FIVE REASONS the ESV Is BETTER than the NASB 

Yes, validate my preferences.

I was an Nasb guy for many years and then switched to the ESV for about 11 years or so. Recently, I’ve gone back to the Nasb but am sort of torn between which to use for my main translation.

Call me crazy, but One of my biggest issues with the ESV is that it doesn’t capitalize all pronouns referring to members of the Godhead.

Awesome video, once again. And wow 900 subs :))

New subscriber. Enjoy your thoughtful perspectives. Keep up the good work. God Bless

It's strange, but I've always encountered people who where negative toward the nasb for various reasons. When I was younger I didn't live in an area with Christian bookstores and most people would have a kjv/NKJV or niv. Whenever people mentioned nasb they talked like it was so hard to understand and everyone always told young people then the niv was clear, read it. Then one day I picked up an nasb and it just clicked with me. I feel like esv iw almost distracting. But it's always seemed strange to me how often I've encountered some pretty negative views of the translation.

I've used the ESV at times, but still prefer my NKJV. I use the NASB occasionally, but used to (years ago) use it exclusively. Recently bought an updated NASB and use it now, sometimes just for reading mostly. Is there that much difference between the old NASB and the recent new one? Just wondering, because I haven't noticed a huge difference?

I have several translations, but pretty much spend most of my time in my ESV. I currently have 3 ESV’s & am going on to ask for a Schuyler ESV for Christmas. I’ve spent time thinking about which translation to get in a Schuyler, & finally decided to get the translation I like best.

I love how the ESV reads and when reading out loud, it sounds 'smooth'. I love the NASB as it is more literal! I use the NASB in studies but for reading/devotions...ESV

Which of ESV 4x revised is better? What year? Last 2016

Love this so much because I was wondering why being I grew up on KJV and it were hard for me to understand and then I got into the NKJV and I love love that translation but I’m draw to the ESV and I didn’t know why but this video explains why and as I read my NKJV I have a ESV side by side and they use the same language usage as the KJV just in English which is why I have grown a love for the ESV. Thank you for this video and your right it is widely used

Well done. I'm looking forward to the next video extolling the virtues if the NASB over the ESV. I like and use them both though they are still behind my beloved KJV and NKJV.

Thanks for this video.I LOVE the ESV.I actually have the very first edition of the ESV, before it was first updated, though I have the latest editions too.That's how long I have been using it, and I have never regretted it.As for the notion that it leans toward Calvinism, that is NOT true.I am not a Calvinist, and I have been using it for years, but I do not plan to ever become a Calvinist because of using the ESV, or for any other reason.For as long as I have used it, I have yet to find the places where it actually supports Calvinism.The fact is that you can use just about any Bible version to support just about any theological view point if you really want to.Calvinists did not start to exist when the ESV came along.Some use the NASB, and even the NKJV.Not that I have anything against Calvinists.I rather admire their devotion to the word of God.The ESV is a very scholarly, accurate translation, which is why I think Calvinists are drawn to it.The bottom line is that people from all theological persuasions use the ESV.As usual, your insights with regard to these matters are highly appreciated sir.God bless you.

Tim, that Phillies hoodie is straight fire bro. Where'd you pick that up? I like that you did dueling segments on this topic. This is kind of like the Schuyler vs Allan debate....passionate feelings, good points made by both sides, but in the end, this is not a winnable debate, just good fun opinionating. Keep up the good work.

I see you wearing a Phillies jacket. Are you also a Flyers fan?

I like both ESV and NASB. I am studying the ESV study Bible from Crossway, but my next purchase for reading will be the Schuyler Quentel NASB 1995 Bible. I also often read them side by side using Bible app or Blue Letter Bible where I can see the Greek. Thanks for both of these comparison videos.

I haven’t watched yiur last video yet but way to represent our Phiil’s ⚾️. I’m really debating between these two right now... hard core. And I want to settle on a version that j read consistently to help my memorization. Do you feel like the ESV is safe and doctrinally sound? Also, what’s your call for our Eagles 🦅 draft pick tomorrow?

