What Is the Difference Between the NIV & the ESV?
There are numerous versions of the Bible. While having various versions doesn't change the core message, some translations are easier to read and understand than others. Having many to choose from is helpful in Bible study, as it allows you to look at the different translations to achieve a greater knowledge of the scriptures. In comparing the New International Version and the English Standard Version, you will mostly see similarities.
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About the NIV (New International Version)
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The NIV was first published by Biblica in 1973, with revisions made in 1978 and 1983/1984. According to biblegateway.com, "The NIV Bible was produced by more than one hundred scholars working from the best available Hebrew, Aramaic and Greek texts." Biblica plans to release an updated version of the NIV in 2011.
About the ESV (English Standard Version)
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First published in 2001, "the ESV is an 'essentially literal' translation that seeks as far as possible to capture the precise wording of the original text and the personal style of each Bible writer. It seeks to be transparent to the original text, letting the reader see as directly as possible the structure and meaning of the original," claims the ESV Translation Philosophy. The translators relied on trusted Bible versions of the past and on Christian scholars' work from the last 100 years.
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An Example of Similarities Between the NIV and ESV
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To demonstrate the similarities in the NIV and ESV, here is an example found in Genesis 1:1-2:
NIV. : "In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth. Now the earth was formless and empty, darkness was over the surface of the deep, and the Spirit of God was hovering over the waters."
ESV: "In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth. The earth was without form and void, and darkness was over the face of the deep. And the Spirit of God was hovering over the face of the waters."
While occasionally some words are different, the verses are generally the same--you come away from reading both versions with the same message.
An Example of Differences Between NIV and ESV
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One of the instances where there is a difference between the two versions is found in Psalm 12:7.
NIV: "O LORD, you will keep us safe and protect us from such people forever."
ESV: "You, O LORD, will keep them; you will guard us from this generation forever."
Here, the clear difference is that in the NIV, some words are translated "keep us safe," while the ESV reads "will keep them."
Bringing it Together
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More often than not, it seems these two translations are fairly close. But, as you can see, there are differences.
To understand the scriptures where versions aren't aligned, it is helpful to do further study in other translations. You could take it one step further by going back to the original Hebrew or Greek and translate it yourself. There are many free translation services offered online which would help in that effort.
Another option is to contact a Bible scholar or minister to help you understand why there is a difference between translations. In doing so, he should also be able to show you the original meaning.
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