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The Holy Bible: New Revised Standard Version. Nashville: Holman Bible Publishers, 1989.
Critique:
The translation committee for the NRSV are one of the most honest translation teams among modern translators in seeking to honestly provide the reader with a full set of footnote references explaining the complex issues of translating from the original language texts. The reader can learn more from these footnotes than from the vast majority of recent English translations of the Bible.

Below are discussed the more technical abbreviations that are employed by translations in their footnoting system in order to indicate to the reading what the introductory word or phrase refers to when used to introduce an alternative English expression. Many other abbreviated phrases or words will be used but should be reasonably clear to the reader and thus not require the explanation that typically is provided the the preface of the translation. For example, compare footnote ^b in Deut. 14:18 in the NRSV which reads: "Identification of several of the birds in verses 12-18 is uncertain."

Hebrew Text for NRSV:
        "For the Old Testament the Committee has made use of the Biblia Hebraica Stuttgartensia (1977; ed. sec. emendata, 1983). This is an edition of the Hebrew and Aramaic text as current early in the Christian era and fixed by Jewish scholars (the 'Masoretes') of the sixth to the ninth centuries. The vowel signs, which were added by the Masoretes, are accepted in the main, but where a more probable and convincing reading can be obtained by assuming different vowels, this has been done. No notes are given in such cases, because the vowel points are less ancient and reliable than the consonants. When an alternative reading given by the Masoretes is translated in a footnote, this is identified by the words 'Another reading is'
        "Departures from the consonantal text of the best manuscripts have been made only where it seems clear that errors in copying had been made before the text was standardized. Most of the corrections adopted are based on the ancient versions (translations into Greek, Aramaic, Syriac, and Latin), which were made prior to the time of the work of the Masoretes and which therefore may reflect earlier forms of the Hebrew text. In such instances a footnote specifies the version or versions from which the correction has been derived and also gives a translation of the Masoretic Text. Where it was deemed appropriate to do so, information is supplied in footnotes from subsidiary Jewish traditions concerning other textual readings (the Tiqqune Sopherim, 'emendations of the scribes'). These are identified in the footnotes as 'Ancient Heb tradition.'
        "Occasionally it is evident that the text has suffered in transmission and that none of the versions provides a satisfactory restoration. Here we can only follow the best judgment of competent scholars as to the most probable reconstruction of the original text. Such reconstructions are indicated in footnotes by the abbreviationCn ('Correction'), and a translation of the Masoretic Text is added."  [cf. To The Reader section in the NRSV].

Examples:
        Another reading is:
        Compare Judges 7:22 where footnote ^a states: "Another reading is Zeredah."

       Ancient Heb tradition:
       Compare 1 Samuel 1:24 where footnote ^d reads: "Q Ms Gk Syr: MT three bulls."  Here the reading "a three-year-old bull" found in Q Ms (=Manuscript found at Qumran by the Dead Sea), Gk (=Septuagint, Greek version of the Old Testament), and Syr (Syriac Version of the Old Testament)  is preferred over the MT (=The Hebrew of the pointed Masoretic Text of the Old Testament). [see List of abbreviations in NRSV for explanation]

       Cn:
        Compare Joshua 9:4 where footnote ^c states: "Cn: Meaning of Heb uncertain."  Or, Joshua 13:8 where footnote ^a states: "Cn: Heb With it."

Greek Text for NRSV:
        "For the New Testament the Committee has based its work on the most recent edition of The Greek New Testament, prepared by an interconfessional and international committee and published by the United Bible Societies (1966; 3rd ed. corrected, 1983; information concerning changes to be introduced into the critical apparatus of the forthcoming 4th edition was available to the Committee). As in that edition, double brackets are used to enclose a few passages that are generally regarded to be later additions to the text, but which we have retained because of their evident antiquity and their importance in the textual tradition. Only in very rare instances have we replaced the text or the punctuation of the Bible Societies' edition by an alternative that seemed to us to be superior. Here and there in the footnotes the phrase, 'Other ancient authorities read,' identifies alternative readings preserved by Greek manuscripts and early versions. In both Testaments, alternative renderings of the text are indicated by the word 'Or.'"  [cf. To The Reader section in the NRSV].

