NIV, Proclamation Bible: Correctly Handling the Word of Truth

NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION

PROCLAMATION BIBLE

CORRECTLY HANDLING THE WORD OF TRUTH

NIV Thinline Reference Bible

Copyright © 2011 by Zondervan

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eISBN: 9780310437987

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Table of Contents

How to Use This Bible

Alphabetical Order of the Books of the Bible

Preface

Editor’s Preface

Contributors

What Is the Bible?

A Bible Overview

The Historical Reliability of the Bible

Finding the Melodic Line of a Book

From Text to Doctrine: The Bible and Theology

From Text to Life: Applying the Old Testament

From Text to Life: Applying the New Testament

From Text to Sermon: Preaching the Bible

From Text to Study: Small Groups and One-to-Ones

Biblical Interpretation: A Short History

OLD TESTAMENT

The Pentateuch

The Historical Books

The Wisdom Literature

The Prophets

NEW TESTAMENT

The Gospels

The Epistles

Table of Weights and Measures

Concordance

OLD TESTAMENT

Genesis

1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 16 | 17 | 18 | 19 | 20 | 21 | 22 | 23 | 24 | 25 | 26 | 27 | 28 | 29 | 30 | 31 | 32 | 33 | 34 | 35 | 36 | 37 | 38 | 39 | 40 | 41 | 42 | 43 | 44 | 45 | 46 | 47 | 48 | 49 | 50

Exodus

1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 16 | 17 | 18 | 19 | 20 | 21 | 22 | 23 | 24 | 25 | 26 | 27 | 28 | 29 | 30 | 31 | 32 | 33 | 34 | 35 | 36 | 37 | 38 | 39 | 40

Leviticus

1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 16 | 17 | 18 | 19 | 20 | 21 | 22 | 23 | 24 | 25 | 26 | 27

Numbers

1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 16 | 17 | 18 | 19 | 20 | 21 | 22 | 23 | 24 | 25 | 26 | 27 | 28 | 29 | 30 | 31 | 32 | 33 | 34 | 35 | 36

Deuteronomy

1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 16 | 17 | 18 | 19 | 20 | 21 | 22 | 23 | 24 | 25 | 26 | 27 | 28 | 29 | 30 | 31 | 32 | 33 | 34

Joshua

1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 16 | 17 | 18 | 19 | 20 | 21 | 22 | 23 | 24

Judges

1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 16 | 17 | 18 | 19 | 20 | 21

Ruth

1 | 2 | 3 | 4

1 Samuel

1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 16 | 17 | 18 | 19 | 20 | 21 | 22 | 23 | 24 | 25 | 26 | 27 | 28 | 29 | 30 | 31

2 Samuel

1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 16 | 17 | 18 | 19 | 20 | 21 | 22 | 23 | 24

1 Kings

1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 16 | 17 | 18 | 19 | 20 | 21 | 22

2 Kings

1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 16 | 17 | 18 | 19 | 20 | 21 | 22 | 23 | 24 | 25

1 Chronicles

1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 16 | 17 | 18 | 19 | 20 | 21 | 22 | 23 | 24 | 25 | 26 | 27 | 28 | 29

2 Chronicles

1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 16 | 17 | 18 | 19 | 20 | 21 | 22 | 23 | 24 | 25 | 26 | 27 | 28 | 29 | 30 | 31 | 32 | 33 | 34 | 35 | 36

Ezra

1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10

Nehemiah

1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13

Esther

1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10

Job

1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 16 | 17 | 18 | 19 | 20 | 21 | 22 | 23 | 24 | 25 | 26 | 27 | 28 | 29 | 30 | 31 | 32 | 33 | 34 | 35 | 36 | 37 | 38 | 39 | 40 | 41 | 42

Psalms

1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 16 | 17 | 18 | 19 | 20 | 21 | 22 | 23 | 24 | 25 | 26 | 27 | 28 | 29 | 30 | 31 | 32 | 33 | 34 | 35 | 36 | 37 | 38 | 39 | 40 | 41 | 42 | 43 | 44 | 45 | 46 | 47 | 48 | 49 | 50 | 51 | 52 | 53 | 54 | 55 | 56 | 57 | 58 | 59 | 60 | 61 | 62 | 63 | 64 | 65 | 66 | 67 | 68 | 69 | 70 | 71 | 72 | 73 | 74 | 75 | 76 | 77 | 78 | 79 | 80 | 81 | 82 | 83 | 84 | 85 | 86 | 87 | 88 | 89 | 90 | 91 | 92 | 93 | 94 | 95 | 96 | 97 | 98 | 99 | 100 | 101 | 102 | 103 | 104 | 105 | 106 | 107 | 108 | 109 | 110 | 111 | 112 | 113 | 114 | 115 | 116 | 117 | 118 | 119 | 120 | 121 | 122 | 123 | 124 | 125 | 126 | 127 | 128 | 129 | 130 | 131 | 132 | 133 | 134 | 135 | 136 | 137 | 138 | 139 | 140 | 141 | 142 | 143 | 144 | 145 | 146 | 147 | 148 | 149 | 150

Proverbs

1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 16 | 17 | 18 | 19 | 20 | 21 | 22 | 23 | 24 | 25 | 26 | 27 | 28 | 29 | 30 | 31

Ecclesiastes

1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12

Song of Songs

1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8

Isaiah

1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 16 | 17 | 18 | 19 | 20 | 21 | 22 | 23 | 24 | 25 | 26 | 27 | 28 | 29 | 30 | 31 | 32 | 33 | 34 | 35 | 36 | 37 | 38 | 39 | 40 | 41 | 42 | 43 | 44 | 45 | 46 | 47 | 48 | 49 | 50 | 51 | 52 | 53 | 54 | 55 | 56 | 57 | 58 | 59 | 60 | 61 | 62 | 63 | 64 | 65 | 66

