What are your Top 5 Bible Translations in 2021 and why?

My translation choices don't really change much from year to year. My congregation uses the Complete Jewish Bible as the standard for parashah and sermon readings as a Messianic group. I've never completely liked it, so I often supplement it with quotations from the Tree of Life Version. My daily Bible readings and much of my own personal use gets the New King James Version. I love the KJV but it's not the easiest to work with everyday. The ESV has long been my standard Bible for straight Bible study.  

I should point out that all of this becomes kind of topping because I won't say much of anything about verse without at least using an Exegetical Guide and an OL text or two to see where a translation receives its foundation.

1. NIV2011
2. RSV
3. REB
4. NRSV
5. NLT

KJV

ASV

NASB

ESV

NKJV

1. CSB

2. NASB

3. ESV

4. LEB

5. NIV

I have found out that I can consume more in one sitting when I use the CSB. It is easier for me to read and understand, so I use this one a lot. The other 4 I use when I'm trying to get a holistic understanding of a verse or passage.

1. NASB 

2. NKJV

3. CSB

4. NIV ('84)

5. LEB

I prefer a literal translation, but also like to consult dynamic equivalents, as long as they too lean toward the literal as opposed to a paraphrase.

1. NRSV

2. ESV

3. NIV

4. CSB

5. NET

The first two are always the same. The other three get swapped out a lot depending on what I'm working on. The NASB also frequently makes an appearance in my top five. I've been using the NET bible more since I have the reverse interlinear for it now and it has such detailed notes. I've also been using the NIV a lot more lately since I'm out of school and do a lot more personal reading versus exegetical papers and I'm following some bible teachers that are using it right now. The CSB is a good comparison text, and it's new so I'm trying to familiarize myself with it. I use the NRSV because it's a good all-purpose translation for personal reading, in-depth study/scholarship, contains the apocrypha, and it's accurate and ecumenical/non-sectarian. I like the ESV because it's similar to the NRSV in structure/language but slightly more literal (sometimes) and comes from a different theological perspective than the NRSV. So I most frequently have the NRSV and ESV open together, and then I pull in other translations as needed. 

1. NIV (2011)

2. ESV

3. NLT

4. CSB

5. LEB

For me the top 5 at the moment go something like this...

1) ESV  good for study, elegant,  harder to understand, which forces the reader to work out the interpretation for themselves...

2) NIV 2011  Good middle of the road, general purpose bible, although sometimes can be a bit bland.

3) NLT Easy to read translation, does the interpretation for you (but is it right?), opposite of ESV

4) NASB 1995 more word for word, sometimes a bit wooden.  I am currently using this bible to read  through the whole bible, as I have never read through it before. Good to mix things up.

5) NRSV mainline translation, a lot of scholars prefer it.  Good alternative to ESV for theological interpretation.

***Bonus translation  The Lexham English Septuagint  good alternative for comparison of old testament based on Greek text.

There are many good translations, I think it always best to prefer translations done by committees over one by one person. 

Next year I might read through NKJV when I finish NASB,  

Has anyone switched from NKJV to MEV?

Just my thoughts, the best bible is the one you read...

P A

CSB - Readable, Reliable, Accurate

CSB - Readable, Reliable, Accurate

CSB - Readable, Reliable, Accurate

CSB - Readable, Reliable, Accurate

CSB - Readable, Reliable, Accurate

1. ESV
2. CSB
3. LEB
4. NIV
5. NASB

Why is an interesting question. I think that primarily because I consider these to be the best overall Bible translations for study and for text comparison.

Yes I intend to read through the CSB one year

Mainly, I use NABRE (plus good notes) and NRSV (matches my paper Oxford).

But for translation patterns, I use Text Comparison with maybe 40 translations sorted by date, showing the general trend. Between the TC tool, and Logos re-publishing the older works, it's really quite nice. Need Bishop's (missing link).

so I often supplement it with quotations from the Tree of Life Version.

I wish that Faithlife had made the TLV a part of their New Year's Sale with the other bibles. They only put on sale the ones I already own (that I'm sure many of us already own if we have a larger library).

Why is an interesting question. I think that primarily because I consider these to be the best overall Bible translations for study and for text comparison.

What are your thoughts on the NET Bible?

Why is an interesting question. I think that primarily because I consider these to be the best overall Bible translations for study and for text comparison.

What are your thoughts on the NET Bible?

I read the NET Bible several years ago and really enjoyed it. It is actually number 6 on my prioritized list.

My top 5 Bibles are prioritized as:

1. NIV: familiar, good turn of phrase, reasonably true to the original most of the time
2. ESV: better at retaining Hebrew idioms (so I use this mostly in the Old Testament)
3. NRSV: mostly so the deutero-canonical books show up in my searches
4. KJV: mostly so the old words I grew up on show up in my searches
5. NLT: because my work required me to use this, though it's very poor at communicating the ancient sense (way too interpretative with its particular theological bent).

