In looking to get a new bible for our 7-year old son Zack for scripture memorization. We were considering the bibles we (Anne and I) use at home. For study we use the NASB though I have been enjoying the ESV. Neither of us use the NKJV nor the NIV which are also popular.
Zack will be memorizing scripture with other kids who use the NKJV. I felt that the NASB was a bit too technical for a 7-year old so it came down to either the ESV or the NKJV. We decided to compare his first memory verse using the NASB, ESV and NKJV. I fired up Logos, typed in 2 Corinthians 9:7 in the Parallel Bible Versions tool and here's what I ended up with:
| NASB | ESV | NKJV |
| 7 Each one must do just as he has purposed in his heart, not grudgingly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. | 7 Each one must give as he has decided in his heart, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. | 7 So let each one give as he purposes in his heart, not grudgingly or of necessity; for God loves a cheerful giver. |
Now personally, I liked the ESV's wording better. Anne was also comparing these versions and she preferred the the NKJV over the ESV. I couldn't see a drastic difference until she read her version of the ESV as:
"Each one must give as he has made up his mind, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver."
What concerned me was that there were two different texts for the same ESV translation! What's up with this? After looking further, Google reveals that there has been a 2007 text update to the ESV translation. I suppose this is normal, but I cannot see from my printed copy any way to determine which text version I have without doing an actual comparison of verses like 2 Corinthians 9:7.
I found one blog where the author has posted some of the differences. As this author notes, Gen 30:35 is funny and my son would certainly have appreciated the humor of the 2001 version.
| ESV 2001 | ESV 2007 |
| But that day Laban removed the male goats that were striped and spotted, and all the female goats that were speckled and spotted, every one that had white on it, and every lamb that was black, and put them in charge of his sons. | But that day Laban removed the male goats that were striped and spotted, and all the female goats that were speckled and spotted, every one that had white on it, and every lamb that was black, and put them in the charge of his sons. |
Oh, btw, we decided upon the ESV but will be waiting to buy him a Bible when I know that the ESV Kids edition is based on the 2007 text update.