Looking for an Adequate Bible:

[MrZetterlund]

#1.) I’m looking for a Bible that’s easy to read that doesn’t sound like, “And He breatheth the bretheth of lifeth into his nostrilzeth, and the man becameth a livingisheth being.” (Clearly, I’m exagerating what you’d expect out of a typical KJV, but I think my point is clear.) I want an English translation for THIS CENTURY -I don’t talk like that, so don’t translate it that way…

#2.) I’m looking for a translation that’s scholarly honest and acceptable. I can’t stand it when translators take phrases like “young woman” in the book of Isaiah and translate it “virgin” at face value. I believe the passage you read at face value should be as close to the litteral translation as possilbe. Footnotes that read “*Virgin *in Greek Septuagint” or something like that are acceptable. I can say the same thing for the difference between “Dome” and “Firmament” in Genesis! It’s annoying! Just say “DOME”!

#3.) I’m looking for a translation that is inclusive to edited tradition. For example, I noticed parts of Tobit’s prayer are still present in the Dourey-Reyhms version but are exempt from the NRSV and NAB. I believe it’s important to remember that even the cannonized Scriptures of the traditional OT and NT are the result of much editing, and that edited Scriptures are a part of OUR tradition. Therefore, they are a part of OUR revelation or God.

#4.) I’m looking for a translation that contains cross-references, footnotes and other useful tools for Bible study.

#5.) I wish I could find a version universially acceptable. I’m growing pretty tired of proponents from other religions being ‘unhappy’ with my choice of translation. However, due to my ignorance of the Greek or Hebrew language, I really have no idea how to distinguish between which translations are ‘more accurate’, or acceptable, or whatever… Some just help me out PLEASE…

I wouldn’t be upset with a transtation that would fall short of some of these criterias, but if you know anything on this subject or can make a recommendation you know that I would be happy with, then please let me know…

Thank you, and God bless…

 

[MrZetterlund]

In the meantime, I think I’m just going to purchase the KJV Cameo Reference with Apocrypha as seen here:

amazon.com/gp/product/1107608074/ref=s9_simh_gw_p14_d0_g14_i4?pf_rd_m=ATVPDKIKX0DER&pf_rd_s=center-2&pf_rd_r=0E97FDY8TFP325SFHDP7&pf_rd_t=101&pf_rd_p=470938631&pf_rd_i=507846

I notice that Catholics tend to be less picky about “which translation” as fundamentalist Protestants are anyway, and this also include (if I’m not mistaken) books sacred to the Greek Orthodox Christians as well…

 

[Jim_Dandy]

The Catholic Church would teach what she teaches, whether there were a Bible or not. The New Testament consists of 27 of her own writings. Doesn’t matter much which translation is used – Catholic doctrine, which comes to us from Christ through His Apostles, does not change. The Church is not based on the New Testament; rather, the NT is based on the living, dynamic, teaching Church who wrote it.

Many scholars agree that the Revised Standard Version is the translation closest to the original manuscripts. There is an RSV-CE – Catholic Edition – with the books that are missing from the Protestant Bible restored. It’s called the Ignatius Catholic Study Bible. I think you’d have to buy more than one book to get what you’re looking for.

Scripture scholar extraordinaire and Chris Martin are producing individual studies of the RSV New Testament. You can check to see what’s finished –

scotthahn.com/ignatius-study-bible.html

I don’t know that these will “make you happy” - but they’re worth a look.

 

[MrZetterlund]

The Catholic Church would teach what she teaches, whether there were a Bible or not. The New Testament consists of 27 of her own writings. Doesn’t matter much which translation is used – Catholic doctrine, which comes to us from Christ through His Apostles, does not change. The Church is not based on the New Testament; rather, the NT is based on the living, dynamic, teaching Church who wrote it.

Many scholars agree that the Revised Standard Version is the translation closest to the original manuscripts. There is an RSV-CE – Catholic Edition – with the books that are missing from the Protestant Bible restored. It’s called the Ignatius Catholic Study Bible. I think you’d have to buy more than one book to get what you’re looking for.

Scripture scholar extraordinaire and Chris Martin are producing individual studies of the RSV New Testament. You can check to see what’s finished –

scotthahn.com/ignatius-study-bible.html

I don’t know that these will “make you happy” - but they’re worth a look.

Lol, yes, I am quite aware that the Church and her teachings would remain independantly of the Bible. Thank you for your recommendation, God bless.

 

[Bob_Aliano]

Some of your “requirements” seemed contradictory but you might find The Catholic Study Bible, useful. It is The New American Bible with plenty of discussion in the footnotes.

 

[Joe_Kelley]

I like the Ignatius Bible. A year or so ago they completed is a study edition of the New Testament. It is a hefty volume with extensive notes. They are working on the Old Testament, but it will probably be available only as single books for several years.