Mostly I'll have an interlinear open beside the English translation: USB Greek, Lexham Hebrew, Lexham LXX (because these 3 play well together).

How are you sorting translations by date?

Not much has changed since I try to read several translations when studying a text, but here are top 5 with a new one added:

1.  The For Everyone Bible — translates key verses correctly!

2.  NASB 1977, 1995, 2020 and its equivalents in Spanish LBLA, NBLA, NBLH I’ve always used these.

3.  CSB I like how it reads

4.  NKJV I’ve always used it.

5.  NIV 1984, 2010 and NVI Spanish some expressions in Spanish are super awesome!

After that NA28 and Lexham Hebrew Bible along with the Septuagint in Greek and Hebrew NT

DAL

How are you sorting translations by date?

I sort by date by changing the resource title.

I sort by date by changing the resource title.

Ditto, but I remember KSFJ has a good system.  I also push back dating to the older languages (eg latin, coptic, syriac, etc) even though the equivalent english translation is more recent.

I sort by date by changing the resource title.

Ditto, but I remember KS4J has a good system.

Thankful for Logos & Verbum allow Resource Title & Abbreviated Title modification so an alphabetic sort is chronological:

Inverted image for easier reading by some. Thankful for Dark Mode contrast improvement:

Personal quirk is adding a letter after year for non-English Language. Some "Bible" resources also have an Abbreviation added to prefix.

Keep Smiling [:)]

I could almost copy P A's list verbatim, but I'll make a few more comments:

1. ESV--My default for teaching, personal, and academic use; I like the elegant language and accuracy.
2. NIV 2011--When in doubt, my default for preaching or casual usage at times when the ESV's precision is not required. I agree wholeheartedly with the description of it as "a bit bland."
3. NLT--I usually avoid looser translations (the NIV is about as far as I like to go), but I've discovered in recent months that I like the NLT. It's not much looser than the NIV but is far from bland, with a nice upbeat style most of the time. (Again, used at times when precision is not so necessary.)
4. ASV--For those times when that newfangled NASB isn't wooden enough! I kid; mostly it's for when I'm too lazy to try to puzzle things out in the Greek or Hebrew.
5. Could be either NRSV or NABRE.

Bonus for special Hexateuch studies: The LEB linked to the AFAT Hebrew text with a visual filter color-coded (thanks MJ!) to the source texts.

For me the top 5 at the moment go something like this...

1) ESV  good for study, elegant,  harder to understand, which forces the reader to work out the interpretation for themselves...

2) NIV 2011  Good middle of the road, general purpose bible, although sometimes can be a bit bland.

3) NLT Easy to read translation, does the interpretation for you (but is it right?), opposite of ESV

4) NASB 1995 more word for word, sometimes a bit wooden.  I am currently using this bible to read  through the whole bible, as I have never read through it before. Good to mix things up.

5) NRSV mainline translation, a lot of scholars prefer it.  Good alternative to ESV for theological interpretation.

***Bonus translation  The Lexham English Septuagint  good alternative for comparison of old testament based on Greek text.

KS4J, how do you get the columns in your library layout?

KS4J, how do you get the columns in your library layout?

I think, for the purpose of demonstration, he has opened the Library in multiple tabs

I think, for the purpose of demonstration, he has opened the Library in multiple tabs

Ah, yes, seeing that now. Thanks. You know...I like this theoretical option. Would be great if FL could create a multi-column view for the Library.

What are your Top 5 Bible Translations in 2021 and why?

1. RSV-2CE (go-to Bible since it got an RI in Logos)
2. RNJB (To get more familiar with it. Print-only. Newly published in 2019. The JB/NJB reimagined as a formal equivalence text! It's fantastic!)
3. ESV-CE (Re-visit this translation now that it has Deuterocanonicals to see if it might become new go-to)
4. NET 2.0 (Will check this one out, although I thought NET 1.0 was drab)
5. NABRE (call it a situational necessity)

1. CSB

2. NASB

3. ESV

4. LEB

5. NIV

I have the same 5, but different rank for different reasons.

1. CSB - This is the translation I am journaling in my personal quiet time - personal spiritual formation is highest priority.

2. ESV - The translation I use for preaching (accuracy in translation philosophy and accessibility to congregants)

3. NASB - I consult a more "wooden" translation for micro view (Reverse Interlinear Panel, look at individual words)

4. NIV - I consult a more "dynamic" translation for macro view (Discourse features turned on to get the big picture and overall flow of the thoughts).

