Renowned for its beautiful balance of scholarship and readability and vetted by Protestant, Catholic, Orthodox, Evangelical, and Jewish scholars, the New Revised Standard Version (NRSV) faithfully serves the church in personal spiritual formation, in the liturgy, and in the academy.
Read the NRSV on Bible Gateway
- New Revised Standard Version (NRSV) with Apocrypha
- New Revised Standard Version, Anglicised (NRSVA) with Apocrypha
- New Revised Standard Version, Anglicised Catholic Edition (NRSVACE)
- New Revised Standard Version Catholic Edition (NRSVCE)
We’re grateful to Dr. Will Willimon (@WillimonTweets), professor of the Practice of Christian Ministry, Duke Divinity School, for partnering with the Zondervan NRSV Comfort Print® Bible campaign in helping people better engage the Bible.
Read about the LORD calling Samuel in 1 Samuel 3 (NRSV).
See other posts in this series:
- NRSV: How a Close Scripture Reading Informs Social Action (May 2)
- NRSV: How the Liturgy Deepens your Affection for Scripture (May 9)
- NRSV: Cultivating Bible Reading Habits (May 16)
- NRSV: How the Gospel Informs Social Action (May 23)
- NRSV: Scripture Reading Advice for New Followers of Jesus (May 30)
From the NRSV Preface
The New Revised Standard Version of the Bible is an authorized revision of the Revised Standard Version, published in 1952, which was a revision of the American Standard Version, published in 1901, which, in turn, embodied earlier revisions of the King James Version, published in 1611….
[A]mong the mandates given to the [translation] Committee in 1980…was the directive to continue in the tradition of the King James Bible, but to introduce such changes as are warranted on the basis of accuracy, clarity, euphony, and current English usage. Within the constraints set by the original texts…the Committee has followed the maxim, “As literal as possible, as free as necessary.” As a consequence, the New Revised Standard Version (NRSV) remains essentially a literal translation….
This new version seeks to preserve all that is best in the English Bible as it has been known and used through the years. It is intended for use in public reading and congregational worship, as well as in private study, instruction, and meditation. We have resisted the temptation to introduce terms and phrases that merely reflect current moods, and have tried to put the message of the Scriptures in simple, enduring words and expressions that are worthy to stand in the great tradition of the King James Bible and its predecessors.
In traditional Judaism and Christianity, the Bible has been more than a historical document to be preserved or a classic of literature to be cherished and admired; it is recognized as the unique record of God’s dealings with people over the ages. The Old Testament sets forth the call of a special people to enter into covenant relation with the God of justice and steadfast love and to bring God’s law to the nations. The New Testament records the life and work of Jesus Christ, the one in whom “the Word became flesh,” as well as describes the rise and spread of the early Christian Church. The Bible carries its full message, not to those who regard it simply as a noble literary heritage of the past or who wish to use it to enhance political purposes and advance otherwise desirable goals, but to all persons and communities who read it so that they may discern and understand what God is saying to them. That message must not be disguised in phrases that are no longer clear, or hidden under words that have changed or lost their meaning; it must be presented in language that is direct and plain and meaningful to people today. It is the hope and prayer of the translators that this version of the Bible may continue to hold a large place in congregational life and to speak to all readers, young and old alike, helping them to understand and believe and respond to its message.
NRSV Bibles are published by HarperCollins Christian Publishing, Inc., the parent company of Bible Gateway.
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The post NRSV: God’s Word and Future Generations appeared first on Bible Gateway Blog.
