Irrelevant but mildly amusing anecdote; the NASB was the first modern translation I was given, after making my profession of faith. I loved it because I could actually understand the Scriptures, as opposed to having to decode the KJV. I read, re-read and memorized large portions of it. Much later on, when in seminary learning Greek, I used to have my quiet times in Greek, translating the passage - using the NASB to check my work (and the NASB worked really well here). Even more years later, I went back to seminary for another Master's degree and took an advanced Greek course, which required sight reading a passage in Greek, translating it on the fly. I was nervous about this, and prayed accordingly. On the day that I had to demonstrate my facility in Greek, the assigned passage was one I had memorized in the NASB. Seriously, I was able to recall the NASB, and work backwards to the Greek and passed the exam. Not one of my proudest academic moment; but nobody disses the NASB in my presence! 🙂

Wow, just wow! Thank you, Mark, for the informational humor and the convictional satire that helps us gain clarity on this important subject.

Thanks for adding more understanding to the literal side’s value. I’ll have to test myself on the you singular/plural interpretation, but I’m still waiting for that bible with “ya’ll” that resolves this argument 😆

Dr. Ward, this is really brilliant. I'm so glad to have found your channel. I saw Nathan Cravatt on the Dividing Line with James White and starting watching videos on the Recovering Fundamentalist channel. I eventually watched the video where you were the guest, which led me to your channel. I've really been enjoying your content. Thank you for your work. God bless.

😄😂 God bless you....the humor and the gravity mixed well...like a pluperfect Hershey's chocolate....thanks again brother...up with the Incredi-NASB from Nypronite...in the meantime let me be reading and studying my ESV or NIV...

Hey Mark! I have recently discovered your videos and love them. I've been binging on them for a few days now, and I also love your "word nerd" sense of humor. In that sense we are definitely fellow travelers 😊. Among the churches with which I am associated, I have for a number of years now been presenting much of the same kind of material you present, advocating the use of other translations, with good success. Thanks for you excellent, informative, and, yes, entertaining videos.

I feel quite proud of myself, I understood approximately 50% of this! Kind regards from the UK.

This is the first video of yours I have seen, I love it, and now I am subscribed w/notification bell turned on :-) I arrived hoping for help in deciding whether or not to get a Legacy Standard Bible but I'll stay for more. Thanks.

Very good, Mark. You had me going with the LSV. I am reading the LSB which is totally different from LSV. Thanks for your work. Entertaining, informative, challenging,...

Great video! Really glad you're doing more KZfaq stuff now. God bless.

whew... great video.. lots of information... thank you Pastor Mark... God bless you.

Thanks for the shoutout, Dr. Ward (though you spelled my named incorrectly [lol]). I enjoyed your analysis. If you ever were to produce a maximally literal translation, I think you should also address the issue of textual criticism because, as you know, there are serious concerns about which textual tradition is the best one to use. Having a "super-AV" or an "incredi-NASB" is one thing; having such a translation based on a particular Hebrew or Greek text is another thing.

I feel like we are somehow related. (LOL) I've gone on this same "rant" and it seems to have only grown as a topic since ~2020. Thank you for the channel. (I've had your "Authorized Version" book for a while and just never got around to looking for more Mark Ward until this week.)

I love this! This is a must-watch video!!!

This is my new favorite video of yours! Incredi-NASB is going to be my screensaver now! :p Btw, what are the posters in the background?

I busted out laughing at your Amen following John 3:34 😆

Soooo, are you going to post a link to preorder the Incredi-NASB version. I am kinda excited now. 😉

Great stuff Mark! Love the "Incredi-NASB" motif!

your superhero voice is so good, whateven🤣

Several lines in this made me and my wife laugh out loud.

Hey Mark, have you read David Bentley Hart's NT? Would be interested in your take on his and Alter's work in particular. Take care!

Both funny and informative. Literally.

Great presentation! How’s your Incredi-NASb project going? I can imagine (and would love to use) a big Custom Palette plus companion Visual Filters in Logos (user since mid 90’s) … are you working on something like that? Please let me know. Thanks!

