The NIV Bible - Making God’s Word accessible to today’s generation of Christians and seekers

Truly an international English translation
serving the global church and world
Christianity.

The NIV was envisioned to provide an
alternative translation to the nearly
500-year-old King James Version (KJV), which
in 1960’s America, many found challenging to
read and understand due to the changes that
had occurred in language usage over the
previous five centuries --“thou art” and “ye shall”
was no longer how people talked.
The original vision for the New International Version (NIV) of the Bible arose out of a desire to
create a Bible translation written in modern English that could be easily read and understood,
making God’s Word accessible to present and future generations.
Hear the Word the way it was written
Understand the Word the way it was
meant
The NIV distinctive:

In 1965, the NIV translation project was initiated by the signing of the
NIV charter and the formation of the Committee on Bible Translation
(CBT). The CBT was formed to create a modern English Bible
translation from the oldest and most reliable biblical manuscripts
available, providing the best possible blend of transparency to the
original documents and ease of understanding in every verse.
The CBT is accountable for honoring the NIV charter and meets
annually to monitor developments in biblical scholarship and English
usage and to reflect these developments in periodic updates to the text.
The CBT represents the very best in evangelical biblical scholarship.
The members – a self-perpetuating, independent body of 15 – are
drawn from various denominations and some of the finest academic
institutions in the world.
Formation of the Committee on Bible Translation

The CBT began the
translation process for the NIV
in 1965, working from the
original Greek, Hebrew and
Aramaic texts.
to the right.
Every verse was discussed
and debated to ensure it was
being translated to achieve
the optimum combination of
transparency to the original
documents and ease of
understanding.
Their translation work took
more than 10 years and in
1975, the New Testament of
the NIV was released and in
1978 the entire Bible was
completed and published.
1965 1966 1975 1978
Translation process begins
1967 1968 1969 1970 1971 1972 1973 1974
Entire Bible published
1976 1977
New Testament
published

Since its release in 1978, the NIV has become the world’s best-selling Bible translation with
more than 450 million copies in print worldwide.
Today, the NIV is available globally in a variety of formats, for children and adults through all
stages of life. The NIV is also used as a reference text, helping in the translation of many
languages around the world. The most popular NIV Bible is the NIV Study Bible. The NIV is the
translation of choice for millions of people around the world who want to read and understand
Scripture in today’s language. It has made God’s Word accessible to today’s generation of
Christians and seekers alike.
The NIV was quickly embraced by millions of readers who were grateful
to have a Bible they could easily understand.

The release of the NIV in 1978 did not mean the
work of the CBT was complete.
The NIV charter calls for the CBT to meet
annually and conduct regular monitoring of
developments in biblical scholarship and English
usage.
The reflection of these developments in periodic
updates to the text ensures that the NIV
translation continues to offer readers an
experience that mirrors that of the original
audience.
Updated versions
of the NIV were
released in
1984
2011

Highlight with
to the right.
IMAGE
The 2011 NIV update represents the
CBT’s latest effort as a committee to
articulate God’s unchanging Word in
the way the original authors might
have said it if they had been
speaking in English to the
English-speaking audience today.
The chief goal of every update to the NIV
is to ensure that the text reflects the
latest and best biblical scholarship and
established shifts in English idiom and
usage.
This is the reading experience that
the NIV seeks to recreate.

Changes to the text are not made easily.
to the right.
During the translation update process,
members of the committee work individually
– each in their own particular areas of
specialty – as well as in small groups and as
a full committee. In addition to considering
proposals from within the committee, the
CBT also solicits and receives input from
Bible scholars, ministers, missionaries and
lay-people.
Every proposal is evaluated with many
leading to revisions to the text, while others
are tabled for discussion at future meetings
for potential inclusion in later updates.
At least 70 percent of the committee
members present at the time of the voting
are required to agree before the text can be
altered. This ensures that no individual,
indeed not even a large group of individuals,
can hold sway in the committee.

With callout
1 2
For the 2011 update, the CBT initiated a relationship with Collins Dictionaries to use the Collins Bank of
English, one of the world’s foremost English language research tools. The database of more than 4.4
billion English words provides objective, statistically significant data on the state of written and spoken
English at any given point in the history of the language. Working with some of the world’s leading
experts in computational linguistics and using cutting-edge techniques developed specifically for the
updated NIV, the CBT gained an unprecedented and authoritative perspective on contemporary linguistic
norms.

