What is a good bible that Roman Catholics use?

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php111

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Hello everyone,

I’m new to this forum. What is a good bible that Roman Catholics use? I do have a King James Bible that is Seniors’ Devotional. Would there be any bibles similar to the one I have, but would be a Roman Catholic Verison only?

Thank you if someone could help me!
 
Hi php111,

The Douay-Rheims version is closest in style to the KJV and, if I remember right, actually precedes it by a few years. I find the style slightly less beautiful than the KJV but, for obvious reasons, the translation is doctrinally sounder.
 
Hi sw85,

Thank you very much! That was helpful. Another question. Do you know anyone that I could get a used free copy? Or would this be something I have to buy?
 
php111 said:
Hello everyone,

I’m new to this forum. What is a good bible that Roman Catholics use? I do have a King James Bible that is Seniors’ Devotional. Would there be any bibles similar to the one I have, but would be a Roman Catholic Verison only?

Thank you if someone could help me!
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The RSV (Revised Standard Version- ca. 1950s) predominates among biblical scholars, especially Catholic ones though, of course, Protestant ones use it too. The RSV does come in a Catholic Edition, which would include the books not normally included in Protestant bibles.

For style, faithfulness and just general elegance the RSV is probably best. The books published by the Pope in English usually use the RSV as a default, though sometimes the Pope - as a scripture scholar himself - will provide his own interpretation, which might be a little different but emphasizes something about the word or words being used. If you just wish to be edified in spiritual reading, use the RSV. If you are not sure about a verse or the translation of a verse, or if you are interested perhaps in some commentary, you can check the Douay-Rheims version online for free at drbo.org, which is of course an orthodox and approbated translation, and includes a lot of helpful commentary with a mind to answering Protestant objections.

99% of the time, however, I would recommend the RSV. The NRSV is okay too, but in my opinion goes over-board in trying to be inclusive sometimes and has less elegance than the RSV, which version will use sometimes thee and thou when addressing God, especially in prayers, and gives it elegance but doesn’t overdo it with the old English, which keeps it readable.

Hope this helps.
 
php111 said:
Hi sw85,

Thank you very much! That was helpful. Another question. Do you know anyone that I could get a used free copy? Or would this be something I have to buy?
Click to expand...
Thrift stores, used book stores and eBay are excellent places to obtain bibles for very reasonable costs.

As to a Catholic bible, as sw85 mentioned, the Douay-Rheims (D-R) is excellent, as is the Revised Standard Version, Second Catholic Edition (RSV-SCE), the Jerusalem Bible, the Knox Bible, the Confraternity Bible, and probably several others that I am forgetting.

The New American Bible (NAB) and New American Bible-Revised Edition (NAB-RE) are the “official” bibles in the US, but are rather soft interpretations. The NAB in particular, has fuzzy and indistinct notes in it. I tend to avoid all “New” versions, as they have been politically corrected and are not thoroughly accurate translations, IMO. Better than nothing, however.
 
I am interested in the D-R. Since I won’t be able to get the D-R as a free copy, I’ll try some stores in my area. I can’t order online because I don’t have PayPal, or anything. I only go to stores in person by paying with cash. It works best for me. Thank you for the helpful info everyone. If someone knows where to get a free copy of the DR without paying for it, please let me know. If not, I’ll buy it.
 
According to wikipedia, the following is a list of Catholic Bibles:

The following are English versions of the Bible:
Code: 
                         Douay-Rheims Bible                                                 [RIGHT][/RIGHT]1582–1609 
                    Douay-Rheims Bible Challoner Revision                                   [RIGHT][/RIGHT]1752 
        Westminster Version of the Sacred Scriptures                       [RIGHT][/RIGHT]1913–19351 
                        Spencer New Testament                                                  [RIGHT][/RIGHT]1941 
                              Confraternity Bible                                                       [RIGHT][/RIGHT]1941 
                Knox's Translation of the Vulgate                                           [RIGHT][/RIGHT]1955 
                      Kleist-Lilly New Testament                                                [RIGHT][/RIGHT]1956 
                              Jerusalem Bible                                                          [RIGHT][/RIGHT]1966 
                      Revised Standard Version Catholic Edition               [RIGHT][/RIGHT]1965–1966 
                                 New American Bible                                                  [RIGHT][/RIGHT]1970 
                        The Living Bible - Catholic Edition                                   [RIGHT][/RIGHT]1971 
                                  New Jerusalem Bible                                               [RIGHT][/RIGHT]1985 
                                 Christian Community Bible                                        [RIGHT][/RIGHT]1986 
         New Revised Standard Version Catholic Edition                           [RIGHT][/RIGHT]1989 

