It's come back to me like a boomerang when I've let it go. Seems the ESV does now too but it's low seniority (2 years not 27). NKJV controlled variable for sure, maybe till I die.
Yes! You stated the very best thing I like about my 1985 printing of a Nelson NKJV, double-column, wide margins, center column reference bible! Those wonderful notes on the various textual differences. Until I owned this bible, I never had heard of textual differences. And I've gone forward studying the subject ever since. And it has made me so deeply appreciative of how God has preserved His word, even in various English translations. Even with the issue of a language that is continuingly changing. I am currently enjoying my 2017 CSB. But I also just received an NT of the ISV in paperback. That's all you can get now. Its great! I've recently gotten a NET and a MEV. But my 1984 Nelson NIV keeps calling me. I still love to read my old 1560 Geneva once and a while. When I attend services I'm always careful to have an example of both a Byzantine AND a Critical text bible with me. I'm all in on this stuff!!
I teach and preach from the CSB. I found that it strikes the perfect balance between literal and readability. I wanted to stick with one translation that would be great for the more mature Christian and the new Christian. It came down to the ESV and the CSB. I found that the CSB stayed true to the wording from the critical text but maintained readability. Plus, the footnotes are excellent in my opinion.
I agree completely. I read & study ESV while I preach & teach CSB. I have several others I reference when preparing sermons, especially the NET. Lately, I've tried writing a couple sermons from NET, but it's just not as readable as CSB, so I'm switching back.
I’m age 68. Grew up with the RSV. Always translated it in my mind into modern English. Kind of my own NKJV. In college got a NIV. Loved it. So readable. Then 10 years ago I bought a KJV. How majestic and seemed to not waste words. Direct, authority. So now I use three. KJV, NIV, and NKJV.
The ESV has been my primary translation for reading, teaching, preaching since 2008. I have several other translations I use for reference and comparison. I'm planning on using my CSB to read through the whole Bible next year to see how it compares for readability. For me one of the biggest obstacles to changing translations is all the memorizing I've done in the ESV for the last 13 years.
Just curious if you were able to read through the CSB over the last year, and if so, how it compared to the ESV. I'm going through a similar exercise right now and have grown to really like the CSB.
The KJV is my favourite translation. It's the one that I grew up on. With that said, if anyone, like me, wants to read a modern translation that retains some of the KJV language (thee's and thou's), then the RSV is the perfect bridge between a historic and modern-sounding translation. That or the NASB 1977 edition fulfils this, but only in reference to God.
@@jeffcarlson3269 I grew up with the KJV and I never liked it because of the archaic Elizabethan English and when I discovered the NASB and ESV, it became my favorite because, it flows better and is more word for word then the KJV.
Always grateful for your videos, so informative and helpful. Thank u. I’ve been using esv for some years now and i felt it is not as accurate in some places as it could’ve been. You’re the reason i looked into csb and nkjv. And now they’re two of my favourites. :)
I’ve recently been making a lot of use of the Text Comparison tool in logos with the ESV and CSB and it’s interesting how the CSB is very close to the ESV in it’s wording, but it irons out just a little bit of the ESVs traditional renderings to the point to where it’s not a far cry to switch between the ESV and CSB with very minor difference between them. But yes, the CSB hits an amazing balance between readability and formal equivalence.
I've grown to like the CSB more as I use it because it's easier to read, but sometimes it annoys me when it's simplifies language so much. Do we really need "serpent" to be simplified as snake, for instance? I audibly sigh when I come across stuff like that in the CSB. But at the same time I understand that they are can't ever be a translation that pleases everyone, And I do appreciate when the CSB is very precise when it comes to locations and describing geography, as well as how it translates the units of measure in the text.
@@caomhan84 I think snake is what most people use in their daily lives. But I agree that serpent is much more traditional sounding to us who for example were raised on the kJV. I’m struggling honestly about what translation to use for memorizing scripture.
Helpful video! My favourite is the ESV (for reading & preaching) followed by the NKJV. I never prepare a sermon without consulting the NASB as I like it's attention to imperfect tenses, etc (ESV is good for this also). In the circles I move in (here in Australia) I don't find many people using the CSB, though no doubt it is liked by some. I find the ESV and NIV to be most popular.
Well done. I also appreciate that the CSB converts units of measure. For study I love the NET. Pastor preaches out of the NJKV which is fine. I appreciate your irenic approach to the whole question. Thank you.
Looking forward to an anglicised version as I didn’t know what a quart was. The NLT also has measurements converted but has alternative measurements and original measurements too in the footnotes which I like incase I am missing some symbolism and so I get the amount.
