I am a translation hopper but my three favorites are ESV, NKJV, and KJV. Right now I'm reading KJV. NIV 2011 and CSB are in my second group of favorites. I like ESV because it's like a modern more smoother version of KJV in modern but smooth English. NKJV is a modern version based on manuscripts similar to KJV. KJV is KJV and it's thees thous and yes yous (to distinguish singular versus plural) and it being more literal sometimes makes it a great study version...except maybe in Paul's letters and Job. NIV and CSB are good in between versions (don't like the Selahs in Psalms being omitted in NIV 2011 though). KJV is not as hard to understand except maybe in Paul's letters and Job). That's where the ESV comes in handy or on any book of the Bible. ESV is what KJV would feel like if made in modern day. That's one of the reasons ESV is one of the best Bible versions.