I have been using the 2020 New American Standard Bible for more than year now, and I am impressed by this translation, to say the least. Of all the new translations available in the market today, NASB2020 surprised me with its formal, word for word approach that fits my study habit.
My first encounter with the NASB translation was when the 1995 version was introduced to me via the Logos Bible Software, which came as part of the package that I purchased. Immediately, I noticed how it stood out from other translations. As a longtime KJV and NKJV user, I was surprised at its very formal and rigid rendering of the English language. At first, I had to switch back and forth between NASB and NKJV just to familiarize myself with its different rendering of many texts. Over time, I became more comfortable with it and became more impressed by its closeness to the original lannguage of the Scripture.
I highly recommend this Bible translation for a number of reasons:
First, it is a word-for-word translation. It is not a Bible scholar’s explanation of the text. Rather, it is a true, grammatically correct translation that is faithful to the original Hebrew, Aramaic, and Greek manuscripts available today.
Personally, I find a word-for-word (or formal equivalence) translation very useful because, when I am preparing my sermon or Bible lecture, I need to know what the original author was saying to the original readers and hearers. This is critical for a clear and sound interpretation of the Scripture.
Second, it was based on the most available and updated Hebrew and Greek manuscripts. When we consider how many newly discovered manuscripts are available today compared to when the KJV was created, it is fair to say that NASB is closer to original than the older translation.
Third, it no longer uses the old English way of conversation and many obsolete and archaic words that we are so familiar with the KJV. This makes for a translation that is more understandable to current English speaker and listener.
More can be said about the NASB2020. While it cannot cater to every Bible reader, I am personally happy with this translation, and I recommend it to serious Bible students and church goers. But don’t take my word it: try it. Then let’s compare our experiences and discoveries.
Additional resources:
- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/New_American_Standard_Bible
- https://shop.lockman.org/collections/nasb
- New American Standard Bible: From 1960-2020
- https://www.gotquestions.org/New-American-Standard-Bible-NASB.html
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