Love the video! Good breakdown and those are my 2 favorite as well (NKJV and the CSB2020). I use my NKJV a bit more as I love having everything in the text and not just sent to a footnote. The CSB would almost be the best if they did what the NASB95 did and that was instead of footnoting it, they would put those "questionable" verses in brackets. Thank you for the great vid, Frisch!
For enjoyable reading, understanding and accuracy of Scripture, my favorite is the NLT. The scripture came alive to me like no other translation when I started reading the NLT. However, my next two favorites are the NKJV and the CSB. I think you nailed it Tim. Blessings!
Yes but is it oversimplified to the point where the true interpretation is lost? I'm asking because the church I've been visiting uses the NLT translation.
@@natalyd9674 I could not disagree with you more. With all due respect. It is to English what Koine Greek was to the early Greeks. It was everyday language that people on the street could understand it. The true interpretation is far from lost. I preached out of the NLT for over 9 years when I pastored. Alot people say alot of things that is just incorrect.
@@rodneyjackson6181 Thank you, Rodney. I listened to a lot of John MacArthur and he stated the acceptable translations were the NASB, ESV, KJV and NKJV, formal equivalency translations, which is the most accurate and reliable. But you're right. I should search and see for myself like the Bereans because he is just a man who is capable of saying something incorrect.
@@natalyd9674 I appreciate our dialogue. Its good to talk through things. I like NKJV, NASB as well. I personally am not a MacArthur follower as I am not a Calvinist. Thats a different subject. I see alot of translation tribalism where people cut down other translations without researching if it is not their preferred translation. There is no truly pure word for word translation. Why? Because Greek and Hebrew have words English does not and vice versa, so to get the meaning of the text, you have to transliterate or paraphrase to get the meaning from one language to another. Sometimes in some cases the NLT is more literal than NKJV, NASB and KJV. I have a contact person with the NLT translation committee, so I know where the NLT is coming from. I would just end by saying that if the NLT was what some people accuse it of, Chuck Swindoll would not do his Study Bible with the NLT and Greg Laurie would not be a contributor to another NLT study Bible. Blessings!
Thank you for sharing your expertise, Tim. I actually use a triumvirate of translations almost daily. First among these equals is my NASB95. I also use the CSB and KJV. The latter I use most often in devotional reading and memory work. The CSB I use for word flow and for communicating with a 21st century audience.
NKJV and CSB are actually the two main translations that I use as well, while on the other hand, I like to use the ESV, NIV, NASB95 and NLT for personal reading
This has been very helpful! When I started really diving into the Bible I found that having several translations helped! For awhile I spent the most time in the ESV. Lately, it’s been the NKJV and the NIV or NLT for areas that I find harder to understand. I’m curious now about the CSB and will probably add it to my library.
At the moment I am really loving the BSB (Berean Study Bible). I am finding it so readable and balanced. If I want something more literal I go for BLB (which pairs with it) or the ESV/NRSV and for more readable CSB or NLT - NLT is helping with Leviticus! But the BSB is so strong and is now my default! Highly recommend.
Thanks for posting this comment! I saw it a couple days ago after watching Tim’s video and thought, what in the world is the BSB?!? After checking it out, I am thoroughly impressed. It’s exactly the translation I’ve been looking for to use on my Bible study blog. I love their free licensing policy and genuine interest in letting online ministries freely share the Gospel. Thanks again for sharing your comment.
We are fortunate and blessed as Christians who know English. We have the most quality and high quality translstions. My two favorite translations are ESV and NKJV. Both are very good and they well compliment the other.
I agree with you 100%. I have been a NASB 1977 dude since my Bible College days in the mid 80s as 19 years old. I also use the CSB for daily reading and the NET for comparison and its 60,000 plus NOTES!!
@@robertrodrigues7319 I heard about the NET, but I haven't checked it out yet. I don't have a copy of the CSB, but I plan to get one soon, its a solid translation. is the NET similar?
@@shiansports Brother The most accurate is the Nasb 1977 Excellent for Exegesis and finding out what the Holy Spirit really wrote via Holy men. The CSB is more accurate than the NIV and Excellent as a bible for everyday reading and devotions. I even take mine to church!!! The NET is excellent in some passages and not so good in others. It has 60,000+notes that are Excellent and very valuable. I do not agree with every translation in the NET nor with every note. Every translation has some strengths and weaknesses in translation in various passages. Brother, that's why in ALL of my translations I ammend the text/verse via the GK/Heb. I would recommend the NET.
