Three styles of translation
- Word-for-word (formal equivalence) — translates as literally as possible. Best for study.
- Thought-for-thought (dynamic equivalence) — translates ideas naturally. Best for reading.
- Paraphrase — restates in modern language. Best for casual reading; not for study.
Major English translations
NIV — New International Version
Balanced translation, widely used in evangelical and non-denominational churches. Highly readable. The most popular Bible in the United States.
ESV — English Standard Version
Word-for-word translation favored in Reformed and conservative evangelical circles. Strong for serious study while still readable.
NLT — New Living Translation
Thought-for-thought; very readable. Popular with families, new believers, and youth groups.
NASB — New American Standard Bible
Strictly word-for-word. Less readable but excellent for detailed Bible study and original-language work.
NKJV — New King James Version
Updates the King James Version into modern English while preserving the cadence. Popular in Baptist and Pentecostal circles.
KJV — King James Version
The historic 1611 translation. Still beloved for its language and is the official translation in some traditions, especially Reformed Baptist and IFB churches.
CSB — Christian Standard Bible
Sponsored by the Southern Baptist Convention. A balance of accuracy and readability.
NRSV — New Revised Standard Version
Mainline Protestant and ecumenical favorite. Used in many seminaries.
RSV-2CE / NABRE — Catholic translations
The Revised Standard Version Catholic Edition (RSV-2CE) and New American Bible Revised Edition (NABRE) are the most commonly used Catholic Bibles in the U.S. Both include the deuterocanonical books.
The Message
A paraphrase by Eugene Peterson. Beautiful for devotional reading; not recommended as a primary study Bible.
What does your church use?
- Catholic: NABRE or RSV-2CE
- Orthodox: Orthodox Study Bible (NKJV-based)
- Mainline Protestant: NRSV or NIV
- Evangelical / non-denominational: NIV or ESV
- Reformed / Calvinist: ESV
- Southern Baptist: CSB or NIV
- King James Only: KJV
Practical recommendation
For a first Bible: NIV or NLT for readability, or ESVfor a study Bible. Don't overthink it — every major translation will give you the gospel.
Where to start reading
New to the Bible? Start with the Gospel of John, then Mark, then Luke. After the Gospels, read Acts and Romans. Old Testament: start with Genesis and Psalms.