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
I used to read the NIV all the time, and would use the NASB for closer study, but with the 2011 translation of the NIV I started my search for a new “go to” Bible. I have read all the translations listed, with the exception of the Reina Valera. Currently I read mostly the ESV, but I also love my HCSB and the NASB. I think the HCSB suffers from a couple of things. One, lack of advertising. People just don’t know about it. Two, the word Holman in the translation title. I’ve heard from some saying that has turned them off from even looking at. Maybe it would be better to just call it the Christian Standard Bible? The other thing, in reading it, I have found a couple of places where it looks like the translation is a bit biased. Unfortunately, I can’t think of the verses off the top of my head, but if I remember where they are I’ll email them to you. Overall though, I love the HCSB, it’s more literal than the NIV, but doesn’t seem as literal as the NASB or ESV. That helps it to be a more fluid read.
I agree with Chris, a lot of people are not aware of the changes in the NIV with the 2011 edition. I am a speaker and teacher, and when I talk about the various English translations, I am continually surprised by the look of shock on the face of the people in the audience. They had no idea about the changes. I think as word gets out, the NIV 2011 will lose ground and some of the other better translations will garner a larger audience and more popularity.
I’m interested in receiving the information on the HCSB that you mentioned above. I have already emailed the address you posted and look forward to any information you can send me.
Thanks for posting the list!
Great analysis Linda. Thanks for requesting the material.
Growing up, KJV was about the only translation I even knew existed. I was given a Living Bible by my grandparents when I was saved and baptized in 1991. In junior high, I discovered the NIV(84), which remained my translation of preference until I became a pastor. Some key leaders in my church had a real beef with the NIV(84), so I started preaching from the NASB. I never really like the rigid, formal equivalent style, but it got the job done. Sometime into my second pastorate, I started preaching regularly from the HCSB, and now, in my third pastorate, I use it almost exclusively. For readability, I like and most often recommend the NLT (Life Application Study Bible) to those looking to purchase a Bible to read and study.
This is very interesting! I am curious what kind of people group that were buying the Bible. I am sure that most were just buying the Bible and not really using it daily. I don’t do paraphrase translations at all. I have read some but not for me.
As for me being reformed, I love ESV, then NASB’77 then NASB’95 then NKJV. As a child, I started with the Big Print KJV, then Good News, then NIV’84 at my parent’s choice. On my own before both of my parent went home to be with the Lord, NASB’77, and after they went home to be with the Lord. In the year of ’98 (a little bit at the family UMC church which isn’t my church home until I found a church in 1999 or Jan 2000 I started going to Southern Baptist Church, I still did NASB’77 then NKJV. Then I went to reformed Southern Baptist Church I learned about ESV which became my favorite of all translations. I still use NASB, and NKJV. I sometime had to look into NIV’84 if needed to work on my Bible Study homework to answer the question if my teacher were using some of the wording from NIV. I only prefer Words to Word Translation and not paraphrase or Thought for Thought. I do have HCSB but I almost never use it. I see that HCSB is in Gospel Project, but on the other hand, I always read from my ESV every time. The wording is very different there which sometimes threw me off. I do have e-Bible as well, but I prefer book form Bible so that I can underline and mark them up.
I would be interested to see how the translations rank among denominations but I am surprised that the ESV is half way to the NIV throne
Where’s the NET Bible? Why’s that not selling in the US? Surely it is the most helpful translation ever!! If it were for sale here in the UK I would make it our standard Bible.
Jonny –
The NET did not make the top ten in either category.
I find it hard to believe that the NRSV is not on either list. It is a standard English translation for the Mainline and in the academy. I know Evangelicals do most of the Bible-buying in this country but the fact that it is available in many editions means some people are still buying it. Was it excluded from the count?
Jedediah –
The NRSV was not excluded; it just did not make the top ten in either category.
The NRSV has been off & on this list over the years. I know for some in the mainline the CEB is an alternative. NRSV is used in settings other than the mainline, too. Many evangelical theological schools have professors who use & recommend it (among others).
Thanks Clay.
Somewhat surprised the ESV is only #5. In the early years I grew up with KJV, then mostly NIV. The last few years I have been spending more time in the ESV. While it doesn’t “flow” as nicely as the NIV, I do believe it is more a word for word translation rather than the NIV. The ESV has an outstanding study bible.
No surprises here except for the CEB which is getting quite a push from the UMPH. I’ve read all of these translations, but not the Spanish one, since I don’t read Spanish.
For me the following translations get daily use: RSV, NRSV, NIV. I consult a variety when I study. The NLT is excellent for extended reading of narratives. While I like it in Job, I don’t like it in Psalms, but like it in Proverbs. I like what they did with the gospels, too. The HCSB has some good renderings and I like the HCSB Psalter. We’re so blessed to have so many English translations. Some language have none or only one.
Clay –
Your point is well taken. We are blessed to have many translations since some people groups have none.
Thanks for the list!
I grew up with KJV. As an adult (and pastor), I’ve developed an appreciation for many translations with the NLT being my most -used for a number of years. I’ve also relied on the CEV. Interestingly, I grew up with anti-NIV people so I’ve never really used the NIV.
But I’ve been reading the Common English Bible (CEB) since it was published recently. I believe it’s the newest translation on the list, and I was surprised to see it doing so well so quickly. I’m almost all the way through it.
My next translation to read beginning-to-end is going to be the NET, which I’ve referred to mainly for study.
I only read the King James Version.
Started out in seminary with RSV from my father; then in early 70s, Jerusalem Bible. Then on to the NIV followed by NRSV. These days, am loving the freshness of the CEB.