The New Revised Standard Version (NRSV) aims to provide a contemporary, accurate English translation of the Bible that balances scholarly precision with liturgical and devotional readability. The translation was produced by a committee of scholars representing a broad spectrum of Christian denominations, utilizing the most reliable ancient manuscripts available at the time of its 1989 publication. The primary objective is to maintain the dignity of the original texts while incorporating modern linguistic insights and gender-inclusive language where appropriate to reflect the original Greek and Hebrew nuances.

Experts widely recognize the NRSV as a standard for academic study and liturgical use due to its commitment to formal equivalence. Readers frequently note that the prose is highly readable while maintaining the formal tone expected in religious texts.