Which Bible Translation Is Best? 

When I was a kid my first Bible was an NIRV; then I got a KJV so I could follow along easier with my pastor's sermons. Eventually in my teen years when I could follow along without necessarily the same translation I got an NLT. In college I used an NASB. In seminary I moved back to the KJV. Now, I use the NIV. So, I'm very familiar with different translations. Lol. 😅

My daughter turned me on to the ESV over a year ago and it is awesome. I have learned so much. I still love to memorize verses from the KJV but for knowing what is being taught, the ESV is what I now use.

Mark, you're one of the finest Christian voices on RU-vid. Keep making the videos.

I left the Mormon church after 20 years after researching the history of the church and realizing it was wrong. I turned my back on the KJV Bible and when I came back to Christ I tried to distance myself from everything the Mormons used. Got myself a NASB bible in order to have the most literal bible possible. I used to have that same bible tribalism after my experience of being misled by a false prophet with false books. The past few months I've changed that perspective and I've been reading more different versions. They all have value for different purposes and reading many versions give you a better perspective on it all. My shelf now contains many different translations, even the KJV.

Because of my work with Wycliffe, I frequently get asked what the best English Bible translation is. And my response is always the same: The best Bible translation is the one you read every day! ... Thanks for the good video.

Dude I just love you bro! You are officially my Bible translation mentor and teacher! God bless you dude and thank you for making these videos!❤

I've been LOST in a SOUP of translation woes these last couple of months. Starting with KJV and struggling, and feeling shame while reading and loving the NLT....thank you for this. I think this is so true. I've sided alot with the ideology of KJV Only, but the truth is, the message in all is that Jesus Christ is our only salvation and way to heaven. And without him and our faith in him, nothing else matters. Thanks for this video Mark. I can crawl back out of the translation soup and worry not between the 'right' translation, and just reading and spending time with our Father. God bless you, brother.

This is an excellent series! I'm looking forward to your next round of videos. Please keep them coming!

I love this I subscribed just off of this video alone because since I started back reading the Bible a few years ago I became so amazed with the battle between Christians and their translation. Me I try to read from several but my favorite is the ESV, NASB, and the NLT. I grew up reading kjv and I can honestly say I didn’t really understand much of anything like I do now. So I do not get the feud of the translations I feel it’s just the enemy creating discord in the community of Christ. Thanks for your videos

Very awesome video! I grew up with King James but read out of the NASB and New King James versions later in my Christian journey. The NASB and NKJV versions really helped me understand God's Word in a much deeper way, simply because I could understand them better. To me KJV is "God's Word," but I would say there is not a scientific explanation to it more than, that is what I grew up with, and that is where a lot my memorized verses come from. You are spot on that all of these reliable transitions are God's Word, and each has it's benefits. We are all influenced and probably gravitate to a version based on who influenced us, and there is nothing wrong with that. I just want to say, well done again! Great video!

I have had in the past 26 different versions of the New Testament. I tried learning Greek, and quickly realized that I could not 'second guess' the godly scholars who worked on these translations. I really appreciate your thoughtful approach to translations!

You got yourself a new subscriber. This was excellent.

I appreciate this so much! I own the NIV, the ESV, the NSB, the Message, and another couple I can't remember, and I appreciate them all and find it very helpful to check them all out from time to time.

My favorite line... "their wicked Bible translation and their funny hair." Hilarious!! More seriously, this is excellent - thank you.

I subscribed to your channel because I just finished watching your interview on Sean McDowels Channel. I started out with the KJV as a child (I’m 77 years young now). That was all we knew about. Then I got a NKJV, and said “oh that’s what that means!” I have a NASB now, and Bible Gateway. Looking forward to more of your Channel. 😸

I use the NIV the HCSB and the NASB. I'm heartbroken by this stuff especially the King James only group. I've seen new believers get frustrated and walk away because they can't understand the Bible they're reading and it's heartbreaking. I believe that these people are going to have to give an account for this one day and I don't think they're going to be happy when that day comes.

Your channel should have a lot more followers, you're amazing

English is my second language, so I look for a clear understanding translation of the Bible. I didn’t even know people judge others on that. How sad! Regardless of the Bible you carry, just study it. It will change your life forever! Jesus saves!

Thanks for sharing and being an example of what you teach.