@@robertrodrigues7319 totally agree about the accuracy of the NASB, that's why its my favorite next to KJV & NKJ. Thanks for the info on the NET. God bless.
My personal translation of choice is the NRSV. Until 2016, the translation I would recommend most often was the ESV, but the most recent edition's blunder in Genesis 3.16 really soured my feelings on it. Thus, I'm now most likely to recommend the CSB (a.k.a. "the NIV, but good"). If the person in question struggles with decoding or comprehension, I recommend the NLT instead, especially now with its Filament editions.
I am surprised that you are concerned with a translation souring your feelings about it.... You do Not seem to be concerned with how the NRSV... sours God's word.. compared to the KJV... check out 1 Corinthians 1:18 being saved? Revelation 4:11 why were we created?../1:8 // 1:11 first and last wording omitted... Job 4:17... what was Job guilty of ?..being God's creation?.. or placing himself above God? Genesis 1:2.. what is this "wind from God?. the Holy Spirit!.. "Wind"should be capitalize Isaiah 14:12..... "O DAY STAR." this verse has bee used by Mormons to back up their ideology that Jesus and Satan are brothers .. they use this verse to show even Jesus as the Day Star being removed from heaven... KJV uses the plain undeniable word.. LUCIFER.... there are many other places where the word of God in the modern translations And the Nrsv has been subtely changed to weaken the power of God speaking thru scripture...
Wow we think alike.. i love my nkjv for that old school historical feel plus i feel its the gold standard for word for word. I love my csb for the modern wording and sentence structure. The csb is a joy to read it flows so nicely
Great content as always. I think there is a growing need for a 4th scale, as much as I hate to see it, it is becoming more and more apparent. That is a conservative vs liberal spectrum. You would like to think that God's word is not effected by politics, but it very much has been as of late. ESV vs NRSV is a prime example. Even worse is the NRSVue
I really appreciate this video. I got an ESV and although the New Testament is great to read through with it, I feel like having a more readable translation helps with some of the harder passages, especially in the Old Testament. I kept my old NLT around and it seems to do what I need for now
I have NIV because that’s what we use at church and I like it for continuity. I have an NLT Life Application for general spiritual growth purposes and an ESV for in depth reading. I do have a CSB and I like it, but I just reach for the others more.
Tim, you and I have the same perspective and same translation preferences, but I also have been using the LSB lately, as far as Critical Text translations, it’s the best.
Great discussion approach as always! As we Anericans tend to be an ethnocentric bunch, would love to see you have some international guests discuss translation issues and perspectives from their own cultural standpoint. God does after all deal with world-world, and not just English speaking world!
I have four translations sitting next to me at all times during the day. I use them to follow along with the pastors/teachers I listen to. NKJV, John Barnett. NASB, John Macarthur. KJV, Charles Lawson. The ESV Study Bible is the only one that I use for study purposes. At my bedside, for reading only, I have a CSB, KJV, and a NKJV. I go back and forth between those, depending on the book I'm reading. All of my Bibles are written in and highlighted and underlined! None of them cost me more than $75 because I can't resist jotting something down in each of them! :)
I, like you, usually use a dual Bible approach and mine are the NKJV which I use for my personal study and devotionals and memorizations for many of the same reasons you stated; and the ESV primarily because of the way it reads and the fact that my church preaches and teaches out of it. However, I’ve since been replacing my ESV with the BSB (Berean Standard Bible) because it is a little more dynamic, akin to the CSB, and has far more textual notes than even the NKJV which is fascinating.
I don’t have the NKJV, but I do have the 1789 KJV and it is awesome although since English isn’t my first language, I’m not very familiar with it, so it gets harder to understand some of it’s phrases. In the other hand, the CSB is the first English Bible I bought almost 6 months ago and is my favorite English Bible since then. I recently bought the ESV and it has a very nice style though, I like it a lot. I’m also seeking to buy the NASB, because I’ve being reading it online in comparison with the LBLA (La Biblia de Las Americas) in Spanish which I think is the best one in my first language (by far). May God bless you a lot! I like this channel and your humble personality, greetings from Puerto Rico.
I suppose if you are unfamiliar with the English Language.. a translation You can read is better than Not to read at all.. but I would suggest as your English improves.. use a dictionary to help decipher the words in the KJV you don't know.. I have spoke English all my life and I am 66 years old now and when I read the KJV .. I STILL run into words I am not sure about... and that is what I do ......Look them up!... you can do it online its fast and easy... just a quick note reading from the KJV and looking up unfamiliar words online is still better than reading some of those newer translations... If people would have just done this years ago.. we would not have all these unreliable translations floating around today....
