NASB 1995 vs. 2020: What's the Difference?

Estimated read time: 3 minutes

The New American Standard Bible (NASB) has long been regarded by pastors and scholars as one of the most literal, word-for-word translations available. In 2020, the Lockman Foundation released a significant update to the beloved 1995 text.

So, what exactly has changed, and which version should you be reading? This short guide will explain the key differences.

The main difference between the NASB 1995 and 2020 is that the 2020 edition updates archaic language (like 'thee' and 'thou') to modern English and uses more gender-accurate terms (like 'brothers and sisters'), aiming for improved readability while maintaining the translation's strict literal accuracy.

NASB 1995 vs. 2020 Side-by-Side Table

The Key Differences Explained

The goal of the 2020 update was to increase clarity and readability for a modern audience without sacrificing the precision the NASB is famous for. The changes focus on two main areas:

1. Updated Language: The most noticeable change is the move to more contemporary English. For example, in prayers to God, the 1995 version retained the traditional "Thee," "Thou," and "Thy." The 2020 edition updates these to the more modern "You" and "Your," making the language more accessible for today's reader.
2. Gender-Accurate Language: The 2020 update uses more gender-accurate language where the original texts imply a mixed audience. For example, where the Greek word adelphoi was often translated as "brethren" in the 1995 text, the 2020 version renders it as "brothers and sisters" to more accurately reflect that the original writers were addressing both men and women.

Verse Comparison: 1995 vs. 2020 (Side-by-Side)

The best way to understand the difference is to see it in action. While 90% of the text remains identical, the NASB 2020 makes specific changes to vocabulary and gender inclusion.

Here are three key examples showing exactly how the text has shifted.

1. The "Gender" Change (Romans 12:1)

This is the most noticeable update. The 1995 text uses "brethren" (a traditional collective term). The 2020 updates this to "brothers and sisters" to clarify that Paul is speaking to the whole church, not just the men. Note that "sisters" is in italics, indicating it is implied by the context rather than being a direct word in the Greek.

NASB 1995

"Therefore I urge you, brethren, by the mercies of God..."

NASB 2020

"Therefore I urge you, brothers and sisters, by the mercies of God..."

2. The "Archaic Language" Change (Psalm 18:1)

This is one of the most visible changes. In the 1995 version, prayers often retained the King James-style "Thee" and "Thou." The 2020 edition removes this entirely, standardising the language to modern English.

NASB 1995

"I love Thee, O Lord, my strength."

NASB 2020

"I love You, O Lord, my strength."

(Note: In verses addressing God directly, the 1995 edition often used archaic pronouns. In 2020, "Thou art with me" becomes "You are with me")

3. The "Contraction" Update (Mark 1:38)

The NASB 2020 introduces contractions (like "Let's" instead of "Let us") to make the text sound more like natural spoken English. You can see this clearly in the Gospels.

NASB 1995

"He said to them, 'Let us go somewhere else to the towns nearby...'"

NASB 2020

"He said to them, 'Let’s go somewhere else to the towns nearby...'"

2020 vs 1955: Which One Should You Choose?

The choice between the two is a matter of personal preference.

• Choose the NASB 2020 if you want the most up-to-date, readable, and gender-accurate edition that still holds to a very literal translation philosophy.
• Choose the NASB 1995 if you prefer the more traditional language renderings you may be familiar with and have used for years.
• Buy the LSB if: You want the strictest literalness possible.

Ultimately, both are excellent, trustworthy translations. The 2020 update simply aims to make that same literal accuracy even clearer for a new generation of readers.

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