Can't Pick Bible Version

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I have a dilemma here. I have some Bible versions that I had collected over the years. Now that I wish to pick one as a primary Bible, I am stuck of trying to decide which of the following to use:

New Jerusalem Bible
New American Bible
Orthodox Study Bible
New Oxford Annotated Bible - RSV
New English Bible
Douay-Rheims Bible (Pocket Size)

Please write a reason why you choose that Bible version.
 
In my experience with Catholic quotations and Bible referance it seems the American Standard Bible is most used. The Jeruselaum Bible has been used in many Catholic circles but at this time I seem to see the American Standard the most used and referanced. It is great having more than one Bible available as on some points a differance exists in various versions. I would think the scripture differances relate to who the Bible version was produced for, whether Protestant or Catholic. You might ask your Parish Priest for learned guidance on this question or your Parish educator. Hope that helps. GARY
 
It depends on what you want to do. If you want devotional reading, pick a few passages and read them in each translation. The one that is simplest for you to understand and meditate on is the one you should use.

If, on the other hand, you want to conduct serious study, I understand the NAB (of those you named) probably has the most scholarship going into it.
 
booktrvler said:
In my experience with Catholic quotations and Bible referance it seems the American Standard Bible is most used. The Jeruselaum Bible has been used in many Catholic circles but at this time I seem to see the American Standard the most used and referanced. It is great having more than one Bible available as on some points a differance exists in various versions. I would think the scripture differances relate to who the Bible version was produced for, whether Protestant or Catholic. You might ask your Parish Priest for learned guidance on this question or your Parish educator. Hope that helps. GARY
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er - I have mostly seen the American Standard Bible used by Protestants, not Catholics. Also, it is not a translation the OP named. I know - it’s confusing “American Standard” vs “New American.” Even more so when you take the “New American Standard” revision of the “American Standard.”

It’s enough to make your head spin. (while we’re on this, don’t confuse Thomas Nelson with Thomas A Nelson - the latter is a publisher of Catholic works while the former is a publisher of non-Catholic and sometimes anti-Catholic Christian works).
 
I mis-spoke. The New American Bible is the one I planned to refer you too. Senior moment perhaps. I find the New Anerican Bble is easy to read and used in our Parish for RCIA and readings. My Bible is highlighted in many places and a habit I picked up in Protestant Churches before converting. Bible knowledge is imperative to keeping things read or said in proper perspective. I noted a TV fund raiser posted a quote from the Bible on giving your gold earrrings and necklaces whcih was a valid quote BUT one verse later Aaron was collecting the jewelry to melt down and make the Golden calf which found great disfavor from God. Knowledge is power. GARY
 
SonCatcher said:
er - I have mostly seen the American Standard Bible used by Protestants, not Catholics. Also, it is not a translation the OP named. I know - it’s confusing “American Standard” vs “New American.” Even more so when you take the “New American Standard” revision of the “American Standard.”

It’s enough to make your head spin. (while we’re on this, don’t confuse Thomas Nelson with Thomas A Nelson - the latter is a publisher of Catholic works while the former is a publisher of non-Catholic and sometimes anti-Catholic Christian works).
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Thomas Nelson publishes a number of Catholic volumes, not the least was the famous and fine “Catholic Commentary on the Holy Scripture” Dom Bernard Orchard, ed.

Nelson is, I understand, republishing this excellent resource. I think Nelson is a “hired gun” and will publish many Catholic, non-Catholic and even anti-Catholic works for anybody who has the dough. Their finished product, to me, is generally superior to the offerings of Catholic Book Publishing Company, which I find sub par to a Nelson or Zondervan. By finished product I mean the physical book, not necessarily the content.
 
