YouVersion

About this Title

Version Information

The Today's New International Version (TNIV) is a thoroughly accurate, fully trustworthy Bible text built on the rich heritage of the New International Version (NIV). In fact, this contemporary language version incorporates the continuing work of the Committee on Bible Translation (CBT), the translators of the NIV, since the NIV's last update in 1984.

In translating the NIV, the CBT held to certain goals: that it be an Accurate, Beautiful, Clear, and Dignified translation suitable for public and private reading, teaching, preaching, memorizing, and liturgical use. The translators were united in their commitment to the authority and infallibility of the Bible as God's Word in written form. They agreed that faithful communication of the meaning of the original writers demands frequent modifications in sentence structure (resulting in a "thought-for-thought" translation) and constant regard for the contextual meanings of words.

The uniqueness of the TNIV rests in its ability to speak God's Word clearly and accurately in English that has evolved and changed. The result is a Bible text that reflects the NIV, but also clarifies and updates passages and words to provide a more timely, contemporary English rendition for a new generation of Bible readers.

Increased Clarity

Word updates: Some of the improvements in the TNIV text are simple word changes that reflect contemporary English terms. For example, the "sixth hour" is accurately translated as "noon" in the modern understanding of time (Mark 15:33).

Gender: Without exception, the TNIV retains gender-accurate, masculine terminology for references to God. This is a theological understanding and commitment that the CBT, standing in concert with the Church throughout the ages, considers inviolable.

There are passages in the TNIV, however, in which the contemporary English rendition used to refer to men and women has been translated to accurately reflect the original language, context, and understanding. Where the NIV previously used "he," "man," or "men" to indicate all people, the TNIV, in many cases, renders these passages as "person," "people," or other terminology that reflects the meaning of the original language. In no cases do these updates impose upon or change the doctrinal impact of Scripture.

So, for example, in Paul's letter to Titus, referring to God's saving grace, the TNIV renders 2:11 this way: "For the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all people."

Increased Understanding

Christ and Messiah: Two terms that declare Jesus as the "anointed one" are employed in the New Testament. The Greek Cristos and the Hebrew Messiah received careful evaluation. When used as the Messianic title for Jesus, the translators used the title of "Messiah." In other passages, where the title does not reflect a particularly Messianic overtone, translators utilized the Greek "Christ."

Jews versus Jewish Leaders: The Greek word loudaioi, based on context, can be used to refer to a more precisely identifiable group within the whole of Judaism. So the TNIV translates the term loudaios in John 5:16 to read ". . . the Jewish leaders began to persecute [Jesus]" in order to accurately indicate those directly responsible.

Saints: The TNIV presents an updated translation of the Greek term for hagios, traditionally translated as "saints." The TNIV translations were concerned to reflect the original sense of the term and avoid confusion with the process of canonization within religious tradition. Therefore, the TNIV replaces the word "saint" with terms such as "God's people," "people of God" and "believers."

Other textual updates in the TNIV reflect simple revisions in punctuation, copy editing details, and treatment of footnotes.

For a more thorough review and information about the TNIV translation, please visit TNIV.info.

Watch a video about Bible translation and Today's New International Version.

Copyright Information

HOLY BIBLE, TODAY'S NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION® TNIV®
Copyright © 2001, 2005 by International Bible Society®.
All rights reserved worldwide.

The TNIV® text may be quoted in any form (written, visual, electronic or audio), up to and inclusive of five hundred (500) verses without express written permission of the publisher, providing the verses do not amount to a complete book of the Bible nor do the verses quoted account for 25 percent or more of the total text of the work in which they are quoted.

When the TNIV® is quoted in works that exercise the above fair use clause, notice of copyright must appear on the title or copyright page or opening screen of the work (whichever is appropriate) as follows:

Scripture taken from the HOLY BIBLE, TODAY'S NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION®. Copyright © 2001, 2005 by International Bible Society®. Used by permission of International Bible Society®. All rights reserved worldwide.

"TNIV" and "Today's New International Version" are trademarks registered in the United States Patent and Trademark Office by International Bible Society®. Use of either trademark requires the permission of International Bible Society.

These Scriptures have been made available on the Internet for your personal use only. Any other use including, but not limited to, copying or re-posting the Scripture on the Internet is prohibited. These Scriptures may not be altered or modified in any form but must remain in their original context. These Scriptures may not be sold or otherwise offered for sale--to include online banner ads that encapsulate linkages to these Scriptures for the purpose of selling online ad space. These Scriptures are free for all online use. These Scriptures are not public domain. These Scriptures are not shareware and may not be duplicated.

When quotations from the TNIV® text are used in non-saleable media, such as church bulletins, orders of service, posters, transparencies or similar media, a complete copyright notice is not required, but the initials (TNIV®) must appear at the end of each quotation.

Any commentary or other biblical reference work produced for commercial sale that uses the Today's New International Version® must obtain written permission for the use of the TNIV® text.

Permission requests that exceed the above guidelines must be directed to, and approved in writing by, International Bible Society, 1820 Jet Stream Drive, Colorado Springs, CO 80921.

TNIV Site