Which Version of the Bible is Your Preference?

[tvknight415]

Someone one the forum told me that the versions from the early 50’s say “blessed” so I ended up buying three different confraternity Bibles and all of them had “happy” .

Prayer_Warrior, it was probably me. Sorry, I should have been more clear.

SOME versions from the early 1950’s have Blessed instead of Happy. Here is a link to some information about various editions and publishers of the Confraternity Bibles. The top entry on that page, the New Catholic Edition, published by Catholic Book Publishing Corporation, has in their editions through 1954 the psalms translated from the New Latin Psalter approved by Pope Pius XII, and those psalms will have ‘Blessed’ in Psalm 1 (how I check). They are also translated with a similar level of thees/thys/thous as the new testament has (enough to sound majestic without wracking your brain trying to follow). There are some versions of this published by other publishing houses, so follow the link to the CBPC Octavo reprints to see the others. These are also the copies I usually see the most up on E-Bay or AbeBooks and what I think of when talking Confraternity bibles.

Worse comes to worse, ask the seller (if online) for a picture of the page with Psalm 1:1 on it. That’s my litmus test verse for whether it’s blessed or merely happy.

 

[po18guy]

Ha ha, I think it was actually one of your posts that piqued my interest about the confraternity version, so I went out and bought a few different ones off eBay. The only thing I’m not happy with is the word “happy” for “blessed” in the Psalms. That is one my pet peeves. Someone one the forum told me that the versions from the early 50’s say “blessed” so I ended up buying three different confraternity Bibles and all of them had “happy” . I purchased a beautiful "papal’ Bible which was supposed to be from 1951, but when it arrived I could see in the publishing info it was from 1954. At any rate, it was only $20 and is in mint condition. But alas, it also says “happy”. Funny you mentioned that the full confraternity version was never published in one volume; I just bought the two volume completed confraternity Bible with annotations by Joseph Grispino. Pretty soon my Bible collection will rival Michael’s (Church Militant)

I like the Knox version too, for a change of pace. Unfortunately, I’m not crazy about the format of the one I bought from Baronius Press.

I’ll have to check out the other one you mention. I have always seen the connection of the deuterocanonocals with the NT. I’m sure there are many connections I have missed.

Sorry about those happy Psalms Someone here posted this link which catalogs “some” of the Confraternity bibles and their contents: bibles.wikidot.com/douay-confraternity Most of the Confraternities that I have contain Pope Pius XII’s “New Latin Version” (NLV) translation of the Psalms (“Blessed”). When I buy on eBay now, I ask the seller to quote the first word in Psalm 1. That eliminates the chance of being happy, rather than blessed.

Confraternity bibles are a treasure hunt and a bit of a mixed bag. All are worth having, simply for the New Testament and notes. Sadly, the “Happy” Psalms crept into a few versions. Three editions in my collection have them:

1. The large-format 1953 “Catholic Action” bible by Belmont Abbey. The sappy Psalm translation is well compensated for by the inclusion of absolutely beautiful illustrations by Heinrich Hofmann.
2. On eBay, I bought an ostensibly 1952 Confraternity that ended up being a 1957 “Hapoy” version It is rather beat up, so it is now my “garage bible.”
3. A 1967 Papal Edition Confraternity also has them, but the other features, particularly the Catholic Encyclopedia, are worth the price by themselves.

I think I have something like $22 into all three, so this is not an expensive hobby.

As Michael (ChurchMilitant) mentioned, he has the pocket-sized Confraternity NT, available new on eBay/Amazon etc. for less than $10 (plus USPS). Read the reviews: amazon.com/Testament-Challoner-Rheims-Confraternity-Christian-Doctrine/dp/0933932774/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1408647602&sr=8-1&keywords=scepter+new+testament#customerReviews I believe that it has the same excellent notes and intros as the pocket-sized Catholic Book Publishing Company 1952 NT thatI found on eBay. Now if you find one of those, it is perfect for carrying, and the font is large enough for experienced eyes to read. When I carry it, the title shows just above the top of my shirt pocket. Perfect!

Perhaps rhetorical: Should we begin a writing campaign to the USCCB to re-issue (or at least license) the Confraternity? There is a great hunger among on-fire Catholics for a better bible - and it is sitting on a shelf in the Church’s closet!

 

[johnherro]

I’ll take the Douay-Rheims every time! Surely, it’s harder to read, but Bishop Challoner’s footnotes convinced me that it’s more accurate than the other translations. For example, Matt. 3:2 footnote: “Do penance. Poenitentiam agite. Which word, according to the use of the scriptures and the holy fathers, does not only signify repentance and amendment of life, but also punishing past sins by fasting, and such like penitential exercises.” 1 Cor. 7:9 footnote: “If they do not contain, &c. … Some translators have corrupted this text, by rendering it, if they cannot contain.” Heb. 11:21 footnote: “Adored the top of his rod. … some translators … have corrupted the text, by translating it, he worshipped, leaning upon the top of his staff ; as if this circumstance of leaning upon his staff were any argument of Jacob’s faith, or worthy the being thus particularly taken notice of by the Holy Ghost.”

To make the Douay-Rheims a little less difficult to read, I’ve prepared free software (www.bible73.com) that enables you to click on an unfamiliar word and see a brief definition. (Thank God the Douay-Rheims isn’t copyrighted!)