Best Catholic Bible Translations

[@bbnoblebright]

Very useful video! Especially with the multitude of Catholic translations out there and the confusion between what translations are used in the lectionary vs. what's used in the Divine Office vs. what bibles are approved by Bishops' conferences, etc., this is a great resource. I myself, after dabbling a bit in just about every translation, have come to really appreciate the NABRE (yes, even the notes!) and with its "optimal" equivalence, I find it is apt for both serious study and devotion. The textual notes, introductions, and outlines provided in the text bring it almost to the level of a study bible, and you can buy a new paperback version in the States for like $4.

[@j0nb0y5]

This is probably the best video on KZbin, thank you so much for making this. God Bless

[@pieinthesky9646]

I read Scripture in the mornings with the New American St. Joseph's version and cross reference with my DR. I also have the Didache. I enjoy the cross referencing for hopefully a deeper understanding. God Bless and thank you.

[@Birdwatcher8071]

Thank you for this excellent and thorough review of the many Catholic Bibles available today. Very helpful!

[@Andrea-ach]

Thanks a lot for this beautiful review. I'm not a native English speaker, and upon reading these translations for me the New Living Translation has been the most enjoyable. So I'm now more inclined to start by reading this version. Thanks a lot, God bless you

[@SaleSarajlija]

Fantastic video! Very helpful. I have been struggling for years with these highly academic versions. I am hitting the Pauline Sisters' bookstore as soon as they open this morning, getting either the New Living Translation, New Catholic Bible or Jerusalem Bible. Thank you. Greetings from Toronto, Canada🙂.

[@MichaelBrooksmsb400]

My preference in Translation is the Douay-Rheims Bible, as I understand it's English far more than the NAB/NABre of today., as I have all three, including the Ignatius Bible which is a close second to the DR.

[@anjimaru7180]

Exactly what I needed. Thanks so much!

[@YTRabbitHole]

Thank you for this info, Full of Grace!!!!!

[@gretchendinger6077]

This is excellent and so well presented. Thank you so much. I enjoy your videos. God bless you.

[@crjoachim8295]

Thank you my Lord bless every body in SriLanka and whole world Amen

[@manfredcaranci6234]

What do I like to read? the Jerusalem Bible (1966) is by far the easiest and clearest, but it does take liberties with the original language text, despite what the editor's forward states. The RSV-CE (1966) reads well and is trustworthy, although in a few areas it, too, takes undue liberties with the base text. The Douay-Rheims is the loveliest to read, but there are a couple of places where the translation needs to be corrected, but overall, it is the most trustworthy and an excellent reference.

[@PhantomRed13]

This was incredibly helpful with all the comparisons. Thank you so much✝️🙏

[@Jilktube]

This video has a lot of good information that I've been looking for for a long time. Thanks!

[@paulcollins6732]

This is an excellent, informed overview. Thank you!

[@sjo9292]

Thank you for this critically needed information. I have tried to purchase a Bible recently on Amazon, and it is very difficult to purchase a Catholic Bible--the selection is very limited. Even searching outside of Amazon, not all of the companies you listed showed up on my search--after days of searching, I purchased an NAB, an older version of the NABRE, because I was looking for giant print. I also appreciate your explanation and comparison of translation. I became aware of these differences some years ago from the website Bible Hub.

[@westsidewarrior1972]

I've decided to go with the ESV-CE as my main Bible. The approval of India and Scotland of this translation helped me to go with this version. I like the RSV as well, but have given up on seeing a complete RSV Catholic Study Bible from Ignatius Press. I understand that the Augustine Institute will be publishing one next year. The ESVCE also then allows me to stay within the KJV tradition, to use other ESV products, and to participate with Christians of other 'traditions' in Bible Study.

[@dariocarrascojr.6332]

Excellent comparison and gives me guidance on what Bible to use. I have the NAB RE & I just ordered a NRSV being in Canada. But I might consider looking into NLT version as well as it gives more functional translations. Thank you.

[@WilliamSwartzendruber]

Man I am so happy you guys got the ESV.

[@alcarbo8613]

Worth note the Bishop’s in Britain switched to ESV-CE for lectionaries this year

[@adeodata6364]

Awesome. Thanks so much for your work 👌🙏

[@RobertFallon]

Great video-thank you for sharing your hard, important research! I value readability above all, since I don’t want to be tempted to circle bad punctuation or get frustrated by run-on sentences. To my editorial taste, the ESV and NCB(V) are the translations rendered into the most elegant English. The NCB(V) is quite a find and such a sleeper! For the record, I have eight of these translations myself.

[@elisakim7658]

Thank you for teaching me that I cofuesed so much about many kind of catholic bible. I'm korean. So I was very cofued which English bible was appropriate for me. After watching this video, I was able to find the english version bible that I wanted. May God's grce always be with you.Thank you!

