NRSVue Bible Released as Precise Contemporary Translation for Global Use

The New Revised Standard Version Updated Edition (NRSVue), released by the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the USA, aims to provide a precise, contemporary biblical translation. Motivated by love and respect for Scripture, the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the USA (NCC) hopes that the NRSVue will be found suitable to inspire, inform, and guide daily living. The goal of the NRSVue is to offer a readable and accurate version of the Holy Bible to the global English-speaking community for public worship and personal study, for scholarship and study in classrooms, and for informing faith and action in response to God.

The National Council of the Churches of Christ in the USA Develops the NRSVue

Scholarly Foundations and the Update Process

The NRSVue serves as a direct evolution of the New Revised Standard Version (NRSV), which first appeared in 1989. The NRSV is a popular translation that follows in the traditions of the King James and Revised Standard Versions. It was written with the goal of preserving the best of the older versions while incorporating modern English. Since its debut, the NRSV has received wide acclaim and broad support from academics and church leaders as a Bible for all Christians.

The NRSV Bible Translation Committee consists of thirty men and women who are among the top scholars in America today. They come from Protestant denominations, the Roman Catholic church, and the Greek Orthodox Church. The committee also includes a Jewish scholar. This broad composition reflects the desire to provide a version suitable for diverse communities of faith.

The NRSV Bible Translation Committee Incorporates Catholic and Orthodox Canons

Historical Context and Translation Standards

Standing in the tradition of the RSV, the NRSV was the only major English translation that included both the standard Protestant canon and the books that are traditionally used by Roman Catholic and Orthodox Christians (the so-called “Apocryphal” or “Deuterocanonical” books). This inclusivity remains a cornerstone of the translation’s identity. The text encompasses a vast range of books, including Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, Deuteronomy, Joshua, Judges, Ruth, 1 and 2 Samuel, 1 and 2 Kings, 1 and 2 Chronicles, Ezra, Nehemiah, Esther, Job, Psalms, Proverbs, Ecclesiastes, Song of Songs, Isaiah, Jeremiah, Lamentations, Ezekiel, Daniel, Hosea, Joel, Amos, Obadiah, Jonah, Micah, Nahum, Habakkuk, Zephaniah, Haggai, Zechariah, Malachi, and various additional texts like Tobit, Judith, Wisdom of Solomon, Sirach, Baruch, and the Letter of Jeremiah.

The translation process is meticulous, as evidenced by the handling of foundational texts. For instance, in the account of the “Six Days of Creation and the Sabbath,” the translation offers nuances regarding the original Hebrew, such as noting that “In the beginning when God created” could alternatively be translated as “when God began to create” or “In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth.” Similarly, the account of the “formless void” includes notes on the wind or spirit of God, demonstrating the committee’s commitment to capturing the depth of the source material.

[email protected] Manages Copyright Permissions for the NRSV

Access and Licensing for Digital Platforms

The distribution of the text is managed through official channels to maintain copyright integrity. The National Council of Churches (NCC) is the copyright owner of the NRSV and adaptations and translations thereof. Those seeking to acquire rights to use the NRSV, or those in need of additional permissions, are directed to contact [email protected].

The oremus Bible Browser Updates Technical Features for Digital Readers

For digital researchers, the oremus Bible Browser has served as a platform for accessing these texts. As of version 2.2.10, released in March 2019, the oremus Bible Browser became available at both https://bible.oremus.org and http://bible.oremus.org, ensuring data is transferred securely between the browser and the server.

However, users should be aware of current limitations regarding access. The oremus Bible Browser has noted that for copyright reasons, the NRSV(AE) and NRSV are currently unavailable on their platform, and they are working to bring them back. The browser continues to offer features such as “dark mode,” which was introduced in version 2.4. This feature changes the color scheme to a nearly black background with pale text, which is designed to be useful for reading in dark settings, such as at a nighttime church service. The browser includes various technical configurations, such as checkboxes for verse numbering and footnotes, to assist users in their study of the text.

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