My Opinion of the English Standard Version (ESV)

Occasionally I get asked what I think of the ESV. Here is my opinion in brief.

It's a good translation but wouldn't be my first choice. It's actually a revision of the old RSV rather than a new translation from the Hebrew and Greek. The ESV is a "formal equivalent" translation (literal, word-for-word) like the RSV was. Sometimes the word-for-word approach lacks in that it does not always communicate well in every place (I could give you many examples!). That's why I really like the "optimal equivalent" aproach of the HCSB, which takes a literal approach in most places, but in those places where word-for-word is very difficult to understand, the HCSB then leans toward more of a meaning-based ("dynamic equivalent") approach w/o sacrificing accuracy. My first choice in an English translation would be the HCSB or NASB. And I'm not saying that just because I work for LifeWay/B&H. I was slow to be won over to the HCSB, but the more I examined it against the original, became quite happy with it. It's a great translation. Now, there's always room for improvement w/any translation and the HCSB is no different. Our Bible guys work hard at producing a great translation.

Please feel free to contact me if you'd like more specifics.