Zonderkidz presented new Bibles to the fifth and sixth grade students of Rose Park Elementary School in Holland, Michigan, Dec. 10. This was a special occasion since these students, when they were third graders, played an important role in the update of the New International Reader’s Version (NIrV) translation.

In the course of two years, these young students shared their thoughts and ideas with the NIrV translation update team, which includes three members of the Committee on Bible Translation who translate the New International Version (NIV).

First published by Biblica (formerly known as the International Bible Society) in 1995, the NIrV translation was based on the foundation of the NIV, but with new and emerging readers in mind. Three years ago, the Committee on Bible Translation (CBT), the scholars with responsibility for overseeing the text of the NIV and NIrV, began working on a translation update project. Some of the translators and researchers included Grand Rapids, Michigan, area residents Dr. Michael Williams, professor of Old Testament at Calvin Theological Seminary, and Dr. Yvonne Van Ee, a child development expert from Calvin College. Also part of the team were Dr. Jeannine Brown, professor of New Testament at Bethel Seminary in St. Paul, Minnesota, and the late Dr. Ronald Youngblood, professor of Old Testament and Hebrew at Bethel Theological Seminary in San Diego.

The goal of the project was to make this edition of the NIrV Bible as clear and accurate as possible and to have it read at the third-grade level. An NIrV Bible meeting these goals supports the emerging reader with a text that they can easily access, read independently and understand. It is also appropriate for adults who appreciate an-easier-to-read Bible, or for the person for whom English is a second language.

Very early into the NIrV translation team’s work, questions emerged regarding how to render certain word choices, wording of phrases and readability of some passages, so the translation team decided that working hands-on with third graders would be helpful. The team connected with Rose Park Elementary, and the school was happy to help. The students were asked to read passages using different word choices and phrases, then to discuss their understanding of what they read. They also offered suggestions about words and phrases that they found easiest to understand. The translation team was able to utilize the students’ feedback and study of the students’ responses to the texts they read in order to render the best translation to fit the third-grade reading level.

The newly revised NIrV translation has just been released by Biblica. Zondervan, a HarperCollins Christian Publishing company and the North American rights holder for NIV and NIrV distribution, features the updated translation in many of its new Zonderkidz children’s Bibles. Annette Bourland, senior vice president and group publisher for Zonderkidz, along with Dr. Michael Williams and Dr. Yvonne Van Ee, presented the Bibles to the students.

“It was a joy to commend these children for their willingness, enthusiasm and efforts in helping with the NIrV translation update,” Bourland said. “It was a delight to see the faces on these kids as we handed them their own copy of the Bible that they helped make happen.”

Rod Brandsen, principal of Rose Park Christian, and Sally Van Hemmert, principal of Rose Park Elementary, were also present during the project.

“The students have been eagerly waiting for the time when they would see the Bible to which they contributed!” said Dr. Van Ee. “The input of the students was most valuable and respected.”