At least 95 percent of the text of the 2011 NIV remains
exactly the same as the 1984 NIV it replaced.
All the changes in the
updated text are attributable
to one – and in some cases,
to more than one – of the
following reasons:
changes in English
progress in scholarship
concern for clarity
Progress in Scholarship
“[Christ Jesus] Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something
to be grasped”
“[Christ Jesus] Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to
be used to his own advantage”
NIV 1984
Updated NIV
NIV 1984
Updated NIV
“I am a foreigner and stranger among you . . . ”
Concern for Clarity
NIV 1984
Updated NIV
“If only there were someone to arbitrate between us, to lay his hand upon us both.”
“If only there were someone to mediate between us, someone to bring us together.”
95%
remains the same
Changes in English
“I am an alien and a stranger among you . . . ”

“When God spoke through the text of the Bible, he said exactly what he
wanted to say in the language of everyday people. Two thousand years
later, we have sought to give the world a Bible translation that reflects
those same priorities: Hear God’s Word the way it was written and
understand it the way it was meant! Take it, read it, listen to it, pray over
it, enjoy it and use it to grow in Christian maturity!”
— The Committee on Bible Translation, August, 2010

With callout
1
How has the NIV been rigorously cultivated and nurtured?
The New International Version of
the Bible continues to honor its
charter from the evangelical
community.
The ministry of the NIV will
continue to flourish because of
the faithful, ongoing work of the
Committee on Bible Translation.
The only entity that can influence the text itself is the Committee on Bible Translation. Every
update is a matter of integrity for the CBT who is solely responsible for every “jot and tittle” of the
NIV text.
Given the CBT’s commitment to rigorous attention to the original languages (What does the text
mean?) and the targeted contemporary English language (How can we render that meaning so it
is best understood as intended?), periodic updates are necessary. So based on the original
charter and commitment of the CBT, the latest edition of the NIV reflects the most accurate and
most readable text.
The only thing that drives the Committee on Bible Translation is their charter and
philosophy of equal rigor to both the original languages and the target,
contemporary English language.
True to its charter, the CBT has met faithfully every year since it was formed in 1965 and has
produced several revisions when they discerned it was necessary in order to maintain the integrity
of the text.

With callout
1
How are gender related issues handled?
Nowhere in the NIV is there even the remotest hint of any inclusive language for
God. The revisions solely surround inclusive language for mankind.
“Man” (“men”)
Avoid it when the text is inclusive (referring to a person, or people, of indeterminate or mixed
gender)
Rom. 3:28: “a person is justified by faith apart from the works of the law”
Use it when the text is exclusive
Mark 9:41: “The Son of Man is going to be delivered into the hands of men.”
“He” (“him,” “his,” “himself”)
Usually avoid it when the text is inclusive
Instead of “he,” we prefer to use distributive “they”
Mark 8:36: “What good is it for someone to gain the whole world, yet forfeit their soul?”
Why? Because it is how people are actually speaking and writing!
—The Collins Report
The mandate under the NIV
charter is to maintain the NIV
as an articulation of God’s
unchanging Word in
contemporary English. To the
extent that gender-inclusive
language is an established part
of contemporary English and
that its use enhances
comprehension for readers, it
clearly was an important factor
in the decisions made.

With callout
1
Are there verses missing from the NIV translation?
Most of these manuscripts were not located until after the King James Version of the Bible
published in 1611 was first translated.
When those verses could not be verified by the more reliable or older manuscripts, the NIV
translators moved them to a footnote to reflect greater accuracy.
People who grew up with the King James Version might feel that something has been taken out.
The real question is not why these verses were left out, but more of who added them later.
Check the footnotes of your
NIV Bible on the page where
there is a verse “missing”. It is
likely the verse you seek is
printed in these notes. During the New International Version translation process some verses were found not to be
included in the oldest or more reliable manuscripts the NIV translators had available to use.
The real question is not why verses were left out, but more of who added them later.
The reason some verses appear with a footnote and others in a footnote is based on whether or not
the verse in question comes from the original text. If the scholars were more certain that the verse
was not in the original text, the verse is placed in the footnote. If the scholars were less certain, the
verse was placed within the text with an explanatory footnote added. It was all done to achieve
maximum accuracy and readability.

