What kind of translation is the niv

Highly readable. Widely accepted by churches in UK. Gender neutral version published Converts of paraphrased Living Bible to a thought-for-thought translation. Highly readable in vocabulary and language. Gender neutral. Does not use original or recently discovered sources. Uses simple short words and sentences. Complex meanings sometimes lost. Faithful translation draws on Greek, Hebrew and Aramaic sources.

Very simple, readable version without jargon. Craig Blomberg from Denver Seminary, Dr. Simon Gathercole from University of Cambridge, Dr. Bruce Waltke, retired, Dr. Larry Walker, retired, and Dr. I should add that Dr. Mark Strauss is the vice chair of the committee and Dr. Michael William is the secretary. Moderator Now, we have microphones scattered throughout the room. Audience Member There was a mention in the address that you had to make a decision about to whom you were speaking.

In one case, it was to either the evangelical community or to the community at large. What was the decision that was made? I was curious to know which way you go, or if you try to do both, or if you go one way one time and one way or another.

I will comment. My understanding is that we try to do both. I mean, we always keep in mind the larger non-evangelical public, and we recognize the NIV is predominantly an Evangelical translation. That is our largest constituency. Audience Member My name is Tony Slavin. I was curious if there is a written policy on translating figures of speech. It seems sometimes that the NIV would remove a figure of speech if it comes into English.

For example, 1Peter 3, on weaker vessels or weaker partner. The issue of understandability is often a key piece whether the vessel communicates well with a 7th to 8th grade general audience in that context. I was thinking of 1Peter Did you ever notice the NASB keeps the gird, but also girds your minds for action, the NIV preparing your mind for action and getting rid of the gird word as I like to say. How much can we keep an idiom?

How much do we have to let go? Part of it is understandability. Is there an image of a vessel in that or not for the original reader? Are they envisioning that picture, or is that a dead metaphor so that they would already go directly to the abstract concept behind the metaphor?

What do we learn from other biblical translators in the past who, in making the Greek translation of the Hebrew Old Testament, do they provide us any guidance for Christians doing their translation?

One is the Septuagint, and the other has been the NIV. It took me actually several years to begin to realize why both of those topics are so dear to my heart. So, I think there are lots of kinds of translation issues, translation philosophy. Rick Hess Yeah, if I could. But, in any case, it becomes the master edit text. Therefore, there is a kind of interest in literalism there which is balanced over against what you were talking about, Karen, which is the attempt to make it available to the people of a particular audience and readership that the Septuagint was written for.

So, you do have some parallel issues going on. Moderator All right, before I go to Jesse, if you have a question, would you please stand and either wave or walk towards someone who has the microphone. Jesse, you have someone. Audience Member Drew Longacre. I am very curious about the text critical principles and what you do for that process. I'm new to the Bible You might like to start with a translation that avoids too much technical language.

I'll be reading with other people Decide whether it would help you to have the same version as everyone else or a different one so that you can see how different translators have translated the passage you are reading.

I'll be reading big sections at a time e. Translation guide Click on the title to find out more about each translation. Date first published: What kind of translation? Dynamic equivalence — still a translation but is often very colloquial and renders the original language loosely Average reading age?

Formal equivalence — literal, staying close to the original sentence structure but changing it where meaning is compromised Average reading age? Yes Often stated pros of the translation: Designed to be accessible to and is very popular among non-native English speakers, especially in Africa and the Far East. Its line drawings are iconic and help with understanding the text An easy-to-read and understand version Often stated cons of the translation: Often criticised for lack of depth in its phrasing Some feel that, occasionally, it goes too far from the original text in its attempt to communicate meaning Sample verse: 'If we are rich and see others in need, yet close our hearts against them, how can we claim that we love God?

Jerusalem Bible JB. Dynamic equivalence — does not try to follow original sentence structure and focuses on what the text means Average reading age?

No Often stated pros of the translation: Beautiful poetic language Language that has influenced many phrases in modern English Very close to the original text Often stated cons of the translation: Archaic language that many people do not understand Based on the Hebrew and Greek texts available in the 16th century. Some words used in the KJV now have very different meanings e. No Often stated pros of the translation: One of the very few genuine paraphrases, based on the American Standard Version translation One of the earliest accessible versions of the Bible Careful to communicate the meaning of each passage Often stated cons of the translation: One of the very few genuine paraphrases The language is not designed to be elegant Sometimes the verses or passages are given unusual interpretations.

The Message MSG. Yes Often stated pros of the translation: A fresh easy-to-read, idiomatic translation It often presents a different insight to a passage It captures some of the passion of the original Often stated cons of the translations: Its colloquial style works for some and not for others Its idioms are quite American and British readers can find this difficult The translation is very free, which can lead to questions about its accuracy Sample verse: 'If you see some brother or sister in need and have the means to do something about it but turn a cold shoulder and do nothing, what happens to God's love?

It disappears. And you made it disappear. It maintains many of the theological terms used in the older translations. However, some of the artistic beauty of the older translations are lost with this translation. Some people find the language too archaic in some verses. Kent Hughes, R. Study Bibles to choose.

Other Bible translations. As of October , the Bible has been translated into languages. The New Testament has been translated into languages. And some portions of the Bible have been translated into 3, languages. Which Bible translation should I choose? Ultimately, the choice between translations is a personal one. Do your research, and pray about which one you should use.