Since its first publication in the United Kingdom in 1990, the New Revised Standard Version of the Bible has established itself as one of the finest modern translations of the biblical text ever produced. Already extensively used in theological faculties in major universities and colleges, this version is not only ideal for academic work but also lends itself perfectly to liturgical worship, group Bible study in parishes, and personal reading.

The work of Anglicization has been undertaken with considerable care in Britain, with the full support, encouragement and active participation of leading academics from the USA, who were responsible for the original work of translation. By this means the foundational scholarship which undergirds the NRSV has been safeguarded, but enhanced for readers in the United Kingdom, and other countries where Brtitish usage is preferred.

The changes made to the text do not impair the translation, but rather ensure that the meaning is immediately clear for the reader. This has particular implications for the use of the NRSV in public worship, where the natural flow of language is vitally important. Equally the use of unfamiliar phrases will no longer interrupt the reader's concentration in personal use, nor will such matters distract users in study groups.