KJV/ NKJV….I started my Christian walk on the NKJV / Received Text, and it’s still my daily reader….But I do feel it is an inferior translation compared to those translations that used the Nestle /Aland as their main text source... So for those translations I like the NASB / 26th, ESV / 27th, and the CSB / 28th…. But I also use the RSV / NRSV for study as well.
I totally understand why you like the NKJV and pair it with the CSB. I grew up on the NKJV and the NIV84. Now, though, my main Bible is the NAS95. Next year I might get a CSB and do my morning Bible reading in that. This past year I have been doing my morning Bible reading in the RSV. The NAS95 is still my main Bible, though.
Sticking with only one translation is difficult. ESV is my main, but I need others for comparison. Usually CSB and NLT. After some years of study, I can now understand the wording of the ESV. I'm at times, rewording some things in my head as I'm reading the ESV, because I've studied it and written notes in my wide margin. Just saying that at first, the ESV was not easy to read and understand. People say that it is, but it wasn't for me. It took time and study. I've tried reading the NKJV, and it's more difficult than the ESV..
Why not just read the nlt.A great reading bible and also very accurate.Bible snobs will say it's a paraphrase but its not.Its a dynamic equivalent. Blessings. Toni's husband
Although I have enjoyed reading through Holman's CSB "Day by Day Chronological Bible," I just can't abide all these modern translations wherein it's translators/editors insist on ending Jesus' comment, "It/That is enough," Luke 22:38b, with an exclamation point. There is nothing to indicate his statement as being a command or angry exasperation, from what I can tell. Not even the NRSV or NLT use this punctuation here. (I know, it's a personal nit-picky thing.) I do prefer the NKJV but tend to recommend to most others either the ESV or NLT depending on what I perceive to be their needs. Thanks for all you do from your "Frisch perspective." Much appreciated!
Great video for helping people choose a Bible translation. The NKJV is one of my top choices too. I use the NLT for balance although sometimes it seems to take more liberty in its approach. I used to be an NIV (1984) user. I’m still mourning the loss of that translation and wished that Zondervan would offer an NIV Retro edition in comfort print. Even the used NIV ‘84s , when you find them, are a little hard for older eyes because the font is finer. But, after looking at the CSB, it seems to be in that place on the literaldynamic spectrum that the NIV 84 used to occupy., though a bit more modern. I’m going to get a CSB and make it my daily reader. Thank you for sharing your insight.
I have several of the translations mentioned in the comments. The NKJV is my go-to Bible for the Bible study group I attend, mainly because it's the preferred translation for the group. Another study group I've attended recently uses the NIV. I hesitate to buy a copy of the Passion paraphrase - let's say that it’s not suitable for serious study and leave it at that.
Interesting. I am about to add CSB to my NKJV for similar reasons. I read the entire HCSB but understand the CSB smoothed out some of its predecessor's eccentricities. (Of course, I will always revisit the KJV for its literary beauty and historic significance.)
Granted I've only started to read the Bible again in the last 6 months or so, but I have found that after comparing a lot of translations, my favorites are the RSV, NASB, ESV... At first I didn't like the CSB, but I've warmed up to it a little bit due to its readability. It's easy just to sit down with it and read. Even though I wish it would sound a bit more poetic at times. It's like a slightly more dressed up version of the NLT and I like it for that reason. I also like the NRSV, But I've read from it for years so I'm used to it. What surprised me was that I no longer like the NKJV very much, whereas 20 years ago that was the Bible I chose.
try to learn the wording of the KJV.. you will walk away.. understanding God better ,I believe.. as the translations you mentioned.. water a lot of it down by changing some words.. in their idea ... "to make it a more readable translation.".. yet by doing this.. parts of the Bible stop giving us a true picture of God...
@@jeffcarlson3269 The Bible was not originally English, and the majority of the people in the world do not speak English. Therefore the KJV is not the be all, end all translation. There's no way it could be. So its wording doesn't matter above the newer translations. Or any other translation.
I do Use the NKJV too much anymore.. but it used to be my go to bible for years... after I studied the subtle changes in it..compared to the KJV.. I started using the KJV as my go to Bible... I do Not use the KJV because as some people say..they say... oh.. it seems more spiritual or more poetic.. or seems more right or wrong.. I just wish to be taught what God wants me to know... I do not read it to be soothed.. or to calm me as much as enlighten me... and I seem to get more out of the KJV...I guess everyone has their reasons for liking the translationss they use... I pray that they would all grow in the knowledge of God....Tht is the main thing... when I read verses such as Rev 4:11 // or 1 Cor 1:18....and many others... and the like I gain.. more by reading the KJV...
