Some Updated Thoughts on the Berean Study Bible or Berean Standard Bible

It is “Berean Standard Bible”. The 2nd printing (due this Fall) will reflect the name change and come in a variety of covers and a smaller footprint.

I have been waiting for this one. Thanks!

Where are you recording from Tim?

I like a lot of things about the BSB, the free licensing policy is a definite plus. But as someone who likes to go verse-by-verse and compare several Bible versions, I can’t help but feel that the BSB is a product of a small group of people taking their favorite existing translations and blending them together.

One verse will read IDENTICALLY to the KJV. The next is WORD FOR WORD what the ESV says. Then the third might be the NIV84’s rendering. They actually invited input from anyone who cared to give it when making the translation about how best to render each verse.

Some verses are unique, but not very many. It really feels like what would happen if you took a group of fans of different conservative translations and let them vote on which existing version said it best for each individual verse.

Great job. New camera?

Thanks for your thoughts. This is one translation I haven't investigated yet. Your thoughts have been very helpful! Also, the Lexham English Bible is very generous with it's license, and the World English Bible is Creative Commons. Would you consider, after doing some research, creating a video on some of the different restrictions different translations have?

Obviously the old ones like Tyndale's, or even the ASV, are now copyright free, and the KJV is outside of the UK, but a video looking at the restrictions on major modern translations would be quite informative.

Big fan of the BSB. . . NASB (non-updated) has been my daily read since I finished my walk-through the New Living. I made a slight detour through the VOICE, but that was really weird.

Its certainly a task to balance accuracy and readability (how many English translations are there now?) English has so many words (theoretically up to 4.5 Million, but typically 1 million) we have a lot of options to maintain both syntactic and semantic structure. BSB is a good one. Put up in parallel with Young's and check it out.

Love the BSB! I wish it well against the big boys.

The BSB and the CSB are my two favorite translations. I love THE BSB because it is so easy to read, yet remains traditional. Also, I love the capitalization of pronouns for Deity. My only fault with it is the fact that it is HUGE...just too big to throw in the backpack everyday. I'm a huge fan of large print personal size Bibles. Excellent video, Tim!!!

The LEB Lexham English Bible has some very user friendly rules concerning its copywrite and use. Even though it is not in printed editions but only online it is a very excellent formal equivalent translation from what I've read very much like the NASB 95. I don't remember the exact rules concerning copyright but remember it being very user friendly.

Second edition hardbacks - Berean Standard Bible - are scheduled for September 2022. Second edition leather and bonded leather are scheduled for November 2022.

I like the HCSB, and this is the first time I have ever heard of the Berean Study Bible. (Berean Standard Bible.)
I might look for it when I get back to the USA. 2023

Love the BSB! Thanks for your updated thoughts!

If the BSB sounds like a “greatest hits”translation it’s because they openly acknowledge that some renderings cannot be improved upon. This is one of its strengths in my opinion.

Hey man, I know you’ve made videos on advantages with physical and computer Bible tools; but due to my obsession with bibles my parents (I’m a still codependent adult) don’t want me to add anymore physical resources or bibles to my grandpa’s inherited NLT Life Application Study Bible and instead do it on an iPhone or even use a replacement Bible on an iPad. Can you make a video on the advantages and tools on mobile devices? It would help since I’m due to an upgrade of my own devices soon.

Tim I enjoy your videos. But this one is a bit confusing. You shared “your thoughts” but you admitted you haven’t read it. My question is how can you give a critique when you haven’t invested anytime in it?And why did you pick on Psalm 23 in the BSB? I’m quite confused why that verse?

Thank you for the update. I had my BSB for over a year, read through the whole Bible, and I can tell you, in my personal opinion that it surpasses, in many ways, the NKJV, ESV, HCSB, and the NIV. They did an excellent job with the BSB translation. My physical BSB Bible is holding up very well. I might do an update on that in the future.

One of the things that I liked about the HCSB is that they did a good job of not being too influenced by other English translations, but then they totally undid all of that with the CSB revision (just look at the beatitudes in the HCSB and then the CSB)

In doing that (and ditching their use of Yahweh to appeal to a more standard, traditional audience) they totally lost me and the majority of traits that made their translation unique and drew me to it. The HCSB helped me approach scripture without too much influence from what I already think I know, but the CSB update really put me back onto those tracks of traditional English wordings :(

Thankfully the NET has stepped up and filled some of that niche, but not as well as the HCSB did

Thanks for the overview. For English translation I use the ISR, ESV, and KJV. An interlinear for other study needs.