I only use ESV, NASB & NKJV love them all

I read ESV and it's very easy to read

I love the NASB and the ESV. I have used the NASB for years, but when I prepare lessons for Bible study I find the ESV sometimes has better word choices that make the argument easier to follow (e.g. Romans 1:21-26 they did not "honor" God so He gave them over to dishonor themselves. The NASB and NKJV uses a different words in 24 & 26 that obscures the connection). Ephesians 1:10 is a little wordy in the NASB and not quite as clear as the ESV. But the problem is in other verses the NASB is clearer and more accurate. I go back and forth between these two constantly and cannot pick one over the other.

Very helpful!

Accurate translation is obviously the most important criteria. Next to that, availability. One reason I turn to ESV is not for my own benefit, but when I start quoting chapter and verse online whether it's on social media or in blog post Bible studies, I always encourage people to dive into the text themselves and read the verses in context. Anything that encourages people to get more into the scripture themselves is a very good thing. And in the case of the ESV, all the different electronic versions come without cost. Whether you're on the website or in an app on Android or iOS or even om Amazon snagging a version to read on a Kindle, the ESV comes without payment. Even the extended study bible versions can be had without having to whip out that piece of plastic with numbers on it.

I've often heard that the ESV has a noticeably Calvinist bend in its translation. I would be curious if you agree with that or not. Please know this is asked in a spirit of sincere interest and in NO way is intended to incite argument or anything of the sort. I've been a little gun-shy about the ESV for that reason and would really appreciate your thoughts.

Great review. I'll be waiting for your correction video. 😆 One thing I'll definitely agree on is the editions. Crossway has the greatest catalog of any publisher/translation. I wish and hope Nasb would follow suit. The amount of options for the ESV is amazing. But other than that, we all know NASB is the greatest English translation ever 😊❤️

I've never read the bible before, but I'd like to. I'm just not sure which version of the ESV I should be looking for, I feel a little overwhelmed.

I'm not angry or freaked out over the title of your video, which as always, is great! My thought though is we tend to have these "translation wars", with everyone picking their favorite translation, which is perfectly fine. But what tends to happen then is some people more or less belittle or put down another translation, and is that what we should be doing in fellowship with one another? We are so blessed in this nation with our many fine and scholarly translations. We can have these comparisons. But in other parts of the world, this isn't nearly the case. They are just happy to read God's Word. And in my opinion, pride enters the arena, as we sometimes tend to be critical of a certain translation which, that for someone, is their preferred one that brings them joy in reading the Bible. It's fantastic that, with all of these choices, you are educating us with the strengths and history of a certain translation. I am certainly enjoying these videos. My only suggestion is that you more frame it as "a comparison between this and that" or "reasons why you might prefer this over that". Using words like "better than" or similar, although a great attention grabber, is better left unused. Just my opinion though. I hope everyone has a great weekend and God Bless!!=)

Is it better than the KjV?

Love both!

Excellent video. My top 3 translations are the NKJV, NASB and ESV..

Isn’t the ESV based more on the original Alexandrian text while the NAS interpreted from the king James, Textus receptus?

I got saved with NIV version, ESV is quite closer with NIV in terms of wordings.. ESV is soooo accessible! much cheaper than NASB.. i am more convinced to change my bible translation..

I am not an native english speaker. so I want the word-for-word translation with the simplest english words translation of the original text or source of translation. By word-for-word i may discern what is really being conveyed by the text.

(I like the Android in easy mode. I am old and not technically savvy enough for the IPhone.) I have and love the 1995 version of the NASB but this is not an emotional issue. The way I see it - whatever version best helps a person understand God's Word is the one they should use.

ESV also has incorporated some textual changes found in the LXX, many Targums and the DSS. NASB has not updated them. Consider Deuteronomy 32:8 - the passage translation is accurate in ESV, but somehow NASB still thinks “sons of Israel” is appropriate referring to the nations at Babel when Israel didn’t even exist yet. Masoretic Text has “sons of Israel”, which is why it’s in NASB. But it literally makes no sense.

