What Bible Translation Should I Use?
Have you ever wondered why there are so many Bible translations? Or perhaps you’ve asked yourself, “Which Bible translation is right for me?”
The good news is that English-speaking Christians have access to many excellent Bible translations. While no translation is perfect, many translations faithfully communicate God’s Word and can help you grow in your relationship with Christ.
At Haven Fellowship Church, I primarily preach from the New King James Version (NKJV). Below I’ll explain why I use the NKJV, offer some thoughts on other popular translations, and provide guidance for those looking to choose a Bible.
Why I Use the NKJV
After years of studying and teaching Scripture, I eventually settled on the New King James Version (NKJV) as my primary Bible translation.
While several factors contributed to that decision, the biggest turning point came when I began looking more carefully into New Testament textual criticism—the study of the Greek manuscripts behind our English Bibles. The more I investigated the manuscript evidence and the reasoning behind various textual decisions, the more convinced I became that the NKJV provides the strongest overall foundation for study, teaching, and preaching.
That does not mean I believe the NKJV is the only good translation or that Christians should avoid other faithful English Bibles. In fact, there are several translations that I regularly consult and recommend. However, if I were choosing a single translation to read, study, teach, and preach from, the NKJV would be my first choice.
Here are five reasons I use and recommend the NKJV:
The biggest reason I use the NKJV is its textual foundation.
Every English Bible translation is based on a set of underlying Greek manuscripts of the New Testament. Since we do not have the original writings of the apostles, translators must decide which manuscript readings most closely reflect the original text.
Most modern English translations (such as the ESV, NIV, NASB, CSB, and NLT) are based on what is known as the Critical Text, a reconstructed Greek text produced through modern text-critical methods.
The NKJV, however, is based on the Textus Receptus, which is closely aligned with the Byzantine manuscript tradition—the form of the Greek text that was widely used throughout church history.
After spending considerable time studying the manuscript tradition and the reasoning behind different textual decisions, I became convinced that the textual tradition underlying the NKJV provides a stable and trustworthy foundation for translation. Beyond the specific textual differences, I also find its underlying view of preservation more persuasive. While I appreciate the work of textual scholars, I am hesitant to view the history of the biblical text primarily as a process of recovering readings that were lost for centuries. I believe God has faithfully preserved His Word throughout the life of His church, and that conviction makes me more inclined toward the textual tradition that was widely received, copied, and used by Christians across the centuries.
I also appreciate that the NKJV includes footnotes that alert readers to significant differences found in other manuscript traditions, allowing those differences to be be seen rather than hidden.
A good Bible translation should be both faithful to the original text and understandable in modern English. The NKJV strikes a strong balance between these two goals.
It retains much of the accuracy and structure of the King James tradition while updating the language so that it is clear for today’s readers. This makes it suitable for both personal reading and public teaching.
At the same time, the NKJV preserves important theological and doctrinal vocabulary rather than replacing it with overly simplified wording. This helps readers see key biblical terms consistently across Scripture, which is especially helpful for study and discipleship.
In short, the NKJV is readable without being overly simplified, and careful without becoming difficult to understand.
Another reason I appreciate the NKJV is its stability.
Since its publication in 1982, the NKJV has remained largely unchanged. While minor updates and formatting differences exist across print editions, the underlying text has been remarkably consistent.
This stability is helpful for long-term Bible reading, sermon preparation, and Scripture memory. When a translation remains consistent over time, it allows churches and individuals to build familiarity with the wording of Scripture without needing to constantly adjust to changes in the text.
In contrast, some modern translations have undergone multiple revisions over the years, which can lead to small but noticeable differences in wording across editions.
The NKJV includes several helpful features that make it especially useful for study and teaching.
One of the most valuable is its use of footnotes. These notes often highlight important differences between manuscript traditions, giving readers insight into how translators arrived at particular readings.
The NKJV also uses italics to indicate words that were supplied by translators for clarity. This helps readers distinguish between what is directly reflected in the original language and what has been added for smoother English expression.
These features make the NKJV not only readable but also transparent, allowing students of Scripture to engage more deeply with the text.