Mark, enjoyed this video tremendously, thank you. However, you forgot to post the link to purchase the Incredi- NASB, along with acceptable payment sources: check, money order or drachmas

This actually sounds like it would be an interesting study tool

What do you think about the Passion Translation? Thank you

Thanks Mark! I love this video, and your channel. It's evident you care about the Word, and work hard to provide helpful content for the Church. On another note, it would be wonderful (and a first?) if you/someone would review the readability of the NASB 95 vs. the NASB 2020, not simply (as some) focusing on the gender changes or the latest 'accuracy' claims, alone. I have been reading through the NASB 2020 this year as my personal daily devotion, (I use a different one every other year) and find it surprisingly more readable - not in the fashion of NIV/NLT, but I definitely stumble much less working through my daily reading plan. I wonder if they have achieved a slightly lower reading level (you have a great video on that topic with the false KJV claims - so I understand the need to not be impressed with any grade level claim that can be made) since most "experts" previously have assigned the NASB 95 to something like an 11th grade reading level. I find the English structure to be improved with the NASB 2020, much better than even the ESV (with my ADHD mind - even medicated - and I'm not sure why). I do, however, have a great respect and love for the ESV, but my question isn't about comparing the latest translation (as you so carefully demonstrate the pitfalls of that in this/other videos), but to truly improve my ability to retain and comprehend the Word, with the help of the Holy Spirit. I've struggled my whole life with chronic distractibility and reading retention. I often read, then have to re-read the same sentence 3-5 times over, before being able to grasp it or not get lost in thought. Yes...even reading the NIV/NLT. I appreciate any input or insight concerning better reading tips for those who struggle with focus; even your opinion on how a certain English approach (like ESV style English vs. an American style structure NASB/NIV?) can help those with bonafide reading challenges, schooled in the US of course. lol Finally...it would be interesting, if sometime you would consider touching on the subject of readability tips for English readers who struggle to read (adhd, dyslexia, etc); even those who read English as a second language. I'm familiar with the NIrV, but often see that relegated to children's bibles. God bless.

There is a translation that meets most of your most-literalest requirements - Alfred Marshall's translation used in Zondervan's older interlinears. I have occasionally met pastors who "survived" their solitary compulsory Greek paper at seminary by memorising 1 John in it and regurgitating it in exams.

I watched this video when it first came out, and now I'm watching it again in September. I have both the 77 and 95 update of the NASB, and it is a good translation. I've used them both for years, but I find myself loving and using the ESV more and more. So much more that now it's become my favorite translation, and I've come to believe that from everything I've read on the subject, that the ESV is more faithful to the original languages than the NASB, NKJV, or even the KJV. That's just my opinion of course.

When is this Incredi-NASB coming out? I'd buy a copy

Thanks again for another interesting video. I like to watch your and a good handful of other videos on KZfaq with insightful biblical thinking. I typically use a small “pile” of bible translations that I have here at my desk. I lean more toward literal translations (although I fully agree they can get “carried away”) it isn’t so much the need for literalism as much as the liberty that the less-literal translations take. Even the NIV veers way too much into straying away from accuracy. I see the NIV, and some other translations as well, more as a “paraphrase.” Its popularity requires that I’d best be familiar with it, and it isn’t so bad to see things in a different perspective. I was intrigued at your comment on the New World Translation Jehovah’s Witnesses use and the interpretation of John 1:1 “a god.” Within my collection of bible translations, I see the NWT certainly isn’t alone in saying “a god.” Plenty of other translations have it thusly too. Even in Young’s Commentary on his literal translation he notes John 1:1c as “literally a god." Scholars are all over the spectrum on this one. Some say “the word was divine,” "and he was the same as God" - The Good News Bible. "the Logos was divine" Moffatt, “and the Logos was god” [small “g”]. My sincere and kindly question; How is “a god” in violation of Greek to English translating? Why exactly is “a god” wrong or incorrect in a translating sense? Many scholars, in various ways, make the claim that “god” in John 1:1c is describing an “attribute” or “quality” of Jesus rather than what or who Jesus is. Thanks

Fantastic video!

"A pre-incarnate appearance of Peter Ruckman" LOL loosing it!

Hello, I’m Erik Wait in Half Moon Bay in California. I’ve been watching and enjoying a lot of your videos lately. In the morning I read an easier modern translation with my coffee before I head off to work. But if I’m studying I tend to use a more “literal” translation along with my Hebrew or Greek text and occasionally the LXX. The various English translations have different goals and intentions. Devotional reading is different than studying do when asked for a recommendation I ask, “what is your purpose?” FYI, I generally find that conservative Presbyterian and Reformed churches don’t have an official translation, especially those that are heavily populated by Dutch or Korean speakers.

I unironically want the incredi-NASB.

LSB is number 1 for me by far. Also use the NASB, ESV and NIV for comparison. And if I want to refer to an older translation for further comparison I'll use the Geneva bible just, well just because.

In his New Testament translation, David Bentley Hart uses the historical present. It's quite an interesting feature in what is overall a very interesting translation. I'm not a Greek scholar, but having read up on his methodology and have read some of the translation, I get the sense that it provides a very close approximation to reading the Greek, but just using English words.

Do we have an English translation that was not translated by Evangelicals? Reason I'm asking is because not all Christians are Evangelicals.

I enjoy very much this video about INCREDI NASB and literal translation.You quoted John 3:16 in the Literal Standard Version.They're translation of everlasting life is continous life,but continuously life on earth or after life on earth?I was surprised that you didn't show a NASB with green cover if you know what I meant just kidding.

ok i understand what your video's say and i may of asked this before but what about what the kjv onlys say about missing verses words taken out etc. i am really conflicted more now than ever about what version to use the kjv crowd make some very good points like you yourself have said the kjv has been the churches choice for over 400 years i just dont want to get anything wrong or miss something because i have the wrong version

I love this so much. :)

Fun one! Can I get it in R. L. Allan or Schuyler green goatskin?

Thank you for all your hard work Mark.Very well done.You are a Blessing!

Mark regarding time stamp 2:23 "In my Word Nerd video, I imagined the creation of an INCREDI-NASB, a superhero Bible that collected all the nerdy Bible conventions one could dream up. And oh, could I dream. Blue highlights for grammatically masculine words, pink for feminine ones, gray for neuter. Single underlines for singular words, double underlines for plural ones. Little dots and dashes connecting words that were alliterated in the originals." While said with some jest, there is a bible that seems to tick some of these boxes; The Discovery Bible by Gary Hill. I believe the New Testament was published in the 90s, and it uses red text in bold, and italics to communicate emphasis, as well as custom symbols to annotate original greek tenses. And you'll be happy to hear, it uses the NASB! :D Despite the many bible review channels on KZfaq, I've yet find one that scratches at this particular bible and it's (seemingly) unique system of conveying meaning to it's readers. While out of print, copies are available somewhat affordably on eBay, and if cost would be a barrier to a potential video of your opinion, I'd be happy to donate the funds for you to purchase a copy. Thank you for your wonderful videos.

Mark, of all the "smooth readers", what's your preferred translation(s)? For me it was just NLT/NIV but I've read through GWttN recently and it's so direct. Both GWttN and NLT take some interpretive leisure and pick a fork in the road when ambiguity comes, most anything I research on NLT I agree with (I don't use filament I look it up myself), GWttN I can't see the forks and during parallel readings I find I don't always agree but the overall synopsis is much more coherent and convincing. This all based on 37 years NKJV, and another 2 ESV heavy (with NIV and NLT as cross reference). I'll read anything but I'm archiving stuff for my kid(s) to be ready JIC economic troubles and woke publishers ruin the pipeline producing them.

Mark, your thoughts please, on Timothy Michael Law's book, "WHEN GOD SPOKE GREEK, The Septuagint and the Making of the Christian Bible."

You jest but I would buy your incredi-NASB version with the highlights and underlines to show tenses and whatnot (but keeping readability). It’s genius…readable but you still know details about the original language without having to pull out your GNT. PS wouldn’t get rid of all my other Bibles :)

Love it . I love every translation. I want to buy a bible in this month Help me bro to choose one NRSV? KJV? ESV?

“Historians recently discovered that this story was invented by a pre-incarnate appearance of Peter Ruckman.” 😂

Now I want an incredi-nasb

“Elasti-NIV”, a.k.a. “The Message” who is the arch villain of Incredi-NASB

I have enjoyed the NLT's "marketing" of the value of thought for thought translations. The "literal" translations can give readers a false sense of security that they are reading an exact word for word translation.

