What Bible Translation do you think is the best?

TrevorHL · Apr 9, 2026

Greetings again shepherdsword,

shepherdsword said:
The best one is always the one you will read. Which one do you use?

As well as my RV/KJV Interlinear and NASB (Study Bible) I have recently purchased Robert Alter's The Hebrew Bible. I have used this as reference for a couple of passages. This covers the OT only. It has been highly recommended for its accuracy and has thorough notes on his choice of his various renditions.

Kind regards
Trevor

SavedInHim · Apr 9, 2026

Any translation is only as good as its underlying text. Most versions do a pretty good job of consulting many manuscripts, except the KJV which does, and always will, rely on one Greek text: the textus receptus. So my conclusion is any version that has looked at many sources, is readable, and has good notes is fine; I mainly use three: NLT, ESV, and NKJV. The NKJV uses the textus receptus as its base text; but unlike the KJV, it has consulted other sources as well.

ProDeo · Apr 9, 2026

I use the ESV and when in doubt I consult the YLT

Riven · Apr 9, 2026

ProDeo said:
I use the ESV and when in doubt I consult the YLT

I'm very curious about the ESV. I currently have physical access to NIV.

talons · Apr 9, 2026

PS95 said:
I have always wanted to check out a chain ref bible- are they much different from bibles with 50-75K cross references? I know they do offer them in several translations.

Not sure , there is a video in the second link in my post above that might help you .

ProDeo · Apr 10, 2026

Riven said:
I'm very curious about the ESV. I currently have physical access to NIV.

I like the ESV for 2 reasons :

1. They have a more accurate translation of the word "hell".

2. They leave out the known additions (frauds) inserted by scribes whose job was to make copies of the fragile original manuscripts.

Rockerduck · Apr 10, 2026

ProDeo said:
I like the ESV for 2 reasons :

1. They have a more accurate translation of the word "hell".

2. They leave out the known additions (frauds) inserted by scribes whose job was to make copies of the fragile original manuscripts.

you call frauds with no evidence.

ProDeo · Apr 10, 2026

Rockerduck said:
you call frauds with no evidence.

. Long ending in the Gospel of Mark not in earliest manuscripts.
. Comma Johanneum
. The Lord's Prayer

KJV
Matt 6:9 After this manner therefore pray ye: Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name.
Matt 6:10 Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven.
Matt 6:11 Give us this day our daily bread.
Matt 6:12 And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors.
Matt 6:13 And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil:
For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever. Amen.

ESV
Matt 6:9 Pray then like this: “Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name.
Matt 6:10 Your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.
Matt 6:11 Give us this day our daily bread,
Matt 6:12 and forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors.
Matt 6:13 And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil.

I prayed all my life the KJV version since the Dutch "Staten Vertaling" is a translation of the KJV. Now you can argue, what's wrong with the addition, sound good, but :

1. I don't like to pray words Jesus never said.

2. The addition in the KJV suppresses the importance of how Jesus ended The Lord's Prayer -> but deliver us from evil.

So nowadays when I pray The Lord's Prayer without the KJV addition and suddenly His last words but deliver us from evil became more meaningful to me.

Rockerduck · Apr 10, 2026

ProDeo said:
. Long ending in the Gospel of Mark not in earliest manuscripts.
. Comma Johanneum
. The Lord's Prayer

KJV
Matt 6:9 After this manner therefore pray ye: Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name.
Matt 6:10 Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven.
Matt 6:11 Give us this day our daily bread.
Matt 6:12 And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors.
Matt 6:13 And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil:
For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever. Amen.

ESV
Matt 6:9 Pray then like this: “Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name.
Matt 6:10 Your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.
Matt 6:11 Give us this day our daily bread,
Matt 6:12 and forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors.
Matt 6:13 And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil.

I prayed all my life the KJV version since the Dutch "Staten Vertaling" is a translation of the KJV. Now you can argue, what's wrong with the addition, sound good, but :

1. I don't like to pray words Jesus never said.

2. The addition in the KJV suppresses the importance of how Jesus ended The Lord's Prayer -> but deliver us from evil.

So nowadays when I pray The Lord's Prayer without the KJV addition and suddenly His last words but deliver us from evil became more meaningful to me.

I use the 1977 NASB and the addition in the Lords prayer is in brackets to indicate the addition, However, if someone leads the Lords prayer, everyone still says the KJV version, even if they use the ESV.

KUWN · May 11, 2026

Lambano said:
Online, I use the NASB and the NET. The NET's footnotes (available only on their website) are outstanding. Blue Letter Bible is a great tool because it has the original Greek and Hebrew.

Hardcopy, I have an NIV that I've used so much, the binding is held together with duct tape; and a KJV that my grandparents gave me for Easter when I was 7 years old.

Lambano, What about the printed editions of NET. Do they have footnotes in them. I bought the printed NET bible many many years ago and it has the footnotes in it, 60,932 to be exact.