Examples:
        Other ancient authorities read:
        For example compare footnote ^a in Romans 11:6 which reads: "Other ancient authorities add But if it is by works, it is no longer on the basis of grace, otherwise work would no longer be work."

       Or:
        Compare Deut. 2:1 where the printed text reads "the Red Sea" but footnote ^a indicates that an alternative translation for the Hebrew text here is "Sea of Reeds."

Literal Expression in Original Language Text:
In numerous instances the literal meaning of either the Hebrew or the Greek text is given in a footnote when such a rendering would create an unnatural expression in the flow of the English sentence translation of the text. Such situations are introduced by either Heb or Gk.

Examples:
        Heb:
        Compare Deut. 3:12 where the printed text reads "the territory north of Aroer" but footnote ^b indicates that the literal rendering of the Hebrew text is "territory from Aroer." One particular pattern in the NRSV OT is where ancient versions are adopted rather than the Hebrew text. For example footnote ^b in Judges 1:16 reads: "Gk: Heb lacks Hobab." In this instance the LXX text is preferred over the Hebrew text.

        Gk:
        Compare footnote ^c in Romans 11:11 which reads: "Gk them" while the printed text reads "Israel."

Hebrew Text for NASB:
"In the present translation the latest edition of Rudolph Kittel's Biblia Hebraica has been employed together with the most recent light from lexicography, cognate languages, and the Dead Sea Scrolls." (From page viii of the Preface to the NASB cited above.)

Greek Text for NASB:
"In revising the ASV, consideration was given to the latest available manuscripts with a view to determining the best Greek text. In most instances the 23rd edition of the Nestle Greek New Testament was followed." (From page vii of the Preface to the NASB cited above.)

Footnote System in NASB:
"In addition to the more literal renderings, the marginal notations have been made to include alternate translations, readings of variant manuscripts and explanatory equivalents of the text. Only such notations have been used as have been felt justified in assisting the reader's comprehension of the terms used by the original author." (From page viii of the Preface to the NASB cited above.)

Examples:
        Note: The BST online NASB often brings up incorrect footnote references.
        Some mss add...:
        Compare Acts 15:34  where footnote ¹ states: "Some mss. add verse 34, But it seemed good to Silas to remain there."

        Or:
        Compare Acts 15:16 where footnote ¹ states: "Or, tent," while the printed text reads "Tabernacle."

       Lit.:
        Compare Acts 15:23 where footnote ¹ states: "Lit., wrote by their hand," while the printed text reads "sent this letter by them."

Hebrew Text for NLT:
"The translators of the Old Testament used the Masoretic Text of the Hebrew Bible as their standard text. They used the edition known as Biblia Hebraica Stuttgartensia (1977) with its up-to-date textual apparatus, a revision of Rudolf Kittel's Biblia Hebraica (Stuttgart, 1937). The translators also compared the Dead Sea Scrolls, the Septuagint and other Greek manuscripts, the Samaritan Pentateuch, the Syriac Peshitta, the Latin Vulgate, and any other versions or manuscripts that shed light on textual problems."  [Tyndale House URL under FAQ in the About the Bible section]

Greek Text for NLT:
"The translators of the New Testament used the two standard editions of the Greek New Testament: the Greek New Testament, published by the United Bible Societies (fourth revised edition, 1993), and Novum Testamentum Graece, edited by Nestle and Aland (twenty-seventh edition, 1993). These two editions, which have the same text but differ in punctuation and textual notes, represent the best in modern textual scholarship."  [Tyndale House URL under FAQ in the About the Bible section]

Footnote System in NLT:
        "When various ancient manuscripts contain different readings, these differences are often documented in footnotes. For instance, textual variants are footnoted when the variant reading is very familiar (usually through the King James Version). We have used footnotes when we have selected variant readings that differ from the Hebrew and Greek editions normally followed.
        "Textual footnotes are also used to show alternative renderings. These are prefaced with the word 'Or.' On occasion, we also provide notes on words or phrases that represent a translation that departs form long-standing tradition. These notes are prefaced with the words 'traditionally rendered'. For example, a footnote to the translation 'contagious skin disease' at Leviticus 13:2 says, 'Traditionally rendered leprosy.'" [Tyndale House URL under FAQ in the About the Bible section]
        Many other introductory expressions or words also occur, but are not explained on the assumption that their meaning is self-evident to the reader.