ESV vs NET?

I think that some of the reasons why people like the ESV are actually reasons why others dislike it and prefer the NASB and vice verse. There are some passages where I actually think the ESV captures the original language better than the NASB and also vice verse. I love both but tend to favor the ESV since that’s what my pastors primarily use.

I use the Holman christian study bible, I love the 1901 asv but it is not commonly found.

I give you five reasons why the NASB is better than the ESV. 1) Using caps when addressing deity. 2) Using caps when quoting an OT passage 3) Using footnotes to clarify the original rendering. 4) Using more references 5) More accurate translation of both the old and the covenant.

One problem with the ESV is that Crossway is tighter on its copyright, so it's harder to find it on mobile or digital platforms than the NASB.

ESV vs NKJV?

ESV doesn't use italics though, and most of their Bibles are in paragraph format. Those are big reasons as to why I don't use it much. Just not my taste

I grew up with KJV and then NKJV. Though they both have a big and special place in my heart, I feel like I get more understanding out of the ESV. I spend so much more time looking words and phrases up with the KJV. Like I have to translate the KJV myself. lol. When I bought the ESV, it was because I wanted their study Bible and all the commentaries and other information that it offers.. It is my favorite study Bible. My problem with it is it does not capitalize the pronouns for God and Jesus. And I miss the red lettering in the new testament. It kind of makes me sad, not seeing the red lettering for the words of Jesus. Anyway. i am thinking I would like an NASB too, but did not know there were several different versions. So, I dont know which one I would like.

I have memorized the JOB (Joel Osteen Bible). There are no verses or pages.

Lol I watch Linus Tech Tips as well ;)

Personally I prefer the ESV to the NASB, partly because of it's traditional sound, but also because while they're both formal equivalence, I find the ESV to be more understandable to me. Just to warn NASB readers, the 2020 NASB has gender inclusive language, so if you don't want that then make sure you get the 1995 NASB, or if you use the Bible app or Bible Gateway make sure you select the 1995 NASB.

Both real similar in text. ESV reads better but I would rather be reading a literal word for word Bible and slow down to understand what is going on rather than go on with any assumptions at all. Go with the NASB95. The more you used it the more you will be familiar with it understand it and love it. I promise.

ESV is widely used because it's cute, so many formats .... every kind imaginable.

O my friend you will receive some backlash for this...BUT I do agree 🤣

The ESV. Yes that’s the Bible for me. I stand alone on the word of God.

it is a better translation and a better study bible for the price its a lot cheeper since you can ger a study bible hard cover for under 30 dollars well those are my thoughts

