Help for Choosing a Bible Translation

People often want to know which is Tim's favorite Bible translation. In this video, there are three continuums presented which can serve as a framework for choosing a translation for a particular usage. Tim uses this to explain his personal top choices of Bible translation.

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Composer: Benjamin Tissot (also known as Bensound)

[alexandergarner]

I liked this video before I even watched it because I like Frisch so much.

[davidrichard]

I teach and preach from the CSB. I found that it strikes the perfect balance between literal and readability. I wanted to stick with one translation that would be great for the more mature Christian and the new Christian. It came down to the ESV and the CSB. I found that the CSB stayed true to the wording from the critical text but maintained readability. Plus, the footnotes are excellent in my opinion.

[ChrisAli]

YouVersion is great for jumping around, but for me I actually use 3 primarily. The NKJV, NASB and the NLT.

[makarov]

Yes! You stated the very best thing I like about my 1985 printing of a Nelson NKJV, double-column, wide margins, center column reference bible! Those wonderful notes on the various textual differences. Until I owned this bible, I never had heard of textual differences. And I've gone forward studying the subject ever since. And it has made me so deeply appreciative of how God has preserved His word, even in various English translations. Even with the issue of a language that is continuingly changing. I am currently enjoying my 2017 CSB. But I also just received an NT of the ISV in paperback. That's all you can get now. Its great! I've recently gotten a NET and a MEV. But my 1984 Nelson NIV keeps calling me. I still love to read my old 1560 Geneva once and a while. When I attend services I'm always careful to have an example of both a Byzantine AND a Critical text bible with me. I'm all in on this stuff!!

[hughorrJesus]

The ESV has been my primary translation for reading, teaching, preaching since 2008. I have several other translations I use for reference and comparison. I'm planning on using my CSB to read through the whole Bible next year to see how it compares for readability. For me one of the biggest obstacles to changing translations is all the memorizing I've done in the ESV for the last 13 years.

[pinkdiscomosh]

I’ve recently been making a lot of use of the Text Comparison tool in logos with the ESV and CSB and it’s interesting how the CSB is very close to the ESV in it’s wording, but it irons out just a little bit of the ESVs traditional renderings to the point to where it’s not a far cry to switch between the ESV and CSB with very minor difference between them. But yes, the CSB hits an amazing balance between readability and formal equivalence.

[mikepowers]

Great choices! NKJV and CSB are the ones that I use most frequently as well.

[Jason-L-Ledford]

NASB and ESV for word for word translation and NLT or the NIV for thought for thought.

[odisnorrisiii]

My final four is the NKJV, NASB ‘95 & 2020 (for literalness), NIV, and CSB ( for clarity of thought).

[ahuman]

Love the video! Good breakdown and those are my 2 favorite as well (NKJV and the CSB2020). I use my NKJV a bit more as I love having everything in the text and not just sent to a footnote. The CSB would almost be the best if they did what the NASB95 did and that was instead of footnoting it, they would put those "questionable" verses in brackets. Thank you for the great vid, Frisch!

[eclipsesonic]

The KJV is my favourite translation. It's the one that I grew up on. With that said, if anyone, like me, wants to read a modern translation that retains some of the KJV language (thee's and thou's), then the RSV is the perfect bridge between a historic and modern-sounding translation. That or the NASB 1977 edition fulfils this, but only in reference to God.

[kbny]

I was raised on the KJV and NIV but I recently started reading the NASB 95 and it became my favorite translation.

[rodneyjackson]

For enjoyable reading, understanding and accuracy of Scripture, my favorite is the NLT. The scripture came alive to me like no other translation when I started reading the NLT. However, my next two favorites are the NKJV and the CSB. I think you nailed it Tim. Blessings!

[shiansports]

I’m an NASB guy (95 or 77), but I always have a thought for thought translation on the side if I’m having trouble understanding something.

[davidwhunt]

Helpful video! My favourite is the ESV (for reading & preaching) followed by the NKJV. I never prepare a sermon without consulting the NASB as I like it's attention to imperfect tenses, etc (ESV is good for this also). In the circles I move in (here in Australia) I don't find many people using the CSB, though no doubt it is liked by some. I find the ESV and NIV to be most popular.

[carolbarlow]

Well done. I also appreciate that the CSB converts units of measure. For study I love the NET. Pastor preaches out of the NJKV which is fine. I appreciate your irenic approach to the whole question. Thank you.

[Ms.V_Official]

I like modern translations because I can understand it.
1. NLT
2. CSB
3. NIV
Or sometimes the ESV

[Cliff_Dixon_]

Right now, the two in my stack are the ESV and the NLT. Later on, who knows?

[shonsam]

Always grateful for your videos, so informative and helpful. Thank u. I’ve been using esv for some years now and i felt it is not as accurate in some places as it could’ve been.
You’re the reason i looked into csb and nkjv. And now they’re two of my favourites. :)

[hsh]

Thank you for sharing your expertise, Tim. I actually use a triumvirate of translations almost daily. First among these equals is my NASB95. I also use the CSB and KJV. The latter I use most often in devotional reading and memory work. The CSB I use for word flow and for communicating with a 21st century audience.