Why the American Standard Version (ASV 1901)?
The American Standard Version (1901) represents the pinnacle of word-for-word formal equivalence translation. It serves as the foundational text of the NASB (1971/1995) and LSB (2021), completely free of commercial copyright restrictions.
100% Free & Public Domain
Unlike copyrighted modern translations (NASB, ESV, NIV, NLT) which impose strict publisher paywalls, quotation limits, and API restrictions, the ASV (1901) is 100% public domain worldwide. God’s Word is free for unhindered digital access, indexing, and translation study.
Strict Formal Equivalence
The ASV translates Hebrew, Aramaic, and Greek original texts with word-for-word accuracy. It favors literal precision and structural fidelity over loose dynamic equivalence (paraphrase), making it the preferred base text for serious theological study and concordance analysis.
Bedrock of the NASB & LSB
When the Lockman Foundation produced the New American Standard Bible (NASB in 1971/1995) and the Legacy Standard Bible (LSB in 2021), they used the ASV 1901 as their foundational base text. By reading the ASV on Gipum.com, you are accessing the direct textual lineage of modern literal translations.
The Translation Lineage: KJV → ASV → NASB → LSB
How the American Standard Version (1901) bridges classical English Bible translation and modern word-for-word scholarship:
The historic English translation based on the Byzantine Textus Receptus.
First major English revision incorporating earlier Greek manuscripts (Westcott & Hort).
The gold standard of word-for-word accuracy and the bedrock for the NASB and LSB. 100% Public Domain.
Direct statutory update to the ASV 1901, preserving its formal equivalence.
Direct continuation of the ASV/NASB tradition by The Master’s Seminary.
Side-by-Side: ASV (1901) vs NASB vs LSB
Examine how the ASV's literal translation choices established the foundational reading for today's most respected formal equivalence Bibles.
“Jehovah is my shepherd; I shall not want.”
“The LORD is my shepherd, I shall not want.”
“Yahweh is my shepherd, I shall not want.”
“Paul, a servant of Jesus Christ, called to be an apostle, separated unto the gospel of God,”
“Paul, a bond-servant of Christ Jesus, called as an apostle, set apart for the gospel of God,”
“Paul, a slave of Christ Jesus, called as an apostle, having been set apart for the gospel of God,”
“In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. The same was in the beginning with God. All things were made through him; and without him was not anything made that hath been made.”
“In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things came into being through Him, and apart from Him nothing came into being that has come into being.”
“In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things came into being through Him, and apart from Him nothing came into being that has come into being.”
“looking for the blessed hope and appearing of the glory of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ;”
“looking for the blessed hope and the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior, Christ Jesus,”
“looking for the blessed hope and appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ,”
“But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities; the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed.”
“But He was pierced through for our transgressions, He was crushed for our iniquities; The chastening for our well-being fell upon Him, And by His scourging we are healed.”
“But He was pierced through for our transgressions, He was crushed for our iniquities; The chastening for our peace fell upon Him, And by His wounds we are healed.”
“Rejoice in the Lord always: again I will say, Rejoice.”
“Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice!”
“Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice!”
66 Books of the Bible — Genesis to Revelation
Click any book below to read its complete chapters and expository guide in the American Standard Version (ASV 1901).