Which Bible Translation Is Best?

Authorized Ch 7 • Everybody's looking for the ONE RING TO RULE THEM ALL. And in this seventh and final video in my vlogging tour through Authorized: The Use and Misuse of the King James Bible, I answer their questions in a way that I hope will bring peace and not a sword drill between English-speaking Christians.

I think there's a hidden premise, an implicit false belief, that is driving a great deal of the division over English Bibles in the church. And I'm not just talking about KJV-Onlyism here.

I'm not trying to destroy the KJV that I love so much; I am trying to build something good for English Bible readers. I have a constructive mission in my book, and in this video I reveal what it is—as an answer to the question, "Which Bible Translation Is Best?"

😎 Help me end Bible translation tribalism, one plow boy at a time:

📖 Check out my book, Authorized: The Use and Misuse of the King James Bible:

🎥 Watch my Fifty False Friends in the KJV series:

👏 Many, many thanks to the Patreon supporters who make my work possible!
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[michaelkelleypoetry]

When I was a kid my first Bible was an NIRV; then I got a KJV so I could follow along easier with my pastor's sermons. Eventually in my teen years when I could follow along without necessarily the same translation I got an NLT. In college I used an NASB. In seminary I moved back to the KJV. Now, I use the NIV. So, I'm very familiar with different translations. Lol. 😅

[davidscott]

My daughter turned me on to the ESV over a year ago and it is awesome. I have learned so much. I still love to memorize verses from the KJV but for knowing what is being taught, the ESV is what I now use.

[BassySasskets]

I left the Mormon church after 20 years after researching the history of the church and realizing it was wrong. I turned my back on the KJV Bible and when I came back to Christ I tried to distance myself from everything the Mormons used. Got myself a NASB bible in order to have the most literal bible possible. I used to have that same bible tribalism after my experience of being misled by a false prophet with false books. The past few months I've changed that perspective and I've been reading more different versions. They all have value for different purposes and reading many versions give you a better perspective on it all. My shelf now contains many different translations, even the KJV.

[davidbrock]

Mark, you're one of the finest Christian voices on YouTube. Keep making the videos.

[renatacuriosa]

English is my second language, so I look for a clear understanding translation of the Bible. I didn’t even know people judge others on that. How sad! Regardless of the Bible you carry, just study it. It will change your life forever! Jesus saves!

[adamshank]

Because of my work with Wycliffe, I frequently get asked what the best English Bible translation is. And my response is always the same: The best Bible translation is the one you read every day! ... Thanks for the good video.

[johngeverett]

I have had in the past 26 different versions of the New Testament. I tried learning Greek, and quickly realized that I could not 'second guess' the godly scholars who worked on these translations. I really appreciate your thoughtful approach to translations!

[druizsr]

Dude I just love you bro! You are officially my Bible translation mentor and teacher! God bless you dude and thank you for making these videos!❤

[Bigdave]

Shortly after i was saved at 16, i was given an NIV and was basically oblivious to the fact there were other translations. When i went to Bible college, the NASB was pushed strongly. Outside of seeing the KJV, in many older commentaries and writing, i never used it and was somewhat unaware of the KJV only debate, although I've had many interactions since i started pastoring. Personally, i will recognize the value of other translations, and i have most of them in my library, but i almost exclusively prefer tge NIV unless im reading the original languages . It is familiar and reliable and ive read through it so many times nothing else feels like the Bible for me. I recognize the value and reliability and integrity of many of the more modern translations and would defend them, but i much prefer to mostly stick with my NIV.

[ThecrosseyedTexan]

I use the NIV the HCSB and the NASB. I'm heartbroken by this stuff especially the King James only group. I've seen new believers get frustrated and walk away because they can't understand the Bible they're reading and it's heartbreaking. I believe that these people are going to have to give an account for this one day and I don't think they're going to be happy when that day comes.

[Meg.A.DarkAlienWriter]

I love this I subscribed just off of this video alone because since I started back reading the Bible a few years ago I became so amazed with the battle between Christians and their translation. Me I try to read from several but my favorite is the ESV, NASB, and the NLT. I grew up reading kjv and I can honestly say I didn’t really understand much of anything like I do now. So I do not get the feud of the translations I feel it’s just the enemy creating discord in the community of Christ. Thanks for your videos

[danbratten]

Which Bible Translation is the Best?
The one that you will actually sit down with and read!