New Jerusalem Bible–I would not use this bible as it has some odd renderings and even stranger notes and book intros–I would use the 1966 JB though
New American Bible–same as above----the notes really kill this bible for me, as I do not like liberalism
Orthodox Study Bible–seems like a decent bible but not for a primary Catholic Bible–not approved
New Oxford Annotated Bible - RSV–I like the RSV-2CE, as it is accurate and readable…if this is a Catholic Edition it may be your best option
New English Bible–I am not familiar with this translation although I thought I heard it was dynamic
Douay-Rheims Bible (Pocket Size)–cannot go wrong with the DR although I personally find it hard to read due to archaic english

I have had the same problem as you–I have pretty much resolved myself to the RSV-2CE and the Jerusalem Bible…both have their weaknesses and strengths but work for me and allow me to get a well rounded view of the texts–plus the JB has great notes and cross-refs, as does the new RSV-CE NT study bible. These 2 translations seem to complement each other well, with one being literal (RSV-CE) and the other relatively accurate but easy to read (JB). You may also want to try to find a Confraternity Bible, which is a great translation and one of my favorites as far as literal & orthodox translations go. Hope this helps!!
 
I would use all the Bibles, but if I had to pick one as the primary I would pick the New Oxford Annotated Bible (RSV). I think a primary Bible should be a more formal translation as opposed to a dynamic translation because this is the one your going to look up a verse that is quoted by someone or if you are going to reference a verse in an online post, etc. I always grab my RSV-2CE when I am quoting a verse, even if I am using a more dynamic translation at the time (REB, Jerusalem Bible, etc). I like reading dynamic translations (such as your NJB or the NEB) but they never wind up being my primary (or go to) Bible.
 
The NAB is awful. It renders things too simple in some passages and reads into things too much in others. Its really weird and it feels really awkward when you read it.

If you were going to get one primary Bible, I would have to recommend either the RSV-CE 1 or 2. I personally like the 1 but if you want to take out the thou’s and thee’s when pertaining to the Lord because its hard or you dont like it then go with a two. I think the annotated rsv is not a Catholic edition and the notes are somewhat heretical in their interpretation of things. Such is the case when you throw out tradition and try to piece things together from a godless pov. Anyway, I have an edition which seems to be out of stock, an Oxford readers edition in genuine (cowhide) leather. There are other versions which will give you the same typeset and bigger if youd like. I recommend this, and of course there is the ignatious press version as well with the awful bonded leather cover, and the Benedict press version which is nice but not great for the price with its glued binding, tissue paper, and pigskin leather cover. Come on man. At least give me a smyth sewn binding with decent paper so I can rebind it.

amazon.com/Revised-Standard-Version-Catholic-Bible/dp/0195288653/ref=tmm_hrd_title_7?ie=UTF8&qid=1290584127&sr=8-3

amazon.com/Holy-Bible-Catholic-Standard-Size/dp/193530206X/ref=tmm_hrd_title_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1290584127&sr=8-2

amazon.com/Ignatius-Bible-Revised-Standard-Catholic/dp/0898709369/ref=tmm_hrd_title_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1290586299&sr=8-10

The RSV to me is a great translation that is a great compromise of majestic sounding language with ease of reading. It is plenty accurate while being easy to read. Now I dont think the KJV is hard to read mind you, but the RSV is more easy for myself while being considered to be MORE accurate. The DR can be awkward in spots but keep in mind it is very accurate.

The Jerusalem is nice, but when I read dynamic translations I can just tell its being dumbed down and I go back to say the RSV or KJV or DR typically without finishing whatever book I was on. Id suggest pulling up the translations online and read a few different passages and see which one you like the best and then order that one.

Hope this helped.
 
NAB is the Bible used for Mass in American parishes. It is not a very graceful translation, and it has been revised about a dozen times, so that there are multiple variations out there all under the same name. Lots of people hate the notes but I seldom use them so don’t care.

REB is the translation used for Mass in the UK and, I think, in Canada? Stylistically better than the NAB, but not widely available in the US.

NEB is the “Good News” translation most of us remember for the editions with the faceless pen-and-ink illustrations. It’s an approved translation at a middle-school reading level, which is helpful for some. Make sure if you buy it you get the Catholic edition as it is available with either the shorter or longer canon.

