What kind of bible do you read?

[St.Eric]

I read the New American Bible (NAB) St. Jospeh edition ( yes. a Catholic who reads the bible ). One tip. Don’t start from Genesis. Go to Matthew and read the New Testament first, then go back and read theold. It works well that way.

 

[Wisdom]

I like to use the Good News Translation- GNT Catholic Edition for a quick scripture read through and the Revised Standard Version -
RSV Catholic Edition for more serious study and apologetics.
I have just can’t do the KJV or Douay Rheims thing anymore as I loose to much time trying to decipher the archaic language, the most important thing is to understand what your reading not how pretty it may sound.

 

[need_to_know]

At my RCIA class it was suggested that we choose one of the Gospels and dip into it every evening, reading just a few chapters at a time.

 

[Wisdom]

I would make the additional suggestion of reading one of the synoptics and the Gospel of John as they have a lot of stuff that doesn’t overlap. The synoptics do overlap so that can get redundant if read back to back.

 

[Daniel_Marsh]

I too use CD version of scripture. Reading I rotate between 70+ translations. When looking up a problem I check my Hebrew NT.

But, there is good news, there is a new speed readers bible out.

A new version of the Bible promises busy people to speed read the whole book just 24 hours. The new “Light Speed Study Bible” has a speed-reading approach with a contemporary version to help readers read through the whole Bible in no time.

The Light Speed Bible, which uses the Holman Christian Standard translation, is edited by William Proctor, graduate of Harvard Law School and former copy editor of New York, and published by Broadman & Holman Publishers. The Light Speed Bible does not leave out anything from the original Scriptures, according to editor Proctor.

christiantoday.com/news/missions/light.speed.bible.released.as.answer.to.busy.lives/530.htm

Or you could use the reader’s digest version.

 

[Daniel_Marsh]

Hi Wisdom, look for a Harmony of the Gospels in print.
lifeofchrist.com/life/harmony.html

I use A. T Robertson’s edition.

another interresting tool is,

The Story of My Life as Told by Jesus Christ

“You will find all four Gospel accounts combined in one single, flowing narrative. The Story of My Life as Told by Jesus Christ is a complete and thorough picture of the events of Christ’s life. Now you can read about the Lord’s life in chronological order, without repetition of a singel detail; and every sentence in the four Gospels is included.”

seedsowers.com/catalog/product_info.php?products_id=83

 

[donosti]

The bible I read is the Latin Vulgate of St Jerome.

 

[maryj]

NAB! I’m going to a seminar at my parish this weekend “The great adventure Bible timeline seminar” presented by Kristine Franklin a former Protestant. The instruction for the seminar say to please bring NAB, RSV, or Living Bible, catholic edition. I also have an old good news bible that I used in prep for confirmation, that was oh many moons ago, but I still enjoy reading it.

 

[stanmaxkolbe]

redtech:

I decided that during Lent, I was going to read the bible since I’ve never been able to get past the first 10 pages.

There is a small booklet you can order from CA “How To Read The Bible Every Day” A Guide for Catholics. A One-Year, Two-Year, & Three-Year plan for Reading through the Scriptures.

You can download The Douay-Rheims Holy Bible for free just do a Google.

I have The Catholic Study Bible (NAB) I use for Bible study.

I also have the Catholic Rainbow Study Bible (TEV) Today’s English Version. This I found helpful for a more modern English translation to use beside The Catholic Study Bible. Please note I do not recommend using this for Bible study. It just helps me understand some verses for a better meaning in English. (I’m half Polish so I’m slow).

I also have the Ignatius The Holy Bible (RSV:CE) Revised Standard Version: Catholic Editon. This I consider the best English Translation so does the Catholic Answers staff. I use this with Topic Tabs (Order from CA) for evangelizing.

For people that don’t know, the King James Version (as with all Prostestant Bibles) is missing seven books from the Hebrew canon (Old Testament).

Yes the entire NAB Bible is on CD it’s in the 2006 Spring Annual Catalog from Leaflet Missal. www.leafletonline.com

 

[Zooey]

I read the Douay-Challoner, but if the KJV English is what is defeating you, Douay (no matter how much I love it), is not going to help.
The newer translation here will be an easier read.

For a plan for reading the Bible, I would suggest checking out presentationministries.com which has several plans. The one I like is “Father Al’s Plan for Reading the Bible in One Year. (It is more flexible than the other s on the site.
You can find it by clicking on " view all brochures”. (Not “simple Bible reading plan”, which is one of the other plans.)

 

[Vladd44]

Its also hard to get through all that begatting. Does that continue in Exodus???

heh, if you thought that was bad, wait until you make it to Numbers or Deutromony. It can get a bit mind numbing at that point.

But everyone who claims to be a christian should read the entire thing. A bit difficult to claim your anything without reading the manual.

But other than Jesus’ lineage in Matthew and Luke (which dont match each other btw) I cant recall too many more begats.

 

[Daniel_Marsh]

as I recall one of the lineages follows Mary, the other Joseph.

 

[redtech]

First of all, thanks to everyone for your (name removed by moderator)ut. I would like to thank whomever moved it to this board because I wasn’t sure where to start.

At last, an update: I MADE IT TO EXODUS LAST NIGHT!!! It was cool to read some stuff about Moses. Finally someone I recognize. (He was the one with the stone tablets and the gold watch right? ) I was a little freaked out when at the end of Genesis, I came upon “Joseph and the amazing color dream coat”. I knew that was a play, but I seriously thought it was a joke. Ok, so I never saw the play or the movie or anything.

I did realize after about a few days that there was no way that I’d get done by the end of Lent, so I’m shooting for a year.

