Which Bible Translation is Best?

Nevertheless, I tell you the truth: it is to your advantage that I go away, for if I do not go away, the Helper will not come to you. But if I go, I will send him to you. And when he comes, he will convict the world concerning sin and righteousness and judgment: concerning sin, because they do not believe in me; concerning righteousness, because I go to the Father, and you will see me no longer; concerning judgment, because the ruler of this world is judged.
John 16:7-11 ESV Read More

But very truly I tell you, it is for your good that I am going away. Unless I go away, the Advocate will not come to you; but if I go, I will send him to you. When he comes, he will prove the world to be in the wrong about sin and righteousness and judgment: about sin, because people do not believe in me; about righteousness, because I am going to the Father, where you can see me no longer; and about judgment, because the prince of this world now stands condemned.
John 16:7-11 NIV Read More

About every 8 years or so, the question of which Bible translation is the best comes up. The KJV was big for a long long time (ok, like since the 1600s!) but the NIV was the translation of choice of most of the people witnessing to me through the 90s. In the late 90s the free campus Bibles that Intervarsity passed out were NIVs so a lot of people that were in college 20 years ago got in on the NIV.

Then the NLT came out and there was a lot of support for its new contemporary language. Now the ESV is gaining steam and the NIV has been revised and updated so that you have to keep track of an NIV85, NIRV, and the NIV.

So Which Bible Translation is the Best?

The best answer to that is the one that you read. I know that doesn’t stand behind any church tradition very well, but it’s a trick answer, just like Which church is the best? The one that you go to. Reading different translations, in community and discussion with other people that are truly seeking Jesus, will help you grow right in your faith.

God’s word, throughout the history of God speaking, was never intended to be read alone and in isolation. Adam and Eve got into trouble because they didn’t discuss together what they thought God said. When the Apostles dedicated themselves to the “the apostles’ teaching and the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers,” they were protecting themselves from unorthodox thinking.

Reading multiple translations of the same scripture and talking about it with others brings the scripture from black and white into living color. Talking about what we read and what we learn helps us to keep away from strange teachings and grow in the truth. Check out the Bible app or some of your friends’ Bibles and see what they are reading and why. As you seek Jesus, you’ll get to know the whole Body of Christ better.