Bibles versions used at UCRP
At UCRP, we mostly we use the New Revised Standard Version Bible [NRSV]. We also use The Inclusive Bible: The First Egalitarian Translation [TIB], and the Common English Bible [CEB].
In practice, United Methodists [UMC] affirm the usefulness of a number of translations and versions as being helpful for study, teaching, memorization and other purposes, since each sheds a slightly different light in translating or paraphrasing the original languages and manuscripts.
When it comes to UMC teaching resources published by The United Methodist Publishing House in English, the CEB and the NRSV are the preferred texts for curriculum, largely because these are the preferred versions of many of our pastors and teachers in the United States.
What are the translation difference in these Bibles?
New Revised Standard Version [NRSV]
The NRSV is a very accurate translation [1989], incorporating what scholars have learned about the original Greek and Hebrew texts during the last century or so. NRSV is known for its use of gender-neutral pronouns. It’s used in academic journals and at universities, but almost nowhere else. It is a blend of meaning-based and form-based translation types with footnotes referring to the original wording.
The 1611 King James Version of the Bible begat the 1952 Revised Standard Version, which begat the 1989 NRSV, which now begets the new “Updated Edition” of the NRSV. The abbreviation for this new version is NRSVue.
A typical example in the NRSV has saying “brothers and sisters” when the original Greek literally said only “brothers” but was referring generally to people of both genders. The new NRSVue omits footnotes that specify what the Greek said. It also rewrites, the Bethlehem “wise men” are now “magi.”
Both the 1989 and 2021 renditions leave language about God undisturbed. “He” is still permitted, and he remains the “Lord” and “Father.”
This new Bible will be available in e-book format by Christmas and in print around 1 May 2022.
Genesis 1:1-2
New Revised Standard Version [NRSV]
In the beginning when God created the heavens and the earth, the earth was a formless void and darkness covered the face of the deep, while a wind from God swept over the face of the waters.
Genesis 2:7
New Revised Standard Version (NRSV)
then the Lord God formed man from the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and the man became a living being.
Leviticus 19:33-34
New Revised Standard Version [NRSV]
When an alien resides with you in your land, you shall not oppress the alien. The alien who resides with you shall be to you as the citizen among you; you shall love the alien as yourself, for you were aliens in the land of Egypt: I am the LORD your God.
Matthew 5:5
New Revised Standard Version {NRSV}
Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth.
Matthew 6:9-13
New Revised Standard Version [NRSV]
Pray then in this way: Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name. Your kingdom come. Your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors And do not bring us to the time of trial, but rescue us from the evil one.
Romans 3:22-24
New Revised Standard Version [NRSV]
But now, irrespective of law, the righteousness of God has been disclosed, and is attested by the law and the prophets, the righteousness of God through faith in Jesus Christ* for all who believe. For there is no distinction, since all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God; they are now justified by his grace as a gift, through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus,
The Inclusive Bible [TIB]
The intention of TIB [2007] translation is to be a “fresh, dynamic translation of the Bible into modern English, carefully crafted to let the power and poetry of the language shine forth – particularly when read aloud.” The TIB is to raise consciousness to be sensitive to language – church language that is predominantly masculine.
The Inclusive Bible [TIB]
In the beginning: God created the heavens and the earth. But the earth became chaos and emptiness, and darkness came over the face of the Deep – yet the Spirit of God was brooding over the surface of the waters.
The Inclusive Bible [TIB]
YHWH fashioned an earth creature out of the clay of earth, and blew into its nostrils the breath of life. And the earth creature became a living being.
The Inclusive Bible [TIB]
Do not mistreat the foreigners who reside in your land. The foreigner who lives among you must be treated like one of your own. Love them as you love yourself, for you too were a foreigner in the land of Egypt. I am YHWH.
The Inclusive Bible [TIB]
Blessed are those who are gentle; they will inherit the land.
The Inclusive Bible [TIB]
This is how you are to pray: ‘Abba God in heaven, hallowed be your name ! May your reign come; may your will be done on earth as it is in heaven: give us today the bread of Tomorrow. And forgive us our debt, as we hereby forgive those who are indebted to us. Don’t put us to the test, but free us from evil.
The Inclusive Bible [TIB]
the justice of God works through faith in Jesus Christ for all who believe. There are no exceptions: everyone has sinned; everyone falls short of the glory of God. Yet everyone has also been undeservedly justified by the gift of God, through the redemption wrought in Christ Jesus.
Common English Bible [CEB]
The CEB is a new translation [2011] optimized for smooth reading for a broad range of people. After the scholarly translation, the draft texts were reviewed for grammar, style, and consistency. It uses common equivalents for many traditional church terms. CEB translators come from a variety of denominations, mostly mainline or progressive Protestant. It reads at a seventh-grade level.
Below are some samples scriptures from the NRSV, CEB, and TIB versions.
Common English Bible [CEB]
When God began to create the heavens and the earth—the earth was without shape or form, it was dark over the deep sea, and God’s wind swept over the waters
Common English Bible [CEB]
the Lord God formed the human from the topsoil of the fertile land and blew life’s breath into his nostrils. The human came to life.
Common English Bible [CEB]
When immigrants live in your land with you, you must not cheat them. Any immigrant who lives with you must be treated as if they were one of your citizens. You must love them as yourself because you were immigrants in the land of Egypt; I am the Lord your God.
Common English Bible [CEB]
Happy are people who are humble, because they will inherit the earth.
Common English Bible [CEB]
Pray like this: Our Father who is in heaven, uphold the holiness of your name. Bring in your kingdom so that your will is done on earth as it’s done in heaven. Give us the bread we need for today. Forgive us for the ways we have wronged you, just as we also forgive those who have wronged us. And don’t lead us into temptation, but rescue us from the evil one.
Common English Bible [CEB]
God’s righteousness comes through the faithfulness of Jesus Christ for all who have faith in him. There’s no distinction. All have sinned and fall short of God’s glory, but all are treated as righteous freely by his grace, because of a ransom that was paid by Christ Jesus.