RSV-CE would be my choice if I had to pick only one translation. Gracefully written and scholarly, too. If you want notes go for the Ignatius.

DRB is nice if you find the old-fashioned language comforting or inspiring, but the numbering variations make it a challenge for any kind of study that uses outside references.
 
NHInsider said:
NAB is the Bible used for Mass in American parishes. It is not a very graceful translation, and it has been revised about a dozen times, so that there are multiple variations out there all under the same name. Lots of people hate the notes but I seldom use them so don’t care.

REB is the translation used for Mass in the UK and, I think, in Canada? Stylistically better than the NAB, but not widely available in the US.

NEB is the “Good News” translation most of us remember for the editions with the faceless pen-and-ink illustrations. It’s an approved translation at a middle-school reading level, which is helpful for some. Make sure if you buy it you get the Catholic edition as it is available with either the shorter or longer canon.

RSV-CE would be my choice if I had to pick only one translation. Gracefully written and scholarly, too. If you want notes go for the Ignatius.

DRB is nice if you find the old-fashioned language comforting or inspiring, but the numbering variations make it a challenge for any kind of study that uses outside references.
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The NEB is the predecessor to the REB and is an ecumenical translation of British origin (not widely available anymore), though I like reading the REB from time to time. The NRSV is used in Mass in Canada, the Jerusalem Bible is used in the Mass in the U.K. (maybe to be replaced by the NRSV). The ‘Good News Translation’ is a paraphrase and comes in a Catholic edition. And I agree with you that the RSV-CE/ 2CE is my favorite translation for accuracy and readability.
 
The RSV that I have is not the RSV Catholic Edition. It is the regular RSV that has the Deuterocanonical books for both Catholics and Orthodox. I was planning to use this one since it does not have inclusive language and retains the Early Modern English (thee, thou, shew, etc) for references to God.
 
KShaft said:
The NAB is awful. It renders things too simple in some passages and reads into things too much in others. Its really weird and it feels really awkward when you read it.
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I totally agree with this. We in our parish’s RCIA class each received one recently; and while I appreciate the gift of a Bible, I just can’t stand the translation. I actually still read my King James Bible, and pull out my new NAB Bible only if I want to read the Deuterocanonicals (which, of course, are not included in my KJV).
 
Rose_Commander said:
The RSV that I have is not the RSV Catholic Edition. It is the regular RSV that has the Deuterocanonical books for both Catholics and Orthodox. I was planning to use this one since it does not have inclusive language and retains the Early Modern English (thee, thou, shew, etc) for references to God.
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The latest (expanded) edition of NOAB-RSV made many of the changes that appear in the Catholic Edition. This Bible is the perfect size for a study Bible, very easy to carry around with you. If it didn’t have the ‘thees and thous’ in it, it would probably be my primary Bible.
 
Because of the thees and thous, I am considering the RSV for my primary Bible… is that bad?
 
Since you have the RSV already I would use that as a primary. Its the most accurate/readable one you have. The only one more accurate would be the DR but it is not the easiest read. It does seem a bit awkward at times, but not in the same way the NAB stutters and stammers around. It seems a bit off because of the Latin order is sometimes maintained, and some things being rendered very precisely sound different than its more widely read counterpart the AV, which many sayings and hymns we know come from the KJV, and when read from the DR doesn’t quite sound the way we think it should despite its typically more accurate rendering.

I think the RSV is the most accurate/readable translation out there. I guess its slow start screwed it over from its anti-Christian rendering on a very few passages. Read it and weep sir. A happy weeping that is!!!
 
SonCatcher said:
If, on the other hand, you want to conduct serious study, I understand the NAB (of those you named) probably has the most scholarship going into it.
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You are joking, right? The NAB? That one is so bad it had to be changed to make it acceptable for liturgical use in the US. In the UK, they use the RSV, and that one is also used by my profs here at FUS, and the New Oxford comes recommended by my pastor, as he used that one in seminary. I would go with the New Oxford.
 
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