NKJV New King James

ESV English Standard Version

The English Standard Version (ESV) Bible incorporates recent advances in scholarship and modern language while retaining many traditional, conservative theological terms. It attempts to render each Hebrew or Greek word with one equivalent English word, making it an excellent tool for detailed Bible study.

It was produced by evangelical scholars looking to produce a modern, readable, literal and accurate translation, yet one that stands in the tradition of the King James Version of 1611 (also know as the Authorised Version). It is a new edition of the Bible, first printed in 2001 by Crossway Bibles and revised recently in 2011. It is also a revision of the 1971 edition of the Revised Standard Version (RSV).

The ESV comes in various editions including a Study Bible, and is often used in diglots with other languages. It has also been anglicised for the British market. In 2011 the ESV was selected by the Catholic Church for its lectionary in English speaking countries.

Sample verse

But if anyone has the world's goods and sees his brother in need, yet closes his heart against him, how does God's love abide in him? (1 John 3:17)

NKJV New King James

The New King James Version (NKJV or NKJ) is a modern translation of the Bible that was commissioned in 1975 by Thomas Nelson Publishers. 130 respected Bible scholars, church leaders, and lay Christians worked for seven years to update the vocabulary and grammar of the King James Version. They created a completely new, modern translation of Scripture, yet one that retains the historic dignity, purity and stylistic beauty of the original 1611 text.

With unyielding faithfulness to the original Greek, Hebrew, and Aramaic texts, the translators have applied the most recent research in archaeology, linguistics, and textual studies to their work, resulting in a literal, word for word translation that remains a popular choice with many churches. 

Sample verse

But whoever has this world’s goods, and sees his brother in need, and shuts up his heart from him, how does the love of God abide in him? (1 John 3:17)