Which English translation is good, brother?
I can answer that question by pointing out the differences between dynamic equivalence translations, formal equivalence translations and paraphrases. I would lean towards formal equivalence translations for reading, study and teaching. Dynamic equivalence may be tolerated by me for reading. But I would not appreciate paraphrases that much. Each Bible translation committee would describe their translation differently but all translations would fall somewhere on the spectrum between the most formal to the most dynamic of translations. Formal translations are word-for-word translations, while dynamic translations are thought-for-thought translations.
There are also other layers that I must also consider while answering that question: the level of English comprehension of the person asking that question, his/her commitment to learning English, the availability of the translation in that place, income (whether a student or a working person) and long term usage. Textual issues are not considered here; they come into play among serious exegetes.
I would suggest Bible translations like the ESV, NKJV and NRSV as a balance between the above issues. The ESV is published by the Bible Society (and Crossway) in our country and is readily available. One can visit the Bible Society and purchase this Bible at a reasonable price. The NKJV is sold by most Christian bookstores. The NRSV is also readily available in most Christian book stores; the Protestant version is priced close to the ESV, while the Catholic version is cheaper from Catholic book stores (if one is a responsible Protestant Bible student). The ESV, the NKJV and the NRSV are considered formal (literal) translations and they are meant for modern English speakers and may be recommended for English learners.
With a dedication to learning and developing English reading and comprehension skills, anyone of these Bibles should help in the Christian walk and anyone of them can become a lifelong friend. As an added bonus information, these suggested translations are trusted and used by a maximum number of trusted pastors and scholars from different denominations and backgrounds in the English-speaking world.
Buying the above from online stores is a good option but prices may vary. Where I live, I found out that some Bibles cost more when we buy from online stores than from a physical store. But this may not be true in other places, so one should do some research to save money.
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