Jeremiah

1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 16 | 17 | 18 | 19 | 20 | 21 | 22 | 23 | 24 | 25 | 26 | 27 | 28 | 29 | 30 | 31 | 32 | 33 | 34 | 35 | 36 | 37 | 38 | 39 | 40 | 41 | 42 | 43 | 44 | 45 | 46 | 47 | 48 | 49 | 50 | 51 | 52

Lamentations

1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5

Ezekiel

1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 16 | 17 | 18 | 19 | 20 | 21 | 22 | 23 | 24 | 25 | 26 | 27 | 28 | 29 | 30 | 31 | 32 | 33 | 34 | 35 | 36 | 37 | 38 | 39 | 40 | 41 | 42 | 43 | 44 | 45 | 46 | 47 | 48

Daniel

1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12

Hosea

1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14

Joel

1 | 2 | 3

Amos

1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9

Obadiah

1

Jonah

1 | 2 | 3 | 4

Micah

1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7

Nahum

1 | 2 | 3

Habakkuk

1 | 2 | 3

Zephaniah

1 | 2 | 3

Haggai

1 | 2

Zechariah

1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14

Malachi

1 | 2 | 3 | 4

NEW TESTAMENT

Matthew

1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 16 | 17 | 18 | 19 | 20 | 21 | 22 | 23 | 24 | 25 | 26 | 27 | 28

Mark

1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 16

Luke

1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 16 | 17 | 18 | 19 | 20 | 21 | 22 | 23 | 24

John

1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 16 | 17 | 18 | 19 | 20 | 21

Acts

1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 16 | 17 | 18 | 19 | 20 | 21 | 22 | 23 | 24 | 25 | 26 | 27 | 28

Romans

1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 16

1 Corinthians

1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 16

2 Corinthians

1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13

Galatians

1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6

Ephesians

1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6

Philippians

1 | 2 | 3 | 4

Colossians

1 | 2 | 3 | 4

1 Thessalonians

1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5

2 Thessalonians

1 | 2 | 3

1 Timothy

1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6

2 Timothy

1 | 2 | 3 | 4

Titus

1 | 2 | 3

Philemon

1

Hebrews

1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13

James

1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5

1 Peter

1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5

2 Peter

1 | 2 | 3

1 John

1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5

2 John

1

3 John

1

Jude

1

Revelation

1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 16 | 17 | 18 | 19 | 20 | 21 | 22

How to Use This Bible

Thank you for purchasing the HarperCollins Christian Publishing eBook version from Thomas Nelson and Zondervan’s excellent line of Bible translations that exist to serve Christians who not only recognize the Bible’s importance, but who also want a Bible to treasure in their lifelong pursuit of the knowledge of God’s revelation of Himself.

There are a multitude of Bibles available to engage children, youth, men, and women with the Word of God, including Text Only, Daily, Devotional, Reference, and Comprehensive Study.

What is the difference between an eBook and a print book?

eBook versions of various Bibles contain all of the content and supplementary materials found in the original print versions and are optimized for navigation in the various apps and devices used for display. eReaders recognize text as one fluid string and are formatted in a single column. eReaders currently do not support the more complex layout seen in print version books. Therefore, some content may not appear in the same place as in the original print version, but it is structured consistently and uses hyperlinks to navigate between related content.

How do I use the eBook Table of Contents?

*Important Note: Be sure to consult your device manufacturer’s User’s Guide for device-specific navigation instructions.*

The Table of Contents is the primary navigation anchor to quickly access various parts of the Bible and is generally formatted in the same order as the original print version and hyperlinked as follows:

• Front matter – Introductory articles

• Old Testament

• New Testament

• Bible books

• Bible chapters

• Back matter – Supplementary materials

Old Testament and New Testament hyperlinks quickly access individual Bible books and chapters in each testament.

• Book links go directly to the Introduction.

• Chapter links go directly to the beginning of the chapter associated with a book.

• Every Bible book and chapter hyperlink returns or goes back to the Table of Contents.

• Every entry is hyperlinked directly to the content-specific location in the main text.

• Use the device’s back button or function to go back to the last selection.

How do I navigate to Bible Books, Chapters, and Verses?

Use the Table of Contents to navigate to specific Bible verses using one of the 2 methods below:

Method 1

• Navigate to and select a specific book of the Bible from the Table of Contents.

• Select a chapter number hyperlink.

• Use the device’s Next Page/Previous Page buttons or functions to scroll through the verses.

• Use the device’s back button or function to go back to the last selection.

Method 2

• Select either the Old Testament or New Testament hyperlink in the Table of Contents.

• Use the device’s Next Page/Previous Page buttons or functions to scroll through the Bible books.

• Select a chapter number hyperlink.

• Use the device’s Next Page/Previous Page buttons or functions to scroll through the verses.

• Use the device’s back button or function to go back to the last selection.

How do I navigate Supplementary Materials?

The eBook version of the NIV Proclamation Bible includes introductory articles, the complete Old and New Testament text, footnotes (translator’s notes), the full NIV cross reference set, and a concordance. Hyperlinks to the materials appear in the Table of Contents as well as the main Bible text.

Introductory articles (lists) are hyperlinked directly to the content-specific location in the main text.

• Select the hyperlinked entry in the article or list to go to its location in the main text.

• Select the hyperlinked entry in the main text to go back to the article or list in the Table of Contents, or use the device’s back button or function to go back to the last selection.

Footnotes (Translators’ Notes) are marked with small, hyperlinked numbers 1 to point out verses that will explain the referenced word or phrase.

