I love the TNIV. When I was back in the states for a “mandatory furlough” courtesy of the Italian government, I was able to pick up a copy.
I had been thinking about getting a copy for a while. Several years ago, before they were done with the OT, my Greek class was offered a free copy of the NT to study. I can’t remember exactly why we were offered and exactly why they never came in, communiqué, it was from that point on that I have been seeking to do some serious reading in the TNIV.
The copy I have is just a plain hardback (which is slightly damaged, so I got a discount!). It doesn’t have any bells or whistles to speak of, but it does me just fine.
Hence, for the last month or so I have been using it for all my bible study and daily readings (along with my Italian version, the Nuova Riveduta). I even preached out of it in the States, although I did put a neat Italian leather cover on it (I preached at some pretty conservative churches.)
The more I read it, the more I see some subtle translation changes that I think give a more correct rendering of the Greek and better readability. Granted, I am of the belief that translation is not a matter of word-for-word but meaning-for-meaning, so this version naturally appeals to me as it kind of rides the line between the two. (Note: I’m not big on paraphrases i.e. The Message. While I do have one and read it often, it is just not my preference and it is not a translation.)
I did a lot of reading today and as the Teacher says, “of making many books there is no end, and much study wearies the body.” Therefore, me nè vado a letto, buona notte a tutti.