What is the New International Reader’s Version (NIrV)?

Answer

The New International Reader’s Version (NIrV) is a Bible version developed to help early readers understand God’s message. It was initiated in 1992 and co-sponsored by the International Bible Society and Zondervan Publishing House. The New International Reader’s Version is a simplified version of the New International Version (NIV), which is currently the most popular Bible translation. The NIrV was created to make the Bible clear and understandable for early readers, suitable for a typical fourth grader. Consequently, it is also beneficial for the millions of individuals for whom English is a second language.

New International Reader’s Version – Translation Approach

As per the publishers, the New International Reader’s Version aims to be distinguished by five key characteristics—readability, understandability, compatibility with the NIV, reliability, and trustworthiness. It acts as a natural progression to the NIV when the time is right. The translation method mirrors that of the NIV, using dynamic equivalence (thought for thought rather than word for word). The New International Reader’s Version translates the Bible from the original Greek, Hebrew, and Aramaic manuscripts, but simplifies the language and shortens sentence length to lower the reading level. The outcome is a precise translation that is accessible and comprehensible to a wider audience, regardless of their English proficiency.

New International Reader’s Version – Advantages and Disadvantages

The primary strength of the New International Reader’s Version lies in its understandability. Most Bible translation experts consider the NIrV as the most straightforward English Bible translation. Unfortunately, the fact that the NIrV is tailored for individuals with lower reading abilities has deterred many from embracing it, as they are reluctant to reveal their below-average reading skills. This perception should be changed, especially considering the benefits of reading.In the Bible, pride should never hinder understanding. A drawback of the NIrV is the liberty it often takes in how words and phrases are expressed. In aiming for clarity and simplicity, the text at times interprets rather than translates.

New International Reader’s Version – Excerpts

John 1:1, 14 – “In the beginning, the Word already existed. The Word was with God, and the Word was God. The Word became a human being and lived among us. We saw his glory, the glory of the one and only Son, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth.”

John 3:16 – “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.”

John 8:58 – “Very truly I tell you,” Jesus answered, “before Abraham was born, I am!”

Ephesians 2:8-9 – “For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God—not by works, so that no one can boast.”

Titus 2:13 – “While we wait for the blessed hope—the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ.”