I can't reply to everyone but at least I will reply to you because I too always go with the KJV but will now get the LSB if only as a definitive text for the next 50 years, if He should tarry.. I hope you will take the time to read through me just copying my letter to a Bible study friend. I will try to edit it some..... "I remember when I realized how new styles DRIVE the urge to change your wardrobe. I was trying to keep this in mind during discussions about the updating of the NASB. I was disappointed to find that many people did not accept some of the "updates" when NASB went from the 1973 edition to the 1995 edition but they lived with it. Which is to say that there were things that they wished had NOT been changed. And now that the 2020 NASB is coming out there are quite a few MORE things that that wish were not being changed. These two lists are the things that John MacArthur and his fellow Master's doctors of theology (etc) are talking about when they say that the "Legacy" Standard Bible is more about what they want to hold on to than what they would or would not have wished to update. As the NEW NASB was coming out, for often political correctness reasons, I'm glad they offered John MacArthur the opportunity to come up with his own NEW one. because, as John explains it, "Even though you may love to just keep your old '73 or even your old '95, pretty soon they will no longer be readily available as they will not keep printing them" Ah, NOW the update with 'keeping the good old" starts making sense and also "clawing back" from the changes that were not good when they updated the '73 edition.... and also an opportunity to update, what WE had noticed along the way in our extensive language studies, etc. that WE would have put in the '95 update, AND what we would have come to have liked to have in an update from the '95. Remember when we heard that in the olden days that the Bible was used as the textbook for teaching children. I think about it now, with my vocabulary, though not excellent, is pretty good. I realized the gap when, one time in Texas, I asked a high school student if he wanted to order a beverage, and he said, "What's a beverage?" NOW I'm sure that the majority of 20-somethings don't know the meaning of, say: bestow, pique (they write peek or peak), mull over, perhaps ponder, wreak (illustrated by how often journalists say wreck havoc, and I'm surprised they've retained use of the word havoc - although they may not have a particular good concept of its meaning lol). I could go on and on but I am straining my brain and I'm sure you get my point and, I'm sure you readily agree that, as vocabulary is LOST to the young, that the complexities and nuances, much less the beauty of language with depth, so is the understanding of, like, the King James Version. These kids don''t know the reverence implied with the Thees and Thous- so we say you. I have gone on to mull over that it should come as no surprise that they find no particular need to teach cursive, and even math when they say, because of computers, that just getting the general ballpark figure shows a comprehension of the problem and its answer. Often testing is based on the ballpark figures. But how can we be a party to letting the original meaning of the inspired word of God be slipping away entirely, just for readability's sake. I am so glad that you would be one who would wish to retain the deepest study of the Greek and the Latin and the Hebrew, if only as a reference Bible. I'm quite sure you will have realized that, at this point, the finished works is just the NT and Psalms and Proverbs, but they wanted to get this out, if only to educate the Bible buying public and to keep the people who would passionately care about retaining old truth, would not be investing in the "other" "New" NASB." [My note - I'm not totally sure it is only the NT and Ps. and Prov. Someone correct me if that is not the case but I believe John M was only offered the opportunity in March and he does want to het this one out there.]

I remember going back more than a decade, the claim that nasb sounds "clunky" (your point number 2), some examples would have been useful.

This makes me think maybe the nasb is based on the Hebrew and Greek texts while the esv is based on KJV.

But the ESV strays from the KJV at John 3:16. They remove the word "begotten". The NASB retains it.

Ooooh gonna really stir up a hornet's nest. ;) I prefer the NASB slightly more. Slightly.

Solitary Pawn I agree with your reasons regarding the NASV.Personally I like the NASV because of the footnotes that are helpful to those who are KJV preferred.Very few know that the ESV is actually a revision of the RSV which was translated by liberals.

I was using the NASB95 however because of the NASB2020 I went and bought myself an ESV Schuyler, after using it for sometime I have fallen in love with the ESV. Even if the NASB95 were to always be around I would still stick with the ESV for many different reasons. 1. ESV reads better, 2. Crossway is a better publisher and I have faith in the translation team 3. Based on the text only, the ESV is as literal as the NASB or any other literal translation. Sadly I think Lockman have caused their own downfall and that of the NASB in the long term. Masters LSB will be limited to Masters for the most part and be like other translations of the past, come and go. Crossway with the ESV have taken the modern translation crown. I can't see any modern translation slowing down the ESV over the decades ahead. I also expect to see many NASB95 users move over to the ESV in the years ahead. God bless

A lot of subjective things here and some objective claims that I won't argue with but I do have to push back on the last point. The ESV is the ESV? Sorry, but they have made several changes, all of them relatively recently and I WANT to be able to know those changes were made. As it stand, we can both have "the ESV" and have different books....so the ESV is not the ESV. The NASB IS THE NASB though! That is, it hasn't been updated since 1995. I know there will be a 2020 but they will still be selling the 95 and I hope people stick with the 95. I think your last point is a better argument for the NASB, at minimum you know if there are changes. I hope that in your NASB video you mention the intentional edits in the ESV that push the agenda some on the team had, namely ESS and complementarianism. Complementarianism in that they take texts that apply to men and women generally and limit them to marriage several times. I'm sorry, but the differences do not disappear outside of church and marriage, man is the head of woman.

So you last point just says that a reason to like the ESV is so you don’t have to think for yourself. You get all those changes spoon fed to you without have a choice whether to go with those changes or stick with the edition you believe to be more accurate.

