RSV-CE vs. NRSV-CE?

[AngelRose81]

Thanks for all your help! You’re answers were really good!

 

[lak611]

Thanks for your comments. I think I decided I do like the RSV much better after comparing the two.

One additional question though, would it be terribly bad to use an RSV that has the deuterocanical (sp?) books in the middle and not in their proper order. I assume the translation and possibly the footnotes are the same. Am I correct?

I just happen to have one of these already from when I was a Protestant and I really liked the feel of it and the size of it.

It would not be bad at all. I have one of those (because it also contains the books accepted by the Orthodox but considered apocrypha by the Catholic Church). I have the RSV-CE too. I usually do not pay much attention to footnotes anyway. One of the reasons I like the RSV-CE is because the notes are in a section following the Old Testament and New Testament. Some Bibles have such a plethora of footnotes that it is difficult to concentrate on the Bible text. My ecumenical RSV has some footnotes, but not too many to be distracting.

 

[AngelRose81]

It would not be bad at all. I have one of those (because it also contains the books accepted by the Orthodox but considered apocrypha by the Catholic Church). I have the RSV-CE too. I usually do not pay much attention to footnotes anyway. One of the reasons I like the RSV-CE is because the notes are in a section following the Old Testament and New Testament. Some Bibles have such a plethora of footnotes that it is difficult to concentrate on the Bible text. My ecumenical RSV has some footnotes, but not too many to be distracting.

I like my RSV-CEs too but I use my other RSV from Oxford to write and make notes in. I love my RSV-CE (ignatius One) to meditate and take to Adoration with me though.

 

[mccorm45]

For those who like the NAB, but not the way too inclusive revised Psalms, try and get a used copy of the St. Joseph’s NAB published in 1988. It contains the same OT, including the original non-inclusive Psalms, and the revised NT. Also, the first edition of The Catholic Study Bible published in 1990 by Oxford University Press contains the same NAB arrangement.

In regards to the NRSV vs. RSV debate. I do enjoy reading the NRSV. It does have a nice flow to it and it does include the most updated scholarship in regards to the Dead Sea Scrolls. Also, the Psalms are far better than the 1991 NAB Revised Psalms. It is not even close.

The only main hangup I have, besides some of the inclusive language like in Galatians 3 that reduces the idea of “sonship”, is that in Daniel the term “son of Man” is rendered “Mortal” or “Human being” which totally loses its prophetic qualities. What makes that rendering so odd is that they refer back the the phrase “son of Man” in the New Testament. Very odd.

 

[Zooey]

Not sure if I’m missing something, but I have the RSV-CE 2nd Edition. This is the newest from Ignatius. It does not have inclusive language.

The description on Amazon:

A completely new typeset and designed edition of the popular Ignatius Revised Standard Version Bible, with minor revisions to some of the archaic language used in the first edition. This revised version is a contemporary English translation without dumbing-down the text. This second edition of the RSV doesn’t put the biblical text through a filter to make it acceptable to current tastes and prejudices, and it retains the beauty of the RSV language that has made it such a joy to read and reflect on the Word of God. Now the only Catholic Bible in standard English is even more beautiful in word and design!

Please note that the second edition, described above, is not the same old RSV.

I agree. I’m just thinking, perhaps others don’t know there is the second edition available by the way they stack their preferences. I LOVE the RSV-CE II.

Thanks!

Kelly

I totally agree; the RSV-CE 2nd edition is the best modern-language Bible out there. It is much better than either the RSV or the NRSV. They have done an awesome job with it!!

 

[bkovacs]

Except they have poor editions of it. I just emailed Ignatius Press and asked them about a large print edition. They basically told me not to around 2012, before the RSV 2nd edition gets new bindings. Why is it that the Catholic Church, which is the largest denomination in the world, have the worst Bible presses for their Bible translations?. Zondervan, Thomas Nelson, Lockman, etcc are all way better in quality, looks, price, etc… than Ignatius and the Catholic Book Publishing company will ever be.

 

[tobinatorstark]

I’ve got both and was just wondering what is the biggest difference in the two? I know that the NRSV has more inclusive language, I think and I know that many Catholics prefer the RSV to the NRSV or an other translation, but I guess I was wondering why. I like both of them. Care to share some insight?

out of the two I would recommend the RSV-CE and not even pick the NRSV-CE up. I don’t think either are the best. I prefer the Douay-Rheims, but the RSV-CE is the most accurate (and recent)Bible of its time. In my opinion it falls short of the Douay-Rheims, Confraternity and Ronald Knox, but it is a decent Bible

 

[mccorm45]

Except they have poor editions of it. I just emailed Ignatius Press and asked them about a large print edition. They basically told me not to around 2012, before the RSV 2nd edition gets new bindings. Why is it that the Catholic Church, which is the largest denomination in the world, have the worst Bible presses for their Bible translations?. Zondervan, Thomas Nelson, Lockman, etcc are all way better in quality, looks, price, etc… than Ignatius and the Catholic Book Publishing company will ever be.