Examples:
        Some mss add...:
        Compare Acts 15:33 where footnote * states: "Some manuscripts add verse 34, But Silas decided to stay there."

        Or:
        Compare Acts 18:3 where footnote * states: "Or leatherworkers," while the printed text reads "tentmakers."

       Greek:
        Compare Acts 15:10 where footnote * states: "Greek, disciples," while the printed text reads "Gentile believers."

The Holy Bible: New International Version. Nashville: Broadman & Holman Publishers, 1984.

Hebrew Text for NIV:
        "For the Old Testament the standard Hebrew text, the Masoretic Text as published in the latest editions of Biblia Hebraica, was used throughout. The Dead Sea Scrolls contain material bearing on an earlier stage of the Hebrew Text. They were consulted, as were the Samaritan Pentateuch and the ancient scribal traditions relating to textual changes. Sometimes a variant Hebrew reading in the margin of the Masoretic Text was followed  instead of the text itself. Such instances, being variants within the Masoretic tradition, are not specified by footnotes. In rare cases, word in the consonantal text were divided differently from the way they appear in the Masoretic Text. Footnotes indicate this. The translators also consulted the more important early versions -- the Septuagint; Aquila, Symmachus and Theodotion; the Vulgate; the Syriac Peshitta; the Targums; and for the Psalms the Juxta hebraica of Jerome. Readings from these versions were occasionally followed where the Masoretic Text seemed doubtful and where accepted principles of textual criticism showed that one or more of the textual witnesses appeared to provide the correct reading. Such instances are footnoted. Sometimes vowel letters and vowel signs did not, in the judgment of the translators, represent the correct vowels for the original consonantal text. Accordingly some words were read with a different set of vowels. These instances are usually not indicated by footnotes." (Taken from page viii in the Preface of the above cited text)

Greek Text for NIV:
        "The Greek text used in translating the New Testament was an eclectic one. No other piece of ancient literature has such an abundance of manuscript witnesses as does the New Testament. Where existing manuscripts differ, the translators made their choice of reading according to accepted principles of New Testament textual criticism. Footnotes call attention to places where there was uncertainty about what the original text was. The best current printed texts of the Greek New Testament were used."  (Taken from page viii in the Preface of the above cited text)

Footnote System in NIV:
        "The footnotes in this version are of several kinds, most of which need no explanation. Those giving alternative translations begin with 'Or' and generally introduce the alternative with the last word preceding it in the text, except when it is a single-word alternative; in poetry quoted in a footnote a slant mark indicates a line division. Footnotes introduced by 'Or' do not have univorm significance. In some cases two possible translations were considered to have about equal validity. In other cases, though the translators were convinced that the translation in the text was correct, they judged that another interpretation was possible and of sufficient importance to be represented in a footnote.
        "In the New Testament, footnotes that refer to uncertainty regarding the original text are introduced by 'Some manuscripts' or similar expressions. In the Old Testament, evidence for the reading chosen is given first and evidence for the alternative is added after a semicolon (for example: Septuagint; Hebrew father). In such notes the term 'Hebrew' refers to the Masoretic text." (Taken from pages ix-x in the Preface of the above cited text)

Examples:
        Some manuscripts:
        Compare Acts 15:33 where footnote ^a states: "[33] Some manuscripts them, [34] but Silas decided to remain there"

        Or:
        Compare Acts 18:5 where footnote ^j states: "Or Messiah; also in verse 28" while the printed text reads "the Christ."

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