The English Standard Version (ESV), announced in February by Crossway Books, had its roots in discussions that took place before the May 1997 meeting called by James Dobson at Focus on the Family headquarters to resolve the inclusive NIV issue. Using the Revised Standard Version as a base, the ESV is an update of the 1971 edition of the RSV. It aims to replace the interpretations in the RSV which Christian conservatives have viewed as being theologically liberal, to improve the accuracy, and to update the language.
Since its release the English Standard Version has been well received by both individual Christians and churches in the English-speaking world, especially among evangelicals. It presents a serious challenge to the enormous popularity of the New International Version Bible.
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