Nueva Versión Internacional ® (NVI)
La Nueva Versión Internacional
What is NVI?
It is a new translation of the Bible directly from the
original languages Hebrew, Aramaic and Greek into a newer
and more exact and elegant contemporary Spanish.
How could we classify this Bible?
A Bible that having kept the values of the traditional
versions—rigorous faithfulness to the original text
and the elegance of diction and style—has taken
advantage of the progress in Biblical science to produce
a fresh and contemporary version. A version suitable to
the readers of the Word of the end of this century and
the fast-approaching millennium. The NVI then can
be catalogued as "The Bible of the Third Millennium,"
"the translation adequate to evangelize new generations."
What
was the origin of this new translation of the Bible in
Spanish?
In light of the extraordinary reception that the English-speaking
world gave to the New International
Bible (NIV), the International Bible Society gladly accepted the request
from scores of believers and churches to undertake translations
of the Bible into other languages, following the same exegetical
parameters and hermeneutic guidelines used by the 110 Bible
scholars in the English version. The Nueva
Versión Internacional (NVI) was the
first translation in a different language.
Were there any other considerations taken into
account to begin this project?
The general exegetical principle that advises the usage
of not one but several versions of the Bible when reading,
studying and preaching the Word was taken into account.
It was time to offer the Spanish-speaking believers and
people at large a new version of the Scriptures done by
the most selected and reliable group of competent evangelical
Bible scholars of our continent. This version was translated
directly from the original texts (Hebrew, Aramaic and Greek)
into a modern, clear and beautiful contemporary Spanish.
In fact, the NVI is the first Bible ever to be translated
totally into Spanish by a team of Latin American evangelical
Bible scholars.
When did this project begin and what phases were
followed in its implementation?
The year 1979 could be pointed out as the starting year
of the project, when the International Bible Society made
the decision to produce a New Testament in Spanish following
the NIV translation principles. Several people and
committees worked on this project for over ten years. During
this time various translations of the New Testament were
published based mostly on the NIV English text,
with close consultation to the original texts. In 1990,
after several consultations with renowned Bible scholars
and leaders in Latin America, decision was made to organize
a committee on Bible translation (CBT) and appoint Dr.
René Padilla as chairman, and Dr. Luciano Jaramillo
as CBT executive secretary to undertake the translation
of a new version of the Bible based on the original Aramaic,
Hebrew and Greek texts.
Who are the members of the committee on Bible
translation?
The Committee on Bible Translation responsible for the NVI is
composed of renown pastors and professors knowledgeable
in different biblical areas: Old and New Testament, history,
anthropology, semantics, linguistics and other disciplines.
All of them have good command of one, two or three of the
original languages of the Bible: Aramaic, Hebrew and Greek.
But above all, they fervently believe in the Word of God,
and recognize it as eternal and unerring revelation.
In addition, they are representatives of over ten Hispanic
American countries. Some live and work in the United States,
but most of them carry out their teaching and preaching
ministry in Latin America. Lastly, they represent a wide
range of evangelical churches and denominations, among
them Assemblies of God and other Pentecostal branches,
the Presbyterian, Lutheran, Mennonite, Baptist, the Central
American Church and others.
Who sponsors this project?
The International Bible Society (IBS), a worldwide known
Christian evangelical organization, which for near two
hundred years has been dedicated to the translation, publication
and distribution of the Bible, with the sole purpose that
many people may come to the knowledge of Jesus Christ and
accept His salvation, and through the study of the Holy
Scriptures, they may grow in faith and become authentic
disciples of the Master. The IBS ministry of translating,
publishing and distributing the Scriptures in hundreds
of languages has spread to 44 countries around the world
providing churches, individuals and institutions with program
of evangelism and discipleship, and a vast array of bibles,
new testaments and other scriptures and materials for evangelism
and discipleship.
What features does the NVI present?
Faithfulness to the text, meaning, and original message
of the sacred writers, plus the dignity and elegance of
the Spanish language seeking at the same time to be within
the reach of a large majority of readers.
What process was used in the translation?
Right from the beginning, each book was treated in a particular
way. A translator specialist in a specific book drafted
a first translation that was later on revised by other
translators. Then the Old or New Testament committee dedicated
several teamwork sessions to revise the manuscripts, contribute
with their observations thus enriching the work. Readers
and revisers in various countries read the manuscripts
and sent in their observations. Finally, a committee of
Bible scholars and writers gave the final stylistic touch.
The entire Committee on Bible Translation was responsible
for the final approval of the text.
What were the guiding principles for the translators?
-
An absolute reverence of the divine Word, and a sound
faith in it.
-
A genuine desire that today’s reader may be able
to read the living Word of God in a fresh, dignified
and current Spanish, and readily and joyfully receive
it in its beauty and clarity.
-
Eagerness to present the message of the Word as clear,
simple and natural like when the Holy Spirit inspired
the original text.
-
A painstaking concern so that the NVI language might
keep the dignity and beauty due to the inspired Word.
-
In addition, the exegetical and hermeneutic principles
used in today’s most well-known, accepted and
used English Bible, the New International Bible
(NIV), were closely observed.
Why can it be affirmed that the NVI is
a clear, faithful and accurate translation?
Due to the fact that it reproduces in today’s Spanish
what the sacred writer, inspired by God, wanted to convey
to the people of that time in the then current languages
(Hebrew, Aramaic and Greek). A faithful and accurate translation
must take into account not only the original language,
but the target language as well. This means to transfer
the total content of the message to the grammatical forms
and expressions of the target language, avoiding that "……Matthew
5:18).
How does the NVI relate to other traditional
versions?
The NVI can complement and even improve some aspects.
For instance, those terms and expressions so familiar to
and well understood by the Christian people have been kept.
At the same time new terms and expressions have been introduced
to communicate things that are not so clear in other versions.
On the other hand, being the NVI the most recent
Spanish Bible translation, its translators have been able
to use the most refined textual base, result of the study
and research of thousands of Bible manuscripts discovered
in last years. Likewise, they have used in their work state-of-the
art resources of Bible translation auxiliary science, including
computer techniques.
A final word
For near a decade, the International Bible Society and
its Committee on Bible Translation have lovingly, faithfully
and enthusiastically worked to put into the hands of the
readers of the end of this century and the millennium to
come, the best version of the Bible text we have in Spanish.
We rest assured that the NVI will be beneficial
and useful not only of the individual study of the Scriptures,
but also in preaching and teaching, and especially in evangelism.
We are deeply convinced that what happened to the English-speaking
readers with the New International Version (NIV),
the Nueva Versión Internacional (NVI) would
become the INDISPENSABLE BIBLE.
May everything be to the glory of God and the wider knowledge
of his Word, so that this precious gift that God has given
to humankind be accessible, understandable and close to
the heart of our people.
Luciano Jaramillo
Director de Ministerios Hispanos
y Secretario Ejecutivo del CTB
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