5. LEB - Since the majority of my study is in Logos, this translation is FULLY tagged and integrated into Logos interactives and datasets.

What are your thoughts on the NET Bible?

I use it, and I don't care that much of other English translations.

1) NASB

2) ESV

3) NLT

4) AMP (wish we could get the updated one)

5) NCV [I have young kids and this is the easiest for them to understand ]

What are your thoughts on the NET Bible?

I use it, and I don't care that much of other English translations.

I don't read the NET very much but I do like the notes

1) NABRE

2) RSVCE

3) ESVCE

4) NJB

5) DRB 

I guess I'm just a simple man.... here's my choices...

1. NKJV

2. Text Comparison under Tools in Logos with 11 translations. 

I do my heavy studying now in Logos with minor in WS (there are things I can do quicker in WS still). My reading I do out of an opened book.

I think, for the purpose of demonstration, he has opened the Library in multiple tabs

Ah, yes, seeing that now. Thanks. You know...I like this theoretical option. Would be great if FL could create a multi-column view for the Library.

Thankful for Logos & Verbum change that allows Library to be opened in many tabs.  +1 [Y] like so Please Vote => https://feedback.faithlife.com/boards/logos-desktop-app/posts/add-title-view-to-library

Keep Smiling [:)]

NLT--I usually avoid looser translations

At first I read this as "loser translations" and chuckled. I thought, "I'm not a fan of the NLT but that's a bit harsh." lol Then I realized what you meant. Reading is fundamental. lol

LOL [:)]  funny

LOL [:)]  funny

Inductive bible study method might have helped Observation-Interpretation-Application

before Interpretation and Application, always do the Observation 

Thanks Kiyah for making me chuckle [:)]  LOL

P A

Has anyone switched from NKJV to MEV?

I am really curious about this translation, too.

ESV        (has become my "go to" translation for its accuracy or translation)

NIV ('84)  (Was my "go to" translation, but moved to ESV because my congregation cannot buy a NIV ('84)

NLT  

After that I go to the Greek (NA 28) for New Testament and the Hebrew (BHS) 

Has anyone switched from NKJV to MEV?

Since the NKJV was the Bible the apostles carried in the hip pocket of their Levis when they traveled the earth.... why would anyone want to change? [8-|]

xnman

You could be right[:)][Y]

P A

Has anyone switched from NKJV to MEV?

I am really curious about this translation, too.

Yes, replaced 1982:NKJV with 2014:MEV in my BibleGrid group for Bible searching of many Bibles for Grid display.

Thankful for MEV now having Reverse Interlinears => https://www.logos.com/product/197462/mev-ot-reverse-interlinear & => https://www.logos.com/product/197487/mev-nt-reverse-interlinear

Thankful for hard copy Spiritual Warfare Bible with MEV.

Keep Smiling [:)]

Yes, replaced 1982:NKJV with 2014:MEV in my BibleGrid group for Bible searching of many Bibles for Grid display.

Thankful for MEV now having Reverse Interlinears => https://www.logos.com/product/197462/mev-ot-reverse-interlinear & => https://www.logos.com/product/197487/mev-nt-reverse-interlinear

Thankful for hard copy Spiritual Warfare Bible with MEV.

Keep Smiling

I don't seem to have the features necessary for the MEV interlinear; I think I had them when I had a trial subscription. 

I am not finding much online about this translation, but what I have heard interests me. 

5. LEB - Since the majority of my study is in Logos, this translation is FULLY tagged and integrated into Logos interactives and datasets.

Does the LEB offer more functions in Logos than the ESV?   If yes, what are these functions?

Thankful for MEV now having Reverse Interlinears

Wow! That's wonderful! I hadn't noticed that in my library. I really liked the MEV when it came out, and even bought into another Bible Study program to get an electronic copy of it in probably 2014 or so, before Logos had it. Now that it has an RI, I'd have to adjust my earlier answer on this thread to fit it in to my top five for 2021 - I'm sure I'll be re-acquainting myself with it.

I am a little frustrated trying to figure out the cheapest option to be able to use the MEV interlinear, without paying for things I don't want, while still being denied access to things that I still want very badly.

I think you can purchase separate reverse interlinears  for the MEV Old and New Testament.

Not sure this is cheapest option

Others will advise

P A

Sorry my information was incorrect. You seem to only be able to purchase MEV interlinear as part of collection.

P A

Have you tried contacting customer services?

P A

1. LEB

2. NIV

3. ESV

4. NASB95

5. CSB

I use these for a variety of different reasons. LEB is the top priority because it's a Lexham product for Logos Bible Software. ESV is my carry bible. NASB95 is the bible I use in a academic situation. NIV because it's a different philosophy than the other bibles. CSB because I am Southern Baptist.