Oct 6, 2009
What version of the Bible do you read?
After yesterday’s post, Paul Wilkinson suggested asking what versions you all use.
So come on out and comment!
3-letter answers are fine.
Update: Scott Jamison has posted the results from the first 200 commenters.
NAS
Oh yeah. I forgot about that rogue 4-letter version.
ESV
NLT
ESV
NIV
NVI (that’s sort of the brazilian version of the NIV, in portuguese…)
ESV
NIV,NLT,NRSV,NKJV
NASB
ESV
ESV
TNIV, NRSV
ESV, (switched over semi-recently from NIV)
NASB, NKJV
ESV and NIV.
I grew up on the KJV and still love it for its beautiful prose (of which yesterday’s example is not the least instance [how's that for yoda talk?]). I have learned to enjoy some easier-reading translations, though I can’t help but twitch uncontrollably when hearing a paraphrase like NLT or something.
ESV. and the Greek NT if I am feeling hard core
ESV
ESV and NET
A mix of ESV, NIV or TNIV. Depends on how big a bible i can fit in the bag i’m taking :p
kjv
public domain is a good thing.
Primarily ESV, some NIV. Reference others.
ESV, GkNT
HCSB
NKJV
ESV
NLT
Probably in that order… HCSB fits in my bag the easiest. NKJV is my Study Bible from High School that I still keep around, ESV is on the computer, and the Jr. High kids at church understand NLT the best.
ESV
KJV
ESV, sometimes NASB & NIV, & the Message for funsies.
ESV
I started with KJV/NKJV, switched to NASB in 1989, and have been reading ESV since 2005.
NIV for reading
ESV/NASB for study
NLT mostly.
ESV and NIV
NAS
ESV
TNIV, NLT, and the Message- depending on my mood. :)
ESV
I appreciate interspersing others, though.
NIV, The Message
KJV, ESV, NAS(B)
ESV and NASB.
ESV. But if I didn’t have some familiarity with Greek, I’d go with NASB.
Switched to ESV over a year ago from NKJV.
NLT
ESV
ESV
ESV
ESV
ESV
NIV
NASB
In that order.
ESV for reading… most of the time. When I’m confused about something (this happens quite often) I’ll read NAS, KJV, YLT, NIV…
ESV
ESV
WEB (Word English Bible, Public Domain update of the ASV) and the ESV mostly.
NAS
The Word (26 translations).
Matthis Publishers, 1967 Christianity Today book of the Year
ESV
ESV
ESV
ESV
ESV; NET
ESV, NIV, MSG (sometimes)
ESV
ESV
ESV
NASB & NKJV
ESV
ESV and NRSV.
Charles Taze Russell’s New World Translation, followed closely by the Hip Hop Bible.
Just kidding.
ESV, with a dash of NLT mixed in so I don’t worship on version over another.
Jason_73, I was half a second from taking a sip of some hot coffee with my lunch. My sinuses do not need THAT kind of cleaning.
Especially amusing since my wife was in the JWs for a few years (she’s feeling MUCH better now…) and I actually read the NWT and their KIT (their NT interlinear) frequently for apolegetic reasons.
For me, my normal readers are: ESV, NASB, NET and Wuest’s Expanded Translation (don’t think he ever was awarded an acronym).
ESV and sometimes KJV (grew up on it)
NASB for study. KJV for fun and memorization. NIV or ESV for church.
HSCB
ESV for me.
The Message for read aloud at night with the boys. I sometimes worry that they won’t associate what they hear at night with what they hear at church. It sure is a lot easier for them to understand and follow though.
NLT, Bible Gateway, NASB, UBS GK NT 4.0….
Gotta use the right tool for the job!
ESV, NAS
NIV and ESV
ESV switched from reading (and teaching from) NKJV two years ago.
ESV, and sometimes the Message
ESV
The forthcoming conservative Bible:
http://online.worldmag.com/2009/10/05/a-conservative-bible/
Nevermind. ESV
ESV and NASB, with a ton of NIV in the past.