Revised Standard Version - Second Catholic Edition (Ignatius Version)   [RIGHT][/RIGHT]2006
NABRE New American Bible Revised Edition
​
2011/1986 (Old Testament and Psalms)/New Testament)
 
sw85 said:
Hi php111,

The Douay-Rheims version is closest in style to the KJV and, if I remember right, actually precedes it by a few years. I find the style slightly less beautiful than the KJV but, for obvious reasons, the translation is doctrinally sounder.
Click to expand...
Mary: I have the Douay-Rheims and love it. I might vote for the DR.
 
php111 said:
Mary: I couldn’t get a free copy of the DR, or no?
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Mary: We have a church library where you can check it out. I have never seen it online to read but perhaps a poster will know of such a site.

I pray that you will find access to one or somehow get a free one.
Peace in Christ
Mary
 
How about a free online copy of the D-R Bible? I did a Google search of “douay rheims bible online” and found several.

This one looks fairly easy to use:

drbo.org/index.htm
You could use it until you find a cheap “real” copy.

The most common Catholic Bible when I was a kid (back in the 1950s) was called the CCD or Confraternity version. The Old Testament was in the Douay translation and the New Testament was similar in style to the RSV. I liked it a lot. You might be more likely to find copies of it in thrift stores than you would Douay-Rheims.
 
Against this most Catholic chorus of consensus for the D-R, I think I will, notwithstanding, play the Protestant and insist on sola-RSV! 😛
 
1AugustSon7 said:
Against this most Catholic chorus of consensus for the D-R, I think I will, notwithstanding, play the Protestant and insist on sola-RSV! 😛
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I like the RSV too, and they can be found at garage sales and at the Goodwill store.

I was converted by reading John 6 in the NASB. That’s proof that God can use all things for good. 😃

-Tim-
 
po18guy said:
Thrift stores, used book stores and eBay are excellent places to obtain bibles for very reasonable costs.

As to a Catholic bible, as sw85 mentioned, the Douay-Rheims (D-R) is excellent, as is the Revised Standard Version, Second Catholic Edition (RSV-SCE), the Jerusalem Bible, the Knox Bible, the Confraternity Bible, and probably several others that I am forgetting.

The New American Bible (NAB) and New American Bible-Revised Edition (NAB-RE) are the “official” bibles in the US, but are rather soft interpretations. The NAB in particular, has fuzzy and indistinct notes in it. I tend to avoid all “New” versions, as they have been politically corrected and are not thoroughly accurate translations, IMO. Better than nothing, however.
Click to expand...
 
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Opalbugleg:
Welcome to the forums - even if - and perhaps because of any dissenting views you may have!
 
Could I order a free copy of DR, and have it shipped to me in the mail at no cost at the drbo.org website? Or will there be a charge?
 
php111 said:
I am interested in the D-R. Since I won’t be able to get the D-R as a free copy, I’ll try some stores in my area. I can’t order online because I don’t have PayPal, or anything. I only go to stores in person by paying with cash. It works best for me. Thank you for the helpful info everyone. If someone knows where to get a free copy of the DR without paying for it, please let me know. If not, I’ll buy it.
Click to expand...
If you go to portableapps.com you can download the portable bible app and have a free copy of many bibles out there including the D-R and RSV.
 
php111 said:
Could I order a free copy of DR, and have it shipped to me in the mail at no cost at the drbo.org website? Or will there be a charge?
Click to expand...
No, they don’t send out copies of the Bible. They just have a website where you can read it online.
 
I use the New American Bible (St. Joseph edition). Regardless, I wish you the best in your pursuit of our Savior!
 
php111 said:
Hello everyone,

I’m new to this forum. What is a good bible that Roman Catholics use? I do have a King James Bible that is Seniors’ Devotional. Would there be any bibles similar to the one I have, but would be a Roman Catholic Verison only?

Thank you if someone could help me!
Click to expand...
RSC-CE2 and the Ignatius Study Bible. Also the Navarre Study Bible.
 
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