• Select the hyperlinked number in the main Bible text to the corresponding footnote(s).

• Select the hyperlinked number to the left of the footnote(s) and you are returned to the main Bible text, or use the device’s back button or function to go back to the last selection.

Cross References are marked with small, hyperlinked letters a to point out verses that will explain the referenced verse, word or phrase.

• Select the hyperlinked letter in the main Bible text to the corresponding cross reference(s).

• Select the hyperlinked letter to the left of the cross reference(s) and you are returned to the main Bible text, or use the device’s back button or function to go back to the last selection.

Concordance includes an alphabetic list of important words.

• Select the hyperlinked letter of the alphabet to the corresponding list of entries from the Table of Contents.

• Use the device’s Next Page/Previous Page buttons or functions to scroll through the entries.

• Select the Bible reference hyperlink to the corresponding main Bible text or use the device’s back button or function to go back to the last selection.

Alphabetical Order of the Books of the Bible

The books of the New Testament are indicated by italics.

Acts

Amos

1 Chronicles

2 Chronicles

Colossians

1 Corinthians

2 Corinthians

Daniel

Deuteronomy

Ecclesiastes

Ephesians

Esther

Exodus

Ezekiel

Ezra

Galatians

Genesis

Habakkuk

Haggai

Hebrews

Hosea

Isaiah

James

Jeremiah

Job

Joel

John

1 John

2 John

3 John

Jonah

Joshua

Jude

Judges

1 Kings

2 Kings

Lamentations

Leviticus

Luke

Malachi

Mark

Matthew

Micah

Nahum

Nehemiah

Numbers

Obadiah

1 Peter

2 Peter

Philemon

Philippians

Proverbs

Psalms

Revelation

Romans

Ruth

1 Samuel

2 Samuel

Song of Songs

1 Thessalonians

2 Thessalonians

1 Timothy

2 Timothy

Titus

Zechariah

Zephaniah

Preface

The goal of the New International version (NIV) is to enable English-speaking people from around the world to read and hear God’s eternal Word in their own language. Our work as translators is motivated by our conviction that the Bible is God’s Word in written form. We believe that the Bible contains the divine answer to the deepest needs of humanity, sheds unique light on our path in a dark world and sets forth the way to our eternal well-being. Out of these deep convictions, we have sought to recreate as far as possible the experience of the original audience—blending transparency to the original text with accessibility for the millions of English speakers around the world. We have prioritized accuracy, clarity and literary quality with the goal of creating a translation suitable for public and private reading, evangelism, teaching, preaching, memorizing and liturgical use. We have also sought to preserve a measure of continuity with the long tradition of translating the Scriptures into English.

The complete NIV Bible was first published in 1978. It was a completely new translation made by over a hundred scholars working directly from the best available Hebrew, Aramaic and Greek texts. The translators came from the United States, Great Britain, Canada, Australia and New Zealand, giving the translation an international scope. They were from many denominations and churches—including Anglican, Assemblies of God, Baptist, Brethren, Christian Reformed, Church of Christ, Evangelical Covenant, Evangelical Free, Lutheran, Mennonite, Methodist, Nazarene, Presbyterian, Wesleyan and others. This breadth of denominational and theological perspective helped to safeguard the translation from sectarian bias. For these reasons, and by the grace of God, the NIV has gained a wide readership in all parts of the English-speaking world.

The work of translating the Bible is never finished. As good as they are, English translations must be regularly updated so that they will continue to communicate accurately the meaning of God’s Word. Updates are needed in order to reflect the latest developments in our understanding of the biblical world and its languages and to keep pace with changes in English usage. Recognizing, then, that the NIV would retain its ability to communicate God’s Word accurately only if it were regularly updated, the original translators established The Committee on Bible Translation (CBT). The committee is a self-perpetuating group of biblical scholars charged with keeping abreast of advances in biblical scholarship and changes in English and issuing periodic updates to the NIV. CBT is an independent, self-governing body and has sole responsibility for the NIV text. The committee mirrors the original group of translators in its diverse international and denominational makeup and in its unifying commitment to the Bible as God’s inspired Word.

In obedience to its mandate, the committee has issued periodic updates to the NIV. An initial revision was released in 1984. A more thorough revision process was completed in 2005, resulting in the separately published Today’s New International version (TNIV). The updated NIV you now have in your hands builds on both the original NIV and the TNIV and represents the latest effort of the committee to articulate God’s unchanging Word in the way the original authors might have said it had they been speaking in English to the global English-speaking audience today.

The first concern of the translators has continued to be the accuracy of the translation and its faithfulness to the intended meaning of the biblical writers. This has moved the translators to go beyond a formal word-for-word rendering of the original texts. Because thought patterns and syntax differ from language to language, accurate communication of the meaning of the biblical authors demands constant regard for varied contextual uses of words and idioms and for frequent modifications in sentence structures.

As an aid to the reader, sectional headings have been inserted. They are not to be regarded as part of the biblical text and are not intended for oral reading. It is the committee’s hope that these headings may prove more helpful to the reader than the traditional chapter divisions, which were introduced long after the Bible was written.

