The New Berkeley Version in Modern English

Abbreviation:  NBV
Released:1969
Contents:Old Testament, New Testament
Source Used:Zondervan Publishing House (1969)
Location:Tyndale House, Cambridge, United Kingdom

This version of the New Testament (1945) has gained for Dr. Gerrit Verkuyl a place among the first rank of translators of the Bible into modern English. This version of the Old Testament (1959) under his editorship, exhibits the same characteristics of faithful rendering of the original texts into lively modern English that mark his New Testament.

The aim of this version was to achieve plain, up-to-date expression which reflects as directly as possible the meaning of the Hebrew, Aramaic, and Greek. It is not a paraphrase.

After twenty-five years, the need for revision became evident. This revision was very extensive, while not being a retranslation. Explanatory notes were revised as well as added. Topical headings were rephrased.


Sample Verses

Genesis 1: 1, 2
In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth. The earth was formless and empty, and darkness lay upon the face of the deep, and the Spirit of God was moving over the surface of the waters.

John 1: 1 - 3
In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. This is the One who was in the beginning with God. Through Him everything came into being and without Him nothing that exists came into being.


Comparisons

The following comparative studies include this version:

  1. Additions and Omissions in the Synoptic Gospels
  2. Authenticity of the Second Epistle of Peter
  3. Bishops, Overseers, Presbyters, and Elders
  4. Burden and Yoke to Be Removed
  5. Deceived Prophet
  6. From Eternity or From Ancient Times?
  7. Falsifying Scribes
  8. Fringe on the Borders of a Garment
  9. Gifts of the Spirit
  10. God So Loved the World
  11. Gods, God, or Judges
  12. Hebrew Synoptic Gospels
  13. Horses from Egypt and Kue
  14. Israelites and Baal-Peor
  15. Miracle at Cana
  16. Name of Our Heavenly Father
  17. Offering Sacrifices to the He-Goat
  18. Passover and the Days of Unleavened Bread
  19. Sabbaths and Sundown
  20. Scripture Inspired by God
  21. Seventy Weeks of Daniel 9
  22. Sides of the Court of the Tabernacle
  23. Some Variations in the Book of Acts
  24. Song of Solomon
  25. Speech Problem of Moses
  26. Story of the Adultress
  27. That Which Will Happen Before the End
  28. Those Who Work Iniquity
  29. Time of Peleg
  30. Tragedy at Beth-Shemesh
  31. Words with Heathen Origins in the Scriptures