The Best Selling Bible Translations at the End of 2022
Some thoughts for preachers to consider.
Here is the list of the top 10 best-selling Bible translations at the end of 2022.
New International Version (NIV) (June 2021 Ranking - 1)
English Standard Version (ESV) (June 2021 Ranking - 4)
New Living Translation (NLT) (June 2021 Ranking - 3)
Christian Standard Bible (CSB) (June 2021 Ranking - 6)
King James Version (KJV) (June 2021 Ranking - 2)
New King James Version (NKJV) (June 2021 Ranking - 5)
Reina Valera (RV) (June 2021 Ranking - 7)
New International Reader’s Version (NIrV) (June 2021 Ranking - 9)
New Revised Standard Version (NRSV) (June 2021 Ranking - not ranked)
New American Standard Bible (NASB) (June 2021 Ranking - not ranked)
Here are two things we, as local preachers, can take away from this list to help us in our local work.
Be familiar with other translations.
Most people you could sit down and study with in your community probably use a Bible translation on this list.
It’s helpful to know the strengths and weaknesses of various translations, so you can keep those things in mind when studying with someone.
Knowing the strengths and weaknesses of various translations can also be helpful in our personal studies.
For example, here’s how some English translations from the list above translate John 3:16.
For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. (NIV)
For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. (ESV)
For this is how God loved the world: He gave his one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life. (NLT)
For this is how God loved the world: He gave his one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life. (CSB)
For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. (KJV)
For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. (NKJV)
For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. (NIrV)
For God so loved the world, that He gave His only Son, so that everyone who believes in Him will not perish, but have eternal life. (NASB)
There are many similarities, but there are a few differences. It can be helpful to consider the differences in translation when we are studying.
Pay attention to what translations are being used where you preach.
In the first congregation where I preached, almost everyone used either the King James Version or the New King James Version. Where I preach now, I think those are still the two most used versions, but quite a few people also use the English Standard Version and the New American Standard Bible.
I think it’s wise to consider what people in the congregation use.
For example, I don’t think it would have been helpful for me to preach from the NASB in the first congregation I preached for when everyone was using the KJV and the NKJV.
This isn’t a “hard and fast” rule but a suggestion for us as preachers.
I appreciate the excellent work you are doing!
Regardless of your Bible translation, keep preaching the truth (John 17:17)!