Which Bible Translation is the Best? The one that you will actually sit down with and read! I love the KJV & NKJV, but I helped a young man, who has special needs, by giving him the AAT Bible (An American Translation). And he loves it! He told me he tried reading the KJV, NKJV, NIV, etc and he just struggled with all of them, but now he reads his AAT Bible everyday. Praise be to God that He has blessed us with multiple excellent translations to help all us know Him and love Him. Amen!

Im glad you dont let labels bother you either. Thank you for this brother and God bless you.

I have recently purchased an RSV translation and I must say that I am falling in love with it more everyday. I grew up on the NKJV, switched to the ESV, then to the NAS and now to the RSV. They all have been good translations to me.

Hi Mark. New to Christianity and your videos are fantastic. I will have to check out the book!

I’ve watched this video multiple times. Very good 😊 I appreciate what you do Mark ! Thank you 😊

I have been a KJV guy over 35 years, I bought a Tony Evans CSB study Bible and I am very impressed with it!

I'm a Reformed/Calvinist and conservative evangelical Christian. Theologically I'm closest to people like Don Carson, Tom Schreiner, Greg Beale, John Frame, Vern Poythress, Bill Davis, James Anderson, Greg Welty, etc. (Evidently I can't make up my mind on baptism!) My primary translation is (no surprise) the ESV. Although I appreciate "all the good ones" as Mark Ward often says. Recently I've enjoyed reading the CSB. But also recently I've been reading and thoroughly enjoying the NLT! Again, I definitely wouldn't consider myself a "seeker sensitive evangelical", but I do love the NLT so far. I wouldn't say it'll ever be my primary translation, but it's an awesome supplemental translation that the English speaking world is blessed to have. I've also been surprised to learn there are quite a few number of broadly Reformed scholars who have worked on the NLT translation to one degree or another (e.g. Don Carson, Tom Schreiner, Greg Beale, Richard Pratt, Mark Futato, Doug Moo, Moises Silva). For example, I've enjoyed reading Romans, and the NLT translation seems to be more accurate and faithful to the Greek than I initially expected it to be (though not entirely of course but no translation is). Even when I didn't agree with the NLT's interpretation, I soon realized there's a fair body of biblical literature that stands behind most of their decisions, it's not as willy nilly as one might think. Not to mention the NLT is far more clear and natural sounding than most other English translations of Romans. in any case, I suppose the main reason for all this is because both Moo and Schreiner formed part of the team that worked on the NLT's translation of Romans. Moo and Schreiner have each written arguably the two best (or at least among the best) academic or scholarly commentaries on Romans. Still I doubt the NLT will ever be a widely popular translation among my fellow Reformed Christians, though I'd love to be proven wrong. Right now, I think it's mainly just a nobody like me and Tommy Keene (Reformed Theological Seminary) who are Reformed and love the NLT. I kid, kind of. 😅

Shortly after i was saved at 16, i was given an NIV and was basically oblivious to the fact there were other translations. When i went to Bible college, the NASB was pushed strongly. Outside of seeing the KJV, in many older commentaries and writing, i never used it and was somewhat unaware of the KJV only debate, although I've had many interactions since i started pastoring. Personally, i will recognize the value of other translations, and i have most of them in my library, but i almost exclusively prefer tge NIV unless im reading the original languages . It is familiar and reliable and ive read through it so many times nothing else feels like the Bible for me. I recognize the value and reliability and integrity of many of the more modern translations and would defend them, but i much prefer to mostly stick with my NIV.

I read your book and enjoyed it. Thanks for your contribution. I attend an independent Baptist church, where the KJV is still the only authorized Bible for preaching, scripture memory and Bible study. This is something good for everyone to see.

Thank you Mark. In my search for the 'one ring' this clip has allowed me to stop and take a breath, and with that breath... I thank you Father, for giving us your Word (and word), your mercy endures forever, that yours alone be the glory, honour, & praise. Amen.

I trust LORD JESUS! and I like reading from the middle of the spectrum and more literal translation. I have confidence and faith in the Holy Spirit to lead and guide me and fellow believers in learning about our Heavenly Father. 🙏🏽❤️🕊️🔥 Thank you for the informative video and very pertinent observation. Praise the Lord

Love you, Brother Mark, and what God is doing through you.

