When it comes to choosing a Bible translation, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed by the many options. Some of the most popular translations out there are the King James Version (KJV), the New Living Translation (NLT), and the New American Standard Bible (NASB). But how do they stack up when you pit the KJV vs NLT vs NASB?
Each of these translations was made with a specific philosophy in mind. In this article, we’ll explore the differences between these three translations and share some examples so you can see their styles.
I want to start off by being clear about my bias. You can’t go wrong with any of these translations, which is why I included examples. I recommend you pick one that fits your style, and maybe after you’ve read the Bible once or twice in that translation, try a different one.
At the end of the day, all three of these are translations, so they won’t be perfect. If you’re looking to better understand how individual words translate from Greek or Hebrew, Blue Letter Bible is a great resource. And if you want to compare even more translations, Bible Gateway has the option of seeing multiple translations when doing their advanced search.
But the KJV, NLT, and NASB are all solid translations and faithfully communicate the ideas from the original language. So I highly recommend jumping into the Bible no matter what translation you end up choosing.
The KJV
The King James Version (KJV) is the oldest and most well-known of these three translations. It was first published in 1611 (during William Shakespeare’s era) and has been used by millions of people for a very long time. The KJV is known for its poetic language, albeit a bit outdated, and rich historical significance. It’s still widely used among many Christians’s, especially those who prefer the poetic style.
One of the most significant criticisms of the KJV is its archaic language, which can be challenging for modern readers to understand. The language and syntax used in the KJV can often be confusing or misleading, and some words have changed meaning over time. For example, the word “conversation” in 1 Peter 1:15-16 means “conduct” or “behavior,” but many modern readers might interpret it as a discussion or dialogue.
The NLT
On the other hand, the New Living Translation (NLT) is a more contemporary translation that was first published in 1996. It seeks to provide a clear and easy-to-understand interpretation of the Bible’s meaning in modern English. The NLT uses a dynamic-equivalence approach, which means that the translators aimed to capture the meaning of the original text rather than a literal word-for-word translation.
The NLT is praised for its readability and accessibility. It is an excellent choice for people who are new to reading the Bible or who don’t want to try to decode the KJV. The NLT is also useful for reading aloud or in a group setting because it flows smoothly and naturally—as if you were talking to a friend. For example, consider the following verse from the NLT and KJV:
“And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature.”
Mark 16:15 KJV
“And then he told them, ‘Go into all the world and preach the Good News to everyone.'”
Mark 16:15 NLT
The NLT version of this verse is more conversational and easier to understand, especially for someone who might be encountering the verse for the first time.
Some critics of the NLT, however, argue that the translation takes too many liberties with the original text. By focusing on capturing the meaning rather than the exact wording, some nuances and details of the original text may be lost or altered. Additionally, the NLT may be less useful for those who are looking for a more scholarly or literal translation.
The NASB
The New American Standard Bible (NASB) is another popular translation that seeks to provide a more literal interpretation of the Bible’s original text. The NASB was first published in 1971 and has undergone several revisions since then. The translation is known for its accuracy and precision, and it is a favorite among scholars and theologians.
I had a friend that believed strongly that the more word-for-word the translation, the better, and he convinced me to give the NASB a try. It’s been my primary translation for a while now, but sometimes even I think there are passages that could probably be a bit more poetic or even simply easier to read.
If you are looking to grab a copy, here’s a link to a good option on Amazon (and if you do use the link, you won’t pay any extra, and I may make a few dollars over time).
I particularly like the way that the NASB begins Hebrews, so I’ll share how all three start that wonderful book:
God, after He spoke long ago to the fathers in the prophets in many portions and in many ways, in these last days has spoken to us in His Son, whom He appointed heir of all things, through whom He also made the world. And He is the radiance of His glory and the exact representation of His nature, and upholds all things by the word of His power. When He had made purification of sins, He sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high, having become so much better than the angels, to the extent that He has inherited a more excellent name than they.
Hebrews 1:1–4 NASB
God, who at sundry times and in divers manners spake in time past unto the fathers by the prophets, Hath in these last days spoken unto us by his Son, whom he hath appointed heir of all things, by whom also he made the worlds; Who being the brightness of his glory, and the express image of his person, and upholding all things by the word of his power, when he had by himself purged our sins, sat down on the right hand of the Majesty on high: Being made so much better than the angels, as he hath by inheritance obtained a more excellent name than they.
Hebrews 1:1–4 KJV
Long ago God spoke many times and in many ways to our ancestors through the prophets. And now in these final days, he has spoken to us through his Son. God promised everything to the Son as an inheritance, and through the Son he created the universe. The Son radiates God’s own glory and expresses the very character of God, and he sustains everything by the mighty power of his command. When he had cleansed us from our sins, he sat down in the place of honor at the right hand of the majestic God in heaven. This shows that the Son is far greater than the angels, just as the name God gave him is greater than their names.
Hebrews 1:1–4 NLT
Two final examples with KJV vs NLT vs NASB
“Thou art my hiding place; thou shalt preserve me from trouble; thou shalt compass me about with songs of deliverance.”
Psalm 32:7 KJV
“You are my hiding place; you will protect me from trouble and surround me with songs of deliverance.”
Psalm 32:7 NLT
“You are my hiding place; you preserve me from trouble; you surround me with songs of deliverance.”
Psalm 32:7 NASB
And a passage from the New Testament:
“And Jesus said unto him, Verily I say unto thee, To day shalt thou be with me in paradise.”
Luke 23:43 KJV
“And Jesus replied, ‘I assure you, today you will be with me in paradise.'”
Luke 23:43 NLT
“And He said to him, ‘Truly I say to you, today you shall be with Me in Paradise.'”
Luke 23:43 NASB
Putting it all together
So, which translation should you choose between the KJV vs NLT vs NASB? It ultimately comes down to personal preference and the purpose of your reading. That’s why I wanted to offer examples, so that you could get a feel for each of the three. Don’t listen to someone if they say there’s only one translation that works. They each have their unique value.
But as I said at the beginning, don’t get too hung up on the translation. They’re all simply translations of the most important book you can read. So get out there and read it!