Why ESV?

[camphigrades]

If I might just jump in ... It seems to me that the ESV has gained in popularity due in large part to people rejecting the newer versions of the NIV. I know my own denomination formerly used NIV for didactic materials and printed bulletins but switched to ESV a few years ago because the continued use of NIV was problematic.

That's exactly what got me looking for a new translation: the updated 2010 NIV. My parents gifted me a beautiful NIV Bible, but it turned out it was the "new" NIV. I constantly struggled with the changes in many passages I'd either memorized or become very familiar with over the years, especially the gender-neutral changes. As lovely a gift as it was, I can't use it.

 

[rnmomof7]

Of course. Personally i don't understand all of the enthusiasm over the ESV. i looked through it and did not find it to be anything special. On the other hand, i did enjoy the RSV and still have one (along with the denim cover that a high school girl friend made for me when she gave me the bible for my birthday).

Now rediscovering the 1599 Geneva Bible was a real joy. Even though i prefer the critical text, i did love the way that Geneva uses the English language, and was impressed that it and NOT the AV was the version that the Puritans read, and that Jonathan Edwards preached from. It became my favourite version.

I use the KJV because I love the language .. ... I own most versions except the Geneva.. but I cling to that KJV

 

[JM]

Ditto. Even when I read a different translation it comes out KJVish. lol

 

[AndOne]

I prefer the ESV personally - for a lot of the reasons given here. It was also coming out right as I was first embracing Calvinism which has a lot to do with it as well I suppose. I have the 1599 Geneva Bible which has been discussed here and I despise it. As a die-hard Calvinist I really tried to like it - but simply can't handle the old-English style. It's a personal prefernce - nothing more.