The translators of this 1952 revision of the American Standard Version of 1901 wanted to use the “simple, enduring words” that are characteristic of the great English Bibles dating back to the King James Version of 1611 and William Tyndale’s earlier work. In all, thirty scholars served on Old and New Testament committees to produce the Revised Standard Version, RSV, a work that would take into account the additional manuscripts that had become available since the publication of earlier versions. Their desire was to "embody the best results of modern scholarship as to the meaning of the Scriptures, and express this meaning in English diction which is designed for use in public and private worship, and preserves those qualities which have given to the King James Version a supreme place in English literature.” A second edition of the RSV, incorporating findings from still more recently discovered manuscripts, was published in 1971.

This inter-confessional translation includes the deuterocanonical books of the Old Testament.

Text samples

Psalm 27:4
One thing have I asked of the Lord, that will I seek after; that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life, to behold the beauty of the Lord, and to inquire in his temple.

Ephesians 3:20
Now to him who by the power at work within us is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think…