What a sensible video! I'm glad I found it. It cheered me up after looking at a video in which someone condemned a translation as 'trash' because of tiny differences from other versions the person preferred.

As long as it's an accurate translation, I don't care what a person uses.

I've been using the same KJV bible for 30 years and decided it was time for a new one. While at the bookstore thumbing through bibles it occured to me that I had no idea there were so many versions to choose from, so I decided to do some research to see which one was the most "accurate". In doing so, I happened across a few of your videos and I must admit that it's all clear as mud now. I appreciate your recommendation to end KJV-Onlyism, and choose a bible that is most "useful" for me. Thank you, Sir!

I have used the NASB 77 for a long time. I finally made a switch to the NASB 95, and a few years ago to ESV which was recommended by my son. I like it, but even after a few years of use if I want to search for a verse my memory is still with the NASB. 😆 Recently I downloaded several Bible apps in my phone for comparison. It’s kinda fun. I like the footnotes that come with the NET Bible, and since downloading the free version of Logos I appreciate the Faithlife Study Bible notes, Lexham Bible Dictionary, and Lexham Bible version. As a retiree I like free. Especially when it’s good.

I have a kjv an nlt and the message, so a few different spectrums. I had a hard time reading and understanding the kjv, so I purchased the nlt and wow!! Huge difference, I got the message as a verse by verse and will read it occasionally to see how a common man would tell the everyday man about the bible in a way he can understand with everyday talk and still using the Bible’s word. I think all translations are worth looking at to some degree either reading the whole Bible or verse by verse to get a different understanding of how different Bibles speak to you

I'll be honest i use multiple translations pretty consistently. I love seeing how different translator may translate different more complicated passages. My favorites are the ESV and LSB but i use a few other ones when I'm doing deep study of a book and passages

Man this was a really helpful video! Thanks a bunch! 👏👏👏🙏

Love and enjoy your channel mark I'm learning alot. I got to say is I love the kjv old English now I do agree some of the archaic words and language need to be updated. But I love listening to Alexander scourby and the beautiful Majestic of the kjv ad I sit in my car at times looking at the stars and moon at night and sun rise and sun set just the Majestic English language makes all wholesome as I listen and meditate on God's word. Thank u for ur channel Dr Mark

Useful... this is good. KJV provided me years of memorization and familiarity and frankly most of the hymn language I have tucked away in my memory as well. However, being a believer for 40 years still didn't bring me to reading through the Bible. Ever. I was raised in KJV-only communities, but even my NIV purchase in adulthood didn't persuade me to read through. I felt compelled many times, tried, and gave up. I'm not sure if the version of my favourite-to-hold KJV Bible was the obstacle or not, but it wasn't until I was gifted some money last Christmas that I bought a CSB. I felt prompted by the Holy Spirit and my husband and I had already worked to carve out early morning time to read and study, so it stuck. I will always be grateful for the prompting to buy the CSB and then the push to read day after day. I read through the whole Bible by mid July. I was sure it was "the best version." But by then I was deep into Bible study and translation blogs and reviews and was learning much about other translations that I figured it was appropriate for me to experiment with some others as well. Bought a NKJV, then an ESV, and most recently, an NASB95. Now I have to keep myself in check that I don't make studying the Bible an idol, but WOW have I been enjoying the ride. What a blessing to have so many versions to compare and contrast. My focus is now on digging in to (1) knowing and loving God more, and (2) vocabulary differences between versions and how that affects the message I receive in reading. It's interesting to me the subtle differences I find. I have learned much from Mark Ward in keeping this recent growth from becoming a soap box that promotes division in my faith community. Thank you to Mr. Ward for speaking out with such grace about the damages that are done by setting up camp with and valuing one translation only. My study is just beginning and my heart is longing for more. I am no longer an imposter in a world of Christians who love the Word of God and I'm so, so grateful.

This is a very thoughtful and wise take on our "Bible battles". Let all Christians be as one. 🙏🏼

I'm definitely late to the party for this video, but I totally agree. Spurgeon once said all honestly-translated versions have merit. Thanks, Mark.

Just another tactic of Satan to divide the Body of Christ over Bible translations. The best translation is the one that transforms your thinking, your heart, inspires trust in God, love for Him and obedience to Him, and helps us to see our need to love others, as Jesus did. Thank you, Mark for an excellent review of Bible translations.

