Which Bible Version Is Right for You? | KJV, NIV, ESV, NLT & More Explained

Are you overwhelmed by all the different Bible versions? With the King James Version (KJV), New International Version (NIV), English Standard Version (ESV), New Living Translation (NLT), and even paraphrases like The Message—it can be confusing to know which one is right for you.

In this episode of Behind the Mike Podcast, Mike Stone breaks down why there are so many Bible translations, the differences between them, and how to choose the one that will help you grow in your walk with God.

We’ll explore:
• The history of Bible manuscripts and translations
• The three main translation styles: word-for-word, thought-for-thought, and paraphrase
• Strengths and weaknesses of popular versions like KJV, NIV, ESV, NLT, CSB, and The Message
• How to select a Bible that fits your purpose: study, devotion, history, or academic use
• Why there’s no “perfect” Bible version—but there is one that’s right for you

👉 Challenge: Read your favorite passage (like John 3:16 or Psalm 23) in three different translations this week. Notice what stands out to you!

📖 Comment below: What’s your go-to Bible version and why?

👍 If this helped you, don’t forget to subscribe, like, and share. Keep seeking, keep learning, and keep your eyes on Jesus!

#bible #bibleversions #christian #biblereading #behindthemikepodcast #mikestone

⏱️ Chapter Markers:
00:00 – The Bible version dilemma
00:27 – Why are there so many translations?
01:41 – Manuscripts & translation choices
02:16 – How we got the Bible we have today
04:22 – 3 main translation philosophies
06:28 – Comparing John 3:16 in different versions
06:57 – Quick tour of popular Bible versions
09:01 – How to choose the right Bible for you
10:04 – Bible reading challenge for this week
10:56 – Final encouragement & subscribe

Transcript

0:00

Let me ask you something. If you walked into a bookstore today and you looked at that giant Bible section, which one would you choose? There's the King James, the NIV, ESV, the message, the Living Bible. It can be overwhelming. And here's the thing. Bible sales are actually booming right now. In fact, sales of Bibles jumped more than 20% just last year, even while most print books declined. People are searching for answers and they're reaching for God's Word. So today, we're diving into a question. A lot of people ask, why are there so many Bible versions, and how do I know which one is right for me? This isn't about picking the one perfect Bible translation because that doesn't exist. But it is about understanding the differences and the strengths and the purpose behind them. So you can pick the right one that helps you grow in your walk with God. We're going to talk about that. All right. So let's start with the obvious. Why are there so many versions of the Bible. Well, it comes down to two main factors the manuscripts and the translation choices. So let's talk about the manuscripts. The Old Testament was written mostly in Hebrew, with some Aramaic, the New Testament Greek. And when translators go back to those ancient manuscripts, they have to make decisions. You see, some words don't have a 1 to 1 match in English. Second, the translation choices do you go as literal as possible, word for word, or do you smooth it out? Thought for thought. So it reads more naturally. And then if you add in history, denominational influences, cultural shifts like inclusion, language updates, you start to see why there isn't just one English Bible. Each translation is trying to faithfully communicate God's Word to a specific audience. Before we go deeper into translations, let's zoom out for a minute and ask, how did we even get the Bible we have today? Well, in case you don't know, the Bible isn't just one book. It's a library of 66 books written over 1500 years ago by more than 40 different authors. There were shepherds, kings, prophets, fishermen, even a doctor. And yet it tells one unified story of God's plan of redemption. The Old Testament was written in Hebrew with some Aramaic. These were the sacred writings of Israel. There was history and lore, poetry and prophecy. The New Testament, as I mentioned, was written in Greek, the common language of the first century. It contains the Gospels, the history of the early church, and acts, the letters of Paul and others. And then, of course, revelation. So how did all these writings come together? Well, early Christians recognized certain books as being inspired by God. They were collected, affirmed, and passed down. The Old Testament canon confirmed by Jesus and the apostles, and the New Testament canon widely recognized by the church. By the fourth century. And here's the amazing part. We have thousands of ancient manuscripts, far more than any other ancient work. And that's why translators today can work with incredible accuracy and confidence. So when you hold a Bible, you're holding the product of God's inspiration, faithfully preserved by his people throughout history. And that's why translations matter. Because the goal is to carry that same inspired message clearly into our language today. So now let's look at how translations actually work. Translators usually follow one of three main philosophies. First, formal equivalence, sometimes called word for word. This includes the King James Version, the English Standard Version, ESV, and the New American Standard Bible, NASB. These aim for accuracy to the original words. So that's great for study, but sometimes it can feel stiff and harder to read. For example,