I miss references to God being capitalized in the ESV..... I like it...but I miss this SO MUCH. Seems a lack of respect.

Your 5 reasons the NASB is better than the ESV video is 1min and 10sec longer. IN YOUR FACE ESV. !! 👊👊💪💪💪👊👊!!

The ESV says that Elhanan killed Goliath,not David! I think this is a critical error!II Samuel 2:19

Your entitled to your wrong opinion

Which one is DEFINITELY the word of God? Can’t be both!

Frank Logsdon Denounces New American Standard Version (Transcript) Co Author "I must under God denounce every attachment to the New American Standard Version. I'm afraid I'm in trouble with the Lord...We laid the groundwork; I wrote the format; I helped interview some of the translators; I sat with the translator; I wrote the preface. When you see the preface to the New American Standard, those are my words...it's wrong, it's terribly wrong; it's frightfully wrong...I'm in trouble;...I can no longer ignore these criticisms I am hearing and I can't refute them. The deletions are absolutely frightening...there are so many. The finest leaders that we have today haven't gone into it [new versions of Wescott and Hort's corrupted Greek text] just as I hadn't gone into it...that's how easily one can be deceived...Are we so naive that we do not suspect Satanic deception in all of this?" - Frank Logsdon - Logsdon's Pro KJV Anti NASV - Download MP3 Frank Logsdon was a major player in the development of the New American Standard Bible (NASB). He was a friend of Dewey Lockman, and was involved in a feasibility study involving purchasing the copyright of the American Standard Version (ASV) with Lockman that lead to the eventual production of the NASB. He interviewed some of the translators for the job, and even wrote the preface to the translation. Slowly, he became aware that there was something wrong with the NASB. He eventually rejected it, and promoted the KJV. This was a major defection for the modern version crowd Below is his speech, in it's entirety, rejecting the NASB, and endorsing the Textus Receptus and the KJV. (The complete transcript is available here) www.defendproclaimthefaith.org/dr_frank_logsdon.html Vaticanus Text (Catholic) disagrees with the Sinaiticus in over 3,000 places. Missing in this text, Gen 1 to 46, There is a supplement to it. Ps. 107 to 137, Heb 9:14 on missing. All Revelation all 1and 2 Timothy, All Titus, all Philemon.

Then Zipporah took a flint and cut off her son's foreskin and touched Moses' feet with it and said, "Surely you are a bridegroom of blood to me!" (Exod. 4:25 ESV). In the ESV they do not italicize "Moses", while in the NASB they do. The ESV wrongly assumes it was Moses' feet and puts in directly in the text! The text was about the sons feet, not Moses. I could never use the ESV , who knows how many awful "supplied" words are in there. Totally messing up the text and what God wrote.

Nope

Crossway is dishonest in marketing the ESV as a new translation when in fact is it only a revision of the RSV. It should be rightly called and known as the RSV Evangelical Edition similar to the earlier RSV Catholic Edition. ESV must also be noted to be the most frequently revised "translation," a sign of not only bad editing but also of bad revising. In its 50 years the RSV Catholic Edition has only two editions whereas the RSV Evangelical Edition (=ESV) in its shorter 20 years has now five editions. Evil of Crossway for dishonestly marketing it with a new name and claiming it to be a new translation when in fact it is only a revision.

I have read 7 bibles in 14 months. My favourites are the NKJV and the NASB. My least favourite were the ESV and the NIV.

The King James version is better than all these so-called new and improved bibles. All these "better" bibles are influenced by the inferior Alexandrian line, while the King James sticks to the Majority Text, the Textus Receptus. There is only one current good English Bible, The King James version.

KJV is better than both

The ESV is for calvinists. The NASB is for those who believe John 3:16 is true

I recently read the bible cover to cover for the first time and it was an ESV. I Am starting again with an Cambridge calf skin NASB

ESV2016 = ❤️ NASB95 = 🪵 Hahaha All joking aside both are fantastic, but I 100% agree with you on this one 🙌🏼🙏🏼