come to really enjoy the NIV (yes, the 2011) and intend to use that as my home base for reading and preaching for the foreseeable future. I think it is a quite well-done translation and strikes a great balance of accuracy and readability. Particularly for my church's context, it is a perfect fit. I wish it was not given such a negative rap in reformed circles.

 

[C4MERON]

I use the Geneva Bible because, like the KJV/AV, it was authorized for use in the Church by the civil magistrate of a Christian nation (but the Geneva has the advantage of wonderful notes from a Continental-Anglo blend of some of the best of our Early Reformation forefathers - picture Knox and Whittingham with Calvin and Beza peering over their shoulders!).

I will consult other translations, but I am always leery of those translations whose compilation involved the labours of avowed non-believers.

Our minster uses his old NASB. There are ESVs in the pews.

Which publication of the Geneva do you have as I have a paperback copy but it does not contain any of the notes you mention?

 

[Northern Crofter]

Which publication of the Geneva do you have as I have a paperback copy but it does not contain any of the notes you mention?

I have a facsimile of the original (Monergism used to have a free PDF online) as well as a (modern type) bonded leather copy published by Tolle Lege Press in 2006 (I don't see any available on their website but many secondhand sellers seem to have them for $100). It's available (with notes) on most Bible apps. I think Tolle Lege Press (and others?) have reasonably priced soft and hard cover versions, too.
[automerge]1768704784[/automerge]

 

[therussellhome]

I'm in the minority here as I spend most of my time in the NIV with jumps over to the ESV for comparisons.

 

[WithinThePale]

Almost exclusively ESV here, my main grievance with it is that there's not enough nice Anglicised editions available, so when I copy mine out into my notebook, I have to fix the spelling. Growing up, there were mostly NIVs around, unfortunately the cringeworthy study notes in my Teen Study NIV have poisoned me against the NIV somewhat. I went through a period in college where I tried to study using the KJV, but found that it was too much work to use the older language, and was exposed to situations where its use was a liability (speakers at youth meetings having to translate the older language into more modern terms, reading the text, then giving a modernisation that was basically the same as an ESV or NIV).

 

[Paul79]

I only use KJV. Modern translations don't just use modern day language they are corrupted and have verses missing. No one can preach at my Church if they don't use KJV.

 

[BrotherGilbert]

I grew up on the NIV84, which I still think is a great translation. The 2011, while not outright bad, is definitely inferior. Sadly you can’t get the 84 easily in my country.

From my Uni days on I’ve used the ESV and it’s my favourite and probably the one I’ve memorised most verses from.

I do have a soft spot for the KJV, and know some verse renderings in it, but weirdly I find it far easier to read in my head than out loud.

I recently picked up a CSB, which is ok, but I think I’m happier with the NIV84 as a less ‘literal’ translation.

 

[Blood-Bought Pilgrim]

I grew up on the NIV84, which I still think is a great translation. The 2011, while not outright bad, is definitely inferior. Sadly you can’t get the 84 easily in my country.

I hear this asserted often but from everything I have seen I don't believe it to be true. Based on my experience working with the 2011 and doing some comparison to the 1984 the 2011 is often more transparent to the original (a.k.a. "literal). For example, the translators explicitly noted that in the 2011 they worked to include more conjunctions in Paul's letters to show the flow of thought.

The only real hot-button issue is the gender language. I see the advantages of both approaches to the gender-language question. Realistically though, the NIV 2011 matches how most people I know use gender language (the generic "they", etc.). I don't think there's any solid evidence that the 2011 has done anything other than attempt to communicate in the language people actually use in most of the English-speaking world today. There will always be individual renderings we can quibble over, but in general the 2011 is a solid translation.

Not trying to argue with you specifically, brother, but I feel the 2011 has gotten a worse rap than it deserves.

 

[YeshuaFan]

I’m curious to hear from others here: what is your favorite Bible translation, and which translation does your church primarily use?

I’ll go first.

For personal, devotional reading, my favorite translation is the NLT. I read from it nightly—one chapter from the Old Testament and one from the New Testament. It’s the only translation I’ve ever used to read the Bible straight through from cover to cover. I would never use it for formal study, but devotionally it’s been invaluable. It helps me read Scripture faithfully and steadily, almost like reading a well-written narrative, without losing the weight of the text.

Both churches I’ve been a member of have used the ESV, and it is the only translation I’ve ever personally preached from. I find its literalness beautiful—especially in the Psalms—and very fitting for preaching and public reading. That said, it’s not my go-to translation for extended, casual reading. At times I find it a bit too tight or formal for that purpose, even though I deeply appreciate it.

For nightly Bible study with my wife, we use the MacArthur Study Bible (NKJV). That Bible had a significant influence on me—it’s what originally shaped my thinking toward dispensationalism, even though I now hold to covenant theology. Despite that shift, I still find the commentary faithful, careful, and very helpful. I especially appreciate the way the text is consistently exposed and explained.

Finally, the King James Version (Thomas Nelson) is my primary personal study Bible. It’s the one I take notes in, linger over, and return to when I want to slow down and really “wash” myself in the Word.

I’d love to hear from others—men and women alike—what translations you use devotionally, for study, and in your local churches, and why.

Lord Bless.
-Kerry

My personal go to editions would be the Esv Study Bible, and the 1995 Nas Edition, and trying also this year to get back into the Greek NT once again big time

 

[Theoretical]

NKJV/ESV. I especially like the NKJV for including the alternate reading options in the notes.

I've grown increasingly annoyed with the ESV being more like a software version than a fixed text that then gets a full update 30-40 years or more later. For that same reason + the full set of 2nd person pronoun forms that the older English uses, I also appreciate the arguments for using the KJV.

 

[SouthernCovenanter]

We're somewhat between churches at the moment. I strongly prefer the Geneva, and have read it as my daily for several years. I bought a Tolle Lege modern-ish Geneva Bible when they first came out in 2006.

 

[Stephen L Smith]

I Use the NKJV as my main text although I take my ESV to church.

I am looking at the Berean Standard Bible as a serious option. I am still researching this, but I like its balance between a literal translation and a dynamic equivalent translation. It appears to be similar to the CSB but closer to the Tyndale tradition. More specifically as someone who likes the Byzantine Text, I am interested in the Majority Standard Bible. The OT text is the same as the Berean Standard Bible, but it uses the Byzantine Priority Text in the NT.

 

[YeshuaFan]

I Use the NKJV as my main text although I take my ESV to church.

I am looking at the Berean Standard Bible as a serious option. I am still researching this, but I like its balance between a literal translation and a dynamic equivalent translation. It appears to be similar to the CSB but closer to the Tyndale tradition. More specifically as someone who likes the Byzantine Text, I am interested in the Majority Standard Bible. The OT text is the same as the Berean Standard Bible, but it uses the Byzantine Priority Text in the NT.

What about the net Bible, or the World Bible?