For the Old Testament the standard Hebrew text, the Masoretic Text as published in the latest edition of Biblia Hebraica, has been used throughout. The Masoretic Text tradition contains marginal notations that offer variant readings. These have sometimes been followed instead of the text itself. Because such instances involve variants within the Masoretic tradition, they have not been indicated in the textual notes. In a few cases, words in the basic consonantal text have been divided differently than in the Masoretic Text. Such cases are usually indicated in the textual footnotes. The Dead Sea Scrolls contain biblical texts that represent an earlier stage of the transmission of the Hebrew text. They have been consulted, as have been the Samaritan Pentateuch and the ancient scribal traditions concerning deliberate textual changes. The translators also consulted the more important early versions—the Greek Septuagint, Aquila, Symmachus and Theodotion, the Latin vulgate, the Syriac Peshitta, the Aramaic Targums and, for the Psalms, the Juxta Hebraica of Jerome. Readings from these versions, the Dead Sea Scrolls and the scribal traditions were occasionally followed where the Masoretic Text seemed doubtful and where accepted principles of textual criticism showed that one or more of these textual witnesses appeared to provide the correct reading. In rare cases, the committee has emended the Hebrew text where it appears to have become corrupted at an even earlier stage of its transmission. These departures from the Masoretic Text are also indicated in the textual footnotes. Sometimes the vowel indicators (which are later additions to the basic consonantal text) found in the Masoretic Text did not, in the judgment of the committee, represent the correct vowels for the original text. Accordingly, some words have been read with a different set of vowels. These instances are usually not indicated in the footnotes.

The Greek text used in translating the New Testament is an eclectic one, based on the latest editions of the Nestle-Aland/United Bible Societies’ Greek New Testament. The committee has made its choices among the variant readings in accordance with widely accepted principles of New Testament textual criticism. Footnotes call attention to places where uncertainty remains.

The New Testament authors, writing in Greek, often quote the Old Testament from its ancient Greek version, the Septuagint. This is one reason why some of the Old Testament quotations in the NIV New Testament are not identical to the corresponding passages in the NIV Old Testament. Such quotations in the New Testament are indicated with the footnote (see Septuagint).

Other footnotes in this version are of several kinds, most of which need no explanation. Those giving alternative translations begin with Or and generally introduce the alternative with the last word preceding it in the text, except when it is a single-word alternative. When poetry is quoted in a footnote, a slash mark indicates a line division.

It should be noted that references to diseases, minerals, flora and fauna, architectural details, clothing, jewelry, musical instruments and other articles cannot always be identified with precision. Also, linear measurements and measures of capacity can only be approximated (see the Table of Weights and Measures). Although Selah, used mainly in the Psalms, is probably a musical term, its meaning is uncertain. Since it may interrupt reading and distract the reader, this word has not been kept in the English text, but every occurrence has been signaled by a footnote.

One of the main reasons the task of Bible translation is never finished is the change in our own language, English. Although a basic core of the language remains relatively stable, many diverse and complex linguistic factors continue to bring about subtle shifts in the meanings and/or connotations of even old, well-established words and phrases. One of the shifts that creates particular challenges to writers and translators alike is the manner in which gender is presented. The original NIV (1978) was published in a time when a man would naturally be understood, in many contexts, to be referring to a person, whether male of female. But most English speakers today tend to hear a distinctly male connotation in this word. In recognition of this change in English, this edition of the NIV, along with almost all other recent English translations, substitutes other expressions when the original text intends to refer generically to men and women equally. Thus, for instance, the NIV (1984) rendering of 1 Corinthians 8:3, But the man who loves God is known by God becomes in this edition But whoever loves God is known by God. On the other hand, man and mankind, as ways of denoting the human race, are still widely used. This edition of the NIV therefore continues to use these words, along with other expressions, in this way.

A related shift in English creates a greater challenge for modern translations: the move away from using the third-person masculine singular pronouns—he/him/his—to refer to men and women equally. This usage does persist at a low level in some forms of English, and this revision therefore occasionally uses these pronouns in a generic sense. But the tendency, recognized in day-to-day usage and confirmed by extensive research, is away from the generic use of he, him and his. In recognition of this shift in language and in an effort to translate into the common English that people are actually using, this revision of the NIV generally uses other constructions when the biblical text is plainly addressed to men and women equally. The reader will frequently encounter a they, them or their to express a generic singular idea. Thus, for instance, Mark 8:36 reads: What good is it for someone to gain the whole world, yet forfeit their soul? This generic use of the indefinite or singular they/them/their has a venerable place in English idiom and has quickly become established as standard English, spoken and written, all over the world. Where an individual emphasis is deemed to be present, anyone or everyone or some other equivalent is generally used as the antecedent of such pronouns.

Sometimes the chapter and/or verse numbering in English translations of the Old Testament differs from that found in published Hebrew texts. This is particularly the case in the Psalms, where the traditional titles are often included in the Hebrew verse numbering. Such differences are indicated in the footnotes at the bottom of the page. In the New Testament, verse numbers that marked off portions of the traditional English text not supported by the best Greek manuscripts now appear in brackets, with a footnote indicating the text that has been omitted (see, for example, Matthew 17:[21]).

Mark 16:9–20 and John 7:53–8:11, although long accorded virtually equal status with the rest of the Gospels in which they stand, have a very questionable—and confused—standing in the textual history of the New Testament, as noted in the bracketed annotations with which they are set off. A different typeface has been chosen for these passages to indicate even more clearly their uncertain status.

Basic formatting of the text, such as lining the poetry, paragraphing (both prose and poetry), setting up of (administrative-like) lists, indenting letters and lengthy prayers within narratives and the insertion of sectional headings, has been the work of the committee. However, the choice between single-column and double-column formats has been left to the publishers. Also the issuing of red-letter editions is a publisher’s choice—one the committee does not endorse.

The committee has again been reminded that every human effort is flawed—including this revision of the NIV. We trust, however, that many will find in it an improved representation of the Word of God, through which they hear his call to faith in our Lord Jesus Christ and to service in his kingdom. We offer this version of the Bible to him in whose name and for whose glory it has been made.

