The Only 3 Bible Translations You Will EVER Need!

If I could only take three English Bible translations to a desert island, these are the ones I’d choose—and if you could only have three, these are the ones I’d recommend.

In this video, I reveal my top three picks for English Bible translations that provide the clearest and most accurate understanding of Scripture. As an instructor of biblical Greek, I’m passionate about how the original texts are conveyed in English. With over 900 translations available, I highlight the unique strengths of my personal favorites, balancing classic and modern versions.

I also explore the challenges of translating ancient languages into English and why no translation can fully capture every nuance. Stick around until the end, where I share valuable resources for those who want to go deeper into biblical Greek and enrich their study of the Bible.

[BiblicalStudiesandReviews]

Click here for a special offer: bma.to/stephen

[xxx-]

As someone who has recently approached Christianity from a semi-spiritual, semi-scholarly place; I thank you for your suggestions here. I have jumped through many mental hoops, trying to figure out which bibles to rely on, and the 3 you have mentioned, is in my list of 7. The funny thing is, and is the same reason I thank you, is because most people speaking about this subject, recommend lesser variants, further away from the supposed truth. I have seen no one recommend these. No one, thus far (except for you). So because of this, I trust you more than the others thus far, and will watch more of your videos. Thank you again 👍🏻

[ShyMusicLoverXO]

Legacy Standard is actually my current Bible ❤. I love it

[MeLancer]

Thanks for your recommendations. I have the three translations you recommended.
I picked up a beta copy of the NET Full Notes edition at a bible conference in Dallas, long before it was released.

[adrianbelgrave]

1)NKJV...2)CSB and 3) NLT are my Top 3... just so I could read and compare and contrast Translations that hits throughout the Translation Spectrum... I WILL eventually get the NET Full Notes Bible just for straight up studying and I'm intrigued if you heard of the LSV (Literal Standard Version) which I think is an also good Translation as well("210-Book Holy Bible Apocrypha Master Collection" is that Translation) ... I might compare the CSB to the LSB down the line but I just Love how smooth it reads... Im pretty brand new to the NKJV but put it #1 because I'm all about Word-for-word Translations too and it's more readable then the KJV IMO... God Bless and Thanks for the content 👊🏿🙏🏾💯👍🏿

[JoshuaMessiah]

My top three have been KJV, ROT, YLT but now my favorite is Charles Thomson Bible, based on LXX. It has the longer Job 2:9. Note:

The LXX version of Job is described as an abbreviated, shortened text. However, it does contain two prominent additions in Job 2, 9a-e and 42, 17b-e. As far as the first is concerned this article argues that it is not the result of a later hand, nor of a differing Hebrew parent text. Based on a contextual analysis combined with an analysis of lexical items found in the additions, it reaches the conclusion that the translator of the Old Greek in fact is the work of the original translator.

[classicalteacher]

I'm done immediately when you said KJV.

[paulajohnson]

I prefer KJV and NKJV any modern translations I always ask is i word for word or thought for thought? I stick with word for word.

[Coach-V]

An explaination of formal vs functional translations would be beneficial for unlearned viewers. As a bible scholar (with 3 years of greek as well) the NASB (while not great for reading from outloud) is my go to when im not perusing the older manuscripts. Translations are not covered under Plenary Verbal Inspiration (PVI) and it is why textual criticism is so valuable and necessary for bible teachers. It unhinges so many believers when they hear that translations are not inspired if for no other reason whoever their bible teacher is has not explained what PVI means

[charlesberry]

Also has the best Bible Dictionary and book with numbers over the words for both the new and Old Testaments
Great for word study and Etymology
Great job Sir

[Mirage]

The NET Bible is my favorite for deep study. The NLT for casual reading. The NKJV(or KJV) is the one I remember the most.

[Miroslaw-rsip]

I studied in Seminary and prefer the NJKV NT, ESV OT and NET for their detailed notes. I also like the HCSB, LSB and specialty Greek translations like the Wuest NT and my favourite NT is the ‘Analytical Literal Translation of the New Testament’ by Gary F. Zeolla. Zeolla’s translation is brilliant and should be more common but isn’t.

[WilliamHubbard-lgpf]

I agree with you about KJV- NKJV but I do like Evs Niv let me know what you think about EVs and Niv

[robinconnelly]

I like the ESV most of all.

It is very clear. Pauls letters were always a bit obscure, especially Romans. But now I can read them easily.

I don't stick to one translation, though and I refer to lexicons when needed

[bk]

I trust the NKJV and LSB the most. Other translations I don’t understand, I noticed sometimes ESV keeps idioms and other times ditched them. Why not keep it or ditch it all together. CSB to me makes sense more than ESV.

[johnnilan]

Good summary. I also like to read older versions such as the Berkley Version (very readable and good language usage), JB Philips New Testament ( just plain fun to read) and Youngs Literal Translation (anchors the text) and some more eclectic works like the Beck Translation.

[uthyrgreywick]

Good advice to serious Bible readers and scholars alike. I am a KJV first student for over 50 years, which I supplement of late with the English translation of the Eastern Orthodox New Testament along with the English translation of the Greek Septuagint, topped off by the 1899 Douay-Rhemes translation of the Latin Vulgate. I used to use the NASB, but compared to the KJV it is too clunky to memorize or quote. I like any version that is in the public domain and predates or disregards the modern critical text.

[robertceron]

MY top 3 are ESV CSB NET, just how close they use na28, explicit differences in word choices makes for good text comparison, and overall philosophies of functional equivalence and formal equivalence, I like dynamic equivalence but for more easier english translations to get basic interpretation. I generally stick to these three and SBGL GNT and THGNT now

[clotildawechsler]

My advice to people reading the Bible is get two different versions that you are comfortable reading because of understandability. When you have a good grasp of God's word, read a king James Bible. There's nothing else like it for the English speaking world.

[samuelm.]

Favorite KJV, NKJV, NASB 95, and Berean Translation. The Legacy Standard Bible was influenced by Calvinist, John MacArthur. Not a choice for me.