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The NASB 2020 Audio Bible
The NASB 2020 is an update of the NASB 1995 that further improves accuracy where possible, modernizes language, and improves readability. These refinements maintain faithful accuracy to the original texts and provide a clear understanding of God’s Word to those who prefer more modern English standards. The long-established translation standard for the NASB remains the same as it always has been, that is to accurately translate the inspired Word of God from the Hebrew, Aramaic, and Greek texts into modern English that is clearly understandable today.
This Kindle edition is a paragraph format and includes the full set of translation footnotes.
This Kindle edition is a paragraph format and includes the full set of translation footnotes.
1 pages, Audio CD
Published January 28, 2022
839 people are currently reading
92 people want to read
About the author
Larry Williams
144 books2 followersLibrarian Note: There is more than one author by this name in the Goodreads database.
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Displaying 1 - 25 of 25 reviews
December 23, 2023
I enjoyed this update (2020) of my favorite translation (NASB95). It remains literal and accurate and one of the most trustworthy English translations. There were a few places where I much prefer the word choices of the '95 version, but that has to do with familiarity rather than disagreement with the update.
August 29, 2023
8/29/23 - Update: Just finished 2nd time through in ‘23
7/27/23 - Original: So I have 2 different Bible reading plans for 2023 underway. With a goal of trying to read through the Bible 4 times this year.
This is the first completion in 2023 and it’s end of July. But I actually have almost finished a 2nd reading too as I’m just a few books short of 2nd completion.
Then I have the read through the Bible in a year on track for EOY. So I just need to stay on the Horner’s Bible Reading plan consistently to cover the other books again.
Love my time in the Word and learn something new every day!
If anyone interested in a buddy read and/or online bible study’s catch me on You Version and friend me! We have about 10-15 folks studying together daily!
7/27/23 - Original: So I have 2 different Bible reading plans for 2023 underway. With a goal of trying to read through the Bible 4 times this year.
This is the first completion in 2023 and it’s end of July. But I actually have almost finished a 2nd reading too as I’m just a few books short of 2nd completion.
Then I have the read through the Bible in a year on track for EOY. So I just need to stay on the Horner’s Bible Reading plan consistently to cover the other books again.
Love my time in the Word and learn something new every day!
If anyone interested in a buddy read and/or online bible study’s catch me on You Version and friend me! We have about 10-15 folks studying together daily!
December 30, 2024
Finished my Bible in a Year reading plan! ☑️🤍
December 30, 2021
I used the NASB 2020 for a through the Bible in one year plan and couldn't have been happier with the how it read. I had some reservations when I got started influenced mostly by critics who said that the NASB would give way to the gender neutral nonsense sweeping through liberal scholarship. However, this is far from the case. I will still use the 1995 as my go to text, but without hesitation will recommend the 2020 to anyone who asks. The only complaint I have is the Lockman Foundations continuing to us ALL CAPS to emphasize OT quotations in the NT. Bold print or italics would be much better. Another great translation!
December 31, 2024
I did a different reading plan for this year and enjoyed reading the NaSB version of the Bible. It is always a great book with so many lessons and a deeper connection to my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.
April 14, 2022
First sentence: In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth.
An update of the New American Standard Bible released earlier this fall. The kindle edition became available in early October. (Bible apps like Bible Gateway and YouVersion would add the NASB 2020 to their offerings a few weeks later.) There are a handful of print versions of this one published by Lockman Foundation.
I love, love, love, love, love, love, crazy love the NASB. I've read the 1971, the 1977, and the 1995. The 1995 more than a handful of times--it's one of my favorites. The 77 would undoubtedly grow on me if I read it more. (I love thees and thous).
I didn't buy it "knowing" I would love it or "knowing" I would hate it. I wanted to keep my expectations realistic and, to be honest, fairly low. I didn't know if the updates would be over-the-top and fundamentally change the text or if they'd be a bit more minimal and subtle.
I don't have the patience to read each verse side by side with other NASBs (95, 77, 71, 73, etc.) Other readers are making that choice to read slowly, deliberately, carefully, diligently hunting out every instance of change and deciding change by change if the update is for the better or the worse.