The Committee on Bible Translation

September 2010

Editor’s Preface

The apostle Paul encouraged Timothy to do his best to present [himself] to God as one approved, a worker who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly handles the word of truth (2 Tim. 2:15). The NIV Proclamation Bible is a resource to help Bible teachers at all levels do just that, whether that is in a Sunday school, vacation Bible school, a small group interactive Bible study, a one-to-one study, a Bible talk at a camp or school, an evangelistic event, or in the pulpit.

This Bible includes a range of essays on interpreting and applying the Bible, and introductions to each section and book of Scripture with a particular eye on how to handle the word correctly as we teach and preach from it. Rather than giving a full running commentary on the whole text, we hope that this carefully chosen additional material will open up the main themes, melodic line and particular challenges of each portion of Scripture, and so prepare people to read and study the unerring word of truth for themselves.

If you have ever wished you could have just a few minutes with an expert at the start of your journey into a passage of the Bible, then here is a study resource that provides just that. It will give you a steer, keep you on track, tell you what you should not miss—but without overwhelming you. Seasoned evangelical scholars and preachers, men and women from around the world who have the experience (and have made the mistakes!), give us the benefit of their wisdom on each section and book of the Bible.

Every Bible book introduction summarizes the main message of the book in a sentence, and shows how the pieces of the jigsaw puzzle fit together to make that big picture. They put forward an outline structure for each book, which may suggest possible sermon or study series you could try (and titles or headings you could borrow). Finally, they note the most important points to consider when teaching and applying that portion of God’s word. Often they will demonstrate here how a grasp of the main thrust or melodic line of a book can help us correctly handle the trickier passages and verses in a way that is most satisfying and edifying; at other times they will warn of false trails and potential pitfalls to avoid, or fruitful avenues to explore, as you turn the page and start each fresh adventure into the God-breathed word yourself. Each also suggests some further reading, if you want to pursue things in more detail later (though without endorsing every word in every commentary and book recommended, of course).

And when you need to refresh your understanding of what the whole thing is about—How do I apply the Old Testament and point people to Christ? Is the history here reliable? Where does this all fit in God’s plan for the world? How do I turn all my researches into a talk or an interactive Bible study?—there is guidance here too, in the longer opening essays that will inspire, strengthen and equip us to correctly handle the word that God has spoken.

I have really enjoyed assembling what I think is a terrific cast of contributors to make this Bible teacher’s dream into a reality with the NIV Proclamation Bible. But more than that, I am looking forward to using it regularly to sharpen up my own teaching. I pray it will help you, too, as we do our best to present ourselves to God as approved and unashamed workers, thoroughly equipped for every good work (2 Tim. 3:17).

Lee Gatiss, EDITOR

Director of Church Society, Cambridge, UK, and Adjunct Lecturer in Church History at Wales Evangelical School of Theology

Consultant Editors

Peter Adam (Melbourne)

Moore Casement (Belfast)

Kerry Gatiss (Cambridge)

David Jackman (London)

Gavin Perkins (Sydney)

Adrian Reynolds (London)

Contributors

Peter Adam is Vicar Emeritus of St Jude’s Carlton, and Canon of St Paul’s Cathedral, Melbourne. He served as Principal of Ridley Melbourne from 2002 to 2012 and has written many books, including Speaking God’s Words (IVP, 1998), Hearing God’s Words (Apollos, 2004) and commentaries on various books of the Bible, including Walking in God’s Words: Reading Ezra and Nehemiah Today (Aquila, 2013) and The Message of Malachi (IVP, 2013). From text to doctrine: the Bible and theology. Ezra-Nehemiah. Malachi. Consultant Editor.

T. Desmond Alexander is Senior Lecturer in Biblical Studies at Union Theological College, Belfast, Northern Ireland, having been Director of Christian Training for the Presbyterian Church in Ireland for ten years. He has written and contributed to a wide variety of academic and reference books on the Bible, including From Eden to the New Jerusalem (IVP). Introduction to the Pentateuch.

Charles Anderson is a teaching pastor at The Crossing, a Presbyterian church in Columbia, Missouri. He taught New Testament and Biblical Languages for five years at Oak Hill Theological College in London, and has served as managing editor of Themelios. He has written on Hebrews, Philo and cultural hermeneutics, and is the co-editor of Everyday Theology (Baker Academic, 2007). Introduction to the New Testament Epistles.

Christopher Ash serves as Director of The Proclamation Trust’s Cornhill Training Course. He is the author of a number of books, including The Priority of Preaching (Christian Focus, 2009), Listen Up! A Practical Guide to Listening to Sermons (Good Book Company, 2009) and Hearing the Spirit (Christian Focus, 2011), as well as books on Job and Romans. From text to sermon: preaching the Bible. Job. Romans.

Simon Austen is Rector of St Leonard’s Church, Exeter. He has contributed to various conferences, written a number of books and articles, and served on a number of national church bodies. Zephaniah.

Craig Bartholomew is the H. Evan Runner Professor of Philosophy at Redeemer University College in Ontario, Canada and formerly a lecturer at George Whitefield College, Cape Town, South Africa. He is the author/editor of a number of books and articles on biblical interpretation, including a commentary on Ecclesiastes (Baker, 2009). Introduction to Old Testament Wisdom Literature.

G. K. Beale is Professor of New Testament and Biblical Theology at Westminster Theological Seminary, Philadelphia. He is the author of a number of books on biblical interpretation, including A New Testament Biblical Theology: The Unfolding of the Old Testament in the New (Baker, 2011), and the editor (with D. A. Carson) of Commentary on the New Testament Use of the Old Testament (Baker, 2007), as well as commentaries on 1 and 2 Thessalonians and Revelation. Revelation.

