Which Bible Translation Should You Use?
Back in the early years of seminary I had to break down a number of translations as part of an assignment to prepare for ministry and I am so thankful for that assignment because one of the most frequent and consistent questions I get as a pastor is, which Bible translation should I use?
This is a very important question because not all translations are equal. In this article I am going to explain the different categories of translation and then give you an overview of 8 popular translations.
Walk into any bookstore or church, and you'll find shelves filled with translations (all acronyms) like, NASB, ESV, NIV, NKJV, CSB, NLT, LSB, and even ones titled, The Message. That abundance of options can be a blessing, but it can also be confusing. People naturally wonder, Which Bible is the best? Why are there so many? Does it even matter?
The answer is yes! It matters tremendously.
The Bible is the very Word of God (2 Timothy 3:16–17). Every word was inspired by the Holy Spirit as it was written by the original human authors (2 Peter 1:20–21). Since the Old Testament was primarily written in Hebrew (with portions in Aramaic) and the New Testament in Greek, every English Bible is the result of careful translation from those original languages. Translation is not simply replacing one English word with another. It requires understanding grammar, idioms, context, literary style, and theology while striving to faithfully communicate what God originally revealed.
Not every translation approaches that task the same way.
3 Categories of Translation
Some translations prioritize translating each word as literally as possible. Others prioritize conveying the thought behind a sentence in modern English. Still others freely paraphrase Scripture to make it easier to read, often sacrificing precision in the process.
Generally speaking, Bible translations fall into three categories, though some may use other descriptors.
Formal Equivalence (Word-for-Word): These translations seek to preserve the wording, grammar, and structure of the original languages as closely as English allows. They are ideal for serious study and expositional preaching.
Dynamic Equivalence (Thought-for-Thought): These translations focus on communicating the meaning of a passage in natural English, sometimes translating ideas instead of individual words. They often read more smoothly but involve greater interpretive decisions by translators.
Paraphrase: Rather than translating directly from the original languages, paraphrases restate biblical ideas in contemporary language. They can occasionally help readers grasp a concept, but they should never replace an actual translation for study or doctrine.
Understanding those categories helps us evaluate each translation wisely.
8 Popular Translations
Below you’ll find a breakdown of 8 popular translations along with their translation philosophy, background, translation committee (the scholars who contribute), and the best uses for it.
1. New American Standard Bible (NASB)
Translation Philosophy: Formal Equivalence (Word-for-Word)
The NASB has long been regarded as one of the most literal English Bible translations available. First published in 1971 and updated in 1995 and 2020, its goal has always been to preserve the wording and grammar of the original Hebrew, Aramaic, and Greek as accurately as possible. Because of its precision, many pastors, seminary professors, and Bible students use it for in-depth study and sermon preparation. Its sentence structure can occasionally feel wooden because it intentionally follows the original languages rather than smoothing everything into conversational English. Rather than asking, "How would we say this today?" the NASB asks, "What did the original text actually say?"
The translation committee included respected scholars such as Robert Thomas, Gleason Archer, Walter Kaiser, Norman Geisler, and many others from conservative evangelical backgrounds.
Best Uses:
Serious Bible study
Expository preaching
Word studies
Seminary education
2. Legacy Standard Bible (LSB)
Translation Philosophy: Formal Equivalence (Word-for-Word)
The Legacy Standard Bible is the newest member of the literal translation family. Published in 2021, it builds directly on the NASB '95 while making deliberate decisions to increase consistency throughout the text. One of its most notable features is restoring God's covenant name, Yahweh, in the Old Testament and consistently translating the Greek word doulos as "slave" rather than "bond-servant." Its editors sought greater transparency between the English and the original languages so readers can more easily see repeated words and theological themes. The LSB is rapidly gaining popularity among pastors who emphasize careful exposition.
The project was overseen by scholars associated with The Master's Seminary, including Abner Chou, Paul Twiss, Michael Riccardi, Nathan Busenitz, and others, building upon decades of NASB scholarship influenced by men like John MacArthur.
Best Uses:
Expository preaching
Detailed Bible study
Original-language observation
Advanced students of Scripture
3. English Standard Version (ESV)
Translation Philosophy: “Essentially Literal” (Formal Equivalence). The ESV typically avoids the label “word-for-word” because it aims to be as literal as possible while translating into more naturally English phrases or words. Where the NASB may translate a Greek phrase more literally (but it reads a bit awkwardly), the ESV will intentionally translate it for English readability.
The ESV was first published in 2001 and has become one of the most widely used translations among evangelical churches. It seeks to combine literal accuracy with readable English, making it something of a middle ground between the NASB and more readable translations. The translators retained much of the beauty and cadence of historic English Bibles while updating the language where necessary. Because of this balance, the ESV has become a favorite for both personal devotions and public preaching. It is highly respected for preserving theological precision without sacrificing readability.
Its translation committee included scholars such as Wayne Grudem, J. I. Packer, Vern Poythress, Gordon Wenham, Thomas Schreiner, and C. John Collins.