Just curious if they have stopped that.

Lambano · May 11, 2026

KUWN said:
Lambano, What about the printed editions of NET. Do they have footnotes in them. I bought the printed NET bible many many years ago and it has the footnotes in it, 60,932 to be exact.

Just curious if they have stopped that.

Y'know, I've never seen a hard copy of the NET bible. We used to have a couple of Christian bookstores within a 10 minute drive; now the closest one is over in Raleigh. I've been meaning to go down to the Barns and No Bull just 'cuz I like hanging out in bookstores; maybe I can check the Religion section to see if they have Bibles.

Armour of God · May 12, 2026

The bible translations I like to read is any that are written in modern English. My faves are NIV, ESV, NKJV, NASB. And I like to switch between them as I find I sometimes get different perspectives

I find it too hard to read old English and I miss much of the message because of it. So I avoid them

MatthewG · Monday at 2:53 PM

Thompson Chain Reference Bible is a very good bible. Doesn’t matter which translation you get, pick one you will use for studying cause that is what is used for.

It’s very good at all different topics over 4000 cited scriptures for the personal use of study.

If you want one to just read I recommend one you will.

North American Standard Bible,
King James Bible,
New King James Bible,
Young’s literal translation (extremely funny and unique to read but it’s usually used for study),
New Living Translation (6th grade reading level compared to King James which more 12th grade reading).

Behold · Monday at 3:09 PM

shepherdsword said:
The best one is always the one you will read. Which one do you use? I typically use the KJV (out of habit) with some consultation from the original Hebrew and Greek manuscripts.

To begin with........the bible student needs to learn that there is no such thing as the "original greek".
As there are about 30 completed NT Greek Texts.

The only "originals" were the Apostle's Letters, and they are gone......long gone.
So, we have copies of copies..

So, the issue isn't trying to find a best bible..............the issue is learning what "new versions" are total GARBAGE.

And the worst one......that is the most Popular, is the NIV.
So, IF YOU ARE using this piece of religious junk then, stop.
Use it for the bottom of a bird cage or to help hold a metal trash dumpster to the ground.

quietthinker · Monday at 3:19 PM

MatthewG said:
Thompson Chain Reference Bible is a very good bible. Doesn’t matter which translation you get, pick one you will use for studying cause that is what is used for.

It’s very good at all different topics over 4000 cited scriptures for the personal use of study.

If you want one to just read I recommend one you will.

North American Standard Bible,
King James Bible,
New King James Bible,
Young’s literal translation (extremely funny and unique to read but it’s usually used for study),
New Living Translation (6th grade reading level compared to King James which more 12th grade reading).

I ask the question, what is the final or whole purpose of the writings of what we deem scripture?
Isn't it to reveal to us a God who was misrepresented? Misrepresented to angels and mankind by Lucifer and misrepresented by the dismal history of Israel.

It reveals God's solution. It reveals the true nature/ character of God in Jesus even while in its writings certain men with restricted insight have published and interpreted amiss but as best they knew how.

Its objective is to give the hearer confidence and hope that God is consistent and not the arbitrary ogre he appears to be portrayed as in some of the writings.

Jesus is God's final Word. All the writings must be interpreted through the lens of Jesus. (this is a statement in itself because it is mostly not understood).......and this can only be possible if one has the lens of Jesus. Without this lens the Bible/ God can be and has been used to justify all manner of atrocities.

shepherdsword · Monday at 3:43 PM

Behold said:
To begin with........the bible student needs to learn that there is no such thing as the "original greek".
As there are about 30 completed NT Greek Texts.

The only "originals" were the Apostle's Letters, and they are gone......long gone.
So, we have copies of copies..

So, the issue isn't trying to find a best bible..............the issue is learning what "new versions" are total GARBAGE.

And the worst one......that is the most Popular, is the NIV.
So, IF YOU ARE using this piece of religious junk then, stop.
Use it for the bottom of a bird cage or to help hold a metal trash dumpster to the ground.

I am pretty much aware that the original autographs no longer exist. I was using "original" in the context of original Hebrew/Greek languages. However, there is something we all need to consider. Even though the autographs no longer exist we can be confident that the bible we have today is God's preserved word.

MatthewG · Monday at 3:48 PM

quietthinker said:
I ask the question, what is the final or whole purpose of the writings of what we deem scripture?
Isn't it to reveal to us a God who was misrepresented? Misrepresented to angels and mankind by Lucifer and misrepresented by the dismal history of Israel.

It reveals God's solution. It reveals the true nature/ character of God in Jesus even while in its writings certain men with restricted insight have published and interpreted amiss but as best they knew how.

Its objective is to give the hearer confidence and hope that God is consistent and not the arbitrary ogre he appears to be portrayed as in some of the writings.

