Revised Standard Version

This is the authorized revision of the American 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 has been termed “the noblest monument of English prose,” yet it has grave defects. This was brought to light in the nineteenth century when more ancient manuscripts than those used for the King James Version were found.

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

Changes in the English language since 1611 were the main reason for revision. Except for the Dead Sea Scrolls, only late manuscripts of the Old Testament survive. This revision is based on Hebrew and Aramaic texts fixed early in the Christian era and revised by the Masoretes.

The Tetragrammaton was rendered as LORD or GOD, in capital letters.

Genesis 1: 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 of the deep; and the Spirit of God was moving over the face of the waters.

John 1: 1 – 3
In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God; all things were made through him, and without him was not anything made that was made.

The following comparative studies include this version:

1. Additions and Omissions in the Synoptic Gospels
2. Commandments or Clean Robes?
3. Entering His Rest
4. From Eternity or From Ancient Times?
5. Fringe on the Borders of a Garment
6. God So Loved the World
7. Hebrew Synoptic Gospels
8. Israelites and Baal-Peor
9. Offering Sacrifices to the He-Goat
10. Passover and the Days of Unleavened Bread
11. Sabbaths and Sundown
12. Scripture Inspired by God
13. Sides of the Court of the Tabernacle
14. Some Variations in the Book of Acts
15. Story of the Adultress
16. Those Who Work Iniquity
17. Who Will Mourn?
18. Words with Heathen Origins in the Scriptures