RSV-CE, RSV-2CE, NAB, or NAB-RE?

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I’m planning to get a Bible. Which of these 4 Bible versions have the most accurate translation and is close to the original texts?:
  • Revised Standard Version-Catholic Edition
  • Revised Standard Version-Second Catholic Edition
  • New American Bible
  • New American Bible-Revised Edition
I’ll be using the Holy Bible just for regular reading; and please, don’t talk about other Bible versions, only the 4 mentioned above.

Thanks! 🙂
 
From what I have been told, the RSV and Jerusalem Bible are more of a “formal equivalent” vs the NAB which is more of a “dynamic equivalent” (those terms bring back memories of explaining the new translation of the missal).

I am not familiar the changes from first to the second edition of the RSV so someone else can comment on that.
 
This might be of some help for you: catholic.com/tracts/bible-translations-guide

According to that tract, out of the translations you listed, the RSV would be the one to go with. But, it was done before the revised edition of the NAB.

I wonder though, why do you want a more literal translation if it will be used for regular reading?
 
HillbillyHermit said:
According to that tract, out of the translations you listed, the RSV would be the one to go with. But, it was done before the revised edition of the NAB.
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Could depend on where you live, and what may be your true objective.

FWIW: the RSV is featured on EWTN, which offers an online Bible search tool where the version is described as “RSV-Catholic” (not sure if that means RSV or RSV-RE).

If you are looking for something that matches what you hear during Mass in America, its the NAB, which is officially the version used in the U.S. and can be found in searchable form on the USCCB website. There is a listing of approved translations on the USCCB site, as well. If you live in another jurisdiction, you may want to check the website of your bishops’ conference.
 
ByzCathCantor,
From the OP:
totodilefan said:
I’m planning to get a Bible. Which of these 4 Bible versions have the most accurate translation and is close to the original texts?:
  • Revised Standard Version-Catholic Edition
  • Revised Standard Version-Second Catholic Edition
  • New American Bible
  • New American Bible-Revised Edition
I’ll be using the Holy Bible just for regular reading; and please, don’t talk about other Bible versions, only the 4 mentioned above.

Thanks! 🙂
Click to expand...
(Emphasis mine.)

Totodilefan is looking for an accurate translation close to the original texts. If I understand the post correctly, that would mean a formal equivalence translation. From what I’ve read, the RSV-CE (1st or 2nd) is a more literal translation than the NAB.
 
HillbillyHermit said:
Totodilefan is looking for an accurate translation close to the original texts. If I understand the post correctly, that would mean a formal equivalence translation. From what I’ve read, the RSV-CE (1st or 2nd) is a more literal translation than the NAB.
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I understand the general mandate, but to your point, define “accurate”.

To be honest, I am no fan of the NAB, but would the USCCB (i.e. our bishops) claim that it represents an unfaithful (inaccurate) translation?

Some clarity on the objective is still needed, and I simply offered some points that may, at best, spark a though (hopefully) or, at worse, be irrelevant (unlikely, as it provides some additional facts that should be considered by the OP).
 
ByzCathCantor said:
I understand the general mandate, but to your point, define “accurate”.

To be honest, I am no fan of the NAB, but would the USCCB (i.e. our bishops) claim that it represents an unfaithful (inaccurate) translation?

Some clarity on the objective is still needed, and I simply offered some points that may, at best, spark a though (hopefully) or, at worse, be irrelevant (unlikely, as it provides some additional facts that should be considered by the OP).
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All these fancy words so early in the day! 😛

I was just trying to be helpful and wanted to give the OP the simplest, most straightforward answer to the question. If others want to get into a deep discussion and show off their vocabulary muscles, by all means, have at it. Whatever floats yer boat. 😉

As for me, I have family caregiver responsibilities that are top priority.
Good Day and God Bless.
:tiphat:
 
As others have said, the RSV is further towards the “formal equivalence” end of the spectrum than the NAB.

