The New King James Version (NKJV) and the New American Bible Revised Edition (NABRE) are both modern English Bibles, but they come from different traditions and aim at different readers. The NKJV is a Protestant revision that keeps the familiar cadence of the King James Bible while updating its vocabulary. The NABRE is the Catholic Church’s English translation for use in the United States, and it includes the deuterocanonical books that Protestant Bibles omit. Readers who want a traditional, majestic sound often prefer the NKJV, while Catholic readers and students of the broader canon usually choose the NABRE.
Background
The NKJV was published in 1982 by Thomas Nelson, the Nashville publisher, with a committee of more than one hundred scholars drawn from many denominations. Its goal was to preserve the literary tradition of the 1611 King James Version while replacing archaic words such as “thee” and “thou” and outdated forms like “doth” and “hath.” Its Old Testament is based on the Masoretic Hebrew text, and its New Testament on the Greek text tradition that underlies the King James Version.
The NABRE grew out of the New American Bible, first published in 1970 by the Catholic bishops of the United States, and its revised edition was completed in 2010. It was produced by Catholic scholars working under episcopal oversight, and it is the translation used for Scripture readings in the Lectionary for Mass in the United States. Its revisions updated the Psalms, the Gospels, and other books in light of newer scholarship while keeping the broader Catholic canon intact.
Translation Method
The NKJV is generally described as a word-for-word or formal equivalence translation. Its translators tried to stay close to the grammar and word order of the original languages, so the English often reads with a deliberate, almost liturgical rhythm. This method rewards close study, since a reader can trace repeated words and sentence structures back to the original text, though it can also leave some sentences awkward in modern speech.
The NABRE takes a more balanced approach, mixing formal and dynamic equivalence. Its translators aimed for accuracy to the original languages while producing English that flows naturally when read aloud, especially in worship settings. The result is usually easier to follow than the NKJV in long passages, though some readers feel it gives up a little of the original’s distinctive phrasing to achieve that clarity.
Reading Level and Style
The NKJV carries the weight and formality of older English. Its sentences are often long and its vocabulary, though modernized, still reflects the seventeenth century. Many readers find it beautiful when read slowly, but younger readers or those new to the Bible may need to pause over unfamiliar constructions.
The NABRE is written in contemporary English and is generally considered accessible to general adult readers and high school students. Its tone is plain and direct, with fewer inverted sentences and fewer archaic terms. That plainness can make it a good companion for daily reading, though it lacks the stately music that many people associate with Scripture.
A Verse to Compare
Psalm 23:1
The LORD is my shepherd: I shall lack nothing.
(WEB)
The NKJV keeps the familiar sentence structure of the King James Version, so the opening line of this psalm sounds like the version many readers grew up hearing. The NABRE renders the same idea in more immediate contemporary wording, placing the emphasis on the shepherd’s provision in a way that feels direct and personal. Both translations carry the same central claim, but the NKJV leans toward tradition and the NABRE toward clarity of everyday speech.
Who Should Use It
Choose the NKJV if you are a Protestant reader who values a traditional literary style and wants a text that connects easily with older hymns and the King James heritage. It is also a strong choice for memorizing passages, since its wording is widely familiar. Its limits are its archaic grammar in places and its exclusion of the deuterocanonical books, which some readers will want to supplement with a separate source.
Choose the NABRE if you are a Catholic reader, a student of the full canon, or someone who wants a clear, modern translation for regular study and public reading. Its notes and introductions reflect Catholic scholarship, and its inclusion of the deuterocanonical books makes it complete for Catholic use. Its limits are a plainer literary style and a voice that some readers find less memorable than older translations.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does the NKJV include the deuterocanonical books?
No, the NKJV follows the Protestant canon and does not include books such as Tobit, Judith, or the additions to Esther and Daniel. Readers who want those books will need a Catholic or Orthodox Bible. The NABRE contains them as part of its complete Catholic canon.
Is the NABRE approved for use in Catholic worship?
Yes, the NABRE is the translation used for the Scripture readings at Mass in the United States. It has received the approval of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops for liturgical use. Many parishes and individual Catholics use it for personal study as well.
Which is easier for someone new to the Bible?
Most beginners find the NABRE easier to follow because its sentences are shorter and its vocabulary is contemporary. The NKJV can work well for new readers who enjoy a traditional style, but its older grammar may slow them down in long narratives. Trying a few chapters of each is often the best way to decide.
