What is your favorite version of the Bible?

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All depends on what you mean by favorite. I voted for the one I use most often on your list. But I use several on a regular basis. I like the NASB (Protestant) because my computer neatly looks up all the references in it. I like the NRSV because the one I have is easy to hold and is clean and uncluttered with familiar language because I grew up with the RSV. I like the NAB (not its most recent incarnation) because I have to use it to match our RCIA class and because you can find info in the notes and because it has sooo many paragraph headings. I don’t like the NIV. Sometimes the JPS translation is fun to read. And if I am trying to tell myself, “Yes, I can finish the book of acts,” then any really low reading level translation is desireable.
 
At this time, my favorite Bible is the Max Lucado Study Bible NKJV. Unfortunately, I do not have a favorite Catholic Bible yet. Also unfortunate that Max Lucado who can move me to tears doesn’t “do” the Real Presence of Christ to study and reflect on.

Oh Well.
God Bless,
Maria
 
The version I use the most is the Douay-Rheims, however, I love the sound of the Latin language–even the pronunciation is almost poetic (IMHO).

I use a computerized set of Bibles, including both the Douay-Rheims and the Vulgate (among others). I just wish I could read Latin. I can only pick out a few words here and there. The software I have allows me to read both versions beside each other, which is really awesome.
 
I have at home the Ignatius Press RSV-CE. Online I use the same version (RSV-CE, not Ignatius)

I have read that Dr. Scott Hahn likes this Ignatius Press RSV-CE the best also. A pretty good recommendation it seems to me.

credo
 
I voted for the Douay-Rheims but I also like the KJV, must be the Elizabethan language. Then again old folks like old things.
 
I like my Confraternity pocket NT. I’m not sure (I don’t have it my pocket :)), but I think it was a touch-up of the Douay-Rheims.

Scott
 
Scott Waddell:
I like my Confraternity pocket NT. I’m not sure (I don’t have it my pocket :)), but I think it was a touch-up of the Douay-Rheims.

Scott
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The Confraternity Bible was the interim Bible between the DR and the NAB.
 
Voted for the New American Bible, but really like the Ignatius Bible. We used it quite a lot in theology classes during college.
 
I have almost all the good ones but I use the Douay-Rheims for my own reading. I love the King James era English but I find that in most places it reads better than KJV. truth is…I won’t use a non-Catholic Bible for anything but research because I want ALL the books that Holy Mother Church gave us.
 
My favorite translation (I think version is a bad word as it makes it look like there are different Bibles) is the Confraternity-Douay translation.

This Bible was given to me by my parents, they found it in a used book store, it was published in 1953 and the art work inside of it is beautiful.

Other than that, any Bible with the Imprimatur is good enough for me.
 
Well, I use nearly all of the above. However, I have to say that the one that is really my “favorite” is actually two different versions: I use the Greek (Nestle) for most of my study of the New Testament, and the LXX for the Old Testament. I guess reading the Greek makes it more like reading the original.

Deacon Ed
 
I really have two favorites. As far as translation goes, I would probably have to say that I like the New American Bible the best. I also like it because it is used by the USCCB and is used in many Churches for the Liturgy. However, I also like the Jerusalem Bible, primarily because of the cross-references and footnotes. These I have found to be very helpful in studying the Scriptures, particularly when I am struck by a certain idea.
 
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Madaglan:
What?!

Where’s New World Translation on your list? 😉
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Good one!:rotfl:
 
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Franciscum:
What is your favorite version of the Bible?
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None of the above 🙂​

I think that for the OT, a translation of the Masoretic Text used by the Jews is best (if one has little or no Hebrew); this has several advantages, for it gives one a purely Jewish perspective on the OT (as we call it). Which is why I have just got a copy of the 1985 JPS Tanakh.

I like the Revised Version of 1881-1885-1895, as it is more accurate than the 1611 Authorised Version - it’s not as satisfying aesthetically, but is much better for study. I would like to see the ASV of 1901, which is its USA equivalent.

the NEB of 1970.
the NASB of 1970
the NIV NT - I haven’t seen the OT yet.
the RSV
the Translator’s New Testament

I like:
  • a Bible that prints poetry as poetry;
  • that gives Hebrew names in a (more or less) Hebraic form (I never liked the Grecised forms such as “Oolibama” for “Aholibamah”, “Amos” for “Amoz”, “Thaglath-phalassar” for “Tiglath-pileser”, and so on - though these latter forms are themselves approximations to the Hebrew; which in turn alter foreign names).
  • that, somewhere, gives English equivalents for all those kors and ephahs and shekels and other measures of weight, volume, capacity & length.
  • that shows where the text or translation is uncertain - the NEB is very good here; as are the Knox Bible, and the NAB. I don’t think that the text should be rearranged unless it is extremely likely that it has been disarranged - as in parts of Isaiah.
  • alterations of the underlying text should always be noted - in the NAB of Gen.10.10, “all of them” is based on an alteration of the text from older “and Calneh”; which is a possible reading, but not altogether certain.
  • I think that where the text has been interpolated, the traditional text should be retained, with a square bracket round the interpolation.
  • that makes the fullest use of all available evidence for the texts and their meaning.
There is no such thing as the perfect translation - only several best possible ways of failing to translate ##
 
Currently my favorite Bible is the Navarre Study Bible. It is RSV-CE, but with amazing commentary.
 
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goravens:
Voted for the New American Bible, but really like the Ignatius Bible. We used it quite a lot in theology classes during college.
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The “Ignatius Bible” is the Revised Standard Version, Catholic Edition.
 
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Franciscum:
What is your favorite version of the Bible?
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I like the RSV - Catholic Edition. The Douay is too archaich sounding and is sometimes tough to understand.
 
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