The ESV is a great translation of Gods Word, It is a very direct translation but remains easy to read. I use this for personal studys well as preparing bible studys and in church. I would highly recommend this for any Christian an anyone interested in Christianity as the real, unaltered and faithful Word of God.

This translation gives the best of RSV in a more up to date style and format, improving on its faults (e.g. archaic language for addressing God, male-centric choice of English expression) without falling into the traps of excessive use of "inclusive" language (as in NRSV) or over-interpretation (as in GNB*, and to a lesser extent, NIV).

The language used is clear in its English expression, yet transparent, in that it allows the reader to see the original language behind the translation. Where other translations leave a reader with some knowledge of Greek asking "Now I wonder what the Greek for that passage says?", this one often gives clues as to what the Greek original was without compromising on "understand-ability."

Just occasionally I could have wished that the full earthiness of the original was more clearly expressed -- sometimes the translators appear to go a little coy when some of the more outrageous expressions are being translated (compare with AV). There are also a few places where choices are made over translation that seem odd to this (avowedly far less learned than the translators) reader.

However I have used this translation since 2002 as my main Bible for study and devotion, and am delighted with its clarity, readability and fidelity to the original.

* It should be acknowledged that GNB translators never tried to work with the RSV as a basis, but they did use a very narrow and limited interpretation in their English epxression of the much more nuanced originals.