Rooted in the past, but
right for today, the NRSV continues the tradition of William Tyndale, the King James
Version, the American Standard Version, and the Revised Standard Version.
Equally important, it sets a new standard for the 21st Century. The NRSV stands
out among the many translations because it is "as literal as
possible" in adhering to the ancient texts and only "as free as
necessary" to make the meaning clear in graceful, understandable English.
It draws on newly available sources that increase our understanding of many
previously obscure biblical passages. These sources include new-found manuscripts,
the Dead Sea Scrolls, other texts, inscriptions, and archaeological finds from
the ancient Near East, and new understandings of Greek and Hebrew grammar.
The NRSV was translated by the Division of Christian Education (now Bible
Translation and Utilization) of the National Council of Churches, an ecumenical
Christian group. There has also been Jewish representation in the group
responsible for the Old Testament. This translation is meant to replace the
Revised Standard Version, and to identify it in context with the many other
English language translations available today. It is called the New Revised
Standard Version because it is a revision of the Revised Standard Version of
1952
Search the NRSV online.
