There is no single "best" Bible version, as the best one depends on the reader's purpose and preferences. However, some of the top recommendations for different uses are:
- For devotional reading and general study, the New International Version (NIV) is very popular due to its balance of accuracy and readability, written at about a 7th-8th grade level.
- For serious Bible study with a focus on literal translation close to the original Hebrew and Greek, the English Standard Version (ESV), New King James Version (NKJV), and New American Standard Bible (NASB) are highly recommended.
- For those starting study Bibles or wanting easy readability with helpful commentary, the New Living Translation (NLT) Study Bible is often suggested.
- For scholarly study, the New Revised Standard Version (NRSV), especially the HarperCollins or SBL Study Bible editions, is regarded as excellent for academia.
- Other versions balance different translation philosophies (literal vs. thought-for-thought vs. paraphrase) offering options like CSB (Christian Standard Bible), NRSVue, and literary classics like the King James Version (KJV).
The choice depends on whether readability, literal accuracy, study depth, or traditional language style is most important to the reader. Many experts suggest having more than one version for different purposes. If a specific type of use or audience is known, a more tailored recommendation can be given.