I am not that kind of reader/reviewer. I don't know the original languages and since that is where many disputes of "it's better" and "no, it's worse" condense down into. It would be one thing if the original languages could be downloaded into my brain--Matrix style--so I could get into heated arguments on the internet about verse translations. (Would I really want that???) But since I am not going to be one of those with a strong, intellectual, informed opinion about what makes the translation work or fail...I can be just myself.
I read the NASB 2020 in about three months--October, November, and December. Well, a bit under three months since we've still got two-thirds of December still to go. So it was a fairly fast read. (Not the fastest, mind you, that would be a three week read I did in 1998 of The Narrated Bible, NIV 84.)
If I do--when I do--buy a print copy of this one, I'd want it to be a Bible with QUALITY paper. People talk about bindings, bindings, bindings. What matters most to me is not goat skin or calf skin or generic "genuine" leather--but it's all about how THICK the paper is and how vision-friendly the text block is. Has the publisher/printer put ANY THOUGHT WHATSOEVER into the Bible.
I loved my Zondervan Single Column Reference Bible that released in the Spring--in the NASB 95. If they release a NASB 2020 Single Column Reference Bible, I'd definitely be interested. Preferably in the COMFORT PRINT font. Though if publishers would publish the font large enough in the first place, the font wouldn't have to be "fixed" into a fancy-sounding "new" font in order to make it readable. Not that I have opinion. (I so do.)
I want Bibles designed by people who spend a couple of hours each day READING the Word and thus know what is really important. Perhaps bleed through wouldn't prove so detrimentally irksome if you just spent five minutes a day reading the Bible?
Psalm 23 in the NASB 2020
The Lord is my shepherd,
I will not be in need.
He lets me lie down in green pastures;
He leads me beside quiet waters.
He restores my soul;
He guides me in the paths of righteousness
For the sake of His name.
Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death,
I fear no evil, for You are with me;
Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me.
You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies;
You have anointed my head with oil;
My cup overflows.
Certainly goodness and faithfulness will follow me all the days of my life,
And my dwelling will be in the house of the Lord forever.
John 3:16 in the NASB 2020
For God so loved the world, that He gave His only Son, so that everyone who believes in Him will not perish, but have eternal life.
An update of the New American Standard Bible released earlier this fall. The kindle edition became available in early October. (Bible apps like Bible Gateway and YouVersion would add the NASB 2020 to their offerings a few weeks later.) There are a handful of print versions of this one published by Lockman Foundation.
I love, love, love, love, love, love, crazy love the NASB. I've read the 1971, the 1977, and the 1995. The 1995 more than a handful of times--it's one of my favorites. The 77 would undoubtedly grow on me if I read it more. (I love thees and thous).
I didn't buy it "knowing" I would love it or "knowing" I would hate it. I wanted to keep my expectations realistic and, to be honest, fairly low. I didn't know if the updates would be over-the-top and fundamentally change the text or if they'd be a bit more minimal and subtle.
I don't have the patience to read each verse side by side with other NASBs (95, 77, 71, 73, etc.) Other readers are making that choice to read slowly, deliberately, carefully, diligently hunting out every instance of change and deciding change by change if the update is for the better or the worse.
I am not that kind of reader/reviewer. I don't know the original languages and since that is where many disputes of "it's better" and "no, it's worse" condense down into. It would be one thing if the original languages could be downloaded into my brain--Matrix style--so I could get into heated arguments on the internet about verse translations. (Would I really want that???) But since I am not going to be one of those with a strong, intellectual, informed opinion about what makes the translation work or fail...I can be just myself.
I read the NASB 2020 in about three months--October, November, and December. Well, a bit under three months since we've still got two-thirds of December still to go. So it was a fairly fast read. (Not the fastest, mind you, that would be a three week read I did in 1998 of The Narrated Bible, NIV 84.)
If I do--when I do--buy a print copy of this one, I'd want it to be a Bible with QUALITY paper. People talk about bindings, bindings, bindings. What matters most to me is not goat skin or calf skin or generic "genuine" leather--but it's all about how THICK the paper is and how vision-friendly the text block is. Has the publisher/printer put ANY THOUGHT WHATSOEVER into the Bible.
