Customer Reviews:
 Excelent September 4, 2008
2 out of 3 found this review helpful
This is an excellent translation. Its language is simple and dignified.Its a real pleasure to read.
No apologetics January 17, 2008
20 out of 21 found this review helpful
A good translation of any text simply should try to give the meanings of the original words and sentences, as far as this is possible. But since the Bible is a document of enormous significance in both culture and politics, it's inevitable that some translations try to impose a specific interpretation on it.
For the most part, the NRSV does not do this. As an example, Isaiah 7:14 is a famous passage that has been mistranslated in many Bibles, using the word "virgin" when in fact "young woman" is correct - and this is theologically significant since the Gospel of Matthew quotes the (incorrect) Greek translation of the text, which at that time did read "virgin".
Now, if you see the Bible as infallible and inerrant, you will not like this translation (try instead the New International Version). But if, on the other hand, you want a translation that simply tries to faithfully translate the original text, and makes no effort to resolve apparent contradictions, the NRSV is for you.
My only concern is that it might try too hard in its use of gender-neutral language, however this is a relatively minor quibble.
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