IHMO, serious students of scripture need to use NASB with KJV and Darby for reference. Along with Strong’s & Young’s concordances....commentaries are ok, but should only be referenced once one has done their own personal prayerful research first. Books by good authors (most of whom are not living) should be last.
So sad there is such a poverty of men and women who really know scripture cover-to-cover, and in depth.
Today’s Christianity is 100 miles wide and 1/8” deep, and 95% (or more) of what Christians believe is 2nd hand, pre-digested food - something they heard a pastor say, read in a book, or heard in Sunday School or a Bible Study. Living on pre-digested food will ensure that one is an immature believer all of one’s life. Even good commentaries and books are still “pre-digested” food, and what another has heard from God.
And how is one to discern when an author is “off” on something without knowing the scripture? Yes, the Holy Spirit can speak to one’s spirit, but one needs to know what scripture says to really know.
The lack of personal, direct knowledge of God’s word is perhaps the greatest need among God’s people, greatest lack. One who truly desires to know God personally and deeply will always be a serious student of scripture. True Christian maturity is impossible without this.
The real trick is to allow God the Holy Spirit to teach us what Scripture means as we breath it in, instead of us by habit of a scarred soul, reading our meaning into Scripture.