Choosing a Bible is an important task, and accuracy is the foremost consideration, ahead of readability. Translation blends verbal precision with literary style, and some easy-to-read versions sacrifice accuracy. Not all translators regard Scripture as authoritative, inspired, or inerrant, so the only safe test of a translation is its source text. The Byzantine text type makes up 85% of known Greek manuscripts, which agree with remarkable unanimity. Its readings appear in second- and third-century papyri and in early church writers, which argues for its authenticity. The Alexandrian type, found in Codex Vaticanus and Codex Sinaiticus, is older and is the basis of modern scholarship, but its texts often disagree with each other and show poor copying. The Western type is so undisciplined that scholars doubt it is a true type. The Hebrew Old Testament has few variants, and the Dead Sea Scrolls confirmed its accuracy. The King James Version and its descendant, the New King James Version, are the only major versions that follow the Byzantine tradition. The KJV remains the most reliable translation, and the NKJV removes its archaic language. The NIV reads well but shows Protestant bias and omits or footnotes disputed passages. The RSV, NRSV, ESV, and NASB are more conservative and literal. The Living Bible and Today's English Version are paraphrases, not accurate translations. A reader should use an accurate primary Bible and compare difficult passages in a second or third translation.

The International Bible Society and Zondervan Publishing have released the New Testament portion of Today's New International Standard Bible (TNIV), which has faced severe criticism from conservative Christian groups for its gender-neutral approach. In the TNIV, terms like brethren or brothers are often changed to brothers and sisters, and Hebrews 12:7 reads, "Endure hardship as discipline; God is treating you as His children. For what children are not disciplined by their parents?" which alters the original Greek references to sons, son, and father. Additionally, phrases like "with child" are replaced with "pregnant," reflecting a push toward political correctness. Meanwhile, Crossway Bibles, a division of Good News Publishers, has introduced The Holy Bible: English Standard Version (ESV), an update of the 1952/1971 Revised Standard Version (RSV). The ESV translation committee aimed for an essentially literal translation, striving to be as free of interpretation as possible while maintaining clarity and literary excellence. Though not perfect, the ESV avoids major issues, omitting certain disputed insertions without footnotes and noting manuscript variations in specific passages while retaining the text. However, it slightly compromises on gender language by using terms like "anyone" for "any man" and "people" for "men" where the original languages include both genders, yet it preserves "brothers" and "sons" in key contexts, along with the generic "he" and "man." The proliferation of new translations often stems from financial motives, as Bibles are bestsellers when targeted to niche groups, resulting in specialized versions for kids, teens, women, men, and various cultural or thematic focuses. Beyond profit, the need for new translations arises from differing philosophies: one camp prioritizes accuracy, while another focuses on modern, understandable renderings. Many conservative Christians favor the accuracy-driven versions, seeking to understand what God says directly rather than through contemporary interpretations.

Jesus Christ was made to be sin for humanity even though He knew no sin. This occurred so that believers might become the righteousness of God in Him. The Greek word rendered sin in this statement refers to sin itself rather than a sin offering. In becoming sin Christ was identified with sin and became its representation. The Father therefore dealt with Him as sin must be dealt with. Christ experienced the full effects of sin including separation from God and being forsaken. The same principle appears when Christ is described as having become a curse for humanity after being hanged on a tree. Thorns placed on His head symbolized the curse that entered the world through sin. Darkness covered the land while He bore the iniquities of all and while God withdrew because of transcendent purity. The Messiah thus took the sins and their penalties in full.