Introduction
Translation philosophies
- On the left:
- Word-for-word: Preserves original wording, English may feel less natural.
- On the right:
- Thought for thought: Takes liberties to emphasize readability and meaning.
| New American Standard Bible; New King James Version; King James Version | English Standard Version | Christian Standard Bible | New English Translation | New International Version | New Living Translation |
|---|
King James Version (1769)
Pros
- Highly accurate
- Beautiful, nostalgic wording
Cons
- Outdated words – I Thessalonians 4:15
- Based on limited manuscripts
Sample verses
New King James Version (1984)
Pros
- Still accurate
- Modernized
Cons
- Still mainly based on manuscripts the King James Version used.
- Starting to get a bit dated itself.
New American Standard Bible (1977)
- The 2020 update for the New American Standard Bible added gender inclusive language. See Philippians 4:8, where NASB 2020 changes the rendering from “brethren” to “brothers and sisters.”
Pros
- Extremely accurate
- Great for detailed study
Cons
- Stiff, unnatural wording
- May not be best for casual or devotional reading
New English Translation
- Published for free online, including 60,000 marginal notes from the translators.
Pros
- Translator notes
- Very modern
Cons
- Physical version is big
- Not widely used
New International Version (2011)
- Best-selling translation in the world.
Pros
- Highly readable
- Widely available
Cons
- Less precise
- Some choices are controversial
English Standard Version (2016)
Pros
- Very popular
- Sweet spot
Cons
- Some awkward wording
- Little transparency
Christian Standard Bible (2020)
- Previously known as the Holman Christian Standard Bible, then rebranded.
Pros
- Sweet spot
- Very modern
Cons
- Some non-traditional choices
- A few quirks
New Living Translation (2015)
Pros
- Super easy to read
- Very modern
Cons
- Lots of interpretation from translators
- Much less precise