[@Dan-bc9nx]

I prefer the Jerusalem Bible, its easy to read and can be used for todays readings at Mass and devotional readings, even though i have a Douey Rheims Bible for reading

[@leonardab5042]

very clear and well researched! thanks!

[@3ggshe11s]

This is a great video. I own all these translations except for NJB. I find they all have their strengths and weaknesses. But overall, my favorites are RSV-2CE for literalness and elegance, with ESV-CE a close second (some lingering Protestantisms turn me off), and JB for enjoyable everyday readability. NLT often comes in handy when I need clarity on a passage in everyday English. NCB is pretty good, too. It strikes me as what the NAB could have been, with a better ear for good translation and (much) better study notes. The Knox Bible is also worth mentioning. It loses the archaic language of the Douay while still retaining the refined and reverent linguistic register. Thank you for all the work you put into this!

[@Hopeful2431]

Agree! Great video. Thank you also @3ggshe11s for your helpful comments. 👍🏼

[@RionBraggs]

I would like to have your opinion on why exactly you prefer the RSV-2CE over the ESV-CE. For me, it's the same, with much more elegance portrayed in the RSV text than the prosaic ESV one, and because the ESV, though it has textual updates, lowers the level of English in the beautiful English tradition of the KJV (kind of awkward since it's literally called the ENGLISH Standard Version), but I'm kind of in a tough spot with the book of Tobit. The RSV text is based on the shorter Greek text as in Codex Vaticanus and Alexandrinus, but modern translations of Tobit use the Greek text as in Codex Sinaiticus and the Vetus Latina (Old Latin versions which prefigured the Vulgate) which is significantly longer in textual terms. I usually use the Vulgate text to settle a debate like this, but this time the Vulgate has a whole different translation of Tobit, agreeing with both Greek Texts at regular intervals (though it seems to agree with the more modernly used G-2 text, as in the ESV-CE as well), and even having whole sections of verses completely missing in both Greek Text types. Since you prefer the RSV-2CE, a response would be appreciated. I'm having a hard time grappling with all the info.

[@RionBraggs]

I should mention that the ESV-CE, using the longer version of the Greek text of Tobit, sometimes doesn't find the Greek verse in Sinaiticus, so it translates the Vetus Latina renderings in such places. I'm just surprised that the Vulgate which was supposed to be a major revision of the Latin Bible sometimes keeps the Vetus Latina renderings entirely and sometimes just switches course, having something not in any of the other Text Types. (Guess I'm getting the lore behind Jerome saying he translated Tobit in one day, having an Aramaic copy of the text and he, not knowing Aramaic, having a translator with him translating the Aramaic into Hebrew which Jerome knew, and then translating that).

[@RionBraggs]

@FullofGraceTV Would appreciate a reply from you as well if possible. A really interesting topic this one, almost as interesting as the story of Tobit itself you know?

[@uptonsavoie]

Douay. I keep several others for reference and comparison.

[@loveisall5520]

Sad that the Good News Translation was omitted. It is a translation, not a paraphrase, and has been a treasure for Catholics for over a half century. For many years it was the most popular English Bible in Canada! I enjoy a parallel edition with the GNT and French side by side.

[@loveisall5520]

@Nick-wn1xw Not gone anywhere; "paraphasistic"? Talk about a child's inventive reading.

[@lanbaode]

Not mentioned here is the Contemporary English Version (CEV) which is used in the American lectionary for children's masses.

[@cmcasadoiro]

Sooo useful, thanks!

[@amazingcommenter]

Thank you for summarizing this for us to understand further. My Bible is NRSV, it's not in the list but I learned that this version was a collab with Protestants and Jewish. It seems it's a 'downgrade' from RSV rather than improved. Luke 1:28 from both versions differ so much.

[@MarkAStuart]

I've always had a problem with 1Cor. 7:36. Seems the "original" and older translations say "virgin" for virgin daughter; a man marrying off his virgin daughter (think Fiddler on the Roof!). However, newer translations tend to say "engaged couple" or "fiancée". I realize this is an obscure/difficult verse and the truth may not be known, but to me it makes so much more sense in any culture that this is about a virgin daughter, not an engaged couple. If it was the latter, wouldn't that be like permanent dating? Sort of like a brother and sister? If so, why would they be "engaged" or considered "fiancée's"? I realize it shouldn't spoil an entire translation, but this is my little pet verse I get hung up on. I'll look it up in the above, but I already know most of them are "fiancée". I think if you read older commentaries vs. modern, you'll see for the most part the older all deem this as "virgin daughter" not "fiancée". Great video-thank you!

[@FullofGraceTV]

Interestingly enough, of the translations compared in the video, only the DR, NABRE