I’m often asked why I include so many Bible verses in my books, and if I really believe it is necessary to do so.

I actually use a number of translations, including the English Standard Version (ESV). 

And among those that translate word for word, the ESV is more literary and readable; the NASB is not quite as good English, but still accurate as a word for word translation. A person reading a passage looking for key terms that repeat, then a NASB would be better. If you are trying to understand the passage as a whole, then the ESV is better.