John 3: 4:58

16 in the ESV says, For God so loved the world that he gave his only son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. It's precise, feels classic. Second, dynamic equivalence, which is thought for thought. The NIV and the NLT fit. Here the goal is to capture the meaning in natural English. Easier to read, sometimes more interpretive. The new Living Translation

puts John 3: 5:33

16 this way. For this is how God loved the world, he gave his one and only son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life. Same truth. Just a smoother flow. And the third paraphrase. Think of the message. This isn't a strict translation at all. It's retelling in today's language for devotion. It can make familiar verses hit fresh.

So John 3: 6:08

16 in the message reads like this. This is how much God loved the world. He gave his Son his one and only son. And this is why. So that no one needs to be destroyed by believing in him. Anyone can have a whole and lasting life. You see the difference. Each has a purpose. Word for word pulls you close to the text. Thought for thought kind of makes it flow. To paraphrase, makes it conversational. All right, so let's take a quick tour of some of the most popular Bible versions and why people choose them. King James Version, KJV the granddaddy. Over 400 years old. Poetic, beautiful and still beloved. But the English is 1600s English, so it can be tough for modern readers. Then there's the new international Version, and I've probably the most widely used today. It's balanced between accuracy and readability, and it's great for general use. Then we have the English Standard Version or ESV. This version is formal but literary. It's loved by many evangelical and reformed circles. It's also strong for study. New Living Bible Translation, or NLT. It's very readable. It's great for new believers, devotional reading or just soaking in Scripture. Then we have the Christian Standard Bible or CSB. It's a newer translation that tries to hit the sweet spot between accuracy and readability. And it is gaining popularity. Then we have the new Revised Standard Version, NRSV or NRSVue. It's widely used in academic and mainline Protestant contexts. It's known for inclusivity and careful scholarship. Then we have the message again, not a translation, but a paraphrase. It's very popular for devotional use and hearing scripture with fresh ears. Now, are you noticing something? Each of these Bibles has a place. The King James Version connects you with history. The NIV gives balance. The ESV digs deep. The NLT speaks plainly and the message makes it personal. None of these are really wrong. They're just different tools. I personally have a library of all of those and more, and I switch between them as I need to. So how do you pick the right Bible for you? Well, ask yourself this. What's my purpose? If you want deep study, I would suggest digging into the ESV, the NASB, or the CSB. If you just want some devotional reading. Then look at the NLT or the message that might speak to your heart. Certainly, if you love tradition and history, then go straight to the King James Version. It's rich and timeless. If you're doing academic work, the New Revised Standard Version, Nrsv, is often a go to. Here's a little secret. You don't have to pick just one Bible. Apps make it very easy to compare side by side translations. In fact, sometimes reading a verse in 3 or 4 translations is the best way to catch its full depth. So here's the bottom line. There's no single perfect Bible translation, but there is a right Bible for you, right now. In this season of life, just know the differences. What each one is for. This week I want to challenge you. Take one verse that you love.

Maybe it's John 3: 10:14

16. Maybe it's Psalm 23. Or maybe it's one of my favorites. The entire chapter of Psalm 139 read it in three different translations and notice what stands out. Notice what feels fresh. And then let me know what's your go to version and why. Drop a comment. I'd love to hear your story. Remember, the goal isn't just to read words on a page. It's to let God's Word read us to shape us, to guide us, and to draw us closer to him. Hopefully this was helpful to you. If so, please hit that subscribe button. Like this. Share it with someone. And until next time, keep seeking, keep learning, and keep your eyes on Jesus.