Thank you so much for this video! It is of my humble opinion we should all ask the Holy Spirit, an excellent concordance and a few Greek and Hebrew dictionaries to help us us understand the scripture (unless you speak these languages fluently). I, personally think the most important Bible is the one you actually read. I, personally read four versions (NKJV, NASB, AMPLIFIED AND ESV). More than anything else, we need to stand together the Body of Christ and love each other and respect each other.

Well said, Mark. I look forward to additional content from your research.

Definitely value here. Praise the LORD, for we might get this translation debacle figured out once and for all. 🙏

We are blessed to have so many English translations, people were burned at the stake so we could read God's word in English.

I had a minister who read a version they thought was best for the scripture for that Sunday. I thought that was interesting. I had a person used a parallel Bible for Sunday School which was great.

The Holy Spirit leads us into all truth. The version doesn't matter, our intention does. Is our intention to walk worthy of the Lord, to fully please Him, to be fruitful in our good works while we increase our knowledge of God (paraphrase of Col 1:10), or is it based in pride to set one apart in self-righteousness? I have never seen olde-English in a foreign language, yet we have truly Born-Again Brothers and Sisters in every country! Thank you for this wonderful series!

I read both ESV and KJV, both are so beautiful for me to learn to be a Christian and learn some more about English language itself(which is not my 1st language), truly wonderful they are! Thanks for making the video for us to open our minds to be better human beings! May God Bless You, Mr. Ward. thank you!

What ever gets you the closest to god. The weapon is the choice of the reader!

2:21 especially 😄

Videos and arguments against translations meant I began to feel all were inaccurate and then stopped reading altogether for fear I was reading the wrong one! My next battle is whether to annotate or not and should I have a ‘main’ bible. I really appreciated this video.

I really appreciate the work that you do. Thank you so much. Can you define what you mean by false friends?

Thank you for your content. I have enjoyed these videos very much and look forward to reading your book which I ordered on Amazon yesterday. Please consider including Catholic bibles in your ongoing content. Perhaps comparing the KJV and the DR. Your thoughts on the Jerusalem bible, the RSVCE, and the NABRE would be interesting. And I would certainly enjoy hearing your opinions on the gender inclusive/ gender accurate debates. Thanks!!

My three favorite translations are the KJV, ESV, and NKJV

Dr Ward. Wonderful to find you a long lost brother. I evem have relations called Ward. I'm a New Zealander so I doubt we are close family-wise but we are very close faith-wise. How good God is.

What is your opinion of the YLT? It places the English equivalents of the Hebrew and Greek, in the exact order they are found in the original texts, preserving the sentence structure of the original texts, at a cost in grammatical correctness in English. You can easily adjust the grammar on the fly as you're reading, though. There aren't many places that would cause you to stop and have to reread it several times before you get the meaning.

I like to buy and read study Bibles produced by various denominations so I can see what they believe. I love reading a variety of translations.

Yes and Amen!

1. I honestly think we're spoilt rotten for choice, too many choices confuse. Trying to stick to just *one* translation is a real conundrum sometimes. 2. I'm bilingual, I'm also a native Spanish speaker. Over the years I've found out that I get the most out of my Bible reading when I have multiple translations out and reading from them all at the same time. Of late my translation pairs of choice are: ESV/NVI or NASB/NTV. Having a "literal" translation in one language and pairing it with a more "though for thought" in the other language is a gift from heaven indeed.

I was saved in a independent fundamental Baptist church. Learned a lot of good but a lot of bad. The bad outweighed the good. They were hardcore KJV ONLYISM, so bad a hated the KJV for a long time being a babe in Christ. God pulled me out & as I have matured I enjoy & believe the KJV is one of the greatest translation because it glorifies Christ the most, but it’s not my first translation to study with. I refer to it when using other translations while studying & preaching.