I loved my Zondervan Single Column Reference Bible that released in the Spring--in the NASB 95. If they release a NASB 2020 Single Column Reference Bible, I'd definitely be interested. Preferably in the COMFORT PRINT font. Though if publishers would publish the font large enough in the first place, the font wouldn't have to be "fixed" into a fancy-sounding "new" font in order to make it readable. Not that I have opinion. (I so do.)
I want Bibles designed by people who spend a couple of hours each day READING the Word and thus know what is really important. Perhaps bleed through wouldn't prove so detrimentally irksome if you just spent five minutes a day reading the Bible?
Psalm 23 in the NASB 2020
The Lord is my shepherd,
I will not be in need.
He lets me lie down in green pastures;
He leads me beside quiet waters.
He restores my soul;
He guides me in the paths of righteousness
For the sake of His name.
Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death,
I fear no evil, for You are with me;
Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me.
You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies;
You have anointed my head with oil;
My cup overflows.
Certainly goodness and faithfulness will follow me all the days of my life,
And my dwelling will be in the house of the Lord forever.
John 3:16 in the NASB 2020
For God so loved the world, that He gave His only Son, so that everyone who believes in Him will not perish, but have eternal life.
March 29, 2021
Even though reading scripture is part of my everyday life, I decided to put the bible up on my Goodreads because I set myself a challenge to read it all in 90 days, which allowed me to have a full sweep of the story which was fascinating. I really enjoyed reading the narrative in big chunks and seeing it all piece together. If you haven't done this before I would highly recommend it.
December 31, 2023
The blurb states: "The NASB 2020 is an update of the NASB 1995 that further improves accuracy where possible, modernizes language, and improves readability."
When it comes to Bible translation philosophies, on the scale between accuracy and readability, I have always wanted accuracy for my study Bible, hence my preferred Bible has always been the New American Standard. I want my English Bible to be as close as possible to "what it really says", so that I don't have to constantly be checking it against the Greek or Hebrew original.
The 1995 update mainly modernized the language by getting rid of all the thee's and thou's. This 2020 update goes far beyond modernizing the language. Many of the changes seem designed to go along with modern cultural sensibilities, more than simply updating the language.
There are updates to satisfy modern sensibilities about gender neutrality. Changing "men" or "brothers" to "men and women" or "brothers and sisters" is fine when it's clear the intent of the original author was to address both sexes. It's not fine when the author is addressing men only, or when singulars are changed to plurals to effect gender neutrality. Such changes can distort the author's meaning and intent.
There are updates to satisfy modern sensibilities about referring to people with disabilities. For instance, Luke 14:13:
NASB 1995: "But when you give a reception, invite the poor, the crippled, the lame, the blind..."
NASB 2020: "But whenever you give a banquet, invite people who are poor, who have disabilities, who are limping, and people who are blind..."
Such changes make the text less accurate and readable, and are not required to modernize the language.
Some changes get rid of archaic language. For instance:
"Abide in me" is now "Remain in me," as in other modern translations. (For me "abide" just sounds holier.)
"Lord of hosts" is now "Lord of armies." This would seem to distort the meaning, since in most cases "hosts" refers to angels, not to human armies. Other newer translations have "heavenly forces" or "angel armies".
Similarly, "hosts of heaven" is now "heavenly lights". For instance, Daniel 8:10:
NASB 1995: It grew up to the host of heaven and caused some of the host and some of the stars to fall to the earth, and it trampled them down.
NASB 2020: It grew up to the heavenly lights, and some of the lights, that is, some of the stars it threw down to the earth, and it trampled them.
I'm confused. So were the ancients - many of them thought the stars were angels. Using "hosts" would have maintained the ambiguity, which may have been intended.
The update to Hosea 1:2 made me laugh out loud:
NASB 1995: When the LORD first spoke through Hosea, the LORD said to Hosea, “Go, take to yourself a wife of harlotry and have children of harlotry; for the land commits flagrant harlotry, forsaking the LORD.”
NASB 2020: When the LORD first spoke through Hosea, the LORD said to Hosea, “Go, take for yourself a wife inclined to infidelity, and children of infidelity; for the land commits flagrant infidelity, abandoning the LORD.”
