The NIV and how it rejected me
OK, so, when I first began planning this project, I really wanted to use the NIV (New International Version). However, I was savvy enough to know that I would have to ask for special permission to do do from the folks who own the Bible (or, more precisely, own the copyright to the New International Version of the Bible).
I asked really, really nicely, but the Bible rejected me. Below is the response I got:
Dear [Saul],
Thank you for your permission request and interest in
the work and translations of BIBLICA.
However, at this time BIBLICA is reviewing our online
strategy, therefore, BIBLICA will not be granting permission
for you to have our Bible Text resident on your site at this
time.
God's blessings,
[Employee of Bible owner]
Legal Assistant
Biblica US, Inc.
[(555)-555-5555]
So, the Bible rejected me. Or, at least, Biblica did. I do understand this, at some level. Translations cost a lot of money in food, lodging, and honorarices (plural of honorarium. Could also be honoraria. I’ve seen it both ways) for lots of famous theologians, professors, and pastors. This investment has to be recouped somehow. Also, new translation work can be – and is – funded by the sale and licensing of translations like the NIV. Finally, organizations like Biblica may be concerned about their work being used for strange, nefarious purposes. In the case of saulreadsthebible.com, they are likely justified in their concern.
Of course, I would have preferred that they had allowed me to use the NIV. Perhaps for 2011, they will come around. If anyone knows anyone at Biblica, feel free to ask on Saul’s behalf.
As a man without a translation, I eventually stumbled across the Bible in Basic English (BBE).
As far as I can tell, it is in the public domain. I’ll continue to believe this until the law firm of Dewey, Cheatham, and Howe tells me otherwise.
The Bible in Basic English
The Bible in Basic English was completed in 1949 by Professor S.H. Hooke, a professor at Toronto University and the University of London. He was educated at Oxford University, which was founded in 1096. This is an unfathomably long time ago, thereby establishing Professor Hooke’s bona fides.
Basic English itself is an 850-word vocabulary list used to introduce English to non-native speakers. It was chosen to be varied and comprehensive, so that virtually any concept that can be expressed in English may be built using these words.
The Bible in Basic English adds 100 additional poetry words and 50 additional Bible and theological words.
Lemons into Lemonade
Here’s where I’m supposed to say how using BBE is actually really wonderful, and makes the text easily accessible to international listeners or those with limited vocabulary. It places us all – those with advanced degrees, and those with degrees from the school of hard knocks – on an equal playing field.
That would be super-hokey, though, so I will say only this: Thank God for the NET Bible!
The NET Bible: Saul’s Choice
This year, 2010, Saul will read through the NET Bible. NET is short for New English Translation. It is a recent (in the last decade) translation undertaken by the Biblical Studies Foundation that has been favorably received by many theologians, pastors, and even translators of other versions.
You can read about the translation, its purpose, its aims, and so on in the preface to the translation.
You can read the text along with Saul, view the extensive (!!!!!) translation notes, and download the whole Bible in a number of different formats here.
You can purchase a leather-bound hardcopy here.