Thank you for your videos. They are very helpful! I would like to know your personal opinion about which are most useful for you. What one do you find most useful for preaching? Most useful for evangelism? Most useful for reading through in a year? Most useful for close study? Best for reading to kids? And which is most useful for memorization? I know some, in fact many, of these questions have been addressed in other videos. I apologize for the repetitive nature in the responses. I also know some of these answers may change based on the person. That’s why I’m curious to hear your general opinion if you had to generically pick one for each category. I’m especially interested in your response to reading through in a year and for memorization. What’s a good one to read through in a year if you’ve never done so before? I’m not against using multiple translations in regards to equivalence or textual differences. I currently reference most of the major evangelical translations, but I’ve had a difficult time over the years in settling on one as a “go to” translation. Now it has become more of a labor and at times draws away from a healthy use of the abundance available. I’m at the point I would like to bring more consistency into my daily reading as well as memorization. Do you have any suggestions? Thank you for your time.

If we are to remain Protestant, we are stuck with both denominations and "bible tribalism". The scriptures are our authority. I don't see any way out of it except to either return to Rome or Eastern Orthodoxy. You are correct in that all translations are more literal in some places than in other places. I suppose that all continuums are basically correct in how they place the various translations. I fail to see how or why we should lump in all types of translations in together as equals. I know your argument is that we should not but I believe that we could perhaps somewhat objectively determine the "best" translation. I'll give two: How about being suitable all around? For preaching, and evangelism, and study? For literalism and/or between accuracy and readibility. Whether deservedly or not, the KJV is placed roughly in the center of the literal side of the continuum. That appears to be a good balance. And last, should we even consider paraphrases as translations? This discussion would look differently if we leave paraphrases out. I believe good intentioned people take the path of least resistance.

I read ESV bible . Thank you for this video love it.

“The NET is the translation of computer nerds” - as I nerd, I can attest to this 😂🤣

My concern with going through different bibles for understanding can bring confusion if the text does seem to be saying the same thing and these are from the trusted ones you have listed.

which version would you say is most accurate MEANING-wise?

I couldn't agree more with what has just been said... I got 5 English versions to read.

This one which translates the word "sperms" as "fruits and seeds" ,not as "legumes". Daniel asked uncooked food.

You are such a blessing for us Christians. Good bless your heart and soul 🙌❤️

I can't be the only one that uses multiple versions and compares them... It seems easy to me.

Mark, if you were to choose one translation for the sole purpose of memorization, which one would you choose and why?

I personally use HCSB NIV NASB and NLT. All great versions. I don’t use KJV simply because it’s difficult to read and the manuscripts used to translate them are much newer than ones used to translate the NIV and other translations

For what it's worth, my favourites are - "Young's Literal Translation" and the "World English Bible" Hope this helps. All the best!✨

I started from NIV NKJV and now i am entering the ESV of the Holy Bible..no specific reason, i simply want to.

