Spanish-English Bilingual Holy Bible 3.0

The New International Version (NIV) is an original translation of the Bible that was developed by a team of over one hundred scholars who worked diligently using the best available Hebrew, Aramaic, and Greek texts.

This project was initially envisioned by Howard Long, an engineer working with General Electric in Seattle. Long, a lifelong devotee of the King James Version, realized that when he shared it with his friends, they struggled to connect with it. Recognizing the need for a translation that would resonate with his contemporaries, Long championed this idea for ten years. His vision eventually gained the support of like-minded individuals, growing into a collective passion within a church and various denominations. In 1965, a trans-denominational and international group of scholars convened in Palos Heights, Illinois, and committed to producing a new translation from scratch using the most reliable manuscripts in the original languages. The validity of their approach was confirmed by numerous church leaders who gathered in Chicago the following year.

To oversee this important project, the Committee on Bible Translation (CBT), consisting of fifteen biblical scholars, was established. In 1968, the New York Bible Society (now known as Biblica) generously provided financial sponsorship for the endeavor. Each book of the Bible was assigned to a translation team comprising two lead translators, two translation consultants, and occasionally a stylistic consultant. The initial translations underwent rigorous scrutiny and revision by intermediate editorial committees consisting of five biblical scholars. These committees examined the translations against the source texts and evaluated their clarity and comprehensibility. The edited texts then underwent review by a general committee composed of eight to twelve members. Before finalizing the translation, samples were tested with pastors, students, scholars, and laypeople representing the intended audience to ensure clarity and readability.

Perhaps no other translation has undergone such an extensive process of review and revision. From its inception, the NIV aimed to provide modern Bible readers with an experience as close as possible to that of the original Bible readers. It sought to strike the ideal balance between faithful rendering of the original texts and comprehension of the intended meaning in each verse. However, the NIV recognized the need for ongoing adaptation. As new discoveries were made about the biblical world and its languages, and as norms of English usage evolved, the NIV was committed to adjusting to maintain its original vision.

The original NIV charter incorporated provisions not only for periodic updates but also for continuous monitoring of developments in biblical scholarship and English usage. The CBT was tasked with an annual review to ensure that the NIV remained accurate and faithfully represented God’s unchanging Word in modern English.

The 2011 update to the NIV is the culmination of this process. Through collaboration with pastors, Bible scholars, and by engaging with the latest insights into biblical languages and the ancient world, the Committee on Bible Translation has meticulously updated the text. Additionally, cutting-edge research on English usage was employed to ensure that the New International Version remains true to Howard Long’s original inspiration.