Finally, the NKJV is widely available in a variety of formats and editions, making it easy to use in many different contexts.
Whether someone is looking for a simple reading Bible, a detailed study Bible, a large-print edition, or a journaling Bible, the NKJV is available in many high-quality options.
It is also well supported in digital Bible apps and resources, making it easy to access across devices.
While this may seem like a practical consideration, it matters for long-term engagement with Scripture. A translation that is widely available and well-supported makes it easier for individuals and churches to stay consistent in their Bible reading and study habits.
Other Excellent Bible Translations
While I use and recommend the NKJV as my primary translation, there are many other excellent English Bible translations that are widely trusted and useful for different purposes. In fact, I consult several of these each week as I study.
No single translation captures every strength perfectly. Because of that, many Christians benefit from reading and comparing multiple translations.
King James Version (KJV)
The King James Version has had a profound influence on English-speaking Christianity for over 400 years. First completed in 1611, it shaped much of the English-speaking church’s worship, theology, and devotional life. It is known for its literary beauty, reverence, and historical significance, and it remains beloved by many Christians for both personal reading and memorization.
Strengths: beautiful, formal literary style; deep historical influence on the church; strong sense of reverence and cadence.
Helpful to be aware of: some vocabulary and phrasing are unfamiliar to modern readers, and it can require additional effort for those new to Bible reading. Because of this, many readers find it helpful to compare the KJV with a more modern translation to ensure clarity and understanding.
New American Standard Bible (NASB 1995 / 2020 / LSB)
The New American Standard Bible (NASB), first published in 1971, is a translation tradition known for its strong emphasis on precision and close adherence to the original Hebrew and Greek texts. It has long been regarded as one of the most literal English translations available, making it especially useful for detailed Bible study and careful examination of Scripture. At Haven Fellowship Church, we also use NASB pew Bibles, and it was the preferred translation of our founding pastor, Steve Powers.
The NASB 1995 became widely used among pastors, teachers, and serious students of Scripture. More recent updates, including the NASB 2020 and the Legacy Standard Bible, continue in this tradition while making small adjustments for readability and consistency.
Strengths: very close to the original languages; excellent for word studies and detailed exegesis; consistent and careful translation philosophy.
Helpful to be aware of: the very literal approach can sometimes result in wording that feels more formal or less natural in everyday reading, which may require extra attention for smooth reading or public use.
English Standard Version (ESV)
The English Standard Version (ESV), first published in 2001, is a widely used modern translation that seeks to balance accuracy with readability. It has become one of the most common English translations in churches, Bible study groups, and theological education.
The ESV is based on a essentially literal translation philosophy, meaning it generally follows the wording and structure of the original Hebrew and Greek while still producing clear and readable English. For this reason, it is often chosen for both preaching and personal study.
Strengths: strong balance of accuracy and readability; clear and smooth English style; widely used in churches, study Bibles, and teaching materials.
Helpful to be aware of: like all translations, the ESV involves interpretive decisions in places where the original language can be rendered in more than one way. The ESV has also seen periodic updates which readers may notice when comparing different printings.
Christian Standard Bible (CSB)
The Christian Standard Bible (CSB), first published in 2017 as an update of the Holman Christian Standard Bible, is a modern translation that seeks to balance accuracy and readability. It uses what is sometimes called an “optimal equivalence” approach, aiming to stay close to the original languages while also producing clear and natural English.
The CSB is designed to be readable in both personal study and public reading, making it a strong all-around option for many Christians. It has gained wide use in churches and Bible study settings in recent years.
This translation (and its predecessor, the HCSB) was my primary Bible for many years because of its strong balance between accuracy and readability.
Strengths: good balance of accuracy and readability; clear and natural English style; works well for both study and devotional reading.
Helpful to be aware of: like all balanced translations, some passages lean more toward thought-for-thought rendering, which means wording may differ slightly from more strictly literal translations when comparing side by side.
New International Version (NIV)
The New International Version (NIV), first published in 1978, is one of the most widely read English Bible translations in the world. It was designed to communicate the meaning of Scripture in clear, natural English, making it especially accessible to modern readers.
