The Christian Booksellers Association recently released its list of the top ten selling Bible translations for December 2014. The CBA actually provides two lists: one by dollar sales; and the other by unit sales.
Top Ten Translations Based on Dollar Sales
- New International Version
- King James Version
- New King James Version
- New Living Translation
- English Standard Version
- Holman Christian Standard Bible
- The Voice
- New American Standard
- Reina Valera 1960
- New International Reader’s Version
Top Ten Translations Based on Unit Sales
- New International Version
- The Voice
- King James Version
- English Standard Version
- New King James Version
- New Living Translation
- Holman Christian Standard Bible
- Reina Valera 1960
- Nueva Version Internacional (Spanish)
- New International Reader’s Version
What is your preferred Bible translation? What do you think about these two lists? Let me hear from you.
Posted on December 10, 2014
With nearly 40 years of ministry experience, Thom Rainer has spent a lifetime committed to the growth and health of local churches across North America.
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175 Comments
I use the NASB most of the time. When I was learning Greek and Hebrew and having to do translation work, I found the NASB to be the most accurate in most cases of any translation available.
On a related topic, here are three smartphone apps that provide access to multiple translations and even include audio and video. If I don’t have my printed Bible, I can use my smartphone to access what would otherwise be several book shelves of various Bible translations. The apps are Bible Gateway, Bible.is, and Bible.
The Logos Bible app, even without paying for resources, is actually a really nice tool. It can be a little cumbersome on a smartphone, but its awesome on a tablet.
You can add to that Olive Tree’s software (variously named Bible+, or The Bible Study App, or others (the name has changed some over the years). The reader is free, and exists in many platforms, with KJV, the ESV, and I believe the HCSB also available for free (along with just about every fallen-into-public-domain English translation out there). One nice touch is that once you’re bought one of the for-pay translations (or e-books – and note that they also make available a lot of fallen-into-public-domain classic christian books available for free), you don’t have to re-purchase the books when you move to a new platform (although last I knew the situation on the IPhone may be different, due to Apple’ app market rules – I don’t have an IPhone, so I haven’t paid much attention to it). I started out on a Palm, and have been able to take my purchases as I have made my way to my current android phone.
I’m a self confessed ESV fanboy. I have found that it seems to have some of the “music” to it that you get from the KJV translation, as well as some pretty well respected scholarship. I’ve never been a fan of the NIV since I founf the opposite to be true for it as I found for the ESV, it came across as sterile in its syntax, and for what its worth I often felt like I was reading “below” my reading level.
So the ESV is my everyday, go everywhere translation, but I’ve also been known to check out the NKJV among other when studying. Also, I like to reference the Jewish New Testament translation by David Stern, and a Stone Edition Tanach to get a different translation “flavor” during study.
On a different note, I just recently had a really good customer service interaction with Crossway. When I purchased my original ESV, I had no idea that it had a lifetime guarantee, so after several hard worn years of use I was ready to pick up another one. I just stumbled across the warantee in my searching, and a couple quick emails later I had a crisp new copy of my favorite translation. I’m not usually one to “pimp” for a publisher, but I was really impressed with the service.
I have mostly used the NIV over the years. I was caught off guard by the 2011 update and do not agree with the gender inclusiveness. I still use my 1984 version, which I can indefinitely. However I don’t want to encourage church members to buy a 2011 to follow allow. At some point I may choose a different primary translation.
I would suggest that the NIV 2011 is more accurate than the NIV 1984. After pouring through tons of articles from both sides, I’m very happy with my NIV 2011. Here is my favorite article summing up my thoughts on the subject pretty well. http://baptistbulletin.org/the-baptist-bulletin-magazine/evaluating-the-new-international-version-2011/
I preach from the NLT.
I also am usually preaching through books.
I want the people in the pew to realize that the Bible was always meant to be an everyday book.
Born and bred on the KJV but too many today simply are not coming from such a background.
While no translation is completely satisfactory, I like the NIV. I do preach exposition and have no trouble using it.