Wish it was available in Logos

I think the scripture should say: the lord Is my shepherd, I have no need to want because he will supply my needs.

We always like to sound like the 1611 version the bible. Jesus told us he knows our needs before ask him. That is why David said I shall not want. 🤗

Does this mean I can't print this off my self?

Agreed on psalm 23. One reason why I love my 2015 NLT. The Lord is my shepherd;I have all that I need.

At first I was excited about it but after I found out that it is not a word for word translation and after reading from it for a short time, I saw that I will just stick with the NASB 95, LSB, ESV, and NKJV.

I really get confused why people think being easy to read is what is most important in a Bible translation. I mean they are all pretty easy to understand though you might have to look up certain theological terms (in any of them). No translation requires more than a standard high school reading ability (even the KJV is easily understandable in most places). I would think people would be far more concerned that the translation they are reading is accurate to the original text so they can know what the Bible actually says for themselves. If you believe it to be the very Word of God you should be concerned with the very words translators use.

It's like marrying the NIV84 and the NKJV to me. Because the NIV84 is out of print.... I think it's a necessary translation. I'm still waiting on a mediating TR translation though.... 😢

My Berean Study Bible arrived in the mail today and I love the look of it. The print and font is great! I can’t wait to delve into it!

At what point does anyone stop with the endless search to "translate" scripture? Suppose we call scripture just "The Word" or "The Assembly of Truth" or "Read This and Go To Heaven?" And the endless haggling by this person or that group braking to a halt over one word here or the deletion of a phrase there? The wrangling and hyper critical discussion bothers many of us. After 2,000+ years how is it that the supposed greatest minds on the planet cannot agree on a version that works. It would seem that by now, the dictionaries and various treatments of languages would be settled. Nope, we need to keep peeling this onion because the mythical "they" have got it wrong. Please, let us figure out what we want to read and stop trying to educate us, based on your amateur understanding of what you like concerning translations. Do we really think God or His Son will actually ask us, "Hey, you did not read the NAS did you?" We will be asked about our life and how we lived it and did we mention Christ. In the "Eight Translation New Testament" there is almost nothing that is worded differently that has any effect on the basics of accepting Christ and living like we mean what we say when we confess Christ as our Savior.

The Berean Bible say they go by the original Hebrew and Greek. I’m a KJV only. But the translators have trampled on the KJV. They have added words, such as Matrix,Wine bottles,and they have omitted the word homosexual. Berean Bible is more like the original KJV, minus the thee’s and thou’s. I love it. It has become my go to Bible.

I could be wrong but from what I understand it's "new" because all modern translations of the bible favor the Critical Text and are dismissive of the Textus Receptus where the BSB holds them both in high regard.

I memorize from the KJV because it’s what I grew up with, but I’m definitely not KJV-only. I really like the HCSB & the NASB-77, but just got my hands on the BSB & look forward to reading it from cover to cover.

ARE they offered in LARGE PRINT??? I have lost ONE eye and the other has a special lens that make me need a VERY BRIGHT light to read my small one I have now-- I CAN read it- but it hurts my eyes-- with the BRIGHT light I need to see it. I have a new one now with 17 point print-- largest available by NELSON...

BETTER SPIRIT than LETTER!!!! ( It even says that in a few places---)

they recently put their translation in public domain, that’s huge

The BSB is now public domain without a copyright! You can even use it freely for commercial use without needing permission!

Interesting. I just bought a copy, from them. When I checked the other sellers they were all adding another 20 bucks to the price. Is this a standard practice? Charge so much more then the original price?

I'm a KJV reader as I always have been since I have found NIV, NSB & NLT change entire intent, and meaning. But I do like to have several I may refer too. I think too many translations insert too much division among Bible readers. We all used to be on the same page when it was just KJV & Gideon

I heard they are pretty on top of their game when it comes to any Bible translation, but I could be wrong and would like to have some feedback. I'm a real stickler on Bible translations and compare it to the Greek and Hebrew

All Bibles should be open copyrights. Anything less is unethical to me, but that's me. However, it is ethical to make sure you are telling your reader what version they are getting their information from.

