RSV - 1952
Revised Standard Version
OldCovenantNewCovenant
[Home][Contacts][Versions]

This is the authorized revision of theAmerican Standard Version (1901), a variant of the(British) Revised Version (1881-1885),which was a revision of the King James Version (1611),which took into account several earlier versions. The King James Version hasbeen termed "the noblest monument of English prose," yet it hasgrave defects. This was brought to light in the nineteenth century when moreancient manuscripts than those used for the King James Version were found.

The directive was that the revision should embody thebest results of modern scholarship as to the meaning of the Scripturesand to express this meaning in English diction which is designed for usein private and public worship and preserves those qualities which havegiven to the King James Version a supreme place in English literature.Thirty-two scholars worked on the revision. Fifty representatives of cooperatingdenominations reviewed their work and counseled them. The aim was to makea good translation better.

Changes in the English language since 1611 were the mainreason for revision. Except for the Dead Sea Scrolls, only late manuscriptsof the Old Testament survive. This revision is based on Hebrew and Aramaictexts fixed early in the Christian era and revised by the Masoretes.

The Tetragrammaton was rendered as LORD or GOD, in capitalletters.

The Old Testament was first copyrighted in 1952 and theNew Testament, in 1946 by the Division of Christian Education of the NationalCouncil of the Churches of Christ in the U.S.A.

[Tyndale House, Cambridge, UnitedKingdom]

Genesis1: 1, 2

In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth.The earth was without form and void, and darkness was upon the face ofthe deep; and the Spirit of God was moving over the face of the waters.

 
 

John1: 1 - 3

In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was withGod, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God; all thingswere made through him, and without him was not anything made that was made.

Comparisons which include this version: