French Bible version, some information needed

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adamhovey1988

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Hey y’all, so, I can read quite a bit of French, but when it gets to some more technical stuff, I tend to get a little confused. I picked up a pocket Bible that says it is “en français courant”, which I am guessing means something like in “current” or “ordinary” French. That’s okay. I don’t need anything too terribly difficult. Now, how does this compare to, say, La Bible de Jérusalem, which is the main French Bible I am used to because I have an app of it on my phone? Thanks, God bless!
 
Looks like a question for @OddBird.

Based on my limited experience, I’d say the outstanding feature of the Jerusalem Bible, in any language, is not so much the translation as the introductions and footnotes.
 
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I know this particular Bible seems to be Canadian, what with the Imprimatur from the “Conférence des évêques catholiques du Canada” (Canadian conference of Catholic bishops). That makes sense, as I live in the United States and got it at an American thrift store.
 
Thanks for the tag, @BartholomewB !

@adamhovey1988, the “BFC” (Bible en français courant) is a dynamic translation with relatively simple, “updated” vocabulary and translated by an ecumenical team. It markets itself as a “first Bible” for people who have limited previous contact with it. It is published by the Alliance Biblique Française and has known several editions, without and later with the deuterocanonical books.

As far as I know, the European editions have the Massoretic order for the OT books, while the Canadian and African ones have the traditional order.

It says on the Alliance Biblique’s website that the BFC has been granted the imprimatur, but I’m wondering for what edition as my own copy doesn’t bear it.

I think it’s exactly what it says : a nice Bible for people who do not want something too complicated to read. The introductions are correct. But it definitely isn’t a study Bible. For a good French study Bible, I’d recommend three versions : the Bible de Jérusalem (of course), the TOB (Traduction œcuménique de la Bible), and, on the Protestant side, the NBS (Nouvelle Bible Segond, which naturally has a Protestant take on texts, particularly the Pauline epistles).

Fun fact : There will soon be a special edition of the New Testament and Psalms of the Bible en Français Courant. During lockdown, the Alliance Biblique asked volunteers to copy and decorate one chapter each by hand. You can have a peek here : https://www.alliancebiblique.fr/alliance-biblique-francaise/la-bible-manuscrite
 
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Thank you. I made sure it had the deuterocanonical books before I bought it, because I wanted a Bible with that. Actually, the weird thing is is that I’m having a harder time reading it than la Bible de Jérusalem. I don’t think it’s necessarily because it’s harder, it’s not, it’s because I’m so used To that particular version. I’m just glad that I found a French Bible, although I’m not Protestant, I probably would have picked up a Protestant one, had I found it. I’m content with my decision, it’s pocket-sized, and I paid $0.54 US for it
 
Y’all, to follow up. I am happy with my decision, but the print is so tiny. (Although, I am impressed they can get a pocket Bible with the deuterocanonical books in it, that has my admiration)
 
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