NRSVue Information

Below are some of the most commonly asked questions about the NRSVue, including information on licensing, permissions, citation, publishing partners, and more!

Our email is at the bottom of the page if you have a question we haven't covered.

Licensing and Permission guidelines

The following usage guidelines apply to all versions of the RSV, NRSV, and NRSVue bible translations.

 
I. FAIR USE (GRATIS) PERMISSION POLICY

Up to 500 verses may be quoted in any form (written, visual, electronic or audio) without charge and without obtaining written permission provided all of the following conditions are met:


The total number of verses quoted is:

  • less than an entire book of the Bible, and
  • less than 500 verses (total), and
  • less than 25% percent of the total number of words in the work in which they are quoted
  • No changes are made to the text. All quotations must be accurate to the text, including all appropriate punctuation, capitalization, etc. unless specifically approved to the contrary prior to publication. All acceptable guidelines and alternative usages are available as a separate document, which is available upon request.

The applicable notice of copyright must appear in an appropriate location in the publication in which they are quoted. See “Copyright Notice and Acknowledgement”, section V, for the appropriate copyright notice for each version of the translation.

Special permission is not required for quotations meeting the above criteria that are utilized in non-salable media, such as such as church bulletins, orders of service, newsletters, class handouts, transparencies or other presentation media, whether electronic or mechanical.


Works not covered by gratis use:

  • Use of the text where the text stands alone, such as: artwork, jewelry, gift product, etc. is not permitted without requesting formal permission (fees may apply).
  • The Fair Use Guidelines do not apply to Phone Applications, or other New Media Platforms (web sites, apps, etc.).
  • Text that does not include the appropriate copyright notice (see “Copyright Notice and Acknowledgement,” Section V).


We are unable to grant permissions and licenses for the RSV-2CE. For permissions, contact Ignatius Press.


II. WEB USE POLICY


Use of the text on a web site is subject to the Gratis Use Policy described above. When calculating the number of verses, include all verses that can be accessed from the web site.

Generally, gratis permission will not be granted to post or podcast:

  • The complete text
  • An entire testament
  • A complete book of the Bible


Although posting the lectionary readings for a single week is within the Gratis Use Policy, most other online uses of the lectionary texts exceed the policy and will require a license.


Mobile apps, downloadable book or Bible, and software are examples of web usage that will require a special permission or license.


III. ALL OTHER USES


If a proposed use of the text is outside the Gratis Use Policy, then please submit a request for permission. Submit requests to:

 

Will Bergkamp
Copyright Manager
National Council of Churches
110 Maryland Ave NE, Ste. #108
Washington, DC 20002


Email:  CEO@friendshippress.org


Requests should include the information below. Generally, we need to know:


1. What you would like to use—

  • which translation
  • The specific verses (including the total number of verses) or books, or New Testament Only, Old Testament Only, Apocrypha/Deuterocanonical Writings, or entire Bible, etc.


2. How you would like to use the text. Please provide the following information in your request:

  • Working title or name of product
  • Description of the proposed use, to include:
  • Indicate if your usage will be salable, whether your organization is a non-profit or “for profit” organization. If you plan to distribute your work free of charge, please explain in detail.
  • Publication medium in which your work will be utilized (i.e., audio, artwork, print book or Bible, digital, periodical, etc.).
  • All the formats and bindings you plan (i.e., cassette, digital-app, hardcover, genuine leather, paperback, etc.)
  • Target markets where your product will be distributed (Anglican, Catholic, ecumenical, Evangelical, Jewish, Orthodox, Protestant, Non-Religious, etc.)
  • Target age group (i.e., toddler, young adult) and audience of your product (i.e., congregation, pastors, women etc.)
  • Geographical territory in which your product will be distributed (U.S., North America, UK, etc.)
  • Anticipated date of publication or first use
  • Anticipated first print run quantity for each binding/format
  • Anticipated lifetime sales for all bindings/formats
  • Estimated retail and net/wholesale sales prices. If you are distributing at no charge, please provide an explanation.
  • Any other background information that would assist in describing your proposed use.


3. Information on You and Your Organization —

  • Organization’s legal name, mailing address, email address, phone number, and website address.
  • Organization’s tax filing status: non-profit under IRS 501c, corporation, etc.
  • Contact person’s name, mailing address, email address, and phone number

Providing complete, detailed information will facilitate a timely response.


IV. FEES

A permission, license or royalty fee may be charged for uses that exceed the Gratis Use Policy.

License fees are assessed based on many factors, including but not limited to:

  • The amount of material used.
  • The ratio of material to the total content of the new work in which they appear.
  • Whether the use will be distributed free of charge or sold. Salable items include products sold at cost, no-profit cost, or sold for profit. This includes items for which the proceeds are used to benefit a charitable purpose. Some local ministry and educational uses fall within the commercial category. Some other uses are considered non-commercial uses.

Upon completion of the grant of rights, you will be provided the procedure and fee structure to facilitate production from the scripture database files.