I like the NASB (but it is hard to find a good format with decent font) better than the ESV. The NASB just seems more energetic than the ESV. But, I do memorize from the ESV more than the NASB.
With that said, I think most English translations are not very good. Matt. 7:7 is a good example. (Ask [keep asking], seek [keep seeking], etc.) John 5:24 is another good example (hear [continue to hear], believe [continue to believe], have eternal life [continue to experience eternal life]).
But overall, as I wrote, I like the NIV the best.
HCSB got Matt 7:7 right: “Keep asking, and it will be given to you. Keep searching, and you will find. Keep knocking, and the door will be opened to you.” NLT is similar.
All the versions that I looked at have the present tense in John 5:24 (hears … believes … has). The present tense in English implies an action or a state that is continuing. But you have a good point—it would be nice if the English could bring out the nuances of the Greek. I guess we’ll all just have to learn Greek!
I use NKJV after many years of using KJV. I have tried preaching from NIV and NASB over the years. I use multiple translations for study and occasionally quote and reference other translations while teaching and preaching. I did not see this in other comments, but while I appreciate the individual nature of the translations for personal use, it was really good years ago when we said “open your Bibles”, pages turned, and then we all read from one translation. (By the way, we use ppt, screens, etc. but just not the same.)
I use the Common English Bible, copyright 2011. I like this translation with the exception of “Son of Man” being translated as the “Human One” (a footnote provides the “Son of Man” translation). Specifically, I use the CEB Wesley Study Bible.
I prefer the NASB and always have. I have gained a new respect for the HCSB. I don’t like the NIV at all. I reference the NLT quite often (more like a commentary). I cannot stand the Message Bible. After reading many of the above comments, I may have to check out the ESV.
As one of my favorite pastors says: “What’s the best version of the Bible to read and study? The one you are going to read and study!”
Amen Keith!
I personally use the NASB because I believe it to be the most accurate translation available. I do read the HCSB as a backup for it’s readability.
I am the Fellowship Group Director (Sunday School Director) for our church, and have pushed the HCSB from a curriculum standpoint, but see that our older classes insist on the KJV.
I worked in Christian bookselling almost 25 years ago, and aside from the new translations, this list hasn’t changed as much as I would have guessed it might.
I like NLT for the general reader, I’m a big fan of the NRSV as well, but my favorite and the translation I’ve been using for years is the New English Translation, NET. I’ve learned enough biblical greek (but no hebrew) to learn that most of our translations are really really good, and I don’t think any of them are going to throw someone off.
There are only a few I really dislike for one reason or another, but that discussion would be unnecessarily negative.
NET for the win. non-partisan, ridiculously excellent translator’s notes.
I wonder about usage though. Now that so many are accessing the Bible on devices, not in books, and for free… I wonder how many people are actually cross-checking through a lot of translations now, or reading a translation they’ve never actually bought a copy of.
As a PhD Candidate concentrating in New Testament, I want to agree with you that most of the English translations are really good. I use the original languages in my research and when I prepare things for church as well, but am happy with the fact that my church uses the NIV2011 and that my academic department’s preferred English translation is the NRSV (which is close enough to the ESV that I usually use the ESV for academic purposes for its more generous copyright permissions and better range of electronic editions). Any of the deficiencies in English translations can easily be dealt with in preaching/lecturing as and when they crop up, and to be honest they are pretty few and far between in the major modern translations.
I would have more work to do and probably project less confidence in the English translation when preaching or speaking to a group that used the (N)KJV because of the textual critical issues, but that’s another story.
I’ll second your comments about the NET – that’s been my primary study translation for many years also. It’s at times strikingly colloquial, which took a bit of getting used to at first. The copious translator’s notes are what make it really stand out, though. Still make use of the NASV (which I nicknamed the HSV (Hair-Splitters Version) in my younger days), particularly since I carry around the Olive Tree edition that’s linked to a Strong’s concordance. And I rotate the version I use for daily readings – just about finished wtih a full run-through of the ESV; next up: the NCSB.