So Hosea did not marry a prostitute? News to me.
Some changes concern God's basic nature. God is no longer "abounding in lovingkindness" but instead "abounding in faithfulness" (Exodus 34:6-7). In fact, the word "lovingkindness" to translate the Hebrew chesed does not appear anywhere in the NASB 2020. Sometimes it's faithfulness, sometimes kindness, sometimes mercy, sometimes favor. NASB 1995 was much more consistent in translation, which is beneficial when doing word studies.
All in all, the NASB 2020 update is not a bad translation. I would still prefer it to the NIV in terms of accuracy, and it's not as bad as the NRSV in terms of gender neutrality. But I was looking forward to this update, and it has disappointed me. I will continue to prefer the NASB 1995 over the NASB 2020.
When it comes to Bible translation philosophies, on the scale between accuracy and readability, I have always wanted accuracy for my study Bible, hence my preferred Bible has always been the New American Standard. I want my English Bible to be as close as possible to "what it really says", so that I don't have to constantly be checking it against the Greek or Hebrew original.
The 1995 update mainly modernized the language by getting rid of all the thee's and thou's. This 2020 update goes far beyond modernizing the language. Many of the changes seem designed to go along with modern cultural sensibilities, more than simply updating the language.
There are updates to satisfy modern sensibilities about gender neutrality. Changing "men" or "brothers" to "men and women" or "brothers and sisters" is fine when it's clear the intent of the original author was to address both sexes. It's not fine when the author is addressing men only, or when singulars are changed to plurals to effect gender neutrality. Such changes can distort the author's meaning and intent.
There are updates to satisfy modern sensibilities about referring to people with disabilities. For instance, Luke 14:13:
NASB 1995: "But when you give a reception, invite the poor, the crippled, the lame, the blind..."
NASB 2020: "But whenever you give a banquet, invite people who are poor, who have disabilities, who are limping, and people who are blind..."
Such changes make the text less accurate and readable, and are not required to modernize the language.
Some changes get rid of archaic language. For instance:
"Abide in me" is now "Remain in me," as in other modern translations. (For me "abide" just sounds holier.)
"Lord of hosts" is now "Lord of armies." This would seem to distort the meaning, since in most cases "hosts" refers to angels, not to human armies. Other newer translations have "heavenly forces" or "angel armies".
Similarly, "hosts of heaven" is now "heavenly lights". For instance, Daniel 8:10:
NASB 1995: It grew up to the host of heaven and caused some of the host and some of the stars to fall to the earth, and it trampled them down.
NASB 2020: It grew up to the heavenly lights, and some of the lights, that is, some of the stars it threw down to the earth, and it trampled them.
I'm confused. So were the ancients - many of them thought the stars were angels. Using "hosts" would have maintained the ambiguity, which may have been intended.
The update to Hosea 1:2 made me laugh out loud:
NASB 1995: When the LORD first spoke through Hosea, the LORD said to Hosea, “Go, take to yourself a wife of harlotry and have children of harlotry; for the land commits flagrant harlotry, forsaking the LORD.”
NASB 2020: When the LORD first spoke through Hosea, the LORD said to Hosea, “Go, take for yourself a wife inclined to infidelity, and children of infidelity; for the land commits flagrant infidelity, abandoning the LORD.”
So Hosea did not marry a prostitute? News to me.
Some changes concern God's basic nature. God is no longer "abounding in lovingkindness" but instead "abounding in faithfulness" (Exodus 34:6-7). In fact, the word "lovingkindness" to translate the Hebrew chesed does not appear anywhere in the NASB 2020. Sometimes it's faithfulness, sometimes kindness, sometimes mercy, sometimes favor. NASB 1995 was much more consistent in translation, which is beneficial when doing word studies.
All in all, the NASB 2020 update is not a bad translation. I would still prefer it to the NIV in terms of accuracy, and it's not as bad as the NRSV in terms of gender neutrality. But I was looking forward to this update, and it has disappointed me. I will continue to prefer the NASB 1995 over the NASB 2020.