Graham Beynon is Minister of Grace Church in Cambridge. He has been involved in church planting and church leadership in Leicester and Cambridge. He is the Director of TEAM (Training for East Anglia Ministry) and is a visiting lecturer at Oak Hill Theological College. He is also the author of a number of books, including Last Things First (IVP, 2010) and Planting for the Gospel: A Hands-on Guide to Church Planting (Christian Focus, 2011). Daniel. 1 Thessalonians.

Daniel I. Block is the Gunther H. Knoedler Professor of Old Testament at Wheaton College, Illinois, and has written many books, articles and commentaries particularly on Ezekiel, Judges, Ruth and Deuteronomy. In recent years he has also lectured and preached in Russia, England, Denmark, China, Greece, Singapore, Hong Kong, Kenya and his home country, Canada. Judges. Ruth.

Peter Bolt is the Head of New Testament at Moore Theological College, Sydney, Australia. He has written several books and articles on the Gospels, including The Cross from a Distance (IVP, 2004) and Living with the Underworld (Matthias Media, 2007), with a special interest in how these magnificent accounts of Jesus communicate his good news to our lost world. Introduction to the Gospels.

Gerald Bray is Research Professor of Divinity at Beeson Divinity School in Birmingham, Alabama, and Director of Research at the Latimer Trust. He has written and edited many books on history, theology and the Bible, including several volumes in the Ancient Christian Commentary on Scripture series, and Galatians, Ephesians in the Reformation Commentary on Scripture series (IVP). Biblical interpretation: a short history.

Seulgi Byun is Lecturer in Old Testament at Oak Hill Theological College. Prior to his move to the UK, he ministered in a number of churches in the US and taught at Gordon College, Massachusetts. Genesis. Haggai.

Moore Casement has been the Director of the Cornhill Training Course in Belfast since it began in September 2009. He qualified and worked as a solicitor for a number of years, before being ordained as a minister within the Presbyterian Church in Ireland. 1 John. Consultant Editor.

Ros Clarke is Discipleship and Training Pastor at Castle Church, Stafford and is completing a PhD on the Song of Songs at Highland Theological College. In her spare time she is a romantic novelist, a knitter and a lazy gardener. Song of Songs.

Ben Cooper is Minister for Training at Christ Church Fulwood and Course Director of Fulwood Bible Training in Sheffield. He has PhDs in both economics and biblical studies and is the author of Incorporated Servanthood: Commitment and Discipleship in the Gospel of Matthew (T&T Clark, 2013), Just Love (Good Book Company, 2005), Paul in 3D: Preaching Paul as Pastor, Story-teller and Sage (Latimer Trust, 2008) and The Ethics of Usury (Latimer Trust, 2012). Matthew.

Martyn Cowan is a licentiate minister of the Presbyterian Church in Ireland. He trained at Oak Hill Theological College and his doctoral research at the University of Cambridge was on the preaching of the Puritan divine John Owen. At present he teaches at the Cornhill Training Course in Belfast. Introduction to the Historical Books.

Paul Darlington is the Vicar of Oswestry Holy Trinity in the Church of England, and the author of Evangelical Ministry in a Non-Evangelical Parish (Church Society, 2009). He is also Chairman of the Church Society. Habakkuk.

Sophie de Witt and her husband minister at a multicultural community church in Cape Town, South Africa called The Message (Church of England in South Africa). Before that she completed the Cornhill Training Course in London and was a student worker at St Helen’s, Bishopsgate. She is the author of One-to-One: A Discipleship Handbook (Authentic, 2003) and Compared to Her. . . How to Experience True Contentment (Good Book Company, 2012). 2 Timothy.

Mervyn Eloff is the Rector of St James Church, Kenilworth in Cape Town and an associate lecturer and former vice principal of George Whitefield College, Cape Town. He is the founding chairman of the Bible Teachers Network, an organization whose aim is to encourage expository preaching in the South African context. He has written on the theology of Matthew’s Gospel. Lamentations.

Bob Fyall is Senior Tutor at Cornhill Scotland and Associate Minister at the Tron Church, Glasgow. He taught Old Testament in Cranmer Hall, Durham, also pastoring a church there. He has written a number of books, including work on Job, Daniel, Ezra and Haggai. He is currently working on the volume on 1 and 2 Kings in the Teach the Bible series. 1 and 2 Kings. Jonah.

Simon Gathercole is Senior Lecturer in New Testament at the University of Cambridge. He has written books and articles on Paul, the Gospels and non-canonical literature, including Where Is Boasting? (Eerdmans, 2002) and The Pre-Existent Son (Eerdmans, 2006). He is an elder at Eden Baptist Church, Cambridge. Galatians.

Kerry Gatiss studied modern languages at New College, Oxford and in addition to freelance German translation work has served on the staff of various Christian organizations, including All Souls, Langham Place, and St Helen’s, Bishopsgate, and as a leader on CYFA Ventures. She is a graduate of The Proclamation Trust Cornhill Training Course and Oak Hill Theological College in London and regularly leads Bible studies and evangelistic groups for women. Consultant Editor.

Lee Gatiss is Director of Church Society, Adjunct Lecturer in Church History at Wales Evangelical School of Theology and Editor of Theologian (www.theologian.org.uk). He is the author/editor of many books and articles on theology, biblical interpretation and church history and has ministered in several Anglican churches. Ephesians. Editor.

Canon David Gibb is Vicar of St Andrew’s, Leyland in Lancashire. Hosea.

David Gibson is a Minister of Trinity Church, Aberdeen and an ordained Elder in the International Presbyterian Church. He is co-author of a book on Ecclesiastes entitled Destiny: Learning to Live by Preparing to Die (IVP, 2014). Ecclesiastes.

Jonathan Gibson has a PhD in Hebrew Studies from the University of Cambridge, and is the co-editor of From Heaven He Came and Sought Her: Definite Atonement in Historical, Biblical, Theological, and Pastoral Perspective (Crossway, 2013).