ESV(SB) (and NA28) to study
NLT to preach
I recently switched to the NLT to preach because I care about clarity and I want the people to actually understand what the Bible is saying. It really seems to make a difference. And I don’t have to spend so much time explaining what the ESV wording actually means.
My one caveat is that the NLT is not very good on poetry.
ESV with the occasional reference to NAS.
ESV, NIV
ESV, and the Voice (for the paraphrase. It gives me some freshness when over-familiarity can be poison)
NRSV, NASB, NIV
ESV
NIV
NASB, but judging from the comments, it looks like I should be using ESV. I also like the GNB/GNT/TEV.
ESV
ESV and NLT
ESV
ESV & NIV consistently. (Occasionally NAS, NLT and Geneva for comparisons)
Messege, NIV
ESV. After reading Leland Ryken’s “Choosing a Bible” http://www.gnpcb.org/assets/products/excerpts/1581347308.1.pdf I feel like I know why my church uses it!
It would be interesting to see a post on the statistics of today’s comments after a week or so…
NASB
NIV
Primarily ESV. Also TNIV and NRSV
ESV
I really wanted to like the ESV, but I still find myself reaching for the NIV on most occasions.
esv
ESV, Message, and individual writers’ work like Stephen Mitchell’s Book of Job, Christopher Smart’s Psalms, Robert Alter’s Five Books of Moses. (Anyone have other favorites of that kind?)
ESV
ESV. Hoping for the new study Bible for Christmas!
ESV
I am a NASB owner (big, medium, small editions), but an ESV lover. Maybe someday I can justify getting *another* bible, an ESV.
ESV
ESV
NASB
ESV
ESV
My Bible is NIV, but my church uses NRSV. It gets confusing sometimes.
I really like the ESV but I memorized a LOT of verses in the NIV so I usually use the NIV, but when I want to really study something I look at every translation I can get a hold on.
NKJV. I grew up on the Old KJV and I am thankful my parents forced me to read that growing up. It made Shakespeare in high school way easier, and I love words and phrases like Behold, “must needs go through” and withersoever, even though I never EVER get the change to use them.
Is it just me or do people not notice a huge difference between ESV and NKJV? I can see the differences, but I dont see enough to make it worth buying another Bible.
In AWANA I memorized KJV, and still like some of it, but I switched to NKJV, easier to understand, especially through Romans.
ESV for the last year.
KJV before that.
NIV before even that.
I really like the ESV!
ESV
Preaching and memorizing: ESV. Studying: NASB. Reading: ESV, NKJV, KJV, RSV, and sometimes NIV or HCSB.
NASB, with a an audio WEB (free!)
I used to use the NIV, but I got tired of it interpreting things for me via paraphrase.
ESV, NKJV
ESV, KJV
ESV
NLT
NASB
ESV
ESV
NET
i own ESV because that’s what church uses, and use TNIV and NLT on BibleGateway.
ESV (occasionally NASB)
ESV primarily
NAS supplement/clarify
ESV
ESV, NLT, some NASB and KJV.
ESV AND NKJV
In order of preference:
ESV
NA27/UBS4
NASB
KJV
HCSB
NET
NIV
ESV
ESV
ESV
Grew up using the KJV/NKJV so most of the verses I have memorized are in the KJV.
Used the NIV my freshman year of college, switched to the NASB for my Sophomore year, and half-way through my Junior year picked up the ESV (I was taking Greek at the time) and that’s where I’m at now.
GNB when I’m reading in German (Gute Nachricht Bibel – the revised edition),
NIV when I’m reading in English (this is the first English Bible I ever got, but I might change to the ESV at some point),
and sometimes NA27 and BHS.
ESV. If it was good enough for Paul . . .
Currently it is ESV and NKJV.