The NIV uses a thought-for-thought translation approach in many places, aiming to express the intended meaning of the original Hebrew and Greek in a way that reads smoothly in contemporary English. Because of this, it is often used in evangelism, discipleship, and personal Bible reading.
This is the translation I grew up reading, and it continues to be the primary translation used in our children’s and youth ministries at Haven Fellowship Church because of its clarity and accessibility for younger readers.
Strengths: very clear and readable; widely used across churches and denominations; excellent for public reading, evangelism, and those new to Scripture.
Helpful to be aware of: because it prioritizes clarity of meaning, it is less focused on word-for-word correspondence in some passages, which may limit its usefulness for detailed word-level study.
New Living Translation (NLT)
The New Living Translation (NLT), first published in 1996, is a very readable modern English translation that focuses on communicating the meaning of Scripture in clear and natural language. It uses a thought-for-thought approach more consistently than many other modern translations, aiming to express the overall sense of the original text in contemporary English.
Because of its readability, the NLT is especially helpful for younger readers, new believers, and those for whom English is a second language. It is also very helpful for reading larger portions of Scripture and quickly grasping the overall message of a passage.
For that reason, I often recommend the NLT for reading, devotional study, and gaining a big-picture understanding of Scripture. However, I don’t recommend the NLT for detailed study at the paragraph level or close attention to wording and structure.Â
Strengths: extremely readable; excellent for new believers and younger readers; helpful for understanding the big-picture meaning of Scripture; smooth and engaging for devotional reading.
Helpful to be aware of: because it emphasizes thought-for-thought translation even more than the NIV, it is the not well suited for detailed study.
Three Translations I Do Not Recommend
There are quite a few other good translations and some that may be useful in some settings but not others. However, I do want to share three translations I’d recommend avoiding.
1. New World Translation
The New World Translation is produced by the Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society, the organization associated with Jehovah’s Witnesses. Because of its doctrinal commitments, it reflects translation choices that differ significantly from the actual Greek text, particularly those related to the nature of Christ.
For that reason, it is not generally regarded as a reliable translation within mainstream evangelical Christianity.
2. The Passion Translation
The Passion Translation is presented in some contexts as a Bible translation, but it functions more like an expanded paraphrase with significant interpretive additions.Â
3. The Mirror Bible
The Mirror Bible is a highly interpretive paraphrase. It is not a direct translation from the original Hebrew and Greek manuscripts in the way most English Bibles are, but rather a paraphrased rendering that often incorporates problematic theological interpretation into the text itself.
Choosing a Bible Translation
At the end of the day, the goal of Bible translation is not simply precision or readability in isolation, but faithful communication of God’s Word so that it can be understood, believed, and obeyed.
There are many excellent English translations available, and most Christians will benefit from reading more than one. Different translations can help illuminate different aspects of a passage and give a fuller sense of the meaning of Scripture.
My encouragement is not to become overly focused on finding the “perfect” translation, but to choose a faithful translation and read it consistently. God’s Word is powerful, and He uses it in the lives of His people through careful and regular reading.
At Haven Fellowship Church, I primarily preach from the New King James Version (NKJV), and I have explained above why I personally believe it is the best overall translation for my study, teaching, and preaching. That said, I am thankful for all the faithful translations that help God’s people engage with Scripture in different contexts and stages of life.
If you’re unsure where to start, I would recommend choosing one of the translations above, reading it regularly, and allowing Scripture to shape your understanding of God and His Word.
Bible Translations FAQ
There is not a single best Bible translation for every person and every situation. Different translations have different strengths and are often better suited for different purposes.
While I have settled on the NKJV as the "best" translation for study, teaching, and preaching (for me), I regularly consult other translations as well. Ultimately, it is far more important to find a faithful translation that you will read consistently than to spend all your time searching for the "perfect" translation.
The Bible was written in Hebrew, Aramaic, and Greek. Translators must decide how to best express those languages in English, which naturally leads to multiple faithful translation approaches.Â
Bible translations differ in three main ways: (1) translation philosophy—some follow a more word-for-word approach (like NASB, ESV), while others are more thought-for-thought (like NIV, CSB), focusing on communicating meaning rather than matching structure; (2) reading level—some use more formal, academic English while others aim for more everyday readability; and (3) style and tradition—some retain more traditional “KJV-like” wording and church vocabulary, while others intentionally use more contemporary phrasing and sentence style.
