Bibles

[RosaryKindaGuy]

what are the different bibles and tell me all about them and are they readily available? i’m looking to replace my King James

 

[tobinatorstark]

what are the different bibles and tell me all about them and are they readily available? i’m looking to replace my King James

Replacing your King James is the best thing to do. I suggest the Douay-Rheims. When looking for a Catholic Bible take this in consideration Buy for accuracy and not readability. While the Douay-Rheims has the thee and thous, that doesn’t mean it is harder to read. Its estimated read level is 10th grade. Also take in consideration of inclusive language. The NAB, NRSV, NJB are filled with inclusive language. NRSV is the worst of the three. Also look at all Catholic Bibles available to you. Latin Vulgate(I would suggest not reading that unless you know Latin), Douay-Rheims(word for word English translation of the Vulgate), RSV-CE(Best modern translation), Jerusalem Bible(YHWH used instead of Lord, but overall a decent translation), New Jerusalem Bible(Borderline heretical), New American Bible (worst translation of Psalms ever, Revised NT and Psalms rejected by Vatican for Liturgical use, RNAB is lectionary), NRSV(flat out horrible inclusive language), Good News Translation (don’t even pick up a copy of this Catholic edition. Poor excuse for a Bible). Ronald Knox Translation should be in print very soon, by Baronius press. If you don’t go with the Douay-Rheims and go with a more modern Bible, I would recommend the Ignatius Bible (RSV-CE)

 

[benedictgal]

what are the different bibles and tell me all about them and are they readily available? i’m looking to replace my King James

If you are comfortable with the style of King James, you may want to check into getting the Doauy-Rheims Bible. It is, for all practical purposes, the Catholic version of the King James.

Ignatius Press offers the RSV-CE 2nd edition. This is an excellent translation because it was done in conformity with Liturgiam Authenticam, the Church’s official document on translations of the scriptures and liturgical texts.

 

[tampasteve]

For a hard copy I have the New American version, but I am looking to replace that with a digital version of the Douay-Rheims once my Sony Reader comes in. I would not say the New American version is a terrible version, but there most certainly are better ones available. It was my first “Catholic” Bible.

Steve

 

[damooster]

I didn’t know the NAB was rejected by the Vatican. I thought it was the official version of the U.S.?

Regardless, I’m glad to hear that the Ignatius translation is a good choice. I’ve seen this one in my local book store and have been thinking about buying it.

 

[tobinatorstark]

I didn’t know the NAB was rejected by the Vatican. I thought it was the official version of the U.S.?

Regardless, I’m glad to hear that the Ignatius translation is a good choice. I’ve seen this one in my local book store and have been thinking about buying it.

no the 1986 Revised NT and 1991 Revised Psalms are, not the NAB in general. It is translation in our lectionaries. Actually lectionaries use a modified version of NAB called RNAB and there are differences in what you hear in the lectionary and what you read in our common NAB.

 

[Shin]

The Douay-Rheims will be right up your alley from a switch from the KJV!

 

[Shin]

I didn’t know the NAB was rejected by the Vatican. I thought it was the official version of the U.S.?

Regardless, I’m glad to hear that the Ignatius translation is a good choice. I’ve seen this one in my local book store and have been thinking about buying it.

The versions of the NAB available for purchase contain books that were rejected by the Vatican because of their translations, so there’s no NAB that’s out there right now that is like the lectionary – which works from the NAB, but contains alterations to make it passable for use in the lectionary that the Vatican made.

In other words you can’t buy one that was acceptable to the Vatican for the mass. The lectionary doesn’t contain the entire Bible.

The footnotes and commentary of the NABs are also sometimes quite… bad. That’s the word that about sums it up. Very secular despite being in a Catholic Bible, rather than reflecting Catholic spirituality. The same criticism can be made for some of the translations. It’s because of the reign of historical-critical translation that does away with all the time tested traditional translations and interpretations of the scriptures in the favor of the connotations on the words of a more secular viewpoint.

The old Jerusalem Bible is better in this regard, but the Douay is about the best translation out there that also reflects Catholic spirituality – and so often the best for spiritual growth, rather than people getting caught up in stupid historical critical issues that do nothing beneficial for one’s spiritual life.

