If you’ve been a reader of mysilentscream.com for a while you know that I use a variety of biblical translations.  I have my preferences, but I really do enjoy reading a variety of different translations.

Different translations use different styles of translating the original languages into English.

The NASB, ESV and others use a more literal word for word translation.
The NRSV, NIV, and others have a more phrase for phrase translation.
The NCV, NLT and others are increasingly thought for thought translations.
The Message and The Voice are both paraphrases; their translators are retelling and explaining the text while seeking to clarify the meaning of the text. 1