The English Standard Version Bible is an essentially literal translation that seeks to capture the exact words and phrasing of the original text by using a translation philosophy known as “formal equivalence”. This meant avoiding interpretive opinions and contemporary cultural influences. Instead, they captured the nuances of the Arabic, Hebrew, and Greek texts. Although obsolete and archaic English terms have been revised according to current usage, the strength and clarity of traditional English literary expression have been retained, making the ESV ideal for both private study and public reading.