World’s Most Popular Bible to be Revised

The world's most-popular Bible will undergo its first revision in 25 years.

The global board of Biblica announced its intention to update the New International Version (NIV) of the Bible, the first time it has been revised since 1984. The Committee on Bible Translation (CBT), the independent body of global biblical scholars solely responsible for the translation of the NIV Bible, is slated to finish its revision late next year, with publication in 2011.

"We want to reach English speakers across the globe with a Bible that is accurate, accessible and that speaks to its readers in a language they can understand," said Keith Danby, Global President and CEO of Biblica.

"This is why we are recommitting ourselves today to the original NIV charter, complete with its charge to monitor and reflect developments in English usage and Biblical scholarship by regularly updating the NIV Bible text.

"As time passes and English changes, the NIV we have at present is becoming increasingly dated. If we want a Bible that English speakers around the world can understand, we have to listen to, and respect, the vocabulary they are using today."

The Christian Science Monitor says the last time the group tried to introduce revisions – a decade ago – the effort “fell flat,” reports the Kansas City Star, due to disagreements over questions of gender. For instance, should “the sons of God” become “the children of God?” And should references to “brothers” be changed to read “brothers and sisters?”

The new edition of the NIV Bible will be available to the public the same year which marks the 400th anniversary of the King James Version. 

The Committee that will make the revisions says it welcomes suggestions and will consider each suggestion submitted in writing before the end of this calendar year.