Bible Translations and the NABRE?

[OrthoCatech]

Hello,

I have been collecting bible translations recently. For some reason, I ‘kind of’ like the NABRE. I say ‘kind of’ since I find the introductions to the different books somewhat deadening since they feel bereft of spirit with all that historical-criticism (i.e. multiple Pentateuch authors, etc.). However, I acquired a very cheap and beautiful hardback NABRE from a Cokesbury store that closed. I find the text to be very readable and rather handsome at times. Although I am an Orthodox Catechumen, I am really at the entry level and have been thinking of even joining the Roman Catholic Church (gasp). Anyway, that being said, I am still rather weak in faith (read: somewhat skeptical after several years living as a mild agnostic/moral humanist) and would like to use a bible translation for study that is:

1. Critical without being overtly critical. Yes, historical origins are good to mention, but please do not cast so much doubt and obscurity.
2. Readable. I mean, I can understand the words from mid-twentieth century in their proper meaning (i.e. holocaust, booty, etc.). However, I really do not want the DR or KJV with too many anachronisms. (Please not the DR with the different proper names!)
3. Accurate and without overt modern bias. I like the idea behind the NRSV with Apocrypha. But I am concerned with the gender-neutral language. That being said, how bad is the NABRE in this regard? What areas are more focused on gender-neutral language that change the text’s meaning in the NABRE?
4. Has the Deuterocanonical books. I will settle for the Catholic cannon instead of the Orthodox cannon.
5. Affordable and rather available. I am looking for something under $50.
6. Well printed. I like the onion skin paper and prefer hardbacks. I guess that is why I like the NABRE that I mentioned earlier, it is hardback with well-spaced two-colored text. I also have a red paperback NABRE that I cannot stand due to its newspaper quality print.

I have the following in my collection:

Several KJVs without Deuterocanonical books.
A publication of the KJV “Apocrypha”
CEB
Orthodox Study Bible
NABRE
ESV Study Bible
NLT
NIV
NASB
RSV-CE (1st Edition by Ignatius Press)
The Message (I sold it on Amazon since I could not stand having it around)

I was thinking along the lines of the RSV-CE2, the Jerusalem Bible or the Knox Bible. Does anyone know about study versions of these? Is there a study version of the RSV-CE2 with good notes? Jerusalem Bible? I assume Knox would not be critical since it was translated at a time before the Divino Afflante Spiritu.

The Isaiah 7:14 is one of the things that throw me in the RSV-CE1. I prefer to have the ‘virgin’ in the text and I think the RSV-CE2 has it, but updated the thee/thous. Not that the thee/thous are deal-breakers.

I am rather fond of idea of the Jerusalem Bible since Mother Angelica totes one around. But I am a little wary of it since it is a translation of a translation. Same goes for the Knox.

Thank you!

 

[StudentMI]

I am rather fond of idea of the Jerusalem Bible since Mother Angelica totes one around. But I am a little wary of it since it is a translation of a translation. Same goes for the Knox.

I don’t think the text of the Jerusalem Bible is a translation of La Bible de Jérusalem. Only the notes are a direct translation from the French.

The RSV-CE study Bible is spoken of highly, but I’ve not looked at it. The original version of the Jerusalem Bible is informative but you’d need to get a used edition. The Navarre Bible is well regarded, too, but I’ve not looked at it and it’s book by book so it’s expensive.

I like the Jerusalem Bible. It’s readable, it has a flow that some translations lack, though at times I’ve heard it’s not strictly literal. It has the habit in a couple places of excluding verses that are traditionally included, though I don’t find it that annoying as I just look it up elsewhere. I usually go back and forth between it, the Douay Rheims Challoner, and The RSV-CE.

 

[tvknight415]

Try checking a copy of each of the translations you are considering from the lbrary and spend some time with each. You can find the Jerusalem text online (search for threads with ‘Jerusalem Bible’ in the title only and it should be fairly recent… link was on page 2 or 3).

Jerusalem Bible - not a word for word translation, but it reads well and the 1966 version has a lot of good notes & intros. I would say its a good reading bible to get you the general sense of the bible stories. No inclusive language but uses “young woman”.

RSV-2CE-Very literal (its your RSV with a few updates. No inclusive language and uses “virgin”.

Both translations come well recommended.

 

[Joe_5859]

If the NABRE introductions bother you, just skip them.

Ignatius Press does have a study version of the RSV-CE, 2nd edition, New Testament that is available (in paperback, hardcover, and leather cover editions). I highly recommend it. But you’ll have to wait a bit more for the full Old Testament.

It’s definitely a nice alternative to the NAB(RE). Unlike the NAB(RE), they present the other viewpoints even when they are clearly advocating for a specific view (such as with the dating of many of the books). I much prefer that to simply throwing out one view as though it is the universal view that everyone believes and accepts without question.

 

[CalCatholic]

If the NABRE introductions bother you, just skip them.

Ignatius Press does have a study version of the RSV-CE, 2nd edition, New Testament that is available (in paperback, hardcover, and leather cover editions). I highly recommend it. But you’ll have to wait a bit more for the full Old Testament.

I agree, I would get the Ignatius Catholic Study Bible - New Testament! Even though it is just the New Testament it is well worth it.

 

[Cyklist]

The 1989 Revised English Bible is the best!
(Available in Logos and Accordance.):

1. Critical without being overtly critical. Yes, historical origins are good to mention, but please do not cast so much doubt and obscurity.
2. Readable. I mean, I can understand the words from mid-twentieth century in their proper meaning (i.e. holocaust, booty, etc.). However, I really do not want the DR or KJV with too many anachronisms. (Please not the DR with the different proper names!)
3. Accurate and without overt modern bias. I like the idea behind the NRSV with Apocrypha. But I am concerned with the gender-neutral language.
4. Has the Deuterocanonical books. I will settle for the Catholic cannon instead of the Orthodox cannon.
5. Affordable and rather available. I am looking for something under $50.
6. Well printed. I like the onion skin paper and prefer hardbacks.