Jesus is God's final Word. All the writings must be interpreted through the lens of Jesus. (this is a statement in itself because it is mostly not understood).......and this can only be possible if one has the lens of Jesus. Without this lens the Bible/ God can be and has been used to justify all manner of atrocities.

I think anything that aligns with the Spirit—anything that is good, life‑giving, and produces the fruit of Christ—is what Scripture ultimately points us toward.

Personally, I appreciate how Yahavah is revealed throughout the Old Testament. I don’t see Him as monstrous at all. He is the One who gives life and has the authority to take it, and Scripture consistently describes Him as good and as love itself.

I also see Jesus as the One who brings the story of the Old Testament to its fulfillment. In Him we see the fullness of God’s character expressed with perfect clarity. The different ways God is revealed across Scripture don’t contradict each other—they show the depth of who He is.

To me, the purpose of Scripture is like a spiritual roadmap. Not everyone enjoys studying it, but those who do often discover more about God and themselves. And yes, I believe that studying Scripture strengthens our relationship with Yahavah and with the Lord Yeshua, as long as what we draw from it aligns with the Spirit of Christ and produces heavenly fruit.

PS95 · Monday at 4:07 PM

shepherdsword said:
The best one is always the one you will read. Which one do you use? I typically use the KJV (out of habit) with some consultation from the original Hebrew and Greek manuscripts.

Just a couple of weeks ago, I got a Hebrew Greek Key Word Study Bible. I love it. It comes in various translations for everyone- Including KJV, NKJV, NASB 77, ESV, NIV I forgot if there were others.. The difference is that 60,000 key words are underlined in the text, so that you can go the back of this bible and do a study on that word. - Strong’s and AMG’s Dictionaries.

It comes in so handy. I used to have to go and grab my Strong's or others and look the word up.. This saves so much time, no interruptions and I find myself looking up words that I never would have before.
It also has a concordance and grammar aids. I'm going to get them for my kids and spouses for Christmas- my son in law loved it- Everyone should have one of these. You don't need to be online- I like reading the scriptures alone a lot with the computer OFF.

Amazon.com

@Rockerduck - you might like this. I got it in the NASB 77- it's great- very handy.
- cheaper if you get the hardbound instead of leather.
Christianbook dot com also carries them.

Bibles / Study Bible / Key Word Study Bible / NASB - Christianbook.com

Shop for Bibles, Study Bible, Key Word Study Bible, NASB and much more. Everything Christian for less.

www.christianbook.com

Rockerduck · Monday at 4:16 PM

PS95 said:
Just a couple of weeks ago, I got a Hebrew Greek Key Word Study Bible. I love it. It comes in various translations for everyone- Including KJV, NKJV, NASB 77, ESV, NIV I forgot if there were others.. The difference is that 60,000 key words are underlined in the text, so that you can go the back of this bible and do a study on that word. - Strong’s and AMG’s Dictionaries.

It comes in so handy. I used to have to go and grab my Strong's or others and look the word up.. This saves so much time, no interruptions and I find myself looking up words that I never would have before.
It also has a concordance and grammar aids. I'm going to get them for my kids and spouses for Christmas- my son in law loved it- Everyone should have one of these. You don't need to be online- I like reading the scriptures alone a lot with the computer OFF.

Amazon.com

@Rockerduck - you might like this. I got it in the NASB 77- it's great- very handy.
- cheaper if you get the hardbound instead of leather.
Christianbook dot com also carries them.

Bibles / Study Bible / Key Word Study Bible / NASB - Christianbook.com

Shop for Bibles, Study Bible, Key Word Study Bible, NASB and much more. Everything Christian for less.

www.christianbook.com

The NASB 77 is the most accurate translation. It still has the thee, thy, a thine, only when referring to God which keeps the correct relationship that the KJV had. This is before Nestle/Arland Greek crept into the bibles and gender neutraulized them.

PS95 · Monday at 6:02 PM

Rockerduck said:
The NASB 77 is the most accurate translation. It still has the thee, thy, a thine, only when referring to God which keeps the correct relationship that the KJV had. This is before Nestle/Arland Greek crept into the bibles and gender neutraulized them.

I got it in the nasb 77 - I only see thee, etc. in the OT.
I do have 95 nasb also which is ok.

In the 2020 aside from that gender nonsense, John 1:18 is strange. ESV does this too.
The 95 and 77 are the same. but look at 2020-

NASB 95 18No one has seen God at any time; the only begotten God who is in the bosom of the Father, He has explained Him.

NASB 2020- 18No one has seen God at any time; God the only Son, who is in the arms of the Father, He has explained Him.

I actually contacted Lockman about the 2020 change. They were nice about it and asked me to put what I explained in an email to be considered.
That kinda freaked me out. lol I haven't done it yet.. Shouldn't that be up to the scholars?
The reason for this change was absolutely ridiculous! ( because some twist it) I kid you not.
So yes- stick with the older versions!!

What Bible Translation do you think is the best?

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