Bibles to buy

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Marchi

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I’m a sponsor for my nephew and my grandson’s confirmation.
I would like to buy them each a bible.
What is the best recommendation
I am leaning toward The DR version
There is also an NAB version with illtations of Catholic teaching but the i’m afrad the footnotes will be misleading
 
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Marchi:
I’m a sponsor for my nephew and my grandson’s confirmation.
I would like to buy them each a bible.
What is the best recommendation
I am leaning toward The DR version
There is also an NAB version with illtations of Catholic teaching but the i’m afrad the footnotes will be misleading
Click to expand...
Just to clarify, how old are they? (I should probably assume they’re teenagers, but since the age for confirmation is being lowered in many dioceses, I had to ask).
 
OK. There’s nothing wrong the the DRV, but the language, especially for your average 14 year old, may be somewhat arcane. Unless you are in the habit of using this Bible at home say, for a regular family devotional or Bible study, or they are otherwise used to reading or hearing it, they may have a hard time getting into it.

I’m not crazy about the commentary and notes on the NAB either, but it is the easiest to read and if the boys are going to be in any Bible sharing/study groups at church, this is probably the version they would be using. If you choose that translation, here is the version I recommend:

The New Catholic Answer Bible
catalog.osv.com/Catalog.aspx?SimpleDisplay=true&ProductCode=T191

It’s sturdy and attractive and full of good apologetics articles (about every 200 pages or so). It’s never too early to start learning to defend your faith, and it will stand them well as they enter their high school/college years (I believe this Bible also comes in the RSV-CE translation, but I haven’t seen one lately so they may have discontinued it. If you can find two of these, that would be my preference. The translation is better and the notes are much less annoying).
 
I’m not a NAB fan but the New Catholic Answers Bible has a lot of attractive inserts. For 14 year olds that would be an excellent choice.
 
Hello,

The right bible to buy is generally the one that is most edifying for you and your nephew and grandson. For Catholics, there are four generally approved translations. (Approved for liturgical purposes that is.)

The first is the Douay-Rheims translation. It was completed at the colleges in Douay and Rheims in the 16th century and revised by Bishop Challoner in the 18th century. It does use Elizabethian English (i.e. thee, thou, wouldst, etc.) and arcane language that could make it hard for a normal teenager to comprehend. However, it is extremely beautiful and poetic.

The second, the Jerusalem Bible (not the New Jerusalem Bible) is a good translation, but I am not sure if it is still available to buy.

Third is the Revised Standard Version - Catholic Edition is a very good translation in my opinion (compared to others currently available) and is the favorite among many reputable scripture scholars and apologists.

Finally is the New American Bible. This is the translation you most likely hear at Mass on Sunday. It is a good starting point for learning the faith and preparing for Mass, but does include inclusive language and a general dumbing down of certain terms. This can make it easier to understand and may be a good choice for a fourteen year old.

I hope that this helps.
 
About the notes in the NAB, you could look for a version that doesn’t print them on the same page, and instead has them all at the end. I think some pocket editions are like that. Who knows? You could get lucky and find one without the notes at all.
 
for teens I recommend the Catholic youth Bible from St. Mary’s Press, NAB is best, the original is NRSV (inclusive language), or the less expensive International Student Bible for Catholics NAB from Thomas Nelson publishers–the Q&A in front of this volume are excellent. Amy Wellborn’s Prove It The Bible from Our Sunday Visitor is also very good, I hear, but I am not as familiar with it.
 
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Marchi:
I’m a sponsor for my nephew and my grandson’s confirmation.
I would like to buy them each a bible.
What is the best recommendation
I am leaning toward The DR version
There is also an NAB version with illtations of Catholic teaching but the i’m afrad the footnotes will be misleading
Click to expand...
You likely are already planning on this but…
Be sure to make an inscription or dedication to each boy on the inside flap. i.e. “Presented to _________ on the date of his Confirmation April 15, 2006 from Uncle _______” etc.
Then perhaps note a favorite or appropriate bible verse, or a quote from their confirmation saint. Maybe even a jot about being their sponsor.
Hardcover is appropriate in these situations. If you inscribe it like that they will likely keep it until their dying day, and will probably do the same for their own grandchildren or nephews.
“Little” things like this can become their own family tradition and the boys may remember you being their sponsor and repay the favor by being someone else’s sponsor years later. 👍
God Bless.
 
I would like to thank you all for your (name removed by moderator)ut.
 
The guy who owns the Catholic book store here in town showed me a really great one the other day. It’s called the New Catholic Answers Bible (not affiliated, I believe, with this group). It has 84 color-plate essays in it on about any Catholic topic you can imagine. I would think for a confirmation candidate, especially since they’re about to run the gauntlet of college and be challenged on a lot of teachings, this would be a great way to give them, not just a copy of the Bible, but a great apologetics resource, too.

I don’t remember which translation it uses, but the ISBN number is 1592761402, so you can check it out. I’m getting one for my cousin, for whom I am a confirmation sponsor.

Paul Thigpen and Dave Armstrong are the editors - two very reputable names.

-Spencer
 
I bought 2 New Catholic Answer Bibles
I think this Bible is perfect for their situation
The only downside was I could only get it in paperback.
 
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Marchi:
I bought 2 New Catholic Answer Bibles
I think this Bible is perfect for their situation
The only downside was I could only get it in paperback.
Click to expand...
Great. I’m glad I could help. I wanted to post last night, before you bought something else, but I couldn’t remember the information and had to call the bookstore this morning.

Send me a private message when you receive them (if you think about it) to let me know what you think.

All best
 
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awfulthings9:
The guy who owns the Catholic book store here in town showed me a really great one the other day. It’s called the New Catholic Answers Bible (not affiliated, I believe, with this group). It has 84 color-plate essays in it on about any Catholic topic you can imagine. I would think for a confirmation candidate, especially since they’re about to run the gauntlet of college and be challenged on a lot of teachings, this would be a great way to give them, not just a copy of the Bible, but a great apologetics resource, too.
Click to expand...
:hmmm: Gee, I thought I said this exact thing up in Post #4! 😃
 
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Marchi:
I bought 2 New Catholic Answer Bibles
I think this Bible is perfect for their situation
The only downside was I could only get it in paperback.
Click to expand...
I think they only come in paper. They’re pretty durably made, however, so if they get one of those zippered Bible covers, it should last a good, long time-- at least through their college years.
 
Fidelis said:
:hmmm: Gee, I thought I said this exact thing up in Post #4! 😃
Click to expand...

Sorry. I probably read your quote last night, but I couldn’t remember the title, so it didn’t register with me. This morning I didn’t even think to skim back through. Oh well, great minds think alike.
 
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