 

[regression]

Replacing your King James is the best thing to do. I suggest the Douay-Rheims. When looking for a Catholic Bible take this in consideration Buy for accuracy and not readability. While the Douay-Rheims has the thee and thous, that doesn’t mean it is harder to read. Its estimated read level is 10th grade. Also take in consideration of inclusive language. The NAB, NRSV, NJB are filled with inclusive language. NRSV is the worst of the three. Also look at all Catholic Bibles available to you. Latin Vulgate(I would suggest not reading that unless you know Latin), Douay-Rheims(word for word English translation of the Vulgate), RSV-CE(Best modern translation), Jerusalem Bible(YHWH used instead of Lord, but overall a decent translation), New Jerusalem Bible(Borderline heretical), New American Bible (worst translation of Psalms ever, Revised NT and Psalms rejected by Vatican for Liturgical use, RNAB is lectionary), NRSV(flat out horrible inclusive language), Good News Translation (don’t even pick up a copy of this Catholic edition. Poor excuse for a Bible). Ronald Knox Translation should be in print very soon, by Baronius press. If you don’t go with the Douay-Rheims and go with a more modern Bible, I would recommend the Ignatius Bible (RSV-CE)

I have always used the NAB because that is what we used when I was in school. That has been a while ago . I think I’ll look at the Douay-Rheims bible.

Can you give an example of “inclusive language”?

 

[tobinatorstark]

I have always used the NAB because that is what we used when I was in school. That has been a while ago . I think I’ll look at the Douay-Rheims bible.

Can you give an example of “inclusive language”?

The whole Psalm 23 is nothing but inclusive 1
1 A psalm of David. 2 The LORD is my shepherd; there is nothing I lack.
2
In green pastures you let me graze; to safe waters you lead me;
3
3 you restore my strength. You guide me along the right path for the sake of your name.
4
4 Even when I walk through a dark valley, I fear no harm for you are at my side; your rod and staff give me courage.
5
5 You set a table before me as my enemies watch; You anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows.
6
6 Only goodness and love will pursue me all the days of my life; I will dwell in the house of the LORD for years to come.

and there is an instance in the NAB were human beings instead of men. The above passage takes a different meaning by eliminating the thees and thous. The NAB was the first Bible that I read, but no can bearly pick one up. All the notes are inclusive and very liberal.

 

[tobinatorstark]

Here is Psalm 22 (23) From the Douay-Rheims for comparison with that from the NAB

A psalm for David. The Lord ruleth me: and I shall want nothing. He hath set me in a place of pasture. He hath brought me up, on the water of refreshment: 3 He hath converted my soul. He hath led me on the paths of justice, for his own name’s sake. For though I should walk in the midst of the shadow of death, I will fear no evils, for thou art with me. Thy rod and thy staff, they have comforted me. Thou hast prepared a table before me against them that afflict me. Thou hast anointed my head with oil; and my chalice which inebriateth me, how goodly is it! And thy mercy will follow me all the days of my life. And that I may dwell in the house of the Lord unto length of days.

 

[regression]

Well, that I guess that shows my naivety when it comes to bible translations. Those are very different. Regrettable I’m one of those Catholics who didn’t read the bible much, but I’m trying to change that. So you feel the Douay-Rheims bible is better because it is closer to the official Latin version?

 

[benedictgal]

Well, that I guess that shows my naivety when it comes to bible translations. Those are very different. Regrettable I’m one of those Catholics who didn’t read the bible much, but I’m trying to change that. So you feel the Douay-Rheims bible is better because it is closer to the official Latin version?

The late Fr. Richard John Neuhaus wrote a magnificent article about biblical translations, especially as they regard the Lectionary.

Here is a snippet from “Bible Babel”:

Consider the parable of the prodigal son: After his dissipation in a “far country” (NAB has “distant country”) the RSV, following the English-language tradition and the Greek text, says “he came to himself”. NAB says “he came to his senses”. No, he didn’t just become more sensible. He came to himself; he returned to who he truly was, the beloved son of the loving father. The theologically literate preacher is regularly compelled to correct the NAB translation prescribed for public reading. Those responsible for the NAB and its perpetual updatings are not heretics and I am sure they do not intend to be doctrinally subversive. It would appear that they are simply indifferent to the great tradition of the Bible in English, frequently indifferent to the history of scriptural interpretation in the Church, and almost always indifferent to good English usage.

So why do they, and so many other translators, do what they do? The answer is undoubtedly related to the fact that, without the production of novelties and revisions, translators would be out of a job. A telling indictment of the NAB is that it is not used or even referred to by non-Catholics and is seldom employed by Catholic biblical scholars who, quite sensibly, prefer other translations. It is a translation that is used at all only because its use has been made mandatory.

