This version of the popular NIV Bible has nice large print to make it very readable as well as a list of weights and measures to make weights and measures more understandable for the modern reader.

First sentence: In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth.

1978 was the first year the New International Version published the Old Testament and the New Testament. The New Testament had come out a handful of years before in 1973. (Did you know that the Gospel of John was the first published in 1970?) The NIV would be updated and finalized (if you will) in 1984.

I bought my copy at a thrift shop for $4. It isn't in the best condition. (I don't know that I'll give it a second read with the binding being in this shape.) But I knew I wanted to read it through at least once since I grew up reading the NIV 1984. I started on August 29, 2023. I finished on October 11, 2023.

It is DOUBLE column. It is in paragraphs--as opposed to verse by verse. There are not cross references, though there are some textual notes. It is black letter. The font size is on the smaller side. If I had to guess I'd say it was about 8 point font perhaps.

NIV 1978's rendering of Psalm 23

The LORD is my shepherd, I shall lack nothing.
He makes me lie down in green pastures,
he leads me beside quiet waters,
he restores my soul.
He guides me in in paths of righteousness for his name's sake.
Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death,
I will fear no evil, for you are with me;
your rod and your staff they comfort me.
You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies.
You anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows.
Surely goodness and love will follow me
all the days of my life,
and I will dwell in the house of the LORD forever. ( )

First sentence: A record of the genealogy of Jesus Christ, son of David, son of Abraham: Abraham was the father of Isaac, Isaac the father of Jacob, Jacob the father of Judah and his brothers, Judah was the father of Perez and Zerah, whose mother was Tamar, Perez was the father of Hezron, Hezron the father of Ram,

I am a BIG fan of the NIV 1984 version. I am. It's what I grew up reading. From fourth grade through senior year--this translation was my primary translation. It was the translation I memorized verses and passages. Before it was available as a whole Bible, however, it released as a New Testament. This is the New Testament forerunner. (There is a whole Bible NIV that came out in 1978 as well. The 1984 revision "stuck" until 2011. Let's not talk about 2011. Some of us are still bitter.)

I got it for around two dollars at my local charity shop. It looked well loved. The condition isn't the absolute best. But I thought for two dollars, it would hold up for at least one read through. (It did. It required extra hand support when reading Acts (the center point) but it held up.)

It is single column. It is black letter. It is definitely out of print. That being said, I think it can be found if you are patient and visit lots of thrift stores and/or search for it online. As far as I know, this 1973 text of the New International Version is not available online.

Romans 3:23-26 (1973)

for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus. God presented him as a sacrifice of atonement, through faith in his blood. He did this to demonstrate his justice, because in his forebearance he had left the sins committed beforehand unpunished--he did it to demonstrate his justice at the present time, so as to be just and the one who justifies the man who has faith in Jesus.

Romans 3:23-26 (2011)

for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and all are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus. God presented Christ as a sacrifice of atonement, through the shedding of his blood—to be received by faith. He did this to demonstrate his righteousness, because in his forbearance he had left the sins committed beforehand unpunished— he did it to demonstrate his righteousness at the present time, so as to be just and the one who justifies those who have faith in Jesus. ( )

Handbag-size Bible

English Bible