Christian Standard Bible (CSB)
Digital Verbum Edition
Overview
The Christian Standard Bible (CSB) is a highly trustworthy, faithful translation that is proven to be the optimal blend of accuracy and readability. It’s as literal to the original as possible without sacrificing clarity. The CSB is poised to become the translation that pastors rely on and Bible readers turn to again and again to read and to share with others.
The CSB is an original translation: more than 100 scholars from 17 denominations translated directly from the best available Hebrew, Greek and Aramaic source texts into English. Its source texts are the standard used by scholars and seminaries today.
The CSB is trustworthy: the conservative, evangelical scholars of the CSB affirm the authority of Scripture as the inerrant Word of God and seek the highest level of faithfulness to the original and accuracy in their translation. These scholars and LifeWay, the non-profit ministry that stewards the CSB, also champion the Bible against cultural trends that would compromise its truths.
The CSB is clear: it is as literal a translation of the ancient source texts as possible, but, in the many places throughout Scripture where a word-for-word rendering might obscure the meaning for a modern audience, it uses a more dynamic translation. In all cases, the intent is to convey the original meaning of God’s Word as faithfully and as clearly as possible.
The Christian Standard Bible (CSB) is a separate and distinct resource from the Holman Christian Standard Bible (HCSB). The CSB will not replace the HCSB resource.
Most Highlighted Verses in Christian Standard Bible
Genesis 1:26–28: Then God said, “Let us make man in our image, according to our likeness. They will rule the fish of the sea, the birds of the sky, the livestock, the whole earth, and the creatures that crawl on the earth.” So God created man in his own image; he created him in the image of God; he created them male and female. God blessed them, and God said to them, “Be fruitful, multiply, fill the earth, and subdue it. Rule the fish of the sea, the birds of the sky, and every creature that crawls on the earth.”
Genesis 15:6: Abram believed the Lord, and he credited it to him as righteousness.
Proverbs 1:7: The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge; fools despise wisdom and discipline.
Proverbs 3:5–7: Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not rely on your own understanding; in all your ways know him, and he will make your paths straight. Don’t be wise in your own eyes; fear the Lord and turn away from evil.
Matthew 11:28–30: “Come to me, all of you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take up my yoke and learn from me, because I am lowly and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.”
Romans 8:37–39: No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. For I am persuaded that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, nor height nor depth, nor any other created thing will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.
1 Corinthians 10:13: No temptation has come upon you except what is common to humanity. But God is faithful; he will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation he will also provide the way out so that you may be able to bear it.
Philippians 1:5–6: because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now. I am sure of this, that he who started a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.
Philippians 4:4–9: Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! Let your graciousness be known to everyone. The Lord is near. Don’t worry about anything, but in everything, through prayer and petition with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. …
2 Timothy 3:15–17: and you know that from infancy you have known the sacred Scriptures, which are able to give you wisdom for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus. All Scripture is inspired by God and is profitable for teaching, for rebuking, for correcting, for training in righteousness, so that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work.
I like to use the Christian Standard Bible because it’s a translation that’s faithful to the Bible’s original manuscripts, with oversight by some trusted partners in ministry. While it’s highly literal to the original text, it’s also remarkably clear for Bible readers today. I highly recommend the CSB as I encourage our church members—and all of us—to read and share the power of God’s Word with others.
—Mark L. Strauss, Bethel Seminary in Themelios, Volume 44 - Issue 2
The Christian Standard Bible provides a clear trustworthy translation of the Holy Scriptures in a style that the reader can clearly hear the voice of God in print speaking to their soul.
—Tony Evans, Senior Pastor, Oak Cliff Bible Fellowship, Dallas, TX
The Christian Standard Bible is a landmark achievement—beautifully combining accuracy and accessibility in a way that makes it ideal for Bible study, reading, teaching, and preaching. I look forward to seeing how King Jesus uses this translation to edify the church and equip God’s people for mission in the world.
—Daniel Akin, President, Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary, Wake Forest, NC
Reviews
79 ratings
Eric Couture
6/29/2024
The text of this Bible is the 2020 edition but the footnotes are the 2017 edition. The CSB 2020 footnotes need to be updated.
Mksand
12/23/2023
David S
8/28/2023
Jisung Lee
7/25/2023
Patrick Chan
7/15/2023
1. How I'd rate the CSB: Accuracy: 9/10 Clarity: 9/10 Naturalness: 9/10 Elegance: 5/10 But elegance is less important than the previous three, for, as CS Lewis once pointed out: beauty elevates, but beauty also lulls. 2. Overall the CSB is a great translation. I'm still partial to the ESV, but the CSB is quickly becoming a favorite and may someday replace the ESV as my main translation. I think the English speaking world is blessed to have access to multiple good translations, ranging from interlinears to formal or form based translations to functional translations to paraphrases and so forth. I've honestly learned so much about what God's word is saying through simply comparing multiple English translations. For example, one more formal equivalence like the ESV with one more functional equivalence like the NIV. Let alone looking at all the other resources we are blessed with in the English language. 3. Scholars like Tom Schreiner (NT biblical scholar) and Iain Duguid (OT biblical scholar), just to name two, recommend and use the CSB as their main English translation. Since I respect and trust their learning in their respective fields, I think it's reasonable to respect and trust their judgment on the CSB as well, all things equal.Aaron Sauer
10/26/2022
Eric D. Holeman
11/8/2020
Juan Solorzano
11/1/2020