You brought up a point that I'm passionate about in this video. In my opinion, the BSB, WEB and NET are the "best translations" of the Bible because of the attitude of "hands-off" or "fear of God" or "it's not ours, we don't own it" regarding the text. I consider it a massive problem with nearly every translation, that they have the gall to limit the use of the text in any way. Limitations like "500 words," "1000 words," "up to half a book, but not more," "never a full book" are put on every "commercial translation" out there. And that's what they are - commercial, licensed products. First of all, should it even be legal or conscionable to "own" a copyright of a translation of God's Word? Whose words are they, after all? Secondly, Jesus is coming soon, and the time is short... will He be pleased with those publishers who say to Him, "Father, we made sure that the use of Your Word was hampered and limited, with the primary motive being that we could make a bunch of money for our corporation. When we were getting low on funds to expand our empire, we came up with a new revision and heavily marketed it so people would buy a new copy (much like the latest iPhone). We got very wealthy off this endeavor. When we saw people dishonoring our arbitrary limitation rules, we sued them!"? I understand the need to pay scholars to do the translation work, but to limit the use of the resulting text is unthinkable in my opinion. I consider it a spiritual crime of sorts. My personal favorite versions are the NASB, ESV and NKJV... for a wide variety of reasons. In my opinion those 3 are the best available translations today (obviously subjective, and I generally believe most modern translations are still God's Word and more-or-less equal and valuable for faith and practice). However, I cannot legally quote or freely distribute significant portions of any of those 3 translations without threat of legal action or asking permission from the publisher (which will not be granted according to what I've read, if the request is for over a certain percentage or threshold). Imagine getting sued, told to "cease and desist" or having an online channel/account removed for quoting "too much" of the Word of God! Unthinkable. My eyes teared up with joy and the utmost respect when I read that in April 2023, the BSB was released to the public domain. You can print, quote or distribute it without limitation! It's the most beautiful statement I've ever read in any preface or translation notes of any translation, and I believe this heart/spirit reflects and honors God more than any other. Of course similar free use statements can be found within the ideology of the NET and WEB translations. Such shows a fear of the Lord and honor of the Gospel - something that should be free to all peoples, without a concern of profiting from it. Why put limits on the Bible's use? I've heard the publisher's arguments... and sorry, but they are bogus and disingenuous. The true motive is clearly related to money, not textual integrity as they might claim. The BSB team has shown great faith because they are giving up their rights of exclusive monetary/financial benefit of their work. Absolutely stunning. I also like that there is now a "Readers Edition" for the Berean under way... they really have all the bases covered - formal, dynamic, and in-between editions. Maybe none of them are 100% perfect, but neither are any other translations. I'd rather accept a few minor word choices that aren't my personal favorite and be free to quote without worrying about legal action. And no, this is not just theoretical. I'm currently reading through the entire Bible via live stream, so according to "the law" I had to chose from among these 3 translations - BSB, WEB or NET (KJV is not practical anymore imo). I started with WEB, which isn't half bad... then I switched over to BSB after learning it's also free to use / public domain. So far I find the BSB to be easier to read smoothly than the WEB in many passages, but without getting too loose or dynamic for my preferences (the NET is maybe a bit too thought-for-thought for me, as I prefer accurate, but understandable). I enjoy your videos and your perspectives. You seem to be pretty much exactly where I am on most things - not that it makes us "right"... but it's refrisching to not feel alone in one's ideas, I suppose. Blessings to you bro. Sorry for the wall of text, but it's an important topic to me.

I feel like it's a KJV with a totally modern verbiage. Like many bibles have tried to do and failed.

The 1611 King James version is the authorized version so any body that keeps coming out with other translation and ribeye‘s version does are all well I like to call Satans counterfeits.

I use the BSB against the KJV on a regular basis and have to use them for years the brand study Bible is a great tool.

But understand, there is a difference between the Berean Bible and the Berean study Bible

I have a Frisch Perspective now but would sure like another fresh perspective on it.

I want this BIB 20+ , you know everybody, the Bible Berean Interlinear 2016,2020 old and new testament, there is an exemple look and read evebody , Mat 1:1: "Βίβλος [This is the] record γενέσεως of [the] genealogy Ἰησοῦ of Jesus Χριστοῦ Christ, υἱοῦ [the] son Δαυὶδ of David, υἱοῦ [the] son Ἀβραάμ of Abraham:"

Gen 1:1: "בְּרֵאשִׁ֖ית In the beginning בָּרָ֣א created אֱלֹהִ֑ים God אֵ֥ת - הַשָּׁמַ֖יִם the heavens וְאֵ֥ת and הָאָֽרֶץ׃ the earth."

I think that traditional renderings are the result of "market research," as they listened to the feedback of laypeople and pastors.

I actually appreciate the things you don’t seem to about the BSB. In the Psalms, the more contemporary renderings totally loose the poetic elements, whereas the BSB Psalms still read more poetically. If the BSB had more print options, it would easily take the top spot in my tier of preferred translations.