The differences in the RSV-CE, 2nd edition are relatively minor. They cleaned up some of the archaic language (e.g. the “thees” and “thous”) and they also include little bold section titles (e.g. “Jesus feeds the 5,000”, “The Parable of the Good Samaritan”).

The 1st edition of the RSV-CE (at least the one published by Ignatius Press) is relatively bare-bones. There are almost zero footnotes and no headings. It’s great if you want to focus on just the text, but it can make it difficult if you’re trying to find a specific passage that you have only a general idea of where it is.
 
totodilefan said:
I’m planning to get a Bible. Which of these 4 Bible versions have the most accurate translation and is close to the original texts?:
  • Revised Standard Version-Catholic Edition
  • Revised Standard Version-Second Catholic Edition
  • New American Bible
  • New American Bible-Revised Edition
I’ll be using the Holy Bible just for regular reading; and please, don’t talk about other Bible versions, only the 4 mentioned above.

Thanks! 🙂
Click to expand...
My choice would be one of the RSV versions CE or 2CE. From that point it would be important to know if you like ‘thees and thous’ language in your translation or not. If you prefer it then go with the RSV-CE, if you don’t, go with the RSV-2CE. My second choice would be the NABRE.
 
My parish presented me with RSV-CE from Saint Benedict Press. We were also advised that when buying our own to just look for the Nihil Obstat and Imprimatur.
 
totodilefan said:
I’m planning to get a Bible. Which of these 4 Bible versions have the most accurate translation and is close to the original texts?:
  • Revised Standard Version-Catholic Edition
  • Revised Standard Version-Second Catholic Edition
  • New American Bible
  • New American Bible-Revised Edition
I’ll be using the Holy Bible just for regular reading; and please, don’t talk about other Bible versions, only the 4 mentioned above.

Thanks! 🙂
Click to expand...
Simple answer:

RSV-2CE > RSV-CE > NAB = NAB-RE

The NAB and NAB-RE are both readable, but have notable deviations from orthodox translation principles (NAB in the Psalms, NAB-RE on passages line Gen 3:15 and Isa 7:14, both in the NT).

The RSV-CE has “thees and thous” in the Psalms, but has “young woman” in Isa 7:14.

Your best bet is the RSV-2CE. I bought it 2 years ago, and haven’t regretted it since. 👍
 
Echoing the others, I would pick either the first or second Catholic Edition of the Revised Standard Version. However, the NAB-RE translation is also quite good compared to the older edition and benefits from the most recent scholarship and I would, if possible, avoid the older NAB now (especially with the bad psalms).

I myself have both RSV-CE’s and the NAB-RE.
 
Thanks for the answers!

I’m now leaning towards the first or second edition of the RSV-CE then the NAB-RE based on your answers (I hope that those will be available in our local bookstores); but still, feel free to give suggestions and give your points regarding the 4 Bible versions.

Thanks! 🙂
 
Out of these four translations the RSV2CE is the least bad.

But it is Protestant biased.

The least bad translation combination bible would be a Douay Confraternity with a new translation of the New Latin Psalms authorized by Pope Pius XII.

These combination bibles were published from 1948 through 1952.

Conservative notes–Catholic and not Protestant biased–no historico-critical modernism notes–no inclusive language.

Douay Rheims Challoner Old Testament from 1750 easier to understand than KJV from 1611.

Confraternity New Testament easier to understand than Douay Rheims New Testament.

Bea Psalter more accurate than Douay Rheims psalms and more accurate than Confraternity Psalms.

Bottom line: I think this combination overall is the best.

If I HAD to choose between the four choices offered in this thread I would go with RSV2CE–it’s Protestant biased but it doesn’t suffer from inclusive language and atrocious notes.

The FINAL product of the last translation of the NAB in the future to make it the standard reference for study, devotional reading, and the liturgy MIGHT turn out to be a good translation for the simple reason that it will have to pass muster in all those areas and would also have to pass muster with the Holy See for use in the liturgy.

It may take MANY years for it to be completed.
 
I use the RSV-2CE for daily Bible study and for use in group and scholarly discussions. I strongly recommend it for its fidelity, precision and clarity.
 
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