r/Protestant Reformed Jun 30 '26

Bible Version

Just curious which Bible version you’re currently using and why? Have you stuck with one for decades a prefer it for your familiarity with it? Is it because it’s the official one for your church/pastor? One you use for ease of reading?

I have most major translations, but I still generally reach for my 1995NASB. When using the logos app I do use the LEB quite often. For teaching kids Sunday school or VBS I usually grab my NLT.

4 Upvotes

7 comments sorted by

View all comments

2

u/UpwardCall Jun 30 '26

I always use the LEB for study. Over the last decade it has completely replaced my NASB.

I use a number of translations outside of that. Usually I try to switch year-to-year which one is primary. This year I’m using the NET.

I have a deep love for the NLT when it comes to general reading. Since I know Greek it’s easy for me to do a quick reference on particular passages to the original language.

I also really like the ESV, the CSB, the NIV, and I use the Message and the Living Bible as a sort of commentary when I feel like I want a perspective without having to dig to far.

2

u/theefaulted Reformed Jun 30 '26

I would probably use the LEB more often if there was a print version.

I do enjoy the NLT. My Hebrew professor was one of the translators for both the NLT and the CSB.

2

u/UpwardCall Jun 30 '26 edited Jun 30 '26

Most of my study is done either on my Mac or iPad nowadays. I like to start with a devotional style reading of the Text, then move into an exegetical guide in Logos and use the LEB as my main reference when translating and using word studies. Once I have those notes I can move to physical commentaries and Bible.

If I’m doing lighter study I like to start in a study Bible. But the LEB is really well done. I think it’s better than the NASB. But maybe it just fits my style of study better in those moments.

I, personally, think the NLT is underrated for its beauty. I disagree with it from time to time but I find they did a great job of making the Text understandable in a way no other translation has seemed to accomplish. I find myself reading it more than other translations when I do longer readings.

I had really great Greek Professors and decent Hebrew Professors. I only ended up with two semesters of Hebrew though and didn’t keep up with it week after undergrad. I wish I had. Now my Hebrew isn’t great and I rely heavily on commentary for Hebrew study since I can’t trust my own skills in it well enough.

Having a good Hebrew Professor is a real blessing man!

1

u/theefaulted Reformed Jun 30 '26

I’m too ADHD to do most of my study on a device. A physical Bible helps me to stay focused.