Can a Catholic read different translations of the Bible?

[Joko2599]

I know there are a few Bibles that Catholics are encouraged to use, such as the New American Bible.

But I have 3 Bibles in my possesion. A New Internation Version, a New King James Version, and “The Message”, which is the Bible written in modern day language.

I’m leaning towards “The Message”, but it was translated by a Presbyterian Pastor. Could I still read it? And what about the other 2 versions?

 

[Aggie414]

I personally see no problem with it. I have a couple of different versions myself. I think it helps sometimes to understand a particular passage based on the way it is translated. There are some of the more modern ones that I don’t particularly care for the translation – a little too hip, if you know what I mean – but sometimes if I’m struggling with understanding something, it helps to read it in a different version that uses a more modern translation.

 

[revert_jen]

You can certainly read any translation that you want. You won’t get the complete Bible in a Protestant translation, but any Bible is better than no Bible. I strongly advise against reading any of the commentaries, explanations, or notes in a Protestant Bible, however, and I would advise getting a Catholic Bible as soon as possible so you can have the whole book. I personally really like Tobit, which is a good story, and I enjoy Wisdom as well. Well, all of the Bible is good of course.

I have an NIV and a KJV myself, and sometimes I read them. The KJV is good literature. Psalm 23 never sounds quite right to me in any other version. But for commentaries and explanations I recommend the Ignatius Study Bible.

–Jen

 

[angeldia30]

I would say yes you can. I would not recommend the KJV because protestant versions are not complete being that according to Church History, this version of the Bible has removed 7 books of the old and new testament. The New International Version seems promising as long as it has an Nihil Obstat. This is very important because it means it’s been read and revised by Cardinals or Bishops from Rome confirming there are no distortions or anything in this version that would oppose Catholic Church teachings. Ignatius Study Bibles are the best for commentaries and appropriate interpretations in many parts of Scripture.

 

[BrethrenBoy]

[SIGN][/SIGN]

I would not recommend the KJV because protestant versions are not complete being that according to Church History, this version of the Bible has removed 7 books of the old and new testament

Not exactly true. The original King James Version included what Protestants call the Apocrypha. The were seen as food for reading, but not equal to the rest if the Bible. It was not until the 19th century that they were removed from Protestant Bibles. The You Version Bible app includes a version of the KJV with the Apocrypha.

 

[revert_jen]

The New International Version seems promising as long as it has an Nihil Obstat.

The NIV is a Protestant Bible. It wouldn’t (and doesn’t) have a Nihil Obstat.

–Jen

 

[Linusthe2nd]

I personally see no problem with it. I have a couple of different versions myself. I think it helps sometimes to understand a particular passage based on the way it is translated. There are some of the more modern ones that I don’t particularly care for the translation – a little too hip, if you know what I mean – but sometimes if I’m struggling with understanding something, it helps to read it in a different version that uses a more modern translation.

You should definitely stick to a Catholic Bible. The New Revised American Bible is a good one. I use the Douay-Rhiems with Haydock Commentary as a personal bible, but I’m thinking of getting the NRAB also. My favorite bible of all was the old Confraternity of Christian Doctrine Bible which was popular in the 60s. So yes, you can use any available Catholic Bible. Linus2nd

 

[ChurchSoldier]

Yes. Just keep in mind the perspective from which the author/translation team write as it will effect some verses biased towards their theology.

 

[RPRPsych]

I know there are a few Bibles that Catholics are encouraged to use, such as the New American Bible.

But I have 3 Bibles in my possesion. A New Internation Version, a New King James Version, and “The Message”, which is the Bible written in modern day language.

I’m leaning towards “The Message”, but it was translated by a Presbyterian Pastor. Could I still read it? And what about the other 2 versions?

The New King James is a very good translation as far as orthodoxy is concerned; it’s the basis for most Gideon Bibles around the world.

The NIV is a fairly decent translation, though it does have some “Protestantisms”.

The Message is a little more dodgy, because the Pastor softens some passages on important issues (Romans 1:18-32 comes to mind) and uses very shallow language in others. For example, here’s the Our Father:

"Our Father in heaven,
Reveal who you are.
Set the world right;
Do what’s best—
as above, so below.
Keep us alive with three square meals.
Keep us forgiven with you and forgiving others.
Keep us safe from ourselves and the Devil.
You’re in charge!
You can do anything you want!
You’re ablaze in beauty!
Yes. Yes. Yes."

Not quite what Jesus taught us, in my opinion.

 

[Aggie414]

You should definitely stick to a Catholic Bible. The New Revised American Bible is a good one. I use the Douay-Rhiems with Haydock Commentary as a personal bible, but I’m thinking of getting the NRAB also. My favorite bible of all was the old Confraternity of Christian Doctrine Bible which was popular in the 60s. So yes, you can use any available Catholic Bible. Linus2nd

I do have Catholic Bibles – just different translations.

 

[MattofTexas]

As I understand it, Catholics are allowed to read any version or translation of the Bible for private study and devotion, however, certain versions have Bishop approval meaning they are approved and trustworthy in the eyes of the Church. The list of approved English versions according to the USCCB include:

What follows is a complete list of the translations of the Sacred Scriptures that have received the approval of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops since 1983.

