Top Ten Bible Versions: My Picks


The next few days are quite busy for me, but sometime next week, I plan to begin a series that explores a number of my favorite translations. I don't intend to provide exhaustive analysis of these versions. That's been done elsewhere, and it's doubtful that I could provide significant new insights. However, I can relate what's peculiar (meant in the good sense) about these versions that make them stand out to me.

Below is my top ten list of versions that I'll be exploring in future blog entries. The top five are pretty set in my mind right now. These are the ones that I mainly use. Below that, the list is fairly fluid. Some people who know me may be surprised at some of the versions I've included. If that's the case, stay tuned for my explanations beginning next week.

1. Holman Christian Standard Bible
2. Today's New International Version
3. New American Standard Bible
4. New Living Translation
5. The Message
6. Revised English Bible
7. New Jerusalem Bible
8. Good News Translation (Today's English Version)
9. The Wycliffe New Testament (1388)
10. Modern Language Bible (New Berkeley Version)

Honorable Mention #1: New English Translation
Honorable Mention #2: King James Version
Honorable Mention #3: The Cotton Patch Version


An eclectic selection, don't you think?

Point of Clarification: When I refer to these as my top ten favorites, it's my top ten out of the 80+ distinct translations that I have accumulated over the last twenty years or so. Click here to see the full list.