September 2, 2022
Praise be to Jesus because after 2.5 years of my Bible in One Year Journey which I started last November 2019, I finally finished it last August 2022!! It was such a joyful moment for me because fighting for my time with the Lord in Bible reading wasn't easy especially in the Old Testament. It was only by His grace! This was the version I've been reading for a good year. Other versions were: NIV, NLT, AMP, ASND (Filipino) and The Message (sometimes)
This is only the starting point! I really made it a goal to just read it first. But from this time, I'll be moving forward to doing in-depth Bible study and really praying to own a study bible, I'm eye-ing an ESV study bible which is my desire for so long. Having it in ebook format is kinda hard but it'll do that's only what I have now. No time to complain.
Lord, help me to delight more in Your Word and love it more and share it more to people. In Jesus' name, amen.
This is only the starting point! I really made it a goal to just read it first. But from this time, I'll be moving forward to doing in-depth Bible study and really praying to own a study bible, I'm eye-ing an ESV study bible which is my desire for so long. Having it in ebook format is kinda hard but it'll do that's only what I have now. No time to complain.
Lord, help me to delight more in Your Word and love it more and share it more to people. In Jesus' name, amen.
July 30, 2025
My parents, prior to converting the Evangelical IBF church were Roman Catholic. Both parents had a copy of the NASB. I remember it was a bright orange cover. Anyway, they traded in these ones for KJV Bibles. I rescued my mother's copy and hid it away.
it is by far, the absolute best translation of the Bible that is out there. I gave it a 5 ☆ review.
it is by far, the absolute best translation of the Bible that is out there. I gave it a 5 ☆ review.
January 9, 2021
Excellent Read!
This new edition of the New American Standard Bible properly uses excellent English vocabulary and grammar for present day reading of the Holy Bible! With updated pronouns, the target audience is more understandable! A Great Read for Present Day!
This new edition of the New American Standard Bible properly uses excellent English vocabulary and grammar for present day reading of the Holy Bible! With updated pronouns, the target audience is more understandable! A Great Read for Present Day!
March 8, 2021
God bless.
July 23, 2021
This is definitely different than what I remember growing up with at church (catholic).
December 31, 2021
Another through the year chronological reading complete
February 15, 2022
I really enjoyed this translation. I like more formal equivalencies for personal study, though I don’t often preach from them.
March 12, 2023
Favourite parts:
- Anything by Paul
- James
- John
- Ecclesiastes
- Hosea
- Psalm 71
SPOILER:
He comes back! ;)
- Anything by Paul
- James
- John
- Ecclesiastes
- Hosea
- Psalm 71
SPOILER:
He comes back! ;)
April 3, 2023
My favorite version
August 29, 2023
Read for the ABC Survey courses.
January 1, 2024
a very solid translation
November 20, 2024
A gold standard for translation.
December 30, 2024
Book 130 of 2024.
[Nonfiction]
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Read this book if you can set aside time for it, if you are broken & imperfect, or if you can’t decide what to read.
[Nonfiction]
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Read this book if you can set aside time for it, if you are broken & imperfect, or if you can’t decide what to read.
June 23, 2025
The greatest story ever told.
September 23, 2025
I've read this for several years in a row now and it just registered it's a book to be counted. It has the words of life to me.
December 31, 2025
A book like no other. Life changing.
August 25, 2022
I was a little nervous going into this translation after reading some of the criticisms concerning gender. I found none of these criticisms to be warranted. The choices of gender usage deal with God speaking to all people regardless of gender where appropriate. They in no way affect the view of God, and indeed are more true to the original meaning of the text than translations that do not make these adjustments for language changes over the centuries.
The earlier NASB translations remain my favorites for study as I believe the language is more precise. That being said, this one certainly ranks among my favorites for readability while continuing to retain accuracy. I love the way a new translation can make you see things you didn’t see before. Many times during this read I had to go back to the original texts as the wording challenged some of my assumptions. Every time, this translation was true to the original.
The earlier NASB translations remain my favorites for study as I believe the language is more precise. That being said, this one certainly ranks among my favorites for readability while continuing to retain accuracy. I love the way a new translation can make you see things you didn’t see before. Many times during this read I had to go back to the original texts as the wording challenged some of my assumptions. Every time, this translation was true to the original.
Displaying 1 - 25 of 25 reviews