Wide variation exists among English Bible translations, blending verbal precision with literary style. Some translations sacrifice accuracy for readability and pleasantness, while others, like the dependable King James Version, though somewhat archaic, more accurately reflect the majority readings. Choosing a primary Bible is an important task, with accuracy as the foremost consideration. Researching a translation's source text is the safest way to assess its accuracy. The New Testament is transmitted in three major text types: the Byzantine, representing 85% of known Greek manuscripts with incredible unanimity; the Alexandrian, the oldest yet often inconsistent; and the Western, described as wild and undisciplined with little similarity among texts. For the Old Testament, the Hebrew text has far fewer variants, with the Bomberg and Leningrad manuscripts being the most commonly used. Readability is also crucial, as a Bible must be understandable to the average reader. The King James Version (KJV) remains the most popular and reliable, while the New King James Version (NKJV) updates its language while retaining familiarity. Other translations like the New International Version (NIV), Revised Standard Version, New Revised Standard Version, English Standard Version, and New American Standard Version vary in approach and bias. The New English Translation (NET) aims to balance literal and dynamic methods. Paraphrases like The Living Bible and Today's English Version are not accurate renderings, taking significant literary license. Specialty Old Testament translations, such as The Holy Scriptures by the Jewish Publication Society, offer accuracy, though newer versions like Tanakh are less precise. With numerous translations available, selecting a Bible requires careful study, but the effort is rewarded with confidence in the chosen text's closeness to the original meaning.