An "easy-to-read" Bible?

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Skylar24

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I’ve been trying to read the Bible that I have, but I have a hard time with it. I’ve never read the Bible so this is all new to me. Is there a version that is easier to read and also Catholic?
 
Skylar24 said:
I’ve been trying to read the Bible that I have, but I have a hard time with it. I’ve never read the Bible so this is all new to me. Is there a version that is easier to read and also Catholic?
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Which edition do you have now?
 
I’m not even sure. I’m not at home, but I’ll look later.
 
If you are computer literate E-sword is a free Bible study program and there are plenty of Catholic modules available. Most of the modules are free but some require a small payment. I just bought the NRSV-CE (New Revised Standard Version-Catholic Edition. You’ll have to go to E-snips to find the Catholic modules.

e-sword.net/

esnips.com/web/CatholicApolegetics

Do a search on e-sword and find posts that will tell you more.

Peace and bless you.
 
Skylar24 said:
I’m not even sure. I’m not at home, but I’ll look later.
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Okay. It’s tough to know what would be “easier” without knowing what level you’re currently having a hard time with.

I’m not sure I know of an easier Catholic Bible, though, at least among major translations, than the New American Bible. Since you can read it online here, maybe you’d want to read a chapter or two and see what you think. Probably the next step up would be the RSV-CE, or maybe the Jerusalem Bible.
 
Thanks, William! I’ll go take a look at those sites. Mark, it’s the Confraternity Bible.
 
Skylar24 said:
I’ve been trying to read the Bible that I have, but I have a hard time with it. I’ve never read the Bible so this is all new to me. Is there a version that is easier to read and also Catholic?
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THE CATHOLIC YOUTH BIBLE revised/NEW AMERICAN BIBLE

Like it because it is in layman’s language, explains what was going on politically etc. at the time, explains the meaning of the passages. Using it in an adult Bible study. May be purchased on Amazon.com. Check the used ones.
 
The New American Bible is one of the easier reads. As with any translation that sacrifices literalness for ease of reading (a dynamic translation), it may not be as accurate as others. This should be scarcely noticable though an I think you will find the NAB reads well, especially for reading large blocks at a time.
 
Skylar24 said:
I’ve been trying to read the Bible that I have, but I have a hard time with it. I’ve never read the Bible so this is all new to me. Is there a version that is easier to read and also Catholic?
Click to expand...
I also recommend the NAB for readability but do not endorse it though. This was the Bible I started out reading and after half way switched to the Douay-Rheims
 
Another vote here for the NAB (New American Bible) as the easiest Catholic Bible for casual reading.

Whenever something doesn’t seem right, or if I want to look deeper into the real meaning, I compare to the Revised Standard Version (Catholic Edition) and Douay-Rheims Bible. It’s good to have all three around.
 
The US Conference of Catholic Bishops makes the entire NAB available on line here:

usccb.org/nab/bible/index.shtml

The online NAB is easy to use and easy to read, but not easy to search. For a searchable bible, try the Unbound Bible here:

unbound.biola.edu/

The Unbound Bible lets you search about a dozen different English translations. I would start with the NAB, but its interesting to look at the others, also.
 
I like the Catholic RSV myself–it was recommended by our Scripture scholar pastor 20 years ago. Probably only the NRSV is in print now, but I don’t find much difference between the two. I don’t like the NAB because the translation is less accurate and clear, “dumbed down” imho. I wish we could use the RSV at Mass, but that likely won’t happen. Case in point: at my father-in-law’s recent funeral, my husband had to read “I know that my vindicator lives” rather than “I know that my Redeemer lives”.:bible1::shamrock2:
 
TMC said:
unbound.biola.edu/

The Unbound Bible lets you search about a dozen different English translations. I would start with the NAB, but its interesting to look at the others, also.
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English isn’t the “easiest to read” for many. I noticed that there are non-English Bibles there too. Good site. 👍
 
ProVobis said:
English isn’t the “easiest to read” for many. I noticed that there are non-English Bibles there too. Good site. 👍
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I use it often to find the source (and context) of biblical quotes. I often find myself remembering that Isiah said something about X, or Paul said Y, but unable to find it. The search function is great for that.
 
MusherMaggie said:
I like the Catholic RSV myself–it was recommended by our Scripture scholar pastor 20 years ago. Probably only the NRSV is in print now,
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The Catholic RSV is still in print. We have it in several different editions at the Catholic bookstore where I volunteer. It is my favourite translation. Second is the Jerusalem Bible.

Personally, I avoid the “New” translations because to varying degrees they have all jumped on the gender-neutral bandwagon and I disagree with that trend.

The Confraternity edition which the OP has is an older translation; I believe it was revised/replaced by the New American Bible. I think the newer translation is probably easier to read today.
 
Stitchwort said:
The Catholic RSV is still in print. We have it in several different editions at the Catholic bookstore where I volunteer. It is my favourite translation. Second is the Jerusalem Bible.

Personally, I avoid the “New” translations because to varying degrees they have all jumped on the gender-neutral bandwagon and I disagree with that trend.

The Confraternity edition which the OP has is an older translation; I believe it was revised/replaced by the New American Bible. I think the newer translation is probably easier to read today.
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Thanks–can I order one from that bookstore?:bible1:
 
MusherMaggie said:
I like the Catholic RSV myself–it was recommended by our Scripture scholar pastor 20 years ago. Probably only the NRSV is in print now, but I don’t find much difference between the two. I don’t like the NAB because the translation is less accurate and clear, “dumbed down” imho. I wish we could use the RSV at Mass, but that likely won’t happen. Case in point: at my father-in-law’s recent funeral, my husband had to read “I know that my vindicator lives” rather than “I know that my Redeemer lives”.:bible1::shamrock2:
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Actually, Ignatius Press publishes the RSV-CE2
 
TMC said:
I use it often to find the source (and context) of biblical quotes. I often find myself remembering that Isiah said something about X, or Paul said Y, but unable to find it. The search function is great for that.
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What’s nice is that you can compare it against the Latin and/or the Greek (or any other language) for authenticity.

Interestingly enough, it doesn’t have the Polish Bibles, unless I missed them somewhere.
 
Thanks guys! I might go to our Catholic bookstore tomorrow and see if they have any that you mentioned.
 
MusherMaggie said:
Thanks–can I order one from that bookstore?:bible1:
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Our website is veritasbooks.ca/index.html and we do process mail orders. However, since you are in the US–much as I hate to say this–it would be cheaper for you to order from a US source such as Amazon or Ignatius Press. Otherwise, you are also paying for shipping to Canada and then back again plus a price which has been passed through currency exchanges twice.
 
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