The Christian Booksellers Association has published its list of bestselling Bible translations in 2012 for the United States.
2012 – Based on Dollar Sales
- New International Version
- King James Version
- New Living Translation
- New King James Version
- English Standard Version
- Holman Christian Standard Bible
- New American Standard Bible
- Common English Bible
- Reina Valera 1960
- The Message
2012 – Based on Unit Sales
- New Living Translation
- New International Version
- King James Version
- New King James Version
- English Standard Version
- Common English Bible
- Holman Christian Standard Bible
- New American Standard Bible
- Reina Valera 1960
- New International Readers Version
Are there any surprises to you? How many of these translations have you read?
Posted on March 19, 2013
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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188 Comments
During my Hebrew classes at seminary each student had to choose an English translation to compare with the Hebrew text. I chose the NLT and it has become my favourite translation. During that same time I received an HCSB. I had never read it before and decided to give it a try. Now I recommend it to everybody who is interested in such things. The NIV rounds out my top three translations from which to read and preach. With those three you get a decent range in translation method, from more literal to more functional equivalence. For study purposes I use both the NASB and the ESV as comparisons, but somehow the ESV strikes me as a Reformed translation and it rubs me the wrong way. It’s hard to explain. I use the NLT mostly for preaching, and I don’t think there is a better translation for the Bible’s narrative material. It simply shines. For poetry I often want to know the literal metaphors used in the original text and so I often use another translation at that point. I worship with Chinese immigrants and their Canadian born children, and I find they respond well with the NLT. I was raised on the RSV and am grateful for the nurture I received through it.
I’ve read from most of those, except the Common English and Spanish version. HCSB and NIV are the two I use the most and then the KJV. Of course, since I work for B&H it started out as job security to know and promote the HCSB, but now it is my favorite. However, when purchasing a Bible for a new Bible reader, I usually go with the NIV because of cover style chooses (which HCSB is improving on). Plus it’s not so intimidating in its language for understanding.
Good word Deborah.
Hi Thom,
This is a very interesting list; thank you for sharing. I’m curious: have you ever read the Recovery Version published by Living Stream Ministry. Yes, there is some controversy related to the notes, which is something I don’t have a problem with, but I’m curious to know if you’ve read any of the text yourself. A lot of people find the translation to be very accurate. Would love to know if you’ve tried it out.
All the best,
Joseph
Haven’t read those Joe.
You can read more about it here: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Recovery_Version. It’s definitely worth looking into even if you only use it as a reference.
Best regards,
Joe
I noticed a person in comment wanted to hear from pastors about what we use in the pulpit. I was trained on the KJV and that’s what I still use in the pulpit. However, in my Sunday School class and on Weds night I used the NKJV. To be honest, I would prefer to use the NKJV all of the time. I do like the ESV and the HCSB as well. I’m certainly no fan of the Message for a number of reasons.
Thanks John.
With more and more of the younger generations downloading their Bibles on their electronic devices for free (phones, tablets, etc…), myself included, I wonder how accurate this list actually is. It might be a good thing to research the number of free Bible downloads out there to get a better picture of what is most used.
Joseph,
I think that is a good question. I have several bible translations in electronic format that I don’t have in a hard copy. Among these are the ESV, NASB, NRSV, NIV11, RV, ASV etc…Some of them I actually paid for via my LOGOS program but others were free downloads. I don’t even know where a study would begin to track all of that.
I remember in my seminary days (early 1980″s) our professor explained that translations come about from two criterion; accuracy to the orginal text and readibility to the current hearers. In that day, he placed the NASB in the best position for accuracy and the NIV for readability. I’m interested, Dr. Rainer, if you would agree those are still the top two in those categories today? Appreciate hearing any other reader’s thoughts on this as well.
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KJV is the best in my opinion!
I definitely prefer the ESV version, however i have read NIV, KJV, NLT, NKJV and NASB (also a favourite)
What saddens me is the fact that Bibles are so dear.
NLT is probably top based on selling Bibles cheaper than NIV which i reckon is a better version.
Would love to see ESV top of unit sales and non-existent on dollar sales (£0/unit would be great!)
Thanks
Phil
I like the HCSB but am okay with the NIV, even the 2011. The NIV will stay popular due to Biblica selling them at such a low price. It makes it affordable to buy a lot and give them away and have plenty in the pews (chairs) on Sunday. It is the one we can afford to give away and that most people already have so it is the one I continue to preach from. If possible get the HCSB at a lower bulk price and you might see it rise in use.
The results reflect the blessing and challenge of so many English versions of the Scriptures. Christians are in a sense overwhelmed with choices. There are objective differences (translation philosophy, gender language, etc.) but often subjective criteria carry more weight (“That’s easy to undertand,” or “That sounds like the Bible as I’ve always heard it,” etc.). I used the NIV84 for about 25 years as a pastor. It wasn’t perfect but I liked it a lot. When they updated it in 2011, I had a choice. Stay with the 84 and confuse my congregation as the NIV2011 was all that is available in the stores. Or I could switch to the new edition even though I didn’t like some of the changes. Or I could move to another version as my main preaching text. I chose to go with the ESV and haven’t regretted it at all. It is a good “bridge” translation between those who like the KJV/NKJV (as do some in our church) and those who like the NIV or NLT. Honestly, I prefer the more traditional language (such as in Psalm 23). I took a close look at the HCSB and saw much to like. But I was frustrated by some factors (relatively minor): 1. Horrible name– “Holman Christian…” I know this is the result of threated legal action by another company that uses “Christian Standard” but including the company name wasn’t the best choice. 2. Tendency to “improve” traditional verses (see John 3:16, Psalm 23, etc.) Not saying that it’s inaccuate, I just like the continuity with longstanding translation traditon where possible. Again, this is my preference. I’m not saying the HCSB is wrong or bad in this. 3. Distracting features, “bullet points,” capitalization of pronouns for deity (not a practice of the original languages), use of Messiah for Christos, and use of Yahweh (all of these are defensible and fine, just not my preference). I could mention other things (like the waste of money to do a translation when other viable ones were useable, a Study Bible that lacks a concordance, and the fact that it is a translation so closely tied to a single denomination–even if it is my own). These reasons may not be relevant to others and I rejoice whenever a good translation is actually read, studied, and preached from, whether it’s my favorite or not.