Maybe you can tell me something I don’t know. Since δει is in the active present singular 3rd person, it could be translated as “where HE ought not” or “where IT ought not” (but I may be wrong). Just never got around to picking up a copy to check it out, so I`d love to see that one compared. What I meant to say here was: “…is slightly LESS literal than the ESV.” I shall edit it. Now it feels normal to me and I can’t go back to a masculine-dominant translation. It gets very high ratings from customers on Amazon. Nathan, I think my next series will be on the TNIV and HCSB. Formal equivalence comparison #4: NASB vs ESV vs NRSV - Acts 2 March 30, 2008 The comparison between formal translations of the Tyndale tradition continues with Acts chapter 2. I found myself reading it with Yoda’s voice in my head! Acts 2:22-23. Many thanks to all who contribute. That sounds exciting ElSh. The NASB is definitely the most literal, the NRSV is the least literal of the three literal translations, and the ESV is somewhere in-between. It is literal yet accurate. The NRSV has moved towards a dynamic equivalence philosophy. If I was stranded on a deserted island and could choose only one FE translation translation to read for the rest of my lonesome life, and without a chance for a DE to read, I think I might go with the ESV. What I like about this one is that it has a full concordance in addition to the interlinear, plus it has Strong`s numbers above every word. I had started a TNIV/HCSB/NET/ISV “median translation comparison” post at one point in time, but never got around to doing anything with it. I’ll have to check it out one day. Also, ten years on from the original post, has your opinion changed at all? What about the REB if you add a third? I find NRSV uses more down to earth English structure while NASB uses out there kind of English structure. I am open minded to all opinions, but I would like scriptural support of version preference. The NASB meets that need. I’ll consult my lexicon when I get to my office. The ESV sometimes translates Adelphoi as brothers, sometimes brothers and sisters or something along those “inclusive” lines (shrug). The NASB, ESV, and NRSV are all very good, and currently, I refer to all three in by comparisons. The literalness in the NASB is in itself, its own strength, and at the same time, it is also its own weakness. Nathan, the REB is beginning to sound like a good choice even though it’s not very well known in North America. Thanks for the good work done here. Another interesting bible translation comparison would be a “literary excellence” series, featuring the KJV, REB and New Jerusalem Bible (NJB). NASB. If I’m stranded on an island, I’ll go with the NET, because of the numerous notes. I had a difficult time accepting the ESV because of the anti-rhetoric against the TNIV, and then I thought it didn’t do enough with the RSV. Is this an example of the conservative bias in the ESV that Peter and I are speaking of? I think you should consult a lexicon on this one. It is excellent for careful exegetical bible studies. Here’s why. The NASB is better in some places than the NRSV, and the NRSV is better in some places than the NASB. As best I can recall, there was one other major translation that translated “he” instead of “it”. The NRSV follows the RSV in being in a more liberal tradition (for example, Is 7:14 as Jimmy points out below has the same problem in both the NRSV and RSV), whereas the ESV is more conservative. I use douay-rheims + Luther Bibel + NASB + electronic interlinear versions when I need to do serious "work". v. 4: The NRSV’s contemporary usage of “looking for” instead of “seek” is better. You are right, there is not a big difference. Kevin, I just ordered this book. The evangelical bible reading community may not be big users but there is a large-segment in the non-evangelical community that does read the apocrypha. The 2020 is unusually wordy for the NASB. “For the man who hates and divorces…(ESV 2001) now becomes “For the man who does not love his wife but divorces her…” (ESV 2007). Even Dr. Don Carson, who is pro-TNIV, thought that it has done too much with the gender issue. They are both fairly similar to the KJV. 10.40. Graham, thanks for spotting this. While προφήτης refers to males. The NASB, like the RSV, is also a direct revision of the old ASV. ( Log Out /  But then, the NRSV does this too. I … One thing we MUST remember is that the textual footnotes of a translation are every bit as important as the words chosen by the translators to use in the actual text. I`ve come to love the NRSV more and more, but I use the ESV right beside it often times. I noticed that both NASB and NRSV have their own bias, but NRSV seems to be more honest since it provides footnotes of other possible translations. The ESV is a scholarly translation and will become known as such. For example, in 1 John 4:19 the KJV and NKJV include the word Him after “we love,” but the other five translations do not. I would also suggest the NLTse as the third, as so many seem to be using it today. Bravo! Version Information. The New American Standard Bible (NASB), first appearing as just the Gospel of John in 1960, followed by the New Testament in 1963 and the Old Testament in 1971, also claimed to be an authorized revision of the ASV, hence its name. I know this is a very old post but I’ve just spotted a contradiction between two of your statements. But I have not yet examined in any great detail either the World English Bible or Jay Green’s/Sovereign Grace’s Literal Version : both seem to merit examination. Concerning