Today’s Committee on Bible Translation
Douglas J. Moo is Blanchard Professor of New
Testament at Wheaton College, where he teaches
and mentors students in the masters and doctoral
programs. He is a graduate of Trinity Evangelical
Divinity School (M.Div.) and the University of St.
Andrews (Ph.D.). He was previously a faculty
member at Trinity Evangelical Divinity School
(1977-2000). He has written commentaries on
several New Testament books (Romans, James,
Colossians, and 2 Peter-Jude) and co-written a
New Testament Introduction (with D. A. Carson).
Dr. Moo has been a member of CBT since 1996.
Dr. Craig Blomberg is Distinguished Professor of
New Testament at Denver Seminary in Littleton,
Colorado. He holds his PhD in New Testament from
the University of Aberdeen, Scotland, and his MA
from Trinity Evangelical Divinity School. He is the
author of twelve books and has co-authored or co-
edited seven more, along with dozens of journal
articles and chapters in multi-author works. His books
include three on the historical reliability and
interpretation of the gospels (one on John), two on
interpreting and preaching the parables, and three
commentaries (on Matthew, 1 Corinthians and
James). Dr. Blomberg has been a member of CBT
since 2008.
Dr. Jeannine Brown is Professor of New Testament
at Bethel Seminary in St. Paul, Minnesota where she
also completed her M.Div in 1991. She has a Ph.D. in
New Testament from Luther Seminary. Dr. Brown
has consulted to two major Bible translation projects
(Common English Bible and New Century Version)
and has published a large number of scholarly
articles. In 2007 she published a major introduction to
Biblical hermeneutics. She has also made
contributions to three other published books including
a section on Matthew’s gospel in The Evangelical
One-Volume Commentary on the Bible (rev.). Dr.
Brown joined CBT in 2009
Chairman
Dr. Havilah Dharamraj is Academic Dean and
Head of Old Testament Studies at South Asia
Institute of Advanced Christian Studies. She has
a Ph.D. from the University of Durham. Dr.
Dharamraj spent several years teaching
chemistry before taking up Old Testament
studies. Today she teaches at the South Asia
Institute of Advanced Christian Studies in
Bangalore, India. She’s the author of A Prophet
Like Moses? A Narrative-Theological Reading of
the Elijah Stories.

Rev. Dr. David Instone-Brewer, a British
Baptist minister, was educated in Cambridge
(PhD) and Cardiff (BD). After a decade as a
pastor in Wales, he now holds an academic post
at Tyndale House, Cambridge. His two research
specialties are the Jewish background of the
New Testament and software for Biblical studies.
He has written books on divorce and other New
Testament teachings which are illuminated by
ancient Jewish documents. Dr. Instone-Brewer
has been on the CBT since 2005.
Dr. Karen H. Jobes is the Gerald F. Hawthorne
Professor of New Testament Greek and Exegesis at
Wheaton College and Graduate School. She holds a
PhD in Biblical Hermeneutics from Westminster
Theological Seminary (Philadelphia). She has written
commentaries on 1 Peter and Esther and an
introduction to the Septuagint (with Moisés Silva). Dr.
Jobes participates in various academic organizations
to stay current in her field, but finds the most
refreshment from her work through regular worship at
Church. She has been a member of the CBT since
1996.
Dr. Simon Gathercole is Senior Lecturer in New
Testament Studies, University of Cambridge
He holds a Ph.D. from University of Durham. Dr.
Gathercole specializes in New Testament
interpretation, as well as exploring the
connections between the New Testament and
other literature from the same historical period.
In addition to his contribution to the Committee
on Bible Translation, he serves as editor for the
Journal for the Study of the New Testament.
Dr. Richard Hess is the Earl S. Kallard Professor
of Old Testament and Semitic Languages at
Denver Seminary. He holds a Ph.D. in Hebrew at
Union College. Dr. Hess has taught at Denver
Seminary since 1997. He specializes in Hebrew
grammar, as well as the study of ancient Near
Eastern texts related to the Old Testament. In
addition to his work on the NIV with the Committee
on Bible Translation, Dr. Hess has contributed his
expertise to four other translations: the English
Standard Version (ESV), Holman Christian
Standard Bible (HCSB), New American Bible
(NAB), and Common English Bible (CEB).