In addition to the translations listed below, any translation of the Sacred Scriptures that has received proper ecclesiastical approval ‒ namely, by the Apostolic See or a local ordinary prior to 1983, or by the Apostolic See or an episcopal conference following 1983 ‒ may be used by the Catholic faithful for private prayer and study.
**Books of the New Testament, Alba House
**
**Contemporary English Version - New Testament, First Edition, American Bible Society

Contemporary English Version - Book of Psalms, American Bible Society

Contemporary English Version - Book of Proverbs, American Bible Society

The Grail Psalter (Inclusive Language Version), G.I.A. Publications

New American Bible, Revised Edition (NABRE)

New Revised Standard Version, Catholic Edition, National Council of Churches

The Psalms, Alba House

The Psalms (New International Version) - St. Joseph Catholic Edition, Catholic Book Publishing Company

The Psalms - St. Joseph New Catholic Version, Catholic Book Publishing Company

Revised Psalms of the New American Bible (1991)

So You May Believe, A Translation of the Four Gospels, Alba House

Today’s English Version, Second Edition, American Bible Society
Translation for Early Youth, A Translation of the New Testament for Children, Contemporary English Version, American Bible Society**

I know there are some others that were approved prior to 1993 such as the Revised Standard Version- (1st and 2nd) Catholic Edition, the Knox Bible, the Douay-Rheims, etc. As a currently-Protestant Christian I have had some experience with all three versions you listed (though I have only very limited exposure to The Message). I like the NIV a lot although that version has its critics both in the RCC as well as in other Protestant camps. The NKJV is good too, and The Message is good for “easy reading” but not the best if you’re interested in really reading the Bible (since it’s a paraphrase more than anything else, and you’re really reading Eugene Peterson’s interpretation of the original language Scriptures more than the Scriptures themselves). I would point out that these Protestant versions lack some of the books of the Old Testament that the CC accepts as canonical. The NRSV or RSV might be good alternatives to the NIV, TEV and CEV are going to be simple language versions (though not as paraphrased as The Message) that are perhaps comparable to the New Living Translation (which I also like) in some respects, and the D-R is an alternative to the KJV and I don’t know of anything exactly like the NKJV to recommend. I would point out through, that the Orthodox Study Bible uses the NKJV (and that edition of the NKJV has all the books used by Catholics as well as some others that are not, but are used by the EO).

 

[StudentMI]

Try as I might, I find myself comparing some verses (Psalm 23 and 1 Corinthians 13, for instance) in Catholic translations with the same in the KJV. But, overall, I’d prefer a Catholic Bible due to the theological soundness and the entire Bible. I especially love the Jerusalem Bible and the Douay Rheims Bible.

 

[EasterJoy]

Oh, good heavens, you’re not forbidden from reading the Qur’an or the I-Ching, let alone unapproved translations of the Bible. You must, however, use Catholic translations of the Bible as what you considered inspired reading.

Having said that, you must avoid all reading which constitutes a near occasion of sin for you or which causes you to entertain doubts about the truths that the Catholic Church teaches.

 

[Havard]

"Our Father in heaven,
Reveal who you are.
Set the world right;
Do what’s best—
as above, so below.
Keep us alive with three square meals.
Keep us forgiven with you and forgiving others.
Keep us safe from ourselves and the Devil.
You’re in charge!
You can do anything you want!
You’re ablaze in beauty!
Yes. Yes. Yes."

 

[aspirant]

“The Message” is not intended to be a formal equivalence translation. Personally, I would not recommend it, but if someone is going to read it they need to know it’s only intended to be a dynamic equivalence version (idea-for-idea)-- it’s not something to use in serious reading & study and will often reflect only Peterson’s personal interpretation.

Many Catholic scripture scholars encourage readers who are not familiar with the original languages of the Bible to use a wide variety of well-known and respected formal equivalence translations in serious study. (Catholic ones would include the D-R, JB, RSVCE, NAB, NJB, etc.; Protestant ones would include the KJV, NKJV, ESV, RSV, NRSV, NIV, etc.) Using several translations, one can see, when discrepancies arise, which translations are more common/similar, which translations are the outliers, and more easily figure out which passages might require more investigative depth.

 

[Gailgirl]

With regard to which Bibles to read, I would state that many are good, some more beneficial than others, and a few to be avoided. I like the NAB and JB. But for strict adherence to the original language, it is hard to surpass the New American Standard Bible (NASB) for its factual translation and readability. I took 4 years of Greek, and I love it. Also, if you are into Greek, there are good Bibles printed that have the English and Greek side-by-side. Words are important.

 

[RPRPsych]

If you want a Catholic Bible that uses modern language without stooping to the level of The Message, the New Jerusalem Bible is a very good option. (Plus, I really admire Dom Henry Wansbrough, the translator, who has some fantastic essays on his website.)

 

[aspirant]

But for strict adherence to the original language, it is hard to surpass the New American Standard Bible (NASB) for its factual translation and readability.

The OT of the NASB is especially good.

Also, if you are into Greek, there are good Bibles printed that have the English and Greek side-by-side.
There are also some good interlinear Bibles online. Here’s:
Hebrew OT
Greek NT

 

[EasterJoy]

The Message is a little more dodgy, because the Pastor softens some passages on important issues (Romans 1:18-32 comes to mind) and uses very shallow language in others. For example, here’s the Our Father:

"Our Father in heaven,
Reveal who you are.
Set the world right;
Do what’s best—
as above, so below.
Keep us alive with three square meals.
Keep us forgiven with you and forgiving others.
Keep us safe from ourselves and the Devil.
You’re in charge!
You can do anything you want!
You’re ablaze in beauty!
Yes. Yes. Yes."

Not quite what Jesus taught us, in my opinion.

Oh, ick. That sounds like the Og Mandino translation. It’s not a sin to read it, but heaven forbid that anyone take that as inspired.

 

[RPRPsych]

Oh, ick. That sounds like the Og Mandino translation. It’s not a sin to read it, but heaven forbid that anyone take that as inspired.

“Ick” is a particularly poetic way of putting it.

It’s more of a paraphrase than a translation, and very often, the author (Eugene Peterson) interjects his own interpretations, such as when he translates Romans 9-11. It’s popular in “emergent” and “liberal” circles, but I don’t think it’s good for serious study.