Today’s New International Version (TNIV)
is an uncompromisingly accurate Bible translation
in today’s language from the translators of the most-trusted
Bible translation, the New International Version (NIV).
The TNIV is part of International Bible Society and
its commercial publishing partner, Zondervan’s, efforts
to reach 18 to 34-year-olds with the Bible.
WHO:
The
Committee on Bible Translation (CBT) translated
the TNIV. The CBT is made up of the top linguists
and scholars from the most trusted evangelical
colleges and seminaries in the world, including
Westmont College, Wheaton Graduate School, and
Calvin Theological Seminary. The CBT is the same
committee that translated the best-selling and
most-trusted modern English translation in the
world, the NIV.
Learn
more by watching a video about the CBT. Listen
to some of the CBT members. Select your choice
of media players
: Real
Player | Windows
Media Player
International
Bible Society (IBS) sponsors the
CBT and owns the copyright to the TNIV. IBS is
a non-profit ministry that uses proceeds to translate
and distribute Scripture in indigenous languages
all over the world. It is IBS’ mission to provide
uncompromisingly accurate, highly readable Scripture
to all people.
Zondervan is
the leading Christian communications company in the
world. Zondervan, a division of HarperCollins Publishers,
produces Bibles, books, new media products, gift
products from its Inspirio group and children’s products
from its Zonderkidz group. The world’s leading Bible
publisher, Zondervan holds exclusive North American
publishing rights to the New International Version of
the Bible, the bestselling modern English translation
in the world. More than 215 million copies of the
NIV have been sold or distributed worldwide. Zondervan
also holds exclusive North American publishing rights
to Today’s New International Version, or
TNIV. Visit Zondervan on the web at www.zondervan.com.
HOW:
The TNIV reflects the most up-to-date biblical scholarship
while using the most precise language of any modern
English translation. It is the best combination of
reliability and readability for today’s generation.
WHY:
It is the ongoing mission of IBS to work with the
CBT to reach the next generation with text that is
undeniably accurate and clearly communicates the
intended meaning of the original Scriptures.
English usage keeps changing – between 1993 and
2003, Merriam-Webster made 100,000 changes and added
more than 10,000 words and phrases to its collegiate
dictionary. Thirty years have passed since the NIV
was released.
A 2004 Harris Interactive Poll showed that
59% of 18-34 year-olds (churched or un-churched)
said the Bible was relevant to their lives, yet
more than half (53%) said they never read the
Bible or read it less than once a year. Clearly
there is a need to reach this audience.
There are 32 million “spiritually-intrigued”
18-34 year-olds open to Christianity.
There are 8 million twenty-somethings on the
verge of disengaging from the church.
Barna Research Group found that 40% of churched
children stop attending church as adults.
77% of 18-34 year-olds prefer the text of the
TNIV; 72% of 18-34 year-olds find the TNIV text
easier to understand.
According to JET Market Research, 85% of 18-34-year-olds
surveyed said they would like a copy of the full
TNIV when it is released in 2005.
The TNIV updates language and reflects advances
in biblical scholarship.
Word changes that more precisely render the
meaning of the original text. For example, “Christ
is changed to “Messiah” when the underlying Greek
functions as a title.
Word changes that reflect a better understanding
of the meaning of certain terms in the original
Greek and Hebrew. References to “the Jews” are
described more specifically, such as “the Jews
there” or “the Jewish leaders,” when the context
indicates a more precise group of people.
Changes that clarify the meaning of language
for today’s reader. For example, Mary is said
to be “pregnant” rather than “with child.” Or
“the fourth watch of the night” is changed to
the more understandable “shortly before dawn.”
Changes made in paragraph structure, sentence
structure, word order, punctuation, spelling,
and capitalization as well as word changes based
on contemporary English style.
Generic language where the meaning of the text
was intended to include both men and women. For
example, when it is clear the original text never
intended any exclusive male gender reference,
“sons of God” becomes “children of God,” and
“brothers” becomes “brothers and sisters.”
All gender-related changes to the TNIV made
to update masculine terminology that has generic
intent and is often misunderstood by today’s
generation. References originally intended to
be masculine remain masculine in the TNIV.
Learn
more about this and other examples of what has
been translated in the TNIV Bible. Select your
choice of media players: Real
Player | Windows
Media Player
Learn
more by watching a video about the CBT. Listen
to some of the CBT members. Select your choice
of media players 