You can read the entire article at:

adoremus.org/0306BibleTranslations.html

It really is an excellent piece. Fr. Neuhaus was a Lutheran minister who converted to Catholicism and was subsequently ordained a priest. His insights are rock solid.

 

[tobinatorstark]

Well, that I guess that shows my naivety when it comes to bible translations. Those are very different. Regrettable I’m one of those Catholics who didn’t read the bible much, but I’m trying to change that. So you feel the Douay-Rheims bible is better because it is closer to the official Latin version?

No I don’t read it because it is closer to the Latin. I read it because it is simply accurate. Jerome used the most accurate text available at the time. They no longer exist. We can’t prove or disprove those texts found nearly 200 years ago are more accurate or less accurate. The Latin Vulgate is declared free of doctrinal and moral error. No other Bible in any other language has that distinction. Since the Douay-Rheims is a word for word translation of the Latin Vulgate one can conclude that it is indeed accurate. I don’t limit myself to just reading the Douay. I do read the Latin Vulgate. Clementine Version not the Nova Vulgata. I also use the original Jerusalem Bible NT and occasionally NAB. I have started using the RSV-CE on a limited basis. I generally don’t recommend anything other than the Douay-Rheims especially when battling KJV-onlyist. I do think it is wise to have more than one translation and not solely rely on one translation. After reading passages upon passages, the Douay-Rheims simply works for me and it is accurate. I am not saying that others aren’t, but I use it because it is accurate and it is a solid defender against Fundamentalist and KJV-onlyists.

 

[tobinatorstark]

The late Fr. Richard John Neuhaus wrote a magnificent article about biblical translations, especially as they regard the Lectionary.

Here is a snippet from “Bible Babel”:

You can read the entire article at:

adoremus.org/0306BibleTranslations.html

It really is an excellent piece. Fr. Neuhaus was a Lutheran minister who converted to Catholicism and was subsequently ordained a priest. His insights are rock solid.

I am going to have to agree with Fr.Neuhaus. The man was simply brilliant

 

[regression]

No I don’t read it because it is closer to the Latin. I read it because it is simply accurate. Jerome used the most accurate text available at the time. They no longer exist. We can’t prove or disprove those texts found nearly 200 years ago are more accurate or less accurate. The Latin Vulgate is declared free of doctrinal and moral error. No other Bible in any other language has that distinction. Since the Douay-Rheims is a word for word translation of the Latin Vulgate one can conclude that it is indeed accurate. I don’t limit myself to just reading the Douay. I do read the Latin Vulgate. Clementine Version not the Nova Vulgata. I also use the original Jerusalem Bible NT and occasionally NAB. I have started using the RSV-CE on a limited basis. I generally don’t recommend anything other than the Douay-Rheims especially when battling KJV-onlyist. I do think it is wise to have more than one translation and not solely rely on one translation. After reading passages upon passages, the Douay-Rheims simply works for me and it is accurate. I am not saying that others aren’t, but I use it because it is accurate and it is a solid defender against Fundamentalist and KJV-onlyists.

OK, that clears it up a bit. Like I said, I really have only read one translation my entire life, and even with that, I haven’t read it “a lot”. Trying to slowly change that.

And thanks to benedictgal, I’ll read the article.

 

[tobinatorstark]

OK, that clears it up a bit. Like I said, I really have only read one translation my entire life, and even with that, I haven’t read it “a lot”. Trying to slowly change that.

And thanks to benedictgal, I’ll read the article.

and by all mean I am not telling you to forget about the NAB. I encourage you to still read it, but another translation like the D-R is helpful in clearing some confusion you may have. I never even heard of the Douay-Rheims before 2 years ago. I was reading the NAB and loving reading the Bible. Something was missing, I personally felt that the NAB was missing spirituality and I search hard for a good answer to fill that void. There are many here who give great reverence to the D-R, but prefer the RSV-CE. I personally have had issues with it at first, but am now slowing accepting it. The RSV-CE is the best modern translation until the Ronald Knox comes in print again.

 

[White_Tree]

I own several different translations of the Bible. No translation is going to be perfect (not even the Vulgate). Though if you’re interested in getting a feel for how some different translations compare to each other, I would recommend taking a look at blueletterbible.org/.

It’s a Protestant website, so it doesn’t have books like Tobit or Macabees, but it’s a very useful reference otherwise (for those of us who just don’t have enough translations). You can look up a chapter or verse in a particular version that you choose at the beginning from the drop-down menu (I think the default is King James). Then, you can click the “V” (for “Versions”) next to the verse you’re interested in, and it comes up with a list of all the different translations of that verse that it has in its database, along with the names of those translations and any footnotes they may have associated with the verse.