Liam Goligher holds a doctor’s degree from Reformed Theological Seminary in Jackson, Missouri, and is Senior Minister of Tenth Presbyterian Church in Philadelphia. He has written several books, including Joseph: The Hidden Hand of God (Christian Focus, 2008) and The Fellowship of the King: The Quest for Community and Purpose (Christian Focus, 2003). Joshua.

Julian Hardyman trained for pastoral ministry at Cornerstone Church, Nottingham and Trinity Evangelical Divinity School and has been Senior Pastor of Eden Baptist Church in Cambridge since 1996. He has written two books: Maximum Life: All for the Glory of God and Idols: God’s Battle for Our Hearts, both published by IVP. 1 Timothy.

Matthew Harmon is Professor of New Testament Studies at Grace Theological Seminary in Indiana. He is the author of She Must and Shall Go Free: Paul’s Isaianic Gospel in Galatians (DeGruyter, 2010) and a forthcoming commentary on Philippians in the Mentor Series (Christian Focus, 2014). Philippians.

David Helm serves as Lead Pastor of the Hyde Park congregation of Holy Trinity Church in Chicago, Illinois. A graduate of Wheaton College and Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary, David is ordained in the PCA. He is also the Chairman of the Charles Simeon Trust, a ministry devoted to equipping the next generation of Bible expositors. 2 Peter.

James Hely Hutchinson is Director of the Institut Biblique Belge in Brussels, where he teaches Old Testament, Biblical Theology and Biblical Languages, and where he edits Le Maillon. He is the author of several articles on the book of Psalms. Psalms.

David Jackman served as Senior Minister at Above Bar Church, Southampton, was the founding director of the Cornhill Training Course on biblical preaching and the President of The Proclamation Trust. He has written many books and articles on biblical exposition, including studies of Abraham, Judges, Ruth, Matthew, 1 Corinthians, 1 and 2 Thessalonians and John’s epistles, and is still active in preaching and training preachers around the world. From text to life: applying the Old Testament. Isaiah. Consultant Editor.

Karen H. Jobes is the Gerald F. Hawthorne Professor of New Testament Greek and Exegesis at Wheaton College, a member of the NIV translation committee and author of several books and numerous articles on the Greek Old Testament and the New Testament. Esther.

Dirk Jongkind is Research Fellow in New Testament Text and Language at Tyndale House, Cambridge and Deputy Senior Tutor of St Edmund’s College, Cambridge. He has an MA in Old Testament, an MPhil in New Testament and a PhD on the transmission of the Greek text of the New Testament. He is the author of a number of scholarly articles and books on the history and social world of the New Testament, and is also involved in mentoring initiatives of the European Leadership Forum as co-leader of its Theologians Network. The historical reliability of the Bible.

R. C. Lucas was the Rector of St Helen’s, Bishopsgate, London, 1961–98. He established The Proclamation Trust in 1986 and is the author of The Message of Colossians and Philemon (IVP, 2000), The Message of 2 Peter and Jude, with Chris Green (IVP, 1995), and Teaching John: Unlocking the Gospel of John for the Expositor, with William Philip (Christian Focus, 2008). Mark.

Angus MacLeay is the Rector of St Nicholas, Sevenoaks, having worked for a few years as a solicitor before being ordained. He has served in parishes in Manchester, Cumbria and Sevenoaks. He has also been a Member of the General Synod of the Church of England since 1995 and is the author of Teaching 1 Peter and Teaching 1 Timothy (Christian Focus). 1 Peter.

Leonie Mason helps to train ministry apprentices and Bible study leaders at St Helen’s, Bishopsgate, London. She trained for ministry at The Proclamation Trust Cornhill Training Course, and Oak Hill Theological College in London. From text to study: small groups and one-to-ones.

Mark Meynell was formerly Senior Associate Minister at All Souls, Langham Place, and is (part-time) European Programme Co-ordinator for Langham Preaching and Chaplain to HM Treasury and HMRC. Between 2001 and 2005 he was a Lecturer and then Acting Principal at Kampala Evangelical School of Theology in Uganda. He is the author of a number of books, including The New Testament and Slavery (Latimer Trust, 2007). Philemon.

Douglas Moo is Wessner Chair for Biblical Studies at Wheaton College and chair of the Committee on Bible Translation (NIV). He has written several commentaries on New Testament books as well as an introduction to the New Testament (with D. A. Carson). James.

Justin Mote is Director of the North West Ministry Training Course. He has written on a number of Bible books and has ministered in several Anglican churches. Nahum.

Peter O’Brien is Emeritus Faculty Member, and formerly Vice Principal and Senior Research Fellow in New Testament at Moore Theological College, Sydney, where he taught for four decades. He and his family served as missionaries in India for ten years, and he has written commentaries and articles on Paul’s letters, as well as on a biblical theology of mission. Hebrews.

Mark O’Donoghue is minister of Christ Church, Kensington. After six years as a corporate lawyer, Mark obtained a first-class degree from Oak Hill Theological College and was City Minister of St Helen’s, Bishopsgate for seven years before moving to serve in a church in West London. He is the author of numerous articles and is currently writing a book on work. 2 Thessalonians.

Gavin Perkins is Course Director of Cornhill Sydney. He is also a Senior Assistant Minister at St Thomas’ Anglican Church, North Sydney. He trained at Moore Theological College and is currently completing a Doctor of Ministry degree from Trinity Evangelical Divinity School in Chicago. John.

