Which Bible should I purchase/use?

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Which Bible should I purchase/use?

I would like a single Bible for study, spiritual reflection, etc.

Please explain why with your vote.
 
The choice which Bible version to purchase depends on your purpose. If your purpose is for a more scholarly study of the Bible, use the RSV, NAB, JB etc. If it is more pastoral and devotional, use the more popular versions like the GNB.
 
Yeah, use the NAB for most purposes, its the official translation here in the U.S. and is easy to read and has lots of study notes, but the D-R is good if you like a more poetic Bible and have already read the passages in the NAB. I myself use the NAB but after I finish the Bible cover to cover a couple more times I will probably get a D-R bible (i’ve only read the nab once cover to cover). I would steer clear of the KJV as its hard to read and not very scholarly, and not nearly as poetic as the D-R, but if you are into apologetics then it helps to read the one that many evangelicals believe was given to Martin Luther in God’s Language, English, on a silver platter after having rescued it from those dastardly catholics.
 
The Douay-Rheims is an excellent Bible. I would also recommend for personal study that you get the Haydock version of the Douay-Rheims. The commentary is the best. While it is true that the NAB is the one used in Liturgy in the U.S., I would recommend the Jerusalem Bible over the NAB. I would however stay away from Protestant based translations and those like the RSV-CE for the fact they derive from a Protestant Bible.
 
I use the Ignatius Bible-RSV CE. Wish there were more footnotes though.
 
You can’t go wrong with the original JB. Theres a thread lower down in this forum entitled ‘CTS New Catholic Bible’ which is about a new publication of the JB with the ‘Grail’ Psalms, basically its the ‘Official’ Bible of the Lectionary in England, if you’re put off by the NAB.
 
The NAB Bible is the one approved by the vatican for the Liturgy. It also has alot of great footnotes. 👍 I use it all the time! It is also the one on the Vatican and USCCB website.
 
For Study Purposes I love the RSV-CE
That is my go to Catholic Bible
As a former protestant I still am a bit attached to my NAS which I have had for over 20 years but I am loving the RSV-CE more and more.

Also I found this wonderful Catholic Software that includes the NAB and RSV-CE plus catechisms, church documents, ECF writings and so much more. It is not just Windows compatible but it is also Mac compatible and I’m a MAc person. I recommend this software to any Catholic scholar or novice and new convert like me.

The Software is Called Welcome to the Catholic Church and it is from Harmony Media Software and you can download a trial version.
harmonymedia.com/CDROM/Welcome/welcome.htm

Deeny 🙂
 
I, too, prefer the RSV-CE. It is a much more accurate translation than the NAB. Plus I’ve heard the NAB contains a few footnotes that are contrary to Catholic teaching. I wish I could remember which ones.

Compare Psalm 23 in the NAB with any one of the other good Catholic Bibles to see why I say it’s a poor translation. The NAB chops half the meaning out of it, especially the connection between walking in the paths of righteousness and dwelling in the House of the Lord forever.

Can you tell I feel strongly about this?

Ruthie
 
Ruthie said:
I, too, prefer the RSV-CE. It is a much more accurate translation than the NAB. Plus I’ve heard the NAB contains a few footnotes that are contrary to Catholic teaching. I wish I could remember which ones.

Compare Psalm 23 in the NAB with any one of the other good Catholic Bibles to see why I say it’s a poor translation. The NAB chops half the meaning out of it, especially the connection between walking in the paths of righteousness and dwelling in the House of the Lord forever.

Can you tell I feel strongly about this?

Ruthie
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None of the footnotes in the NAB condradict Catholic teachings. The Vatican would not promote it if it did. Also if there do happen to be any we all have to remeber that this is someones opinion and not actual Church teachings. 👍
 
okay, I was thinking to myself that I might go ahead and buy a Douay-Rheim’s version, but I cannot find one, does the rsv-ce come close, what is the closest to it I can buy? From a poetic standpoint, not a study standpoint (NAB is good for study IMO).
 
Ruthie said:
I, too, prefer the RSV-CE. It is a much more accurate translation than the NAB. Plus I’ve heard the NAB contains a few footnotes that are contrary to Catholic teaching. I wish I could remember which ones.

Compare Psalm 23 in the NAB with any one of the other good Catholic Bibles to see why I say it’s a poor translation. The NAB chops half the meaning out of it, especially the connection between walking in the paths of righteousness and dwelling in the House of the Lord forever.

Can you tell I feel strongly about this?

Ruthie
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I mainly use the NAB because I am a lector and want to stay familiar with the version used in the lectionary. But I really dislike some of the footnotes. I also use the NLT, the KJV and the D-R.

An alternative for an easy-to-read bible is the New Living Translation - Catholic Reference Edition. It makes difficult passages, especially the Old Testament, very clear and easy to understand. I haven’t found anything in it that is objectionable and it has a lot of study helps, but very meager footnotes.

Paul
 
Neal said:
okay, I was thinking to myself that I might go ahead and buy a Douay-Rheim’s version, but I cannot find one, does the rsv-ce come close, what is the closest to it I can buy? From a poetic standpoint, not a study standpoint (NAB is good for study IMO).
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There are many sites that have the sale of the Douay-Rheims. Baronius Press, Aquanasandmore among others. If you want commentary there are Douay-Rheims Haydock Commentary, but it is costly at 125.
 