V. COPYRIGHT NOTICE AND ACKNOWLEDGMENT


1. All quotations from the text must include the proper designation of the translation after the biblical citation.

For example:

  • “In the beginning when God created the heavens and the earth,” Genesis 1:1 (NRSV) or (Genesis 1:1, NRSV)
  • “For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.” John 3:16 (RSV) or (John 3:16, RSV)

When quotations from the text are used in non-salable media (such as church bulletins, orders of service, newsletters, class handouts, transparencies or other presentation media, whether electronic or mechanical), a complete copyright notice is not required but the initials (RSV, NRSV, NRSVue, or a variant) must appear at the end of each quotation.

2. Excerpt Usage – A complete copyright notice should be included with all uses. The location of the copyright notice will depend, in part, upon the medium in which the quotation is used.

For example:

  • Books—On the copyright page and any other acknowledgments section
  • Audio uses, including cassettes and CDs—On the jewel box liner and any booklet inserted into the case
  • Electronic uses, including software—On the packaging, “About This Product” screens, and product web site(s)
  • Visual uses, including videos, films, slides, class handouts, transparencies or other presentation media—On the packaging, the copyright screen, and any other acknowledgments section
  • Greeting cards—On the backside of the card

When it is not feasible to use the complete copyright notice on the item, the full credit line may appear in ancillary materials that accompany the item.


The following copyright notices are authorized for use with the various editions of the RSV, NRSV, and NRSVue:


* [Scripture quotations are from] Revised Standard Version of the Bible, copyright © 1946, 1952, and 1971 National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.


* [Scripture quotations are from] The Catholic Edition of the Revised Standard Version of the Bible, copyright © 1965, 1966 National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.


* [Scripture quotations are from] Common Bible: Revised Standard Version of the Bible, copyright © 1973 National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.


* [Scripture quotations are from] Revised Standard Version of the Bible, Apocrypha, copyright © 1957; The Third and Fourth Books of the Maccabees and Psalm 151, copyright © 1977 National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.


* [Scripture quotations are from] Revised Standard Version of the Bible—Second Catholic Edition (Ignatius Edition) Copyright © 2006 National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.

* [Scripture quotations are from] New Revised Standard Version Bible, copyright © 1989 National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.

* [Scripture quotations are from] New Revised Standard Version Bible: Catholic Edition, copyright © 1989, 1993 National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.

* [Scripture quotations are from] Common Bible: New Revised Standard Version Bible, copyright © 1989 National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.


* [Scripture quotations are from] New Revised Standard Version Bible: Anglicized Edition, copyright © 1989, 1995 National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.

* [Scripture quotations are taken from] the New Revised Standard Version Updated Edition.  Copyright © 2021 National Council of Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.

In the future, the website address for RSV, NRSV, and NRSVue should be placed within the copyright notice line.

What is the NRSV Updated Edition?

The New Revised Standard Version Updated Edition reflects discoveries of ancient texts and new insights made in the thirty years since the NRSV was last revised. The newly updated translation offers clearer, more direct, and inclusive language, and increased cultural sensitivity absent of the unintended biases of prior versions.

How did the NRSV Updated Edition come about?

The NRSV Updated Edition is the result of rigorous biblical scholarship to give readers access to the most inclusive, informed, and reliable text available. As new manuscripts came to light following the 1989 introduction of the NRSV, an improvement was undertaken to ensure the accuracy, clarity, and modernity of the updated translation.

Why is the update important?

The NRSV Updated Edition sets out to be the most literal translation of the Bible available to date with its clear use of unambiguous and unbiased language. The new version gives English Bible readers access to the most meticulously researched, rigorously reviewed, and faithfully accurate translation on the market. It is also the most ecumenical Bible with acceptance by Christian churches of Protestant, Anglican, Roman Catholic, Eastern Orthodox, African American, and Evangelical traditions.

Who led the update process?

The National Council of Churches (NCC), copyright holder of the NRSV Bible, commissioned the Society of Biblical Literature (SBL), a diverse and learned group of biblical scholars, to direct the revision. Additionally, the NCC appointed two members of its Bible Translation and Utilization (BTU) Advisory Committee to liaise between organizations. Together, the scholars embarked on a four-year journey to deliver their collective recommendations for approval and adoption by the NCC.

Who reads the NRSV / NRSVue?

Because the NRSV serves devotional, worship, liturgical, and scholarship purposes, the updated translation is useful for a wide variety of people including clergy, church leaders, lay readers, church and academic teachers, and Bible researchers looking for an accurate, readable, inclusive, modern-English language Bible.

How does the NRSVue compare to other translations?

As the most widely authorized Bible for use as an ecumenical and interfaith resource, the NRSV Updated Edition is considered the most clear and accurate version because it utilizes the most literal forms of translation. Some Bible translators use a word-for-word approach, others rely heavily on the context to convey the meaning of Scripture. Therefore, it is important for the reader to understand the provenance of their preferred Bible version, including its translation methodology, use of ancient text discoveries, translation methods and language conventions when selecting a preferred version. Following the tradition of Bruce M. Metzger, reviewers and editors for the NRSV Updated Edition were guided by the maxim “as literal as possible, as free as necessary” to present the most accurate as possible renderings of the biblical text. 

Who publishes the NRSVue?

Answer Coming Soon. . .

Additional Questions? Please don’t hesitate to email us at info@friendshippress.org and we will get back to you during our office hours from 9am – 5pm.