Best Uses:
Church reading
Personal devotions
Family worship
Expository preaching
4. New King James Version (NKJV)
Translation Philosophy: Formal Equivalence
The NKJV updates the language of the King James Version while preserving its literary style and textual tradition. Published in 1982, it replaces archaic English such as "thee" and "thou" while maintaining the familiar rhythm many believers love. Unlike most modern translations, the NKJV primarily follows the Textus Receptus for the New Testament while providing notes indicating differences found in the Majority Text and critical Greek texts. It remains a trusted translation among many conservative churches that appreciate its connection to the King James tradition. Its beautiful style also makes it excellent for memorization and public reading.
Arthur Farstad served as Executive Editor, along with a broad committee of more than 100 scholars representing various evangelical traditions.
Best Uses:
Public Scripture reading
Memorization
Traditional churches
General Bible study
5. Christian Standard Bible (CSB)
Translation Philosophy: The CSB describes itself as “Optimal Equivalence” which conveys a commitment to both “formal equivalence” (which recognizes the importance of the form of the original language text—that is, the words used and the grammatical and rhetorical structures) and “functional equivalence” (which recognizes the importance of conveying the original message and intent in natural English readily understood by modern readers).
The CSB seeks to bridge the gap between literal translation and readability through what its editors call "optimal equivalence." Rather than rigidly following one philosophy, translators attempt to be as literal as possible while communicating naturally in English whenever necessary. This results in a translation that reads smoothly without drifting too far from the original wording. It has become increasingly popular among Southern Baptists and many evangelical churches because it balances clarity with faithfulness. It is especially helpful for newer believers who want accuracy without the stiffness of more literal translations.
The committee included scholars such as Andreas Köstenberger, Tom Schreiner, David Allen, and many other conservative evangelical language experts.
Best Uses:
Daily devotions
Church ministry
New believers
Teaching and discipleship
6. New International Version (NIV)
Translation Philosophy: Dynamic Equivalence (Thought-for-Thought)
The NIV is one of the best-selling Bible translations in history. First released in 1978 and revised in 2011, it prioritizes communicating the meaning of a passage in clear, contemporary English. Because translators often restructure sentences for readability, it is easier to understand than many literal translations. However, that readability comes at the cost of additional interpretive decisions in the most recent editions, which means readers occasionally see the translators' understanding reflected more prominently than the exact wording of the original text. This may be evident by gender-neutral pronouns where the NIV translates original Greek and Hebrew texts in a way that includes both men and women when the context applies to both, rather than defaulting exclusively to masculine words. This is less than favorable in my opinion, though earlier versions remain a viable translation for many readers and the NIV has introduced millions to the Scriptures.
Its committee included scholars such as Douglas Moo, Gordon Fee, Bruce Waltke, and many others from a broad evangelical background.
Best Uses:
New Christians
Evangelism
General reading
Family devotions
7. New Living Translation (NLT)
Translation Philosophy: Dynamic Equivalence
The NLT emphasizes clarity above all else, which makes it less literal of a translation. It frequently expands implied ideas, explains idioms, and restructures sentences so modern readers can immediately understand the message. For someone reading the Bible for the first time, the NLT often feels approachable and conversational. However, because it contains significantly more interpretation by translators, it is less suitable for careful doctrinal study than more literal translations. Many pastors recommend reading the NLT alongside a more literal Bible rather than using it as a primary study Bible.
Its translators included scholars such as Daniel Wallace, Tremper Longman III, Grant Osborne, and Philip Ryken, among many others.
Possible Uses:
New believers
Daily reading
Evangelism
Limited Use for some aspect of Children’s or Youth Ministry
8. The Message (MSG)
Translation Philosophy: Paraphrase
The Message is not a translation in the traditional sense. Written primarily by Eugene Peterson, it paraphrases Scripture into highly contemporary language, often significantly expanding, condensing, or rewording the biblical text. Peterson's goal was to help modern readers hear Scripture with fresh ears, not to produce a precise translation from the original languages. Because every paraphrase reflects extensive interpretation, readers cannot easily distinguish where Scripture ends and the author's explanatory language begins. While The Message may occasionally stimulate fresh reflection on a familiar passage for some Christians, it should never serve as a primary Bible for study, doctrine, preaching, or establishing theological conclusions. I do not recommend it.
Unlike the other Bibles discussed here, The Message was principally the work of one man (Eugene Peterson), rather than a large committee of translation scholars.
Possible Uses:
Devotional reflection if looking for a more poetic expression of a passage
Never as a primary study Bible or to explain the Scriptures
Final Thoughts
Every faithful translation is trying to accomplish the same goal of bringing God's Word into understandable English. Yet they do so with different philosophies, and those philosophies matter. If your goal is serious Bible study, choose a translation that stays as close to the original languages as possible. If your goal is introducing someone to Scripture, a more readable translation may serve them well, provided they continue growing toward greater precision over time.
For that reason, my recommendations are straightforward:
Best Overall for Study and Preaching: NASB, LSB, or ESV
Best Balance of Accuracy and Readability: ESV or CSB
Helpful for New Believers: ESV or CSB
Use to Explore Plain Language: NLT
Traditional Translation: NKJV
Use with Caution: NIV (because of its greater interpretive decisions)
Not Recommended as a Primary Bible:The Message
Don’t just seek to own a Bible that is easy to read, seek to know the God who breathed it out accurately because accuracy matters. The more accurately we understand His Word, the more faithfully we can believe it, obey it, and proclaim it.