For me NASB and NLT. NKJV is confusing to me compared to the NASB due to strange sentence structure. I'm not used to it . And it is inferior to the NASB because of the TR.
Good video. My two modern favorites are: 1. ESVCE and 2. New Catholic Bible. (The NCB is akin to the CSB, but with the deuterocanonical books.). But I also like the NASB, NKJV, CSB, and NET. (wish they all had the deuterocanonicals.). Not a fan of the NRSV, NABRE, or NIV.
I had a CAMBRIDGE CONCORD in KJV in about 1969 with dark and bold print at about 9 point FONT. I still have it but got a new one recently. It has NOT changed . it has a print type from 1950s so it is about my age. No one has really improved on BIBLE or translation so far. But I like NKJV NOW. ..MORE choice in type and covers from Nelson. Esp PREMIER. But enjoy "sound" of NASB 95. Esp in Zondervan PREMIER. Single column with side column references. Both with 10.5 FONT. About as low as I can go.
Hey there. I just recently found your channel, and I have come to really enjoy your reviews of various bibles and bible translations. For an upcoming bible review video, please consider doing a review of the Amplified Bible. I am interested in your commentary on this bible, and hopefully, others may find it interesting as well. The Amplified Bible does not get much media attention; so, there is not a lot of current reviews of this bible. Some consider this bible to be underrated, and it would be valuable to hear your opinion. Again, just a suggestion, and do continue to post video reviews...thanks for your dedicated work and efforts.
as an existential philosopher of over 22 years and new believer I am going with the csb ancient faith and the nasb grace and truth. definitely picking up dairy of saint maria faustina kowalska: divine mercy in my soul as well as soon to be saint luisa piccarreta's book of heaven.
I have been an NRSV user in preaching, teaching and personal study for 30 years. I have used the NASB, NKJV, NIV, RSV, etc. over the years as well. Until recently, I have always gone back to the NRSV. However, with the rise of the CSV, NET Bible and the CEB, I figured I would have stay strictly with it. Now I am thinking more about making some changes in regards to my go-to translation.
I was reading a ESV bible today. Which is 5.75 x 8.75 about. And PSQ is 5 x 7.75 And RegSQ is 6.5 x 9.75 And the ESV has 12 point FONT so it CAN be done. And is exactly between the other 2 Schuyler bibles. So I find I read and like a BIBLE that is easy to handle AND easy to READ. So for today it is the ESV large print personal size. It IS just right. I don't think I have a NASB 95 or CSB in that size. But the day is young.
Dan Wallace said the NKJV keeps all the worst parts of the KJV and loses all the best parts. I use the ESV for a more literal and historic feel and the CSB for a more dynamic and modern feel. They both are critical text based, but have great footnotes for TR reference. If I have questions about a passage, I often reference the NET, which can't be beat for excellent translator notes on possible renderings and why they chose the wording they did.
Trying to find a favourite. But I am fickle. I think I have read and heard KJV for so long that a newer one will help me. SO..for today CSB..just today realised how good it is ESV..still new to me and growing NASB 95..copies KJV a lot NKJV..too close to KJV to seem NEW KJV... "KJV ONLY" has turned me off and spills over to NKJV.
my pre requisites for a good bible translation... are the bible must contain Every verse in a numbered order... and if the translators decide to omit verses they should re-number the verses... for instance if the translators decide to omit Acts 8:37... then Acts 8:38... in other translations should become this bible with the omitted verse... It's Acts 8:37...like so.... Acts 8:37 "And he gave orders to stop the chariot. Then both Philip and the eunuch went down into the water and Philip baptized him." Acts 8:38 "When they came up out of the water, the Spirit of the Lord suddenly took Philip away, and the eunuch did not see him again, but went on his way rejoicing. " and the next verse, verse 40 "Philip, however, appeared at Azotus and traveled about, preaching the gospel in all the towns until he reached Caesarea." would change from verse 40 to verse 39... as well.. this would mean that some translations would contain verses numbered behind the verses of others... this would encourage bible study groups to all use the same translations.. because... vers 38 in Your bible may be verse 37 in my bible... as long as people are ok with verses being omitted in certain translations.... they certainly should be ok with .. sorting that mess out.. that is the proper.. truthful way of writing the bible... don't just omit the verse by "skipping".. it.. omit it.. and close the gap.. long story short a good translation for me is one where the verses do not skip in their numbering... next... the translation should be as close as it can be understood in a literal way.. if this means including ye thee thou thine wot// so be it....
