Switch to mobile version

Back to Bible Search

Version Index

Good News Translation

Read Good News Translation

Version Information

The Good News Translation, formerly called the Good News Bible or Today's English Version was first published as a full Bible in 1976 by the American Bible Society as a "common language" Bible. It is a clear and simple modern translation that is faithful to the original Hebrew, Koine Greek and Aramaic texts. The GNT is a highly-trusted version.

Copyright Information

RIGHTS & PERMISSIONS GUIDELINES

  1. Policy for use of the Good News Translation (GNT)
    1. General Statement
      The GNT text may be quoted in any form (written, visual, electronic or audio) up to and inclusive of five hundred (500) verses without written permission, providing the verses quoted do not amount to 50% of a complete book of the Bible nor do the verses account for twenty-five percent (25%) or more of the total text of the work in which they are quoted. This permission is contingent upon an appropriate copyright acknowledgment - (see below).
    2. Use of the GNT beyond above limits requires written permission.
      1. Commercial Use: Commercial use means use in any product offered for sale, lease, rental or barter on any level. Rights and permissions requests for the GNT in media intended for commercial use should be addressed to The American Bible Society, 1865 Broadway, New York, NY 10023, USA . Request shall contain the following information: (1) exact portions to be quoted, (2) the medium in which those portions will be quoted, (3) estimated percentage of the total text of the work made up of the GNT text, (4) any additional material to be included in the work, such as additional text, illustrations, photos, etc., (5) the purpose, number of copies or reproductions, and distribution of the use in which the GNT is quoted, and (6) the sale or lease price of the work, or other income to be received. For commercial use outside of North America, please send your requests as detailed above to the American Bible Society. If the GNT is used as the lyrics for a song, you must obtain permission prior to production of the same.
      2. Non-Commercial use (Ministry, Church, educational, etc.): Non-commercial use is any use other than commercial use as defined above and generally means free provision of the medium in which the GNT is quoted. Most usages by local churches would fall into this category. Rights and Permissions requests for the GNT in media intended for non-commercial use should be addressed to the American Bible Society, 1865 Broadway, New York, 10023 and the request should contain the above requested information. If the GNT text is used as the lyrics for a song, you must obtain permission from the American Bible Society prior to the production of the same.
  2. Acknowledgement and copyright notice
    Any quotation from the GNT text must include copyright notice and acknowledgement. The form the acknowledgment takes will depend, in part, upon the medium in which the quotation is used.
    1. Written use: Use whichever of the following notices is most appropriate:
      1. The following notice for the GNT may be used on each page where material quoted from the GNT appears:

        Scripture taken from the Good News Translation in Today's English Version- Second Edition Copyright © 1992 by American Bible Society. Used by Permission.
      2. When the GNT is identified at the end of each Scripture quotation from the GNT, the following notice may be used on the title page or verso thereof of each copy:

        Scripture quotations marked (GNT) are from the Good News Translation in Today's English Version- Second Edition Copyright © 1992 by American Bible Society. Used by Permission.
      3. If appropriate, the following notice may be used on the title page or verso thereof of each copy:

        All scripture quotations in this publication are from the Good News Translation in Today's English Version- Second Edition Copyright © 1992 by American Bible Society. Used by Permission.

    2. Visual and electronic use: "Visual" use includes videos, films, slides and overhead transparencies. "Electronic" use denotes the use of an interactive computer. Quotations from the GNT text in visual and electronic media must include the appropriate copyright notice from section II-A on (1) the product (medium itself), and (2) the product's wrapper or packing, and (3) in an acknowledgement section, if one exists.
    3. Audio Use: This category includes cassettes, compact discs, and similar media. Quotations from the GNT in audio form must include the appropriate copyright notice from section on (1) the product (the medium itself), and (2) the product's wrapper or packaging. If the GNT is used as the lyrics for a song, you must obtain permission from the American Bible Society prior to production of the same.
    4. Church use: Any use of the GNT by a local church in or on non-commercial media such as bulletins, orders of service, bulletin boards, posters, overhead transparencies, recordings of worship services (for which a small fee may be charged), or similar materials used in the course of religious instruction or services at a place of worship or other religious assembly requires the following notices at the end of each quotation: (GNT) Audiocassettes may include (GNT) acknowledgement on label only. Contacting ABS for permission noted herein is not required.