New Greek/English Interlinear New Testament - Flipbook - Page 21
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PREFACE TO THE NRSV
churches have become sensitive to the danger of linguistic sexism arising from the
inherent bias of the English language towards the masculine gender, a bias that in the
case of the Bible has often restricted or obscured the meaning of the original text. The
mandates from the Division specified that, in references to men and women, masculine-
oriented language should be eliminated as far as this can be done without altering
passages that reflect the historical situation of ancient patriarchal culture. As can be
appreciated, more than once the Committee found that the several mandates stood in
tension and even in conflict. The various concerns had to be balanced case by case in
order to provide a faithful and acceptable rendering without using contrived English.
Only very occasionally has the pronoun “he” or “him” been retained in passages where
the reference may have been to a woman as well as to a man; for example, in several legal
texts in Leviticus and Deuteronomy. In such instances of formal, legal language, the
options of either putting the passage in the plural or of introducing additional nouns to
avoid masculine pronouns in English seemed to the Committee to obscure the historic
structure and literary character of the original. In the vast majority of cases, however,
inclusiveness has been attained by simple rephrasing or by introducing plural forms when
this does not distort the meaning of the passage. Of course, in narrative and in parable no
attempt was made to generalize the sex of individual persons.
This new version seeks to preserve all that is best in the English Bible as it has
been known and used through the years. It is intended for use in public reading and
congregational worship, as well as in private study, instruction, and meditation. We
have resisted the temptation to introduce terms and phrases that merely reflect current
moods, and have tried to put the message of the Scriptures in simple, enduring words and
expressions that are worthy to stand in the great tradition of the King James Bible and its
predecessors.
In traditional Judaism and Christianity, the Bible has been more than a historical
document to be preserved or a classic of literature to be cherished and admired; it is
recognized as the unique record of God’s dealings with people over the ages. The Old
Testament sets forth the call of a special people to enter into covenant relation with
the God of justice and steadfast love and to bring God’s law to the nations. The New
Testament records the life and work of Jesus Christ, the one in whom “the Word became
flesh,” as well as describes the rise and spread of the early Christian Church. The Bible
carries its full message, not to those who regard it simply as a noble literary heritage
of the past or who wish to use it to enhance political purposes and advance otherwise
desirable goals, but to all persons and communities who read it so that they may discern
and understand what God is saying to them. That message must not be disguised in
phrases that are no longer clear, or hidden under words that have changed or lost their
meaning; it must be presented in language that is direct and plain and meaningful to
people today. It is the hope and prayer of the translators that this version of the Bible
may continue to hold a large place in congregational life and to speak to all readers,
young and old alike, helping them to understand and believe and respond to its message.
FOR THE COMMITTEE,
Bruce M. Metzger