English Standard Version

Previously, I mentioned the NET Bible and have since bought a hard copy and have been using it in my studies. I really like the principles behind this translation, but in real use, the English is pretty clunky. My NIVs are pretty much either getting put away now or will be donated to those without Bibles.

After some web research, the English Standard Version sounds quite good. It is an "essentially literal" translation. John Piper, of Desiring God fame, talks about why his church completely switched to the ESV in the article, Good English With Minimal Translation. I guess that title says it all as to why I'm going with ESV. (Piper link is thanks to e12aser!)

Though the ESV does not provide a free download, as the NET does, there are quite a few ways to use it online: mobile, iCal, various RSS feeds, and even a Firefox search plug-in. Quite tech saavy!

Daniel B. Wallace, professor of N.T. studies at DTS and is on both the NET and ESV translation committees , has a great four part series called The History of the English Bible at bible.org.

Finally, the Piper article has the awesome dedication his parents wrote in his first Bible (KJV): '"This book will keep you from sin or sin will keep you from this book," Mother and Daddy' You better believe I'm writing that into my sons' 1st Bibles!