I love the KJV & NKJV, but I helped a young man, who has special needs, by giving him the AAT Bible (An American Translation). And he loves it! He told me he tried reading the KJV, NKJV, NIV, etc and he just struggled with all of them, but now he reads his AAT Bible everyday.

Praise be to God that He has blessed us with multiple excellent translations to help all us know Him and love Him. Amen!

[pattube]

I'm a Reformed/Calvinist and conservative evangelical Christian. Theologically I'm closest to people like Don Carson, Tom Schreiner, Greg Beale, John Frame, Vern Poythress, Bill Davis, James Anderson, Greg Welty, etc. (Evidently I can't make up my mind on baptism!)

My primary translation is (no surprise) the ESV. Although I appreciate "all the good ones" as Mark Ward often says. Recently I've enjoyed reading the CSB.

But also recently I've been reading and thoroughly enjoying the NLT! Again, I definitely wouldn't consider myself a "seeker sensitive evangelical", but I do love the NLT so far. I wouldn't say it'll ever be my primary translation, but it's an awesome supplemental translation that the English speaking world is blessed to have.

I've also been surprised to learn there are quite a few number of broadly Reformed scholars who have worked on the NLT translation to one degree or another (e.g. Don Carson, Tom Schreiner, Greg Beale, Richard Pratt, Mark Futato, Doug Moo, Moises Silva). For example, I've enjoyed reading Romans, and the NLT translation seems to be more accurate and faithful to the Greek than I initially expected it to be (though not entirely of course but no translation is). Even when I didn't agree with the NLT's interpretation, I soon realized there's a fair body of biblical literature that stands behind most of their decisions, it's not as willy nilly as one might think. Not to mention the NLT is far more clear and natural sounding than most other English translations of Romans. in any case, I suppose the main reason for all this is because both Moo and Schreiner formed part of the team that worked on the NLT's translation of Romans. Moo and Schreiner have each written arguably the two best (or at least among the best) academic or scholarly commentaries on Romans.

Still I doubt the NLT will ever be a widely popular translation among my fellow Reformed Christians, though I'd love to be proven wrong. Right now, I think it's mainly just a nobody like me and Tommy Keene (Reformed Theological Seminary) who are Reformed and love the NLT. I kid, kind of. 😅

[christophonopolis]

Very awesome video! I grew up with King James but read out of the NASB and New King James versions later in my Christian journey. The NASB and NKJV versions really helped me understand God's Word in a much deeper way, simply because I could understand them better.

To me KJV is "God's Word, " but I would say there is not a scientific explanation to it more than, that is what I grew up with, and that is where a lot my memorized verses come from.

You are spot on that all of these reliable transitions are God's Word, and each has it's benefits. We are all influenced and probably gravitate to a version based on who influenced us, and there is nothing wrong with that. I just want to say, well done again! Great video!

[deanshaffer]

My favorite line... "their wicked Bible translation and their funny hair." Hilarious!! More seriously, this is excellent - thank you.

[jonathanrector]

I've been LOST in a SOUP of translation woes these last couple of months. Starting with KJV and struggling, and feeling shame while reading and loving the NLT....thank you for this. I think this is so true. I've sided alot with the ideology of KJV Only, but the truth is, the message in all is that Jesus Christ is our only salvation and way to heaven. And without him and our faith in him, nothing else matters. Thanks for this video Mark. I can crawl back out of the translation soup and worry not between the 'right' translation, and just reading and spending time with our Father. God bless you, brother.

[jameschin]

I trust LORD JESUS! and I like reading from the middle of the spectrum and more literal translation. I have confidence and faith in the Holy Spirit to lead and guide me and fellow believers in learning about our Heavenly Father. 🙏🏽❤️🕊️🔥

Thank you for the informative video and very pertinent observation.

Praise the Lord

[lauramikow]

I appreciate this so much! I own the NIV, the ESV, the NSB, the Message, and another couple I can't remember, and I appreciate them all and find it very helpful to check them all out from time to time.

[joyceelmer]

I subscribed to your channel because I just finished watching your interview on Sean McDowels Channel. I started out with the KJV as a child (I’m 77 years young now). That was all we knew about. Then I got a NKJV, and said “oh that’s what that means!” I have a NASB now, and Bible Gateway. Looking forward to more of your Channel. 😸

[ComedianBobFarrell]

As long as it's an accurate translation, I don't care what a person uses.