Don’t forget can leap a NIV in a single bound. 😂 Blessings

I think I would go for an interlinear Bible over a hyper literal. When I read a sentence in Greek, it makes sense. But the same word order translated into another language is gibberish. I should also add that I find transliteration of a word less friendly than the word written in Greek. My proficiency in Greek is not that advanced as I am self taught with the help of modern textbooks and KZfaq (can read John, but not more advanced). I am bilingual and do translations from Norwegian to English. The biggest challenge is translating idioms or phrases for which there are no equivalent. Do you keep the actual phrase or go for the intent? Something is lost either way!

I think these hyper literal translations are so funny, mainly because when I do a translation for a study on a passage, I do rough translation like that and never bother to clean it up since no one else is ever going to read it and the Greek syntax makes sense when I read it.

I'm of the belief that gender neutral language is a litmus test or a kind of trojan horse for other changes that really dilutes the word of God. For example, the RSV went with gender neutral language and then the newer versions, they've made changes that you've wrote about and made a video about. In the short term, I just want something I can trust is giving me the word of God and not the word contemporary societal norms. And the feeling on the outside looking in is that the less literal the bible gets, the greater the odds of it being the opinion of whoever or whatever group contributed to the translation. I'm not a literal moralist but I do feel like I good at identifying trends and it seems like a few versions are basically suffering a "death by 1000 cuts" where each revision gets a little further away from what it's supposed to be and eventually it will become something completely unrecognizable where the trendy sin of yesterday is no longer a sin today. The appeal to literal translations are the pride the translators take to getting their version as close as possible to what the greek and hebrew words said without factoring in the way the wind is blowing in the world on that given day.

Thanks Mark, the more I continue on my journey exploring different translations (in part, with you and Logos's© 😉 help) I'm finding NASBO similar in many ways to KJVO ... they haven't made it to that level yet, but comments from some in the literaler is betteraler crowd usually comes along with backhanded comments about anything other than the MOST literal NASB is inferior.

Very interesting. At least the Crossway says the the ESV is "essentially" literal. I don't know if we would understand an ultra literal Bible translation, like say the English part of an interlinear or reverse interlinear Bible.

I need that thumb nail on a t-shirt😁 disciples unit

"A pre-incarnate version of Peter Ruckman." Lol 😅

Hypothetically speaking... when will this "incredi-nasb" be for sale?

I know this is an older video, but I couldn’t help myself. I only come to rewatch and comment that I propose (as unhinged as an idea this is, I am known for them) that we use “y’all” for all plurals in modern English translations. I emphasize it when I preach and always get a giggle. But it does help clarify who the phrase is addressing.

Have you done any videos on the CEB?

MacArthur might as well go this way with his redundant new LSB. (I assume you were talking about him, but even if you weren't, I'm still all for criticizing the very existence of that translation.) Generally, I'm not sure if there's much practical everyday value for translations that are more formal than the NRSV and CSB (which tend to land on the center-left of translation continuum charts). I particularly like the slogan of the NRSV: "As literal as possible, as free as necessary." (The ESV lands a tad to the left of these translations on the charts, but as someone who uses all three translations in tandem, I would remark that the actual difference in "literalness" between the three is negligible.) That's not to say that there's no room for the NASB and NKJV with their italicized supplied words and abundance of awkward literalisms. I would simply say that they're more useful to a person learning Koine Greek than they are to everybody else.

I did not know that "thee" was singular and "you" was plural. I wondered why they used both words. I don't read the KJV, but the Jewish Publication Society's 1917 "The Holy Scriptures", and they use those words too. That is a shocker to me.

What do you think of the LSB?

Zonderfans announces the NIYV (New International Y’all Version.). The Texas Receptus.

First time I preached I use the Tower of Babel as an example. The title of the sermon was; God gives birth to Unity through diversity.

Loved this! I too embrace multiple translations… LSB / NASB95 ESV HCSB NET

You are One Precious Brother. You bring much joy to all, except KJV Only people. Smiles.