David Peterson is an Emeritus Faculty Member at Moore Theological College, Sydney, where he teaches on a part-time basis. He is also a Director of Cornhill Sydney, where he teaches preaching and Biblical Theology. He served as Principal of Oak Hill Theological College, London, from 1996 to 2007. He is the author/editor of many books and articles on theology, biblical interpretation and worship. Acts.

Richard L. Pratt, Jr., is the President of Third Millennium Ministries (thirdmill.org), having taught at Reformed Theological Seminary in Jackson, Mississippi and Orlando, Florida for twenty-one years. He served as the General Editor for the NIV Spirit of the Reformation Study Bible and has written many books, including Every Thought Captive (P&R, 1979), He Gave Us Stories (P&R, 1993) and commentaries on 1 and 2 Chronicles and 1 and 2 Corinthians. 1 and 2 Chronicles.

Adrian Reynolds is Director of Ministry for The Proclamation Trust and Honorary Associate Minister of East London Tabernacle Baptist Church. He is the author of Teaching Numbers in the Proclamation Trust Teaching series. Before working for the Trust, he pastored a Baptist church in Hampshire. Numbers. Consultant Editor.

Vaughan Roberts is the Rector of St Ebbe’s Church, Oxford and President of The Proclamation Trust. He is the author of a number of books, including Turning Points (Authentic, 1999), Life’s Big Questions: Six Major Themes Traced Through the Bible (IVP, 2004), and Battles Christians Face (Authentic, 2007). A Bible overview.

James Robson is Senior Tutor and Tutor in Old Testament and Hebrew at Wycliffe Hall, Oxford. Previously he taught at Oak Hill Theological College. His PhD, Word and Spirit in Ezekiel, was published by T&T Clark (2006). His latest book is Honey from the Rock: Deuteronomy for the People of God (IVP, 2013). Ezekiel.

Wolter Rose teaches Semitic languages and history and culture of the Ancient Near East at the Theological University of the Reformed Churches, Kampen, The Netherlands. His commentary (in Dutch) on the book of Zechariah was published in 2010. Zechariah.

Brian Rosner is the Principal of Ridley Melbourne Mission and Ministry College. He previously taught at Moore Theological College and the University of Aberdeen. He is the author/editor of many books, including (with Roy Ciampa) the Pillar Commentary on 1 Corinthians (Apollos, 2013). 1 Corinthians.

Nat Schluter. After his curacy in the UK, Nat and his family moved to Johannesburg to start the Johannesburg Bible College in 2005. Nat now serves as the Principal of the Johannesburg Bible College. He has a master’s degree in theology and a doctorate in neuroscience. Jude.

Andrew Shead is Head of the Old Testament Department at Moore Theological College, Sydney, where he has taught, pastored and preached for twenty years. He is the author of a number of books and articles on Jeremiah, Hebrew poetry and biblical theology, and has ministered in several Anglican churches. Jeremiah. Amos.

Charlie Skrine is a curate at St Helen’s, Bishopsgate in London, with responsibility for ministry among students. He trained for ministry at The Proclamation Trust Cornhill Training Course and Oak Hill Theological College in London. From text to life: applying the New Testament.

Matthew Sleeman teaches New Testament at Oak Hill Theological College, London, and is a trustee for Keswick Ministries. An ordained Anglican, he writes on the Gospels and Acts and on issues linked with living out the gospel in particular places. He has ministered in several churches in the UK and Australia. Luke.

Douglas Stuart is Professor of Old Testament at Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary in South Hamilton, Massachusetts, and Senior Pastor of Linebrook Church in Ipswich, Massachusetts. He holds both a BA magna cum laude and a PhD from Harvard, and has published many books and articles, including commentaries on Exodus, Ezekiel and the Minor Prophets. Exodus. Introduction to the Prophets.

William Taylor is Rector of St Helen’s, Bishopsgate in London and the author of Understanding the Times: Living in the Light of the Arrival of the King (Christian Focus, 2009). His sermon series on 2 Corinthians can be found in the St Helen’s online audio library. 2 Corinthians.

Myrto Theocharous is a Professor of Hebrew and Old Testament at the Greek Bible College in Athens, Greece. She specialized in the Septuagint translation of the Twelve Prophets and her thesis has been published with T&T Clark. She is currently involved in commentary writing and also serves in anti-trafficking work in Athens. Micah.

Mark D. Thompson is the Principal of Moore Theological College, Sydney and the author of A Clear and Present Word: The Clarity of Scripture (IVP, 2006) and Too Big for Words? The Transcendence of God and Finite Human Speech (Latimer Trust, 2006). What is the Bible?

Melvin Tinker is the Vicar of St John Newland, in Hull, England. Melvin read Theology at Oxford University and trained for ordination at Wycliffe Hall. He has previously been Curate at Wetherby Parish Church, Chaplain to Keele University and Vicar of All Hallows, Cheadle. As well as speaking around the country and abroad, Melvin is the author of over fifty published articles dealing with a wide range of subjects relating to ethics and theology. He is also the author of several books, including Why Do Bad Things Happen to Good People? (Christian Focus, 2009), Reclaiming Genesis (Monarch, 2010) and Intended for Good—The Providence of God (IVP, 2012). Titus.

Jane Tooher lectures in Ministry at Moore Theological College, where she is also the Director of the Priscilla and Aquila Center (paa.moore.edu.au). Prior to joining the faculty at Moore she was in parish ministry in Sydney and London. 2 and 3 John.

Simon Vibert is Vice Principal of Wycliffe Hall, Oxford, where he teaches Homiletics and Hermeneutics. He trained for Anglican ministry at Oak Hill Theological College and has an MTh in New Testament from Glasgow University and a DMin from Reformed Theological Seminary, Orlando, Florida. He is the author of various books, including The Diamond Marriage (Christian Focus, 2005) and Lives