Q: I am struggling with the original NAS vs. the NASB. In the Matthew 6:25-34 passage, the NAS uses the word "anxious," whereas the NASB text uses "worried." Is there a significant difference between the 2 translations? I have looked seriously at the NASB study bible, the Ryrie NAS expanded edition, and the Life Application NAS bible. What would be your best recommendation? I greatly appreciate your input.

A: We are glad that you have good questions about what Bible to use. I believe that the two bible translations NAS and NASB are the same Bible. Sometimes different editions may change certain readings to clarify things, but basically they are the same Bible Translation. If one of the versions of the NASB have changed the wording; its because they think it captures the idea better. In this case (Matt. 6:24-25) they are trying to get across the same idea "anxious" was probably the word that they believed carried the significance a few years ago, but they seem to believe that the more modern equivalent would be to "worry." I know some of the people that have worked on the Life Application NASB Study Bible and it is pretty good at helping apply passages to our lives today. The others are good at supplying footnotes to help you understand the text better. (I, for example, served as one of the contributors for the study notes of the Nelson NKJV Study Bible). They, (NAS and NASB) are both good choices, but since you asked I would recommend the NASB.

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