the ESV with deuterocanonicals, I think it would be a very good thing for a more moderate to conservative Episcopalian like myself. You must be very familiar with these translations. Thanks for doing this series, Kevin – it’s been interesting to see the differences. BTW, I posted a couple of comments under the God and gender post, let me know what you think. I don’t think you can go wrong it. The NRSV translators made choices to go with slightly different rendering from the traditional ones and that may be due to a more liberal Christian worldview or just a different way of handling the original text. My guess is that the UK publisher Collins is putting together an ESV version with the deut. John 3:16 (NRSV) For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him may not perish but may have eternal life. 2 Corinthians 10:13 (NRSV) The NLTse is a DE. I hear that the NASB will be updated soon. We, however, will not boast beyond limits, but will keep within the field that God has assigned to us, to reach out even as far as you. The language of the NRSV is also a strength because it makes it more readable than the NASB, and even the ESV. Out of curiosity, because I think it is a good translation (but not one I like to read for hours at a time), though I believe it relies a little too heavily on the Masoretic Text and Textus Receptus, what are some of you guys opinions of the NKJV? And would you classify it as a formal translation? The beautiful and majestic language of the KJV has had a huge influence on the English language and is very often thought of as the "real" translation, even by people who are not religous. Accuracy and literalness should not be equated as the same thing. Kevin, I think you’d like a comparison with the REB to the TNIV and HCSB. TC. Excellent for serious Bible study; 1995 revision is more readable than 1977 (Note that the 1977 version uses "Thee" and "Thou" to distinguish God.) The ESV could seriously challenge the NRSV as my main Bible if only it were available with these books (preferably in something like the HarperCollins Study Bible). Peter, Do you know of any perfect translation? Packer (an evangelical yes, but also an ordained Anglican) served as the general editor of the translation. All translations have their shortcomings. I’ve been using the NASB since 1982. I still like the REB, HCSB, and TNIV comparison as proposed by Nathan. I found that T/NIV, HCSB, NASB also use “it.”. I need a newer one anyway, and one keyed to one of these two translations will be perfect. And of course, I will do the same. 30. I do however see that NASB has a bias towards the "supposed" deity of the Messiah. I’m currently reading the TNIV Books of the Bible and (coincidentally) wondering how it compares to the HCSB, so the next series is perfect! I don’t have any experience with Word Study Greek-English New Testament by McReynolds but maybe someone else out there does. Also, the ESV`s rendering in the 2001 edition was changed at some point in one of the revisions, because the 2007 version I have seemed a little “looser” with the translation of that verse than the 2001 edition. John 3:16 (GNT) For God loved the world so much that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him may not die but have eternal life. Give us this day our daily bread. I also feel the NRSV is a good overall translation, but it’s association with the National Council of Churches has kept some from examining it, as well as the extremes in terminology they have chosen to go gender-neutral. May I change my vote to ISV? But with so many options available, I don’t think so. It has served me well and I use it all the time. Lastly, I would like to pose a question to you of much more erudition than myself. Your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Please log in using one of these methods to post your comment: You are commenting using your WordPress.com account. If one wants the most literal word-for-word precision (in alignment with the Greek) and do not mind the choppiness in reading, plus a conservative theological outlook, then the NASB is best. Kevin, this is a case where προφῆτις is only used in reference to females and not males. Hi Mark, surprised I hadn’t read this one before, but Alexander’s comment alerted me to it. I never was a big user of the NRSV, but my Greek instructor loved it. Pardon the sidebar, just thought I`d share since you mentioned interlinears. The NIV is the right-most (not meaning conservative, but furthest right on this chart) while the NASB is the furthest left. After blogging on this series on the three formal equivalent translations, I cannot say there is a clear #1 winner because it all depends on what a person wants in a translation. Once again, well done – and many thanks! Oh btw, it also contains the NRSV in the margins. Thanks Robert for your comment and question, and Nathan for finding the link. The entire verse is difficult. Do you have any experience with it? This is the last of this comparison series between the NASB, ESV and NRSV. I`ve been hoping for a long time this would happen. So my search for a formal equivalent translation will continue on sometime into the future. It seems the ESV (2007) is more interpretive than the ESV (2001). Oooooh! I am finding NASB to be pretty good. I noticed that both NASB and NRSV have their own bias, but NRSV seems to be more honest since it provides footnotes of other possible translations. Also contains the NRSV uses gender-neutral language, then why not “ man ” for aner trying to this... 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