I personally do not like the NAB for the following reasons:
  1. The footnotes are not necessarily contradictory to church teaching, they’re worse. They present other “scholarly theories” about the origin of the books. They try to dismantle the traditional belief in the Apsotolic origin of the gospels. The notes themselves often are from a very secular mindset. The note on the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah is an excellent example of this.
  2. It is fairly clunky. In their attempts to stick to the “literal” translation of the bible they don’t use as many idioms as would actually help. As many secular minded people are inclined to do they look only to the immediate material cause and loose sight of the final cause, thereby actually rendering a more inaccurate translation.
  3. Rumor is the pope is working on getting a new translation because of how awful NAB is.
The Douay rheims I would be cautious about. I do not think it is an adequate bible if your seriously looking to understand the historical/cultural context or get at the original languages. Not to mention the Vulgate is riddled with mistranslations and subsequently you get some even greater mistranslations. Not to mention some of the silly footnotes in it that can sometimes just reflect the era in which it was translated (1 Corinthians 12 for example). I think is very good for devotional use however. It can get hard to understand though limiting even that.

I personally read the RSV, having read the bible multiple times in several different translations I can say I am most satisfied with this. It has very poetic renditions in appropriate places. Its only major downfall is lack of footnotes.

Someone made a comment about avoiding it because it was translated by protestants. This is a less than subtle form of an “ad hominum” argument. I can understand the sentiment. Usually the logic is “Since protestants have a misunderstanding of doctrine, they will mistranslate either intentionally or unintentionally due to their misunderstanding.” This however is precisely why the organization that brought forth this translation was not made up exclusively of protestants. Also, if it were such a terrible translation the Catechism of the Catholic Church wouldn’t quote it nor would the Church have approved its use for personal study.
 
I’ve been doing some research, and yes, the RSV Catholic edition is approved by the church to be used and is used in the LOTH and the catechism, though only the NAB may be used for mass…for now. So I guess it’s time for me to get myself an rsv-ce!

Note: Don’t get the RSV non catholic, in addition to cutting out the 7 duecannonical books it also chops up some New Testament stuff

check it out

en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Revised_Standard_Version_Catholic_Edition

I mean, its wikipedia, so take it for what it’s worth, but it is footnoted.

as for the NAB, its good if you know what to expect, and yes, some of the footnotes are form a historical/lit crit viewpoint as opposed to a catholic viewpoint, so take the notes with a grain of salt.
 
the CAtholic bible translation with imprimatur that you will use for private devotion and study. Don’t worry about notes, you can supplement with specific guides on books, concordance, on-line resources etc.

experiment and see which of the approved translations are more congenial for you. If you are in an RCIA class you should have an NAB since that is the version approved for lectionary in the US (similarly get the version approved for your country for lectionary if in RCIA)

for apologetics with non-Catholic Christians, many find the RSV-CE to be most ecumenical and user friendly
 
The best suggestion I can give is to go to your favorite bookstore, Catholic or otherwise, and just pick out three or four of the main Catholic translations, find a nice chair in the store, and read some of your favorite passages in each translation. Keep in mind that the NAB, RSV, NRSV, and the NJB all have imprimaturs from the Bishops, so you can trust that they will not deceive you in any way. Each of them has their own advantages and disadvantages…there is no perfect Bible translation out there.

But once you pick out a translation, make sure to find one in an edition that you enjoy reading. I think that is really important! Try to decide if you want a leather edition, hardcover, or softcover. Also, make sure the page size and font will be easy on the eyes. Ultimately, if you are going to use this Bible for prayer and study, which you can do with all the 4 previously mentioned translations, make sure it is pleasure for you to read, make your own, and keep with you for years to come.

God Bless you on your journey!
 
*Well Stated! I have worked in Religious Studies and Worked for many Catholic Bookstores as well as taught Catechism to Adults and Teenagers for years.

And exactly as mccorm said each has their own advantages and some disadvantages. The important think being that you find one you will read… and yes sit and compare your favorite passages… All[these Catholic Editions] have the imprimauter so there is no worry of error… but as stated above NAB is most wildly used here in the states.

I actually own three diff translations
NAB for readability and because of the footnotes
New Jerusalem cause it is so poetic but more accurate than other older translations
And RSV CE One Year for daily bible reading

Good Luck… and if you have more concerns?? Why not ask your Priest or Spiritual Director???
Blessings :angel1: *
mccorm45 said:
The best suggestion I can give is to go to your favorite bookstore, Catholic or otherwise, and just pick out three or four of the main Catholic translations, find a nice chair in the store, and read some of your favorite passages in each translation. Keep in mind that the NAB, RSV, NRSV, and the NJB all have imprimaturs from the Bishops, so you can trust that they will not deceive you in any way. Each of them has their own advantages and disadvantages…there is no perfect Bible translation out there.

But once you pick out a translation, make sure to find one in an edition that you enjoy reading. I think that is really important! Try to decide if you want a leather edition, hardcover, or softcover. Also, make sure the page size and font will be easy on the eyes. Ultimately, if you are going to use this Bible for prayer and study, which you can do with all the 4 previously mentioned translations, make sure it is pleasure for you to read, make your own, and keep with you for years to come.

God Bless you on your journey!
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