Now to answer the OP. I do not recommend the ESV or NLT, simply because I do not read/consult them myself. I realize there are many who find these two translations to be among their favorites. For that, I am glad for them.
I think it comes down to what can I manage on my shelf of Bible favorites. I have a tendency to "select" a limited number of translations; and then "embrace" those translations, but avoid the others. Part of my bracing action involves purchasing my favorites in different editions and sizes. Like I said, my shelf of Bible favorites will only hold so much.
At this time, I probably will settle on what I have embraced.
And, as I have said in another thread on this forum, I do find myself getting closer and closer to the KJV.
I wouldn't recommend the KJV as a first option, though, because of the dated language already mentioned in this file. I like the NLT, especially for reading multiple chapters at a time, because the language is very "down to earth" and smooth, but I wouldn't recommend it as a person's primary translation unless the person is younger or doesn't read much.
IMO, the best version for a person is the version that will make a person more likely to read it.
For in depth Bible study, I'd recommend the NASB, ESV, and CSB for a balance of formal and dynamic equivalence. I'd add NKJV for the extensive textual notes.
For a general purpose Bible, I'd recommend the ESV, CSB, or NKJV.
For an aggressive reading plan, I'd recommend the NLT or CSB.
I agree, but am also mixed on my feelings. There is a point something becomes so antiquated that reading it is akin to reading a foreign language. I dont think minor changes in language that occur over 20 to 50 years justify retranslation or update. People do have a responsibility to be literate. In middle school, I had to read Moby Dick. Has our culture really become hopelessly dumb in a generation? No. They are smarter than we are, but poorly educated. Continual dumbing everything down contributes to, not cures, the problem.
I had a friend in the Appalachian Mountains who preached from The Living Bible.
When I asked him, the reason he gave was he could easily match his voice to the cadences of the LB. I never thought about it in that way. However, he played in a blue grass band and whenever I heard him read and preach the LB, I could tell he really got into the rhythm. He could make music out of the LB.
The NKJV is a revision of the KJV, using the same mss the KJV used, while considering the mss. discovered since then, and correcting such KJV goofs as "Easter" in Acts 12:4 , "Thou shalt not KILL" in Ex. 20:13, & "the love of money is THE root of ALL evil" in 1 Tim. 6:10. It's quite-literal, in modern language. It's our primary church version, with the NASV & ESV occasionally cited.
I don't know much about the NLT, but I don;'t recommend the old "Living Bible" at all, after I saw the scatology in it at
1 Sam. 20:30, I immediately ceased reading it. For those who never saw it, where most translations read "You son of a perverse, rebellious woman", the LB reads "S.O. B." spelled out ! Unbelievable to find that phrase, one of the most-vulgar ones in US English, in a BIBLE!
That aside, I prefer literal versions, as I feel they're closer to the Scriptural authors' intent in their writings, so I don't use the NIV or any other "dynamic equivalent" or "paraphrase" versions. (While remembering that EVERRY English translation has at least a little paraphrasing in it outta necessity for making a few passages understandable in English.)
I live close to the Apps myself, & about all the rural preachers use the KJV, while the city folk use MVs.
But the KJVO myth isn't too-prevalent. Most rural preachers use the KJV cuz that's what their congregations were raised on.
I recommend that anyone interested in using the KJV, especially for Bible-study, to obtain a copy of the AV 1611, the ORIGINAL KJV, complete with its preface & all its extratextual material, including the Apocrypha. I have a Hendrickson repro AV that has all the title pages with illustrations, & all the extratextual materials. the only differences between it & a genuine original is the physical size & the repro uses Roman font insteada the Gothic font of the genuine item. It cost $30 at Wal-Mart seven years ago.
For a "modern" KJV, I have a genuine Cambridge Edition. It was $139 in US dollars several years back, but worth every penny if you like the KJV.