If you go into any large bookstore, especially a Christian one, you will probably be overwhelmed by the number of choices. To figure out which one is right for you, you need to ask two questions. 1) What is the translation of this Bible? and 2) What edition is this Bible?
Translations, which are also called versions, are just what you would expect, the sum of the words used to convey the ancient Hebrew and Greek into modern English. They are usually abbreviated down the a few letters, like NIV (New International Version), NRSV (New Revised Standard Version), or the NKJ (New King James Version).
Editions, on the other hand, refer to all of the footnotes and study aids that the editors add to help us to understand the text. They go by longer names, like the Access Bible or the Women’s Devotional Bible.
Translations
The different translations fall along a range or spectum. They range from very literal (e.g. NAS), which can sound wooden or unnatural but help to capture the original phrasing, to a very loose paraphrase (e.g. CEV), which sounds like common speech but can obscure some of the original context. The middle ground is held by what are called ‘dynamic equivalents.’ These try to avoid either extremes.
Here are some of your best bets. For ‘dynamic equivalents’ two stand out in particular.
The New Revised Standard Version (NRSV) is very widely respected and it does a wonderful job of bringing the original sense out. It is the one we often use on Sundays to read from. For a version try the Access Bible.
The New International Version (NIV) is the most widely used English Bible. The NIV Study Bible is exceptional in the helps that it provides to aid understanding of the historical context.
Moving down the spectrum you come across the New Living Translation (NLT). This translation is more readable while still retaining accuracy and reliability. The Life Application Bible is a popular edition.
The Message is definitely a paraphrase. Some find it too informal, yet there is no doubt that it speaks in the language of today. It can make some of the most dull passages come alive. It is meant more for reading than for studying.
Editions
There are too many editions to cover as they seem to multiply like rabbits. They go by names like the New Oxford Study Bible, Teen Bible, and the Quest Bible. There are also devotional Bibles for all ages, genders, and life stages. Which edition you choose is less important than the translation. You should find the one that seems to be the most helpful to you.
So which is the best one?
This question was put to an esteemed seminary professor, who gave this reply:
The one that you use.