Some paraphrases can help with readability or devotional reading, but they are not recommended for study or doctrine because they often expand or interpret the text rather than strictly translating it. One should understand a paraphrase is the author talking about the Bible not the Bible speaking for itself.
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A reliable word-for-word or balanced translation (such as NKJV, NASB, or ESV) is best for serious study, especially when used alongside other translations for comparison.
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A word-for-word translation (NKJV, NASB, or ESV) may still work well for reading, but many readers find that more balanced translation such as the CSB or a dynamic translations such as the NIV or NLT are easier for reading.
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None of the translations recommend do. Some translations such as The Passion Translation, The Mirror Bible, and the New World Translation do substantially change core Christian teachings.
Our primary translation for preaching is the NKJV. Our students primarily use the NIV. Church members use a wide range of translations.
It's important to own at least one Bible you can read and understand. For many Christians, owning 2-3 Bibles in different translations including at least one translation that is more literal and one that is easier to read is an idea setup.
One ideal pairing is the NKJV and either the NIV or CSB. This gives you a balance of a more literal translation (NKJV) alongside a more readable one (NIV or CSB), while also exposing you to both the Textus Receptus tradition (NKJV) and modern critical text translations.
- BSB (Berean Standard Bible): very readable, fairly literal, and free to use widely
- MSB (Majority Standard Bible): a newer Majority Text–based translation in the same readability family as the BSB; still in its early growth phase and currently available primarily online
- EHV (Evangelical Heritage Version): balanced, clear, and often underappreciated
- LEB (Lexham English Bible): very transparent about translation choices, good for study alongside others
- NET (New English Translation): highly study-oriented with extensive translation notes explaining interpretive decisions and textual choices
Not as much as many people assume. The Textus Receptus (used by the NKJV and KJV) and the Critical Text (used by translations such as the NASB, ESV, CSB, NIV, and NLT) agree on the vast majority of the New Testament text. Most differences involve minor wording variations that do not significantly affect the meaning of a passage.
At the same time, there are a number of more substantial differences involving entire verses, longer passages, and readings that have played an important role in the church's history. Examples include Mark 16:9–20, John 7:53–8:11, Acts 8:37, and several other well-known passages.
One reason these differences are less significant in practice than they might first appear is that most modern evangelical translations include major alternate readings in footnotes or brackets, allowing readers to see where manuscript traditions differ. While I personally prefer the textual foundation of the TR, faithful Christians can study, teach, and grow in their faith using translations based on either textual tradition.
Choosing a translation is only part of the decision. Bibles are also available in a variety of formats designed for different purposes.
Standard Bible
A standard Bible contains the biblical text with few additional features. This is often the best choice for everyday reading and for those who prefer a clean, uncluttered page.
Reference Bible
A reference Bible includes cross-references, translation notes, and other study aids that help readers compare related passages throughout Scripture. This is often my recommendation for those who want additional tools without the extensive commentary found in a study Bible.
Study Bible
A study Bible includes notes, articles, maps, charts, and introductions written by scholars and pastors. These can be extremely helpful for learning the historical and theological background of Scripture.
One important thing to remember is that the biblical text is inspired by God, but the study notes are not. Good study notes can be helpful teachers, but they should never be treated as equal to Scripture itself.
Journaling Bible
Journaling Bibles provide extra space in the margins for notes, prayers, and reflections. These are excellent for personal study and devotional use.
Large Print Bible
Large print editions make reading easier and more comfortable, especially for extended periods of time. Many readers find that a larger font helps them engage with Scripture more consistently.
Digital Bibles
Apps and digital Bibles provide powerful search tools, reading plans, and access to multiple translations. They can be an excellent supplement to a printed Bible and make it easy to compare translations side by side.
My Recommendation
For most Christians, I recommend a good reference Bible or study Bible in a translation they can read consistently. If you are purchasing your first Bible, focus less on finding the "perfect" edition and more on finding one that encourages you to spend time in God's Word regularly.