KJV, ESV
ESV
ESV
ESV
NLT for clarity – especially when read aloud.
ESV
MSG, AMP, NLT
ESV
ESV
NLT, ESV
From KJV to NLT to NIV to NCV
I’m a seminary student… To study– ESV To enjoy poetry– NKJV To “hear” the words because I’ve never memorized it in that version before– NCV To read all the notes from my serious studying days back in high school– NIV
ESV
ESV – Faith Comes By Hearing just produced a free MP3 audio drama of the ESV New Testament. http://www.faithcomesbyhearing.com/ambassador/free-audio-bible-download
Thanks Dawn! Our ministry also has the Bible in audio in nearly 400 other languages.
ESV and NKJV mostly; also NLT, NASB, and NIV on a rare occasion
ESV
NIV
TNIV for church and memorizing
NLT for reading
ESV for study
NRSV for reading
NASB once in a while
I use others, but mostly for comparison
NIV
ESV
ESV & NJKV
ESV for the New Testament, NKJV for the Old Testament. Only because all I have in ESV is the New. :)
I eat ESV Bible daily.
ESV and also ESV Study Bible
NASB ’77 (rarely ’95 but do have that in my Palm Pilot and in the book form)
NKJV
I do look up other translations if needed.
Hungry to eat His Word,
‘Guerite ~ BoldLion
i grew up on kjv, and enjoy its linguistic beauty.
i carry an esv thinline in my pocket. (just the right size)
i often use http://greekbiblestudy.com , which parallels kjv, nasb, esv and the greek text. i really like being able to cross-read these versions, seeing the difference in translation style and philosophy. it helps give me a more complete understanding of the greek, which i’m trying to learn.
NASB and NIV
Grew up with KJV, still prefer it. Occasionally use NIV or ESV but always go back to KJV. I love biblegateway.com for checking different passages in various translations
ESV – church, reading, & memorizing
NASB – study
Grew up on NASB/NIV, but primarily use ESV now. Swap between NASB/NKJV/ESV for in depth study.
I’m surprised more people didn’t mention the Holman Christian Standard Bible.
I rotate ESV, NASB, and HCSB.
ESV. After all, Codex Sinaiticus was translated from the ESV.
NASB and ESV
Have heard the NIV referred to as the Nearly Inspired Version. ;)
ESV usually
LBLA (La Biblia de las Americas)
ESV
NASB, TNIV, NLT
KJV
ESV
NASB, ESV, and we have a hawaiian pidgin translation of the new testament called “da jesus book,” and that’s always hysterical to read. :)
AMP
MSG
NKJ
ESV though for most all my NT reading I use either Zondervan’s Reader’s Greek NT or the USB (non reader’s, USB’s reader’s parses all the verbs which is sad).
Primarily I use the ESV, but secondarily the NASB. Also, I grew up on the NIV, so I will occasionally return to that (it’s what my current church uses, too).
ESV
NKJ
Psalms from BCP (Book of Common Prayer)
Translated by Coverdale before KJV, and surprisingly more straight-forward. This was the version etched on C.S. Lewis’ brain when he thought Psalms.
Grew up on RSV
Now, usually NIV
NLT sometimes
Other versions for comparison/research
ESV
ESV
When I feel like laughing… The Word on the Street.
ESV & NJK
esv
I read NLT and ESV most, but read and reference REB and NIV often, also.
It would be very interesting to see these broken down. Pie chart anyone?
Google Forms (docs.google.com –> New Form) is a great way to do this. Just a suggestion for next time.
ESV.
esv
ESV
NASB mostly
ESV & NASB
But, mostly ESV.
ESV
ESV KJV
ESV- I love its literal translation
NIV
NKJV
NASB
ESV
ESV
I read the NIV and have recently started to switch to NKJV.
I read NIV in the morning and NKJV study bible for a more in depth perspective.
NKJV for reading, NASB occasionally, a host of other versions for specialty use (on my computer, not in print).