I’m going to preface this next statement by saying that I do not own the Douay-Rheims translation that many people here have recommended. However, one confusion I have bumped into in trying to study that translation on the Internet is they tend to (more than others) have less-common names for some of their books. For instance, they refer to “Chronicles” as “Paralipomenon.” They’re not necessarily “wrong,” but everyone else calls it Chronicles. I was looking for the book of Nehemiah; they call it “2 Esdras.” There are several other cases like this. Again, this is only a minor obstacle and you will quickly grow accustomed to it, but it could be a small source of confusion in the beginning.

What also might be useful as a study guide is an Interlinear Bible. That’s one that has the original Hebrew and Greek, with an English translation written in the margins or between the lines. I personally wouldn’t choose it as my main translation (it’s got two Bibles packed into one book, so the one I have is large and unwieldy), but it’s a useful tool to have available.

Best of luck in choosing the one that’s best for you.

 

[tobinatorstark]

I own several different translations of the Bible. No translation is going to be perfect (not even the Vulgate). Though if you’re interested in getting a feel for how some different translations compare to each other, I would recommend taking a look at blueletterbible.org/.

It’s a Protestant website, so it doesn’t have books like Tobit or Macabees, but it’s a very useful reference otherwise (for those of us who just don’t have enough translations). You can look up a chapter or verse in a particular version that you choose at the beginning from the drop-down menu (I think the default is King James). Then, you can click the “V” (for “Versions”) next to the verse you’re interested in, and it comes up with a list of all the different translations of that verse that it has in its database, along with the names of those translations and any footnotes they may have associated with the verse.

I’m going to preface this next statement by saying that I do not own the Douay-Rheims translation that many people here have recommended. However, one confusion I have bumped into in trying to study that translation on the Internet is they tend to (more than others) have less-common names for some of their books. For instance, they refer to “Chronicles” as “Paralipomenon.” They’re not necessarily “wrong,” but everyone else calls it Chronicles. I was looking for the book of Nehemiah; they call it “2 Esdras.” There are several other cases like this. Again, this is only a minor obstacle and you will quickly grow accustomed to it, but it could be a small source of confusion in the beginning.

What also might be useful as a study guide is an Interlinear Bible. That’s one that has the original Hebrew and Greek, with an English translation written in the margins or between the lines. I personally wouldn’t choose it as my main translation (it’s got two Bibles packed into one book, so the one I have is large and unwieldy), but it’s a useful tool to have available.

Best of luck in choosing the one that’s best for you.

Why refer to a Protestant site that doesn’t have the deutrocanonical books??? Why even mess with Bible’s like the KJV. Bottom line is if it doesn’t contain the 73 books the Catholic Bible has stay away from it. As for the Douay-Rheims and its books. The names have been Latinized except for Chronicles which is listed as Paralipomenon. Those 2 books have the Greek title. As far as the Vulgate. No it isn’t perfect, but it is indeed err free of any doctrinal and moral matters. This was even decreed in the Council of Trent in session IV. I would however advise anyone to stay away from blueletterbible.org and biblegateway and other false Protestant sites. There are many stuff on there that contradict Catholic teaching. For a better commentary site I recommend the Haydock Bible Commentary

haydock1859.tripod.com/

if it is a concordance you are looking for A textual concordance of the holy Scriptures is I believe the only one out until the one planned to be released dealing with RSV-CE. You can find the concordance here

amazon.com/Textual-Concordance-Holy-Scriptures/dp/0895557568

also good is the Navarre series, but very expensive for the whole set and the Ignatius Study Bible series.

 

[tobinatorstark]

Furthermore the Vulgate on sites like with the blueletterbible and biblegateway is not the Vulgate used by the Catholic Church. One in use by the Catholic Church is the Nova Vulgata and it is found on the Vatican’s website. The previous version used before 1979 was the Clementine and it was used for nearly 400 years!!! The one used on sites like these is the Struggart and it has no Imprimatur or Nihil Obstat, nor is it approved by the Catholic Church in any way.

Here are links to the real Vulgate editions used by the Vatican and many other Catholics

Nova Vulgata

vatican.va/archive/bible/nova_vulgata/documents/nova-vulgata_index_lt.html

Clementine Vulgate
vulsearch.sourceforge.net/html/index.html