By Feran, Founder of Digible·Reviewed October 2026

New American Standard Bible (NASB) on iPad

Streamed

The New American Standard Bible (NASB) is known for following the original Hebrew and Greek as closely as English allows. It keeps word order, tense and structure where it can, which makes it a favourite for word studies, sermon preparation and comparing passages closely. The 2020 edition made the language easier to read without giving up that precision. Digible has both the NASB 2020 and the NASB 1995, so you can read either, compare one side by side with another translation on a tablet, and write, highlight and draw on it with Apple Pencil on iPad or a stylus on an Android tablet.

Key Features of the NASB

• Among the most literal modern English translations
• Keeps the structure of the original languages where it can
• Both the NASB 2020 and the NASB 1995 in Digible
• Respected by pastors and scholars across denominations

Best For

• Word studies and close reading
• Sermon and lesson preparation
• Inductive Bible study
• Comparing with a more readable translation side by side

Sample Verse — John 3:16 (NASB 2020)

For God so loved the world, that He gave His only Son, so that everyone who believes in Him will not perish, but have eternal life.

Scripture quotations taken from the (NASB®) New American Standard Bible®, Copyright © 1960, 1971, 1977, 1995, 2020 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission. All rights reserved. lockman.org

History of the New American Standard Bible

The Lockman Foundation published the NASB New Testament in 1963 and the full Bible in 1971, as an update of the American Standard Version of 1901. It was revised in 1977 and 1995, and the 1995 edition became a standard study Bible for decades. The NASB 2020 updated the language again while keeping the translation's literal approach.

Reading the NASB in Digible

In Digible, the NASB is available streamed as you read, with full journaling, highlighting and annotation. Use Apple Pencil to write directly on Scripture, highlight key passages, and draw illustrations — all on your iPad.

Reading and journaling are free. Pro adds extra covers, page styles, 800+ stickers, cover decoration and unlimited personal Paths. No translation is sold separately.

Want to see how the NASB compares to other translations? Check out our Best Bible Translations for Study guide, or explore the other translations available in Digible:

• World English Bible (WEB) — Public-domain modern English Bible translation
• American Standard Version (ASV) — Public-domain literal word-for-word translation
• Berean Standard Bible (BSB) — Public-domain balanced study translation
• New Living Translation (NLT) — Popular thought-for-thought translation
• New King James Version (NKJV) — Modern update of the classic KJV
• New International Version (NIV) — Read and journal the NIV on iPad and Android tablets
• King James Version (KJV) — The classic 1611 English Bible, with room to journal
• Christian Standard Bible (CSB) — Literal where it can be, clear where it needs to be