Catholic Bibles, which one do you prefer

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What bible do you read and why? What would you recommend? This topic was somewhat covered under the ESV thread. I have used the the NAB for study but am looking for something that is an all aroung good Bible. What about the RSV-CE? Thanks
 
For serious study, I use the RSV-CE, as it is faithful to the original Greek. But I’m not a fan of it for general reading - the more faithful a translation is to a foreign language, the less readable it usually is.

For personal devotion, I use the New CTS Catholic Bible which is the Jerusalem Bible with the Grail Psalter included. The Grail Psalter is the translation of the Psalms used in the Liturgy of the Hours. I will admit that the notes in the CTS bible are not very helpful, however.

Personally, I don’t like the NAB. It is intended to be used in general reading - i.e. it’s not a close translation - but I find the language to be pedestrian. The notes are horrible, as well.
 
What I have been using is a Protestant Bible known as the Life Application Bible. It has excellent prefaces to each gospel with historical facts and summaries. All throughout the book it has excellent maps, and heavy footnotes with interesting information about culture of the time, etc. It also does editorialize on some things that I wouldn’t agree with generally but they are minor. I would love to find something similar which is a Catholic version.
 
NMHS said:
What bible do you read and why? What would you recommend? This topic was somewhat covered under the ESV thread. I have used the the NAB for study but am looking for something that is an all aroung good Bible. What about the RSV-CE? Thanks
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I prefer the Douey-Rheims Bible with the Haydock Commentary.
 
NMHS said:
What bible do you read and why? What would you recommend? This topic was somewhat covered under the ESV thread. I have used the the NAB for study but am looking for something that is an all aroung good Bible. What about the RSV-CE? Thanks
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I really prefer the NAB.
 
NMHS said:
What bible do you read and why? What would you recommend? This topic was somewhat covered under the ESV thread. I have used the the NAB for study but am looking for something that is an all aroung good Bible. What about the RSV-CE? Thanks
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I recommend the Douay-Rheims. I have been reading that alongside the Clementine Vulgate, which the Douay-Rheims is the English word for word translation of. I started out reading the NAB and felt something was missing and needed a better Bible. The Douay-Rheims was what filled my missing link. I would however stay away from the RSV-CE. I know I will get torn to shreds for saying that. But the RSV-CE is overall decent in content, but in my opinion nothing more than a Protestant Bible that was Catholicized and I just don’t agree with that. I def. recommend the Douay-Rheims. Sometime this year supposedly Baronius Press will be releasing the Ronald Knox Translation, which has been out of print for sometime. I would also recommend that over the NAB, JB, NJB, RSV-CE and NRSV.
 
My primary Bible for study and devotional reading is the RSV- CE, with the NAB as a back-up, especially in group studies where just about every other Catholic is using the NAB. It’s less confusing that way – not only because of the translation differences (sometimes those are even helpful to compare) but because of the occasional chapter/verse numbering differences.

I also am growing in fondness for the Confraternity Version. Mine is an old school-issue edition with yellowing pages – I hope to find a nicer copy in a used bookstore someday. 🙂
tobinatorstark said:
But the RSV-CE is overall decent in content, but in my opinion nothing more than a Protestant Bible that was Catholicized and I just don’t agree with that.
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Of course you know I respect your opinion tobi, but I’m curious to know what you find objectionable about a Protestant version that has been “Catholicized”? :confused:
Sometime this year supposedly Baronius Press will be releasing the Ronald Knox Translation, which has been out of print for sometime.
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Now THAT, I would love to see!

Baronius, eh? I hope it is affordable. The DRV’s offered by them are too rich for my blood. 😦
 
Fidelis said:
My primary Bible for study and devotional reading is the RSV- CE, with the NAB as a back-up, especially in group studies where just about every other Catholic is using the NAB. It’s less confusing that way – not only because of the translation differences (sometimes those are even helpful to compare) but because of the occasional chapter/verse numbering differences.

I also am growing in fondness for the Confraternity Version. Mine is an old school-issue edition with yellowing pages – I hope to find a nicer copy in a used bookstore someday. 🙂

Of course you know I respect your opinion tobi, but I’m curious to know what you find objectionable about a Protestant version that has been “Catholicized”? :confused:
Now THAT, I would love to see!

Baronius, eh? I hope it is affordable. The DRV’s offered by them are too rich for my blood. 😦
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I have only seen and read out of one Confraternity. It would be nice if it went back into print via Baronius Press or Angelus Press. The one my neighboring parish has is the Douay OT and Confraternity NT and it is 56 years old. As for the RSV-CE, its just kinda hard to believe that they can get every Protestant doctrine out by trying to Catholicize it. I didn’t like the way it read in some places either. I found nothing helpful to recommend it. I know that Jimmy Akin recommends it as well as others in this forum. I don’t particularly find Akin’s Guide to Translation article any help and a little biased on the RSV-CE. Not to say the RSV-CE is a bad translation, but I just can’t recommend the RSV-CE. I can recommend the Douay-Rheims (with and without the Haydock Bible Commentary), Confraternity Edition, Ronald Knox Translation and sometimes the Jerusalem and New American (for beginners). I bought my Douay-Rheims from Baronius Press for 55.00 2 years ago. That seems pretty standard for the price of the Douay without the Haydock. Anyone that has a Haydock, it goes for 125.00. I assume that the Knox Translation will be about the same price as the Doauy. Also Baronius Press has a Clementine Vulgate and Douay-Rheims side by side and it is pricey at 90.00. Lareto Publications also sells the Douay-Rheims for an affordable price. I have seem them under 40 once in a great while. TAN books also used to publish but they got bought out and unsure what is now produced.
 
RSV-CE:thumbsup:

RSV-CE

I have the DR and also the NAB but I always find myself picking up the RSV-CE.

God bless
 
Please tell us what Ronald Knox translation is all about.

Also, please tell us about the Dhouay Rheims…(excuse spelling please).🙂
 
The Rheims New Testament was published in Rheims in 1582.

The Old Testament was published in 1609.

Put together, this version is known as the Douay-Rheims (Or Douai).

It is a translation of the Latin Vulgate, which itself was decreed to be free from error by the Council of Trent. Therefore a lot of more traditional Catholics maintain and argue that the Douay is also highly reliable, if not free from error.

Bishop Richard Challenor revised the text, eliminating a lot of the more archaic langage, in 1749-52. He also added notes. It is important to note the Douay Rheims predates the King James by two years and it was actually used as a reference by the scholars who made the King James Bible.

The Knox Bible was also a translation of the Latin Vulgate, by the Catholic Priest Ronald Knox in England, and was done so at the request of the Catholic Hierarchy of England and Wales. The New Testament was published in 1945, the the Old in 1950.

It will hopefully be republished by Baronius Press, who already sell the Douay Rheims, at some point this year.I am sure others have better information but I am slightly rushed!

Matt
 
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