The one you use 😊

Great appreciation for your work, Dr. Ward. I hope your work will be an invaluable source for me- I live in Korea, and dear friend of mine has joined a church who claims KJV is the only uncorrupted bible, and my quest for truth has led me here (after a week of digging in lots of articles and hyperlinks, I landed on your book and they use K-KJV. Yes, KJV translated into Korean, and one of the translators who participated in that translation led a church, and a large portion of the blog posts of that church are mainly about connecting angels and UFOs, claiming those aliens ARE(must be) the “giants(nephilims of Genesis 6)” and abductions are done by those fallen angels. Well, the way I found about his joining of K-KJVO is a random talk that came out of the topic Genesis 6 (Southern Seminary’s RU-vid answers of Nephilim), then “up next”, “REAL BIBLE BELIEVERS (Dr. Gene Kim, of U.C Berkley, PBI)... which also claims UFO, SATYR, UNICORN, and mermaids as real life creatures...) And that (hopefully) is only a small portion of the extreme group who would take any conspiracy theory as reality. #2 I am not sure if you read any of their recommended books, I think such books as (Robert Sargent (of Bible Baptist Church) are leading people into disbelief in any others sources, and only of those the references of KJVO recommended books while claiming even the dictionaries are corrupted if it doesn’t match the definition they prefer (Answer Book, Samuel Gibb) (1) the books have certain flow, a hidden logic that works as some kind of brainwashing. They sometimes start quoting the right idea or facts, many times bible verses, then asserting false reasoning as causes of the problems in the society or academia, or current problems of the church. Then they discredit scholars and dictionaries, and make people believe see things as “spiritual attacks”. And from there the books lead readers to believe they had been living in the satan-edited versions of books, and start to believe they are finally granted with THE TRUTH while they are only resting on a view of certain group idea or scholar, and set it as their identity; just like you mentioned- then it is now in the real of tribalism. Not just preference, but people who want to “KEEP” “The WORD” and others who people who are deceived by the devil. Your gentle approach is very heartwarming, but I am concerned whether your kindness will help them see the misunderstandings or well hidden lies of their books. They reconstruct the view of the readers then insert the theology they like to use. Ii.e., the verse from 2 TIM 2:15 (without 2:14... ) being the basis of Dispensationalism. (Since “RIGHTLY DIVIDING” “THE WORD” fits that concept they like to adopt) and sneaking in genealogy of angels and the satan with old drawings . And their tendency to literalism outside of genre-specific interpretation, seems to lead them to extreme cases like know-it-all including the mythology and lost civilization. Honestly, 2 TIM 2:14 almost refrained me from engaging in this topic as well as what C.S Lewis wrote in Mere Christianity. But then I saw the value of your work, so I continued the other direction that might work (once i can get passed already tinted-glasses) (2) my approach was to spot the lies. Because I believe the Truth doesn’t need lies to protect itself. And with great claims comes heavier burden of proofs. There is a Korean translated version conveniently omitted rule 3 of “Instructions to the translators” - 3. The old ecclesiastical words to be kept, as the word, church. [the Korean version omitted, “not to be translated congregation.”] Have you read the book? If so, could you help me check if the original English book has also omitted that part? The instructions could be a stepping stone reasonably let KJVO believers to think about the possibility of KJV not being bias-free nor without any tint of political goals. At least, in South Korea. I am totally with your approach and your way makes me feel like you are working with the fruits of the spirit, for your lack of condescending attacks like those books do. Do you have any plans to make any videos toward those direction? Not directly towards KJVO per-se, but of array of lies those books which led people perceive KJV onlyism as The Truth? Peace be with you, From Seoul, R.o.K

Not just Protestant translations! I’ve long admired the work of the Ecole Biblique in Jerusalem in their famous Jerusalem Bible. Its an outstanding balance of readability and scholarship. Do I agree with the Dominicans? No but the point is you can profitably learn something from everyone and what translation tribalism says is other people are unworthy of helping you in your spiritual journey. God as we all know is above petty human differences. Given human nature, unity in the quest for the truth is harder to attain than fomenting strife, jealousy and division among believers.

listened to all 7 and it was the best explanation I have heard yet. I applaud you for your work.

😇may I please ask, for a God loving Christian who simply wants a Bible to read, which would you recommend please?

RSV or NASB for me; though the Bible I *like* best is the 1970 NEB (which has been superseded by the REB). I would like one that is perfectly accurate, while recognising that no such translation exists.

I left IFB about 12 years ago. Was Seminary trained to defend the KJV. Dr. D.A.Waite. My leaving was based on a proper understanding of the Septuagint, which was used by Jesus and the first century Church. Not the "original Hebrew". I now use NIV and ESV.

I feel like there are multiple answers to this question. It all depends on context for me. Are you new to the faith or just trying to really get into reading Scripture, get the NLT. Are you looking for a bit more meat in the text to study, get the ESV. Are you looking to do some really hard core bible word study or in seminary, I like the new NRSVue. The best bible translation is the one that gets you in his word. I have slight problems with all 3 of the translations listed about. But the rest of the little theological bits can be sorted out later, overall its still Gods word.

Very good, very true I as agree with what you say. God Bless!

Spectacular!!!! Well articulated!!!

why did the NIV 2011 add the ending of paragraph 5:21 to the beginning of 5:22 in Ephesians and change the meaning all my other translation Nasb95 Esv Lsb nkjv and Niv 1990 split Ephesians 5:21 an 5:22 ...it seems like the niv is missleading at times compared to my other translations

Yes, no more of this modern " I am of Paul, or I am of Cephas, or I am of Christ."

Well I know the kjvo movement is extreme but I do like that they recognize not all bibles are created equal. Otherwise a new Christian could end up with the NWT without realizing it’s an unacceptable “translation”. In other words, I’m not so sure it’s wise to basically say, “grab any Bible off the shelf”.

