It seems silly to do a reprint of the original Douay-Rheims, rather than the Challoner, since the original DR’s English is tortured into quasi-Latin so as to be as literal as possible. Really, you might as well just learn the Latin and read the Vulgate. Though it is perhaps somewhat reassuring that those who, as it has been said, want something more “traditional” have expanded their definitions to actually include something in English, though I can only imagine how they must tremble with the thought that anything not in Latin is as much of an occasion of sin as a redlight district.
The reprint is giving an update on spelling, and actually the original Douay Rheims is not hard to read when the spelling it correct, it is not that much different than Challoner’s revision. I have been comparing both as I am updating, and I have noticed that there are 2 sides that either criticize Challoner for changing too much, and those who say that the original Douay is too literal, and I personally think both critiques are misleading. And as far as the footnotes of the original, they are excellent, its like Challoner’s but on steroids. Challoner has great footnotes but very few, sometimes whole chapters without footnotes. But the original DR is loaded with tons of great footnotes that actually make it a great Bible commentary! The footnotes are the main reason I have chosen to provide this great Study Bible!
As for the translation of the Scripture text, here is a sample from Revelation 1
1 The Apocalypse of Jesus Christ which God gave to him, to make manifest to his servants the things which must be done quickly: and signified, sending by his angel to his servant John, 2 who has given testimony to the word of God, and the testimony of Jesus Christ, what things soever he has seen. 3 Blessed is he that reads and hears the words of this prophecy: and keeps those things which be written in it, for the time is near. 4 John to the seven churches which are in Asia. Grace to you and peace from *him that is, and that was, and that shall come, and from the seven spirits which are in the sight of his throne, 5 and from Jesus Christ who is the faithful witness, the *first-born of the dead, and the prince of the kings of the earth, who has loved us, and *washed us from our sins in his blood. 6 And has made us a kingdom and priests to God and his father, to him be glory and empire for ever and ever. Amen. 7 Behold he comes with the clouds, and every eye shall see him, and they that *pricked him. And all the tribes of the earth shall bewail themselves upon him. Yea. Amen. 8 *I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and end, says our Lord God, which is, and which was, and which shall come, the Omnipotent. 9 I John your brother and partaker in tribulation, and the kingdom, and patience in Christ Jesus, was in the island, which is called Patmos, for the word of God and the testimony of Jesus. 10 I was in spirit on the Dominical day, and heard behind me a great voice as it were of a trumpet. 11 saying: That which you see, write in a book, and send to the seven churches which are in Asia, to Ephesus, and Smyrna, and Pergamus, and Thyatira, and Sardis, and Philadelphia, and Laodicea. 12 And I turned, to see the voice that spoke with me. And being turned I saw seven candlesticks of gold: 13 and in the middle of the seven candlesticks of gold, one like the Son of man, vested in a priestly garment to the feet, and girded about *near to the paps with a girdle of gold. 14 And his head and hairs were white, as white wool, and as snow, and his eyes as the flame of fire, 15 and his feet like to latten, as in a burning furnace. And his voice as of many waters. 16 And he had in his right hand seven stars. And from his mouth proceeded a sharp two edged sword: and his face, as the sun shines in his virtue. 17 And when I had seen him, I fell at his feet as dead. And he put his right hand upon me, saying, Fear not. *I am the First and the Last, 18 and alive, and was dead, and behold I am living for ever and ever, and have the keys of death and of hell. 19 Write therefore the things which you have seen, and that are, and that must be done after these. 20 The sacrament of the seven stars, which you have seen in my right hand, and the seven candlesticks of gold, the seven stars, are the angels of the seven churches, and the seven candlesticks, are the seven churches.
