R
RainingRoses
Guest
Like many others, I am a huge proponent of the Confraternity Bible. I wish I could say with some kind of authority that this translation strikes the perfect balance between authenticity and readability; but, I’m not a linguist… About all I can say is that it seems to have the perfect amount of “formality” for me. Reverent but approachable/familiar. I’ve read that others feel the same way.
My understanding of the Confraternity translation project is that it was complicated and eventually fizzled out when the N.A.B. was introduced. But, contrary to rumors, the entire O.T. was, indeed, translated. It’s just that both the O.T. and N.T. translations never made it into the same volume. (I’ve done enough research on this to satisfy myself; and I’ve never heard it contradicted.)
About the best we have are the early-'60s versions that contain the Confraternity N.T. and the Confraternity translations of Genesis to Ruth (completed in 1952), Job to Sirach a/k/a The Sapiential Books (completed in 1955), and Isaia to Malachia a/k/a The Prophetic Books (completed in 1961). My guess is that many people have and love this version and make do with the Douay translation for the “missing” pieces of the O.T.
I’ve recently learned that these three “pieces” of the O.T. were released by the C.C.D. serially, as they were completed – and not merely added to the Confraternity Bible when they were ready. See bottom of this page: bibles.wikidot.com/confraternity. Specifically, they were released as Volumes 1, 3, and 4, respectively, in separate volumes. Samuel to Esther and Maccabees weren’t translated and released until 1969 as Volume 2.
I don’t have one of the early-'60s “as complete as it ever got” versions; but, I do have a separate N.T. and Volumes 1, 3, and 4 of the O.T. As you might expect, Volume 2 – being last and probably largely forgotten about in the wake of the introduction of the N.A.B. – is just about impossible to find. I think some people believe it’s a myth. Well, I’m happy to report that it isn’t. I finally found a copy … where else? … my local public library. Just happens that it’s the New York Public Library, which is only a couple of blocks from my office. I went there this afternoon to take a look at it. (It’s non-circulating.)
While my goal is obviously to find a copy of my own, so far that hasn’t happened. So, I’m considering photocopying it. All 780 pages of it
If I do, I’d like to make it as worthwhile as possible and make it available to anyone who needs that last Confraternity piece of the puzzle. Would people like to have a complete Confraternity Bible? If I copy it and scan it to PDF, would anyone be interested? If enough people are, that would certainly increase the incentive to stand over a copy machine for hours. PM me or just reply, and I’ll be able to gauge interest.
I’ve heard that the N.A.B. contains this exact(?) material; but, another problem crops up in that Genesis was altered from the late-'40s Confraternity translation, and people don’t like it anywhere near as well. Not sure myself as I haven’t compared the two.
My understanding of the Confraternity translation project is that it was complicated and eventually fizzled out when the N.A.B. was introduced. But, contrary to rumors, the entire O.T. was, indeed, translated. It’s just that both the O.T. and N.T. translations never made it into the same volume. (I’ve done enough research on this to satisfy myself; and I’ve never heard it contradicted.)
About the best we have are the early-'60s versions that contain the Confraternity N.T. and the Confraternity translations of Genesis to Ruth (completed in 1952), Job to Sirach a/k/a The Sapiential Books (completed in 1955), and Isaia to Malachia a/k/a The Prophetic Books (completed in 1961). My guess is that many people have and love this version and make do with the Douay translation for the “missing” pieces of the O.T.
I’ve recently learned that these three “pieces” of the O.T. were released by the C.C.D. serially, as they were completed – and not merely added to the Confraternity Bible when they were ready. See bottom of this page: bibles.wikidot.com/confraternity. Specifically, they were released as Volumes 1, 3, and 4, respectively, in separate volumes. Samuel to Esther and Maccabees weren’t translated and released until 1969 as Volume 2.
I don’t have one of the early-'60s “as complete as it ever got” versions; but, I do have a separate N.T. and Volumes 1, 3, and 4 of the O.T. As you might expect, Volume 2 – being last and probably largely forgotten about in the wake of the introduction of the N.A.B. – is just about impossible to find. I think some people believe it’s a myth. Well, I’m happy to report that it isn’t. I finally found a copy … where else? … my local public library. Just happens that it’s the New York Public Library, which is only a couple of blocks from my office. I went there this afternoon to take a look at it. (It’s non-circulating.)
While my goal is obviously to find a copy of my own, so far that hasn’t happened. So, I’m considering photocopying it. All 780 pages of it
If I do, I’d like to make it as worthwhile as possible and make it available to anyone who needs that last Confraternity piece of the puzzle. Would people like to have a complete Confraternity Bible? If I copy it and scan it to PDF, would anyone be interested? If enough people are, that would certainly increase the incentive to stand over a copy machine for hours. PM me or just reply, and I’ll be able to gauge interest.I’ve heard that the N.A.B. contains this exact(?) material; but, another problem crops up in that Genesis was altered from the late-'40s Confraternity translation, and people don’t like it anywhere near as well. Not sure myself as I haven’t compared the two.