I agree with you about Catholic publishers and the need for better quality Catholic editions. That has become kind of a crusade with me. One of the things I make sure to do is to send email and comments to publishers who have been putting out Catholic Bibles in more unique, attractive editions. HarperCollins, which owns the rights to the NRSV, have at least been publishing some nicer editions of the NRSV-CE: nrsv.net/products.html In addition, Fireside Catholic has been putting out some nice NAB Librosario Bibles as well: firesidebibles.com/store/bibles/librosario-line-of-bibles/

However, overall it is a real shame that we cannot get the quality of Bible editions that our Protestant brethren can choose from. Why are there so many bonded leather Catholic Bibles? They simply will not last. Recently, I did a quick list of the various genuine leather Bibles that could be compatable for Catholic usage. There simply weren’t many! catholicbibles.blogspot.com/2009/03/premium-leather-bible-round-up.html

 

[Steven_John]

Say what you want, but I think that the Scriptures should be translated by skilled and unpartial linguists (if that’s the word) and not nessesarily people with an agenda (that includes both those who do inclusive language and those who want certain doctrines emphasized more than the original scripture said)

I dont want to de rail your thread but what this poster says is what i have been chasing.

I want a translation from the earliest source and maybe even by a non believer.
I can cope with old english if i must.

I have seen a Youngs literal translation in book shops does any one know if this may be what i would be after.

 

[bkovacs]

I agree with you about Catholic publishers and the need for better quality Catholic editions. That has become kind of a crusade with me. One of the things I make sure to do is to send email and comments to publishers who have been putting out Catholic Bibles in more unique, attractive editions. HarperCollins, which owns the rights to the NRSV, have at least been publishing some nicer editions of the NRSV-CE: nrsv.net/products.html In addition, Fireside Catholic has been putting out some nice NAB Librosario Bibles as well: firesidebibles.com/store/bibles/librosario-line-of-bibles/

However, overall it is a real shame that we cannot get the quality of Bible editions that our Protestant brethren can choose from. Why are there so many bonded leather Catholic Bibles? They simply will not last. Recently, I did a quick list of the various genuine leather Bibles that could be compatable for Catholic usage. There simply weren’t many! catholicbibles.blogspot.com/2009/03/premium-leather-bible-round-up.html

But both of those translations are inclusive and are not highly regarded by the Holy See
or even the Orthodox Churches. Why not make a beautiful descent size edition of the RSV CE. I’ve heard that the NAB is going to have the Old Testament revised. With what?. More inclusive language!. Great, more liberalism added. Why doesn’t the USCCB concentrate on the RSV 2CE . It seems to be the kind of English translation that the Holy See is looking for. Even the Orthodox would like it, as an alternate to the Orthodox Study Bible.

 

[CalCatholic]

But both of those translations are inclusive and are not highly regarded by the Holy See
or even the Orthodox Churches. Why not make a beautiful descent size edition of the RSV CE. I’ve heard that the NAB is going to have the Old Testament revised. With what?. More inclusive language!. Great, more liberalism added. Why doesn’t the USCCB concentrate on the RSV 2CE . It seems to be the kind of English translation that the Holy See is looking for. Even the Orthodox would like it, as an alternate to the Orthodox Study Bible.

I agree, the RSV-2CE is my favorite translation, however the USCCB owns the NAB and obviously agrees with the use of inclusive language, or it would never have approved it. I have the RSV-2CE lectionary and use it every day for my daily readings, and the language is beautiful. The RSV-2CE changes were made at the request of the Vatican. It could replace the NAB in America, the NRSV in Canada and the Jerusalem Bible in Great Briton, Australia. WE could have one translation for all English speaking Catholic countries. Oh, I sorry, I was dreaming again. Just a thought!

 

[Manfred]

Why not make a beautiful descent size edition of the RSV CE. I’ve heard that the NAB is going to have the Old Testament revised. With what?. More inclusive language!. Great, more liberalism added. Why doesn’t the USCCB concentrate on the RSV 2CE . It seems to be the kind of English translation that the Holy See is looking for. Even the Orthodox would like it, as an alternate to the Orthodox Study Bible.

The USCCB or one of its subsidiaries hold the copyright to, and derives revenue from, the (R)NAB, so kiss the idea of their concentrating on the RSV-xCE good-bye.

I realize many of you are head-over-heels with the RSV-2CE, but, folks, come on - it’s at best “a work-in-progress”, and does not measure up to the original RSV-CE of 1965-66.