I have ESV and NKJV, my daughter has NASB, my son has NLT, and our church uses CSB and NIV...and just to be safe I have Logos and a Catholic Bible app handy because all my in laws are Catholic.

I don’t know why everybody thinks the IFB is a KJV only denomination. I go to an IFB and my Pastor likes and uses the NKJV. I use the NLT, many use several different versions. Our IFB is not a one version only Church.

I find the thought for thought translations communicate the meaning much better such as good news translation, contemporary english version, etc. Many things are lost in translation though so for people who have time, better to learn hebrew and greek.

There's a reason most bible software have a "compare" or "parallel" feature. I think the much more important issue is the interpretative material found in study bibles. The study edition of the translation I prefer does have some interpretive material that is directly opposed to my faith; I know that and am on constant lookout. But even so, it seems like it gets about 95% right. I put my trust in the Holy Spirit for discernment.

Just get em all and compare. Sometimes I understand niv passages more, sometimes its the kjv, sometimes its the nlt, sometimes the esv, sometimes the nasb. Youll get a better understanding if you compare them i think.

As a member of the Lutheran church for the last 40 years in a very small rural church in South Texas, I have seen our church go from a vibrant body with a well read and deeply spiritual Pastor that had standing room only on occasion to just 10 regular members with a S.A.M. (Synodically Authorized Minister with a minimum of traning), Yet we survive somehow. The classically trained Pastors don't come to little churches like this anymore. Part of the problem is fiances, Salary, Insurance, AND retirement benefits MUST be part of their compensation. A newly graduated Pastor usually tries for a Big Church (This Austin, Dallas, San Antonio) as the pay is far better. Therefore, we don't get the benefits of a trained and studied Pastor in our small churches anymore. We must turn to RU-vid, The Web, and our own research to "rightly divide the Word of God". It's just sad.

Excellently presented.

Nice video. I use the KJV, I grew up on it and will continue to use it. I dont really have trouble reading or understanding it, though many do. Personally I believe the way Paul wrote some of his letters are complicated to understand no matter what version you use. I do notice that some of the claims of the kjv only crowd are false and gets to the point of slander. Oftentimes kjv only people can be very negative to others and I dislike this. I also notice that many kjv only people havent even read the bible they claim to believe is perfect, which is really messed up. That's like believing in a Savior that you dont know, nor have ever met. This is the first video I watched, I look forward to watching more, specifically on how the translations came about and where they came from, this is what I've heard differing things on and I kinda wanna know the truth about the KJV. Praise the Lord Jesus Christ brother. :)

Great job! Thank you. One of the best videos on different translations I’ve ever seen. Kudos. However... you don’t address textual basis. You only address translation-“which one translates the best.” This is relevant when asking the question, “Which is better, the NIV or the ESV?” It does not, on the other hand, address the question of, “Which is better, the NKJV or the NASB?” Textual basis matters, and someone is right and someone is wrong. It’s not just how to translate the originals. It’s also which originals you chose to translate from. All good points, but not quite complete. I would love to see a follow up. Again, I think this is one of the best videos on this topic I’ve seen (and I watch A LOT). Great job, brother. 😊

Well presented.

Another good one Mark.. Being born-n-raised in a Lutheran church, the King James bible was the one I grew up on too. In my late teens I moved on to using other translations and clearly see the advantages and the need to be ready for multiple translations, which I have in my library. About 30 years ago I even purchased; “The Bible From 26 Translations” though only highlighting specific verse variations listed underneath the complete King James text. ESV is certainly among my favorites. As just one example; I appreciate John 17:4 where the ESV says (of Jesus’ praying) “I glorified you on earth, having ACCOMPLISHED the work that you gave me” (as also says the RVS). Most translations have “finished the work....” How many times have we ‘finished’ something without really ‘accomplishing’ it? Maybe we failed or gave up (Certainly not that Jesus would!). ‘Accomplished’ is slightly more in line with the Greek “teleioo” and Jesus’ purpose. Not that the other translations are wrong, but the advantage of having multiple translations are plentiful even on much more than this one example. I found in today’s world one more reason in being familiar with multiple translations is simply that we can easier identify, or relate better, with those that may still prefer the translation they use, though it may not be one of our ‘favorites.’ 1 Cor 9:22 That proved to be handy in many situations for me..