The Christian Booksellers Association recently released its list of the top ten selling Bible translations for December 2014. The CBA actually provides two lists: one by dollar sales; and the other by unit sales.
Top Ten Translations Based on Dollar Sales
- New International Version
- King James Version
- New King James Version
- New Living Translation
- English Standard Version
- Holman Christian Standard Bible
- The Voice
- New American Standard
- Reina Valera 1960
- New International Reader’s Version
Top Ten Translations Based on Unit Sales
- New International Version
- The Voice
- King James Version
- English Standard Version
- New King James Version
- New Living Translation
- Holman Christian Standard Bible
- Reina Valera 1960
- Nueva Version Internacional (Spanish)
- New International Reader’s Version
What is your preferred Bible translation? What do you think about these two lists? Let me hear from you.
Posted on December 10, 2014
With nearly 40 years of ministry experience, Thom Rainer has spent a lifetime committed to the growth and health of local churches across North America.
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175 Comments
Dear friends,
Can you provide me a bible, i am from India, My address is Manesh 10A carmel nagar podanur, Coimbatore 641 023 India
Do you know, please, the figures for the top ten Bible translations 2016? I cannot seem to find them anywhere! Many thanks!
Alexander,
Here are the top Bible versions for 2015. I guess 2016 data isn’t available until the end of the year:
1. New International Version
2. King James Version
3. New King James Version
4. English Standard Version
5. New Living Translation
6. Christian Standard Bible (note the “Holman” name doesn’t appear on the list)
7. Reina Valera
8. Common English Bible
9. New American Standard Bible
10. New International Reader’s Version
Where did you find this information?
I grew up a KJV kid. Into manhood I fought and defended the KJV. As a sunday school teacher I was whacking my men over the head with my KJV. One new man in the class was a sinner with a NASB. After a back and forth over the KJV vs. the NASB, he challanged me to read one N.T. Book in the NASB, before I burned it. Well that was many years ago. I ended up reading the entire N.T. in that NASB before I could put it down. I’m now 70 and still using the NASB. I’ve purchased every translation that has ever been printed. Many I love and respect, but me and Moses are sold on NASB. Moses loved it ever since it was chisled into that stone on the mountain side.
Dear Sir,
can i get a Free Bible of KJV in Dubai posted
The preferred version that I use is an exact facsimile reprint of the original 1611 Authorized King James Version – First Edition/First Printing.
Reading through the comments, regretfully, I did not see any from anyone competent in the Bible sufficiently to comment. It appears all the commentators here either believe the Bible is subject to change with society or just paraphrasing it to make it easier to read is sufficient for a “good” translation.
Worse, some who profess to be “preaching” from this or that version don’t know enough about the Bible and its content to be leading anyone anywhere; the blind leading the blind.
Come on people! Check Rev. 22:14. It if says “Blessed are those that wash their robes…”, or anything that mentions “robes”, that translation is missing more than 64,000 words and downplays the deity of Christ. How great is that for a translation! Those 64,000 words were not omitted to get a copyright, they were omitted for a particular agenda to create a “one-world” Bible for both Christianity and the occult. How proud do you think God is of that work?
Thom,
I have a question and I don’t know where to turn. We love the HCSB but there is one use I am not familiar with. There are certain verses that are noted twice in the cross reference. For example, Romans 11:27 is noted in the cross reference “n” and “o”. But they both point to Jr 31:31-34. Why two cross references pointing to the same verse? Sorry, ha ha but you seemed like the guy to ask!
I use the NRSV as my primary Bible. Growing up with the KJV, I found the NRSV well translated and that it speaks to me where others are, in my opinion, rather bland. I also enjoy reading the REB some of the British terms (such as giving someone a “thrashing”) are very eye opening. Plus the literary style is top notch. I also have many of the others whether in book form or electronic. NIV or CEB are my go to versions for dynamic translations with the NASB, ESV/RSV or NET to supplement my NRSV reading. I have heard good things about the HCSB, but my Baptist upbringing makes me a bit cautious around it. That could be my problem, not the translation’s. All in all, I use my Bibles in tandem to try to get the fullest from the text.
Isn’t it amazing that we live in a time and place where we have so many options to suit our tastes and comprehansion? I have always used NIV when following along at church, but NLT at home. I just received an ESV but not sure how I like it yet. I have been reading a little from the ESV, then going to the NLT to read the same and see if my understanding it the same.
Having been reading the HCSB on and off for several years. Recently have been preaching from it. Love! There are several in congregation that are carrying it these days–I think this is even in spite of recently preaching out of it. If be interested in more of the technical study tools that are designed for the HCSB. I feel like it’s foreign in my search (ie Logos Software). Would be interested in Original language reverse interlinear tools. Look forward to future developments.