Bill Mounce specializes in the Greek language
and has written a number of Greek language
textbooks, including the bestselling, Basics of
Biblical Greek, and many other resources. He is a
graduate of the University of Aberdeen (PhD) and
Fuller Theological Seminary (MA). He is the Vice
President of Content and Learning at Olive Tree
Bible Software and the president of Biblical
Training.org, a non-profit organization offering
world-class educational resources for discipleship
in the local church. Formerly he was a full-time
Preaching Pastor, a professor of New Testament
and Director of the Greek Language Program at
Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary, and a
professor of New Testament at Azusa Pacific
University. He served as the New Testament chair
of the translation team for the English Standard
Version of the Bible. Dr. Mounce joined the CBT in
2009.
The Rev. Dr. Paul Swarup is a minister with the
Church of North India in the Diocese of Delhi,
presently pastoring at Christ Church, Noida. He
holds a PhD in OT Theology/Dead Sea Scrolls
from the University of Cambridge, UK. He is a
visiting faculty at the Jesuit Seminary, Vidyajyoti
College of Theology, Delhi and the Marthoma
Seminary, Dharamjyoti Vidya Peet, Faridabad.,
Haryana. He was appointed to CBT in 2008.
Mark L. Strauss has a Ph.D. in New Testament from
the University of Aberdeen, Scotland, and is
professor of New Testament at Bethel Seminary San
Diego, where he has served for 15 years. Dr. Strauss
is a frequent preacher at San Diego area churches
and has served in three interim pastorates. He is the
author of many books and articles and is a frequent
speaker in churches and conferences. Dr. Strauss
has served on the Committee for Bible Translation
since 2005.
Vice Chair
Rev. Dr. Andrew G. Shead is Head of Old
Testament Studies at Moore Theological College
in Sydney. He holds a Ph.D. from the University
of Cambridge. In over 20 years at Moore
College, Dr. Shead has taught all three biblical
languages and most books of the Old
Testament. His research interests include the
book of Jeremiah, textual criticism, Hebrew
poetry, and biblical theology. Dr. Shead joined
the Committee on Bible Translation in 2016.

Dr. Bruce Waltke is Emeritus Professor of Old
Testament Studies at Regent College, Vancouver,
and also taught for many years at Reformed
Theological Seminary in Orlando, Florida. He
received a PhD from Harvard University and a
ThD and ThM from Dallas Theological Seminary.
Waltke has travelled widely as a Bible expositor,
as an Area Supervisor for excavations at Gezer,
Israel, and as Director of field study trips to the
Middle East and the Classical World. He is the
author of many books and commentaries. He has
served as president of the Evangelical Theological
Society, was on the translation committee of the
New American Standard Bible and the New
International Version, joining the CBT in 1980.
Dr. Michael Williams is Professor of Old
Testament at Calvin Theological Seminary,
where he teaches classes in Hebrew, Old
Testament, and ancient Near-Eastern history
and culture. He holds his PhD in Biblical
Studies from the University of Pennsylvania
(1999) and his MA in Religion from
Westminster Theological Seminary. He was
ordained in 2000 in the Christian Reformed
Church. Dr. Williams has taught courses at
Westminster Theological Seminary, the
University of Pennsylvania, and in Kenya,
Ukraine, and Poland. Michael is gifted in his
capacity for languages. He is proficient in
seven Ancient and Medieval Languages
(Biblical Hebrew and Aramaic, Akkadian,
Ugaritic, Sumerian, Arabic and Greek), and
reads French, German and Modern Hebrew.
He is the author of several books and articles
and joined the CBT in 2005.
Secretary
Secretary
Dr. Larry L. Walker holds a PhD from Dropsie
College for Hebrew and Cognate Learning. He
is Professor of Old Testament and Semitic
Languages at Mid-America Baptist Theological
Seminary in Memphis. He has taught Hebrew
and other ancient languages (such as Aramaic,
Akkadian, and Ugaritic) at the seminary level
for 30 years. Dr. Walker also served on the
International Council of Biblical Inerrancy that
drafted the “Chicago Statement on Inerrancy.”
He joined the CBT in 1968.