Can’t believe I’m subbing here.

Im assuming this is regarding the 1995 NASB, not the 2020 NASB?

the reina valera says el pinaculo not un pinaculo so i guess it does it right lol

Don't Greek and Hebrew have their word order flipped around from English? If that's the case, I guess we have to have a really awkward grammar, or I should say, a grammar awkward we should have.

You'd be surprised (or not) that there are actually people out there, including me, who'd love to have an Incredi-NASB! 🤤

Thanks for mentioning the Eastern Orthodox and the Septuagint.

So where's the pre-order for Incredi-NASB? I need to feel elite by reading a literaller translation than the next person. So complete that not even I can understand its meaning.

You should write your on bible translation.

INCREDI-NASB!!! In other words, the Legacy Standard Bible!

6:27 - Wow

The LSV is excellent. I already own the best literal Bible and it indicates ALL of the " the's" in the NT. It also indicates all of the plurals in the Greek. And it translates the aorist and it is consistent and Concordant. The best Bible is the most literal , relatively speaking. No bible can be translated absolutely word for word, Greek to English. The Concordant Version proves that it can and has been done. The word psyche always means soul. Thus the CV consistently translates it always as soul. The CV is the most literal, consistent Concordant Bible in existence. Aion means eon always, never forever. Orthodox translations are way too inconsistent and discordant. Literal done right is superior and even clearer. We should want to read what God actually says, not what human religion or tradition mandates.

I'm only a third way through the video but incridiNASB sounds like Young's Literal translation to me 😆

And what is wrong with JW's translation of John 1:1?

I’m not so smart, I didn’t know what ad hominem meant! But I actually like your ideas that you meant as satire because this isn’t Shakespeare and they should at least do that for people who still believe that this is literally the word of God jot for jot and title for title or whatever those things are. And who got angry about the gender issue, did God show up and pass it all Bible translators? And I just don’t get the sense that’s going to end up in a good place personally and again I’m not that smart.

i stand corrected

All Greek and Hebrew words ought to be translated consistently by the same English equivalent. When an idiomatic rendering is required then other English words have to be employed.

Perhaps the Legacy Standard Bible is pretty close to being the Incredi-NASB? It's pretty incredible to me. I don't like a visual mess, though, so no highlighting, please. Yes, you love the Incredibles...I know :-)

Spell it! JOHN MACARTHUR!

It will be a sad day if/when the NASB 95 is withdrawn.

Take my money already and sell me that incredi-NASB!

Oh, don't remind me of the Ruckmanites! Horrors. They are prowling about all over the place. A week ago I had to tell a brother, whol thinks his KJV is the basis for all translation correction, that it cannot possibly be used that way. It's not the basis of any translation but its own.

The LSB will be the Incredi-NASB

Could make for an entertaining FB page

Honestly for 35 years I've been telling my wife I don't speak her language😉

Your accents are hilarious. That LSB translation definitely seems almost unreadable.

Leave Johnny Mac alone!

My top 3 favorite examples of the immediate benefit of Early Modern English inflected pronouns are below; otherwise, as your testing indicated, it's rare to be confused by the singular/plural "you" in the modern English Bibles. KJV© And the Lord said , Simon, Simon, behold , Satan hath desired [to have] you, that he may sift [you] as wheat: (NET2, NRSV, and MSG add "all" for clarity). KJV© Marvel not that I said unto thee, Ye must be born again. (NET2 adds "all" for clarity) KJV© And the LORD said unto Moses, How long refuse ye to keep my commandments and my laws? (NLT renders "these people" for clarity).

Bible translations should be as literal as possible while still being readable and understandable. A 7-year-old needs a more dynamic version compared to a 16-year-old, or even an adult. I have no problem with the vast majority of English translations. Some should be avoided at all costs (new world translation, the passion translation), and a couple that really shouldn't be used as a regular reader (the message). I prefer more literal translations, as I've gotten older, although I do see the value in more dynamic translations. I also see the value in using multiple translations, since different translations can use different vocabulary to mean the same thing, and it can help our understanding.

Learn Hebrew and Greek? Sorry, I am still struggling with my birth language....English. I like the ESV, the NKJV, and the NIV.

Hilarious