I’m going to ask for a NAB for my birthday and stick out using this one until then. I DO plan to read it more than once. I’d like to read it cover to cover and then next year look into some of those study guides. (Yes, I might be fooling myself again) I am determined to somehow read the entire thing by Ash Wednesday of next year.

Our church has a scripture class every week but with a 2 year old and one on the way, I really don’t have time to drive back into town (30 miles) and attend a class on a weeknight, but I would love to start doing this in a few years when the kids are big enough to allow my husband to give them baths and put them to bed once a week.

I’m sorry to hear that there is more begatting to come. Hopefully, I’ll have my NAB by then and it won’t have so many ’ in the names.

I sort of wanted to start with the new testament but I didn’t want to give away the ending for myself. I figured if I read the new, I wouldn’t want to read the old.

Thanks again for all the advice, I WILL use it!!!

 

[Vladd44]

Daniel Marsh:

as I recall one of the lineages follows Mary, the other Joseph.

Not the first time I have heard that, but for me it is a bit limited for two reasons.

#1. If Jesus was born of a virgin, then what would the lineage of the guy who held her hand have to do with anything?

#2.
Matthew 1:16:

Jacob the father of Joseph, the husband of Mary. Of her was born Jesus who is called the Messiah.

Luke 3:23:

When Jesus began his ministry he was about thirty years of age. He was the son, as was thought, of Joseph, the son of Heli,

Both go through Joseph, not Mary. Aslo, what was Joseph’s father’s name? Jacob, or Heli?

 

[anawim]

redtech:

I decided that during Lent, I was going to read the bible since I’ve never been able to get past the first 10 pages.

I broke out my bible and started on Ash Wednesday. I am still in Genesis. I’m reading a King James Version. Is there a different one out there thats easier to read??? The “thee” and “thou” stuff never bothered me because I like Shakespeare, but the names of some of the people are really difficult. It seems like they all have an apostrophe in them.

Its also hard to get through all that begatting. Does that continue in Exodus???

I don’t think I’ll make it by Easter, but I’m determined to read the whole thing. God is determined to help me too. My 2 year old recently decided that she will refuse to go to sleep unless there is someone else in the room. Its been taking her close to an hour to fall asleep and I’ve been rocking in her room reading the bible by nightlight.

I haven’t updated it in a few months, but if you want to check out the chronological arrangement that I’ve been working on: olotw.blogspot.com/

Unfortunately, a blog is not ideal, because you have to start at the bottom and work up. In this case it started at the end of March of last year.

When it comes to the begats, I’ve included them altogether, so when you get to 1 Chronicles, you won’t have 9 straight chapters of begats!

However, the begats aren’t just thrown in for boredom. They are actually intended as a red flag to the reader to sit up and pay attention, because the story is now going to focus in on one member of the family. For instance, in Gen 11:10-25 it gives the genealogy of Shem to Abraham. Abraham then becomes the focus of the narrative. It’s like taking a camera and zooming in on the story. They may seem boring to us, but to the ancient Jews they were a source of identy.

 

[GarryOwen]

redtech:

I decided that during Lent, I was going to read the bible since I’ve never been able to get past the first 10 pages.

I broke out my bible and started on Ash Wednesday. I am still in Genesis. I’m reading a King James Version. Is there a different one out there thats easier to read??? The “thee” and “thou” stuff never bothered me because I like Shakespeare, but the names of some of the people are really difficult. It seems like they all have an apostrophe in them.

Its also hard to get through all that begatting. Does that continue in Exodus???

I don’t think I’ll make it by Easter, but I’m determined to read the whole thing. God is determined to help me too. My 2 year old recently decided that she will refuse to go to sleep unless there is someone else in the room. Its been taking her close to an hour to fall asleep and I’ve been rocking in her room reading the bible by nightlight.

Isn`t the King James version, a Protestant bible.

 

[JMJ_Theresa]

This will sound silly to all you Bible experts, but for the Old Testament, I enjoy reading Children’s Bibles geared to older readers. This I do for enjoyment. The Gospels and Acts I read from the Bible, but the letters I have to have a guide for. Too much Theology for my little brain.

I also listen to Hahn and Cavins among others. But I love Peter Kreeft books You Can Understand the Bible.

Scott Hahn has a free online Bible History at www.salvationhistory.com

 

[AugustineFL]

I read the Challoner revision of the Douay-Rheims almost exclusively.

Now that it’s lent maybe I should read the NAB as penance

Seriously though for anyone that finds the language of the Douay-Rheims (or even KJV, even though I don’t recommend a protestant bible) difficult to understand, I suggest sticking with it anyways to get more comfortable with the language. Perhaps read another bible such as the RSV-CE and then re-read in the Douay-Rheims the same passage. Why do I suggest this? Because to be fully literate in Modern English, the English of Shakspere ought to be intelligible. Yes, the language of Shakspere’s time is called “Modern English”, old English is different enough to actually pretty much be a different language. What better way to practice expanding our vocabulary and language skills than with the bible.

 

[anawim]

JMJ Theresa:

This will sound silly to all you Bible experts, but for the Old Testament, I enjoy reading Children’s Bibles geared to older readers.

I sometimes do this myself. However, I’ve learned to stay away from Proverbs & Sirach. They get a little too loose with their translation.

 

[redtech]

GarryOwen:

Isn`t the King James version, a Protestant bible.

I wouldn’t doubt it. The guy that gave it to me was studying to be a pentecostal minister. We dated briefly and all he wanted to talk about was sex. I found it very unnerving and broke up with him. He also told me that he prayed for me all night one night for me to “open my eyes” and see the truth. That made me pretty mad.