A strange: my NASB (gift) is actually a parallel Bible. The other side? The Message.
Yeah, I can’t quite figure it either. Most of the time, I have to cover up the Message side so it doesn’t distract me. ;-)
NKJV, ESV
Lots of different versions.
I too read lots of versions, though for general reading I pick up the NIV. I love the KJV when quoting psalms, the Amplified Version if I want to really understand a point….
NIV
Exclusively ESV
I detect a bias! I use the NRSV for personal use and schoolwork, and a couple of Dutch translations exclusively for schoolwork and Bible studies that are held in Dutch (when I don’t want to complicate matters by bringing in a translation in my native language).
I also have an NIV, NLT and The Message on my shelves. I like the NIV but the NLT is too biased for my liking and I don’t like the ESV either so I gave that one away. I swear by the NRSV, but then, so does my Episcopal church which puts me in a different kind of Christianity anyway. Interesting how the choice of Bible version can be seen as a reflection on beliefs.
Mostly the NKJV, but I also love the NASB.
ESV and Greek Readers NT – Primary
NASB and NIV – for comparison/perspective
I bought everyone in our family the ESV for family devotions because I know it is more commonly used than the NASB, and it is sometimes easier to stay on the same page when talking to people and reading along if we are sharing passages in the same version.
We chose these because we heard they are word for word translations, rather than thought for thought or paraphrases.
I have not gotten rid of other Bibles we may have purchased or received as gifts before becoming aware of this. We still pick them up from time to time. Some things I still have memorized from the Living Bible and the NIV, and I am not hurrying to re-memorize them, but when I get to those passages, I use the ESV to memorize now. I have heard it is more like the English we speak than the NASB, but that doesn’t matter as much to me. I don’t think the NASB is hard to understand. The NASB also has words added by translators in italics, which can be nice to know. So sometimes I wish it were the more commonly used version.
Besides the modern translations, we do have a KJV or two, and like to use it at times.
I can’t handle The Message, though. One time I was in a Bible study at church and the verses we were studying were printed out in various versions. In one of the versions the words “Holy Spirit” were left out in The Message. That seems like a pretty important name to leave out. I consider it more of a commentary than a translation. I have heard that the phrase “as above, so below” used in The Message’s Lord’s Prayer is an occult term. I did see it on an occult website, but that is as far as I went in checking. Another claim that I have not checked out is that The Message does not have any references to Lord Jesus, only Master Jesus. I have also heard that Eugene Peterson was heavily influenced by Karl Barth who did a lot to diminish the idea that the things in the Bible literally happened. That really bothers me.
ESV!
Mostly ESV.
KJV and ESV
I’m promiscuous with translations: NRSV, CEV, ESV, NIV.
how do you feel about claims that NIV and other versions have a few verses removed? What version is most complete?
NLT
NIV in church
E S V baby
ESV and NIV
ESV – reading
NASB – light study
UBS4/BHS – serious study
ESV – reading
KJV – study
NASB – reading
Young’s Literal Translation; I wanted a translation that wasn’t afraid to call whoredom ‘whoredom’ when it found ‘whoredom’ the appropriate word.
Does young’s include peter’s explicitives and the context of our works as filthy rags?
I never dropped by yesterday so I never realized that I had started this.
So…which brave person is going to compile everything into a bar graph?
Ooops! Spoke to soon. The pie chart’s even better.
ESV and NIV
KJV mostly, but grew up on NKJV and NASB
ESV (English Standard Version)
less and less because I grow increasingly frustrated at the clunky wording
NLT (New Living Translation)
more and more for the readability and clarity
ESV
ESV
ESV
NCV
ESV
ESV for memorizing, studying
NLT for listening, meditating
CJB – Complete Jewish Bible
I’ve been using the NASB version for longer than I care to admit. I like the ESV, NET, NIV, and Amplified for comparison. I also have an RSV that was given to me by my Grandmother.