"Perfect" Bible

[Dodge_pursuit]

No, I don’t think there is a perfect translation; I understand all translations are imperfect and the translators do the best they can…

I just want to see if anyone knows of a Catholic Bible with what I would call the perfect set of features. I have protestant bibles with these features but it seems like the choices for Catholics are so limited.

1. At least 9 or 10 pt text, for my 40+ eyes.
2. Available with a flexible leather or good imitation leather binding.
3. Cross references.
4. A concordance.
5. At least one ribbon.
6. NAB, RSV-CE or NRSV preference, in that order.

I have found bibles with one or two of thee features but lacking the others. Any suggestions appreciated!

Have a blessed weekend.

 

[Neofight]

My best advise is, if you limit your library to one version, your library is incomplete.

I like the NA B for daily readings, RSV CE for lectiio divina, Douay Rheims just for beauty, English translations of the Torah, and a collection of good commentaries, writings of church fathers, and a good concordance (or two), and the catechism of the Catholic Church, Greek and Latin texts.

Actually I have about 17 bibles. As, Billy graham was once asked what is the best translation of the bible, and he said the one you are reading! And, that’s true, if reputable (not Jehovah witness bible, for instance).

 

[Dodge_pursuit]

Ha! You’re my kind of Bible nut.

I have way too many Bibles- I may accuse myself, as one who once used to collect, and spend too much money on bad hobbies, this may be my remaining “addiction.”

I own, in some binding or other:

KJV, NAB, NABRE, DR, ESV, RSV-CE, HCSB, NKJV, NJB, NIV, NASB, and now, NRSV!

Oh, and of course, a Greek/English interlinear!

My question is more about finding a Bible with particular features than “what translation should I get?”

Be blessed.

 

[ChurchSoldier]

I have an Oford Univ Press RSV-CE 2008 which has a leather cover and large print. Truly large, not Bible Publisher can barely see large.

It does not however have the cross references. It does seem hard to find one which has everything.

I saw this one online which might be close. There are some pictures at the bottom right of the page.

 

[CalCatholic]

The only Bible that I have that fits all those requirements is short on another one: 'The Ignatius Catholic Study Bible - New Testament. It meets all the requirements, but unfortunately it does not include the Old Testament. It is still a great product to one!

The hardest requirement to meet in the full Catholic Bibles is the concordance!

 

[Dodge_pursuit]

It’s really odd.

If one is looking for a “lightweight” protestant bible, missing a few books…

You can get everything from a $20 bonded leather unit, all the way to a $200 calfskin masterpiece, no problem. Concordances, cross references, ribbon, all available in compact, medium and large.

My CBP NABRE comes the closest- it has nice binding, readable text, ribbon, cross references…just no concordance. It does have a “bible dictionary” but that’s of limited value in my opinion. I like the Saint Benedict Press RSV-CE but that one is lacking concordance and cross references.

Oh, we’re truly blessed to have so many quality editions of God’s written Word to pick from! Amen? Thank you Lord.

It’s just too bad a Catholic can’t have one book in-hand that gets the job done.

 

[CalCatholic]

It’s really odd.

If one is looking for a “lightweight” protestant bible, missing a few books…

You can get everything from a $20 bonded leather unit, all the way to a $200 calfskin masterpiece, no problem. Concordances, cross references, ribbon, all available in compact, medium and large.

My CBP NABRE comes the closest- it has nice binding, readable text, ribbon, cross references…just no concordance. It does have a “bible dictionary” but that’s of limited value in my opinion. I like the Saint Benedict Press RSV-CE but that one is lacking concordance and cross references.

Oh, we’re truly blessed to have so many quality editions of God’s written Word to pick from! Amen? Thank you Lord.

It’s just too bad a Catholic can’t have one book in-hand that gets the job done.

It all comes down to sales. The Protestants buy more Bibles, so publishers will offer more varieties. Catholics are starting to buy more Bibles, but we can’t even get a one new Catholic Bible in high quality leather (goatskin, calfskin, French morocco, etc.) from a publisher. With more and more Bibles coming in an e- versions, many younger people (and some of us older ones also) are choosing that over a printed Bible, which could also hurt future sales.

 

[Faith1960]

Ha! You’re my kind of Bible nut.

I have way too many Bibles- I may accuse myself, as one who once used to collect, and spend too much money on bad hobbies, this may be my remaining “addiction.”

I own, in some binding or other:

KJV, NAB, NABRE, DR, ESV, RSV-CE, HCSB, NKJV, NJB, NIV, NASB, and now, NRSV!

Oh, and of course, a Greek/English interlinear!

My question is more about finding a Bible with particular features than “what translation should I get?”

Be blessed.

I think I have five Bibles and thought I had a lot!

 

[trevorhall]

No, I don’t think there is a perfect translation; I understand all translations are imperfect and the translators do the best they can…

I just want to see if anyone knows of a Catholic Bible with what I would call the perfect set of features. I have protestant bibles with these features but it seems like the choices for Catholics are so limited.

1. At least 9 or 10 pt text, for my 40+ eyes.
2. Available with a flexible leather or good imitation leather binding.
3. Cross references.
4. A concordance.
5. At least one ribbon.
6. NAB, RSV-CE or NRSV preference, in that order.

I have found bibles with one or two of thee features but lacking the others. Any suggestions appreciated!

Have a blessed weekend.

I use the NAB, St. Joseph ed., Large print. I love it. That Bible was approved by the Holy Father himelf in 1970 or so.

 

[Dodge_pursuit]

I use the NAB, St. Joseph ed., Large print. I love it. That Bible was approved by the Holy Father himelf in 1970 or so.

Yes, as I mentioned earlier, I think the Catholic Book Publishers NAB (St. Joseph Edition is their line) come closest to meeting all the “requirements” I laid out.

It has very readable print, in regular or large, due to dark ink and white paper, and has references. Most editions have a ribbon and are available in bonded leather or a decent imitation material. If they could stick a concordance in those bibles, they would be nearly perfect! Then again, they are already so “chubby” due to the maps, illustrations and devotions, making them even thicker is probably not wise.

I think, for me, the best solution is to continue using my CBP NAB as my primary bible. There are stand alone concordances available for the NABRE… I was just hoping to have my cake and eat it too, as one can do with so many protestant bibles!

 

[CalCatholic]

Yes, as I mentioned earlier, I think the Catholic Book Publishers NAB (St. Joseph Edition is their line) come closest to meeting all the “requirements” I laid out.

It has very readable print, in regular or large, due to dark ink and white paper, and has references. Most editions have a ribbon and are available in bonded leather or a decent imitation material. If they could stick a concordance in those bibles, they would be nearly perfect! Then again, they are already so “chubby” due to the maps, illustrations and devotions, making them even thicker is probably not wise.

I think, for me, the best solution is to continue using my CBP NAB as my primary bible. There are stand alone concordances available for the NABRE… I was just hoping to have my cake and eat it too, as one can do with so many protestant bibles!

I think the large print CBPC St. Joseph Bible (NABRE) that I have has the least bleed though of just about any newer Bible today (that I have seen). That is why their Bibles are a little thicker, but to me it is worth it. The older Bibles use thicker paper and control bleed through very well, but you get a thicker Bible.