Pros & Cons of Popular Modern English Bible Translations

English Standard Version (ESV)

Pros:

• It is largely based off the works of the KJV translators so may be more likely to be a benefit to people who enjoy the KJV Bible. 
• It is easy to understand, flows nicely, and is good for study. 
• It is aimed at a 7th grade reading level. 
• Fairly literal but still understandable. 
• Maintains many of the theological terms used in older translations.

Cons:

• Its language can be more archaic in some places than other modern translations. 
• It is not ideal for public reading. 
• Many of its supporters have overstated its benefits. 
• Some of the artistic beauty of other translations are lost. 
• Some of its footnotes display a certain theological leaning.

Holman Christian Standard Bible

Pros:

• It strives for readability. 
• The translators goal was "optimal equivalence" meaning they wanted the translation to be literal and readable (this is true for most all modern translations).
• It maintains a traditional theological vocabulary.
• It has an extensive amount of footnotes to help for clarity.  

Cons:

• It doesn't have the benefit of years of use and scrutiny 
• Some claim it is a too literal in its interpretation (however, there are others that argue it is too loose in its interpretation)
• An argument could be made that naming a translation after a person or organization is not a good idea. 
• Some of the footnotes display a leaning towards certain theological systems. 

New American Standard Bible (NASB)

Pros:

• It is the most literal translation of all the modern translations.
• Archaic "thees" and "thous" were updated to modern English (this is true of all the modern translations).
• The translators researched the oldest and best Greek manuscripts and updated some passages. 

Cons:

• What it gains in literal translation it loses in readability. 
• Tends to be stilted and wooden in its English throughout. 
• Although the translators strived to be literal they still had to make editorial decisions since many Greek and Hebrew vocab words have multiple meanings. 

New King James Version (NKJV)

Pros:

• Maintains much of the work of the KJV translators.
• Tends to resonate more with people who are familiar with the KJV text. 
• It does not strive for gender-inclusive pronouns but sticks to the Greek renderings (could be said of several of these translations).

Cons:

• It uses many archaic expressions.
• It uses the TR as its text base (this could be a pro depending on your position).
• Loses some accuracy of the text. 

New INternational Version (NIV)

Pros: 

• It is very readable.
• It is the most widely read and used modern translation.
• Aimed at a young reading audience and is easily understood by almost anyone. 

Cons:

• In seeking to be readable the translators sometimes sacrificed accuracy. 
• Tends to dive into interpreting theologically rather than translating literally. 
• This is more of a phrase-for-phrase translation than a word-for-word translation.
• The use of gender-inclusive pronouns can be misinterpreted in some passages. 

* This list of pros and cons is not intended to come down in favor or disfavor of any of these translations. This is simply a tool to help you intelligently make a decision on your own about which modern translation you will choose to use most often. 

Posted by Caleb