1 3
Biblica is the worldwide translation
sponsor of the NIV. For over 200
years, Biblica has been reaching
people with God's Word through
reliable, easy–to–read translations.
Every Bible published by Biblica —
from the NIV to Ethiopia's Amharic
Bible — delivers accuracy through
rigorous attention to both the
original Bible manuscripts and the
target language. Biblica offers a
host of free Bible study tools, low-
cost Bibles, and community reading
experiences to help you engage
God's Word.
Zondervan, part of HarperCollins
Christian Publishing, is the
exclusive North American publisher
of the NIV and a provider of
Christian communications. For more
than 80 years, Zondervan has
delivered transformational Christian
experiences through its bestselling
Bibles, books, curriculum, academic
resources and digital products. The
company’s products are sold in
multiple formats, worldwide in more
than 60 countries, translated into
nearly 200 languages. Zondervan
offices are located in Grand Rapids,
MI.
Hodder & Stoughton is the exclusive
United Kingdom publisher of the
NIV and a major publisher within
Hachette UK, one of the UK’s
biggest publishing groups.
Hodder & Stoughton publishes a
wide range of fiction and non-fiction
titles and are renowned for passion,
quality and delivering bestselling
commercial books in many different
formats.
NIV Publishing Partnership

With calloutEndorsements
"The New International Version follows in the same tradition as
the King James Version, although it is tailor-made for the way
English is spoken around the world today. The NIV is the most
popular translation today because it remains faithful to the
original Scriptures while being easy for people to understand.
And when we're teaching and sharing God's Word with others, it
is imperative that we consider the language people are speaking
every day."
— Charles Stanley, Senior Pastor, First Baptist
in Atlanta, GA and Founder of In Touch Ministries
“I have been using the NIV 2011 in my personal devotions and preaching.
Where I have checked the translation updates, I have found them a real
improvement, even superb!”
— Dr. Timothy George, Dean of Beeson Divinity School,
Samford University, Birmingham, AL
“The translators of the NIV Update have done for believers in the 21st century
what the KJV translators did for believers in the 17th century: Both translations
sought complete accuracy and the best of current English language usage,
and both succeeded. The NIV will now continue to be at the forefront of
modern English Bibles as the best translation for both public and private use.
It combines accuracy and readability better than any other translation.”
— Dr. Larry Hart, Professor of Theology, Graduate School of Theology
and Ministry, Oral Roberts University, Tulsa, OK

With callout
to the right. — Rev. Randy Frazee, Senior Minister of Oak Hills Church, San Antonio, TX
— Tremper Longman III – Robert H. Gundry
Professor of Biblical Studies, Westmont College,
Santa Barbara, CA
“The NIV is the authority for Evangelical Christians
around the world.”
— Dr. Tony Campolo, Professor Emeritus of Sociology
at Eastern University, founder and president of the
Evangelical Association for the Promotion of Education
Endorsements
“As a pastor who is passionate about communicating the
Gospel, I'm thankful for the NIV and how the CBT carefully
reviews and updates the translation to best reflect the language
of this generation.”
— Rev. Craig Groeschel, founding and senior pastor
of LifeChurch.tv, Edmond, OK
"NIV 2011 is a gift to the church. As a professor of
Old Testament and a translator myself, I
understand and appreciate this version’s fidelity to
proper translation method. Its clear, readable
English is accurate to the original languages,
communicating the Bible’s rich message in a way
that will reach people of all ages, education, and
spiritual maturity. Produced by the leading
evangelical biblical scholars of the day, this Bible is
suitable for devotions, deep study, casual reading,
group study, and in the pulpit."
— Tremper Longman III – Robert H. Gundry
Professor of Biblical Studies, Westmont College,
Santa Barbara, CA
"I enjoy reading and preaching from the NIV here in our ministry in New York
City. After more than 25 years, it continues to be my favorite version of God's
Word."
— Pastor Jim Cymbala, Senior Pastor, Brooklyn Tabernacle
"Nehemiah 8:12 tells us that the people were filled with great joy 'because they
now understood the words that had been made know to them.' Over the
twenty plus years I have had the privilege to teach God's Word to people I
have used the NIV as my primary translation. In my estimation, the NIV
provides the best translation to the original text while using a language style
that is easier for contemporary folks to understand. I have started using the
new NIV this year with the same confidence I have had all these years. I
believe with all my heart that this translation will fill the lives of people today
with great joy!"
— Rev. Randy Frazee, Senior Minister of Oak Hills Church, San Antonio, TX
“The NIV is the authority for Evangelical Christians
around the world.”
— Dr. Tony Campolo, Professor Emeritus of Sociology
at Eastern University, founder and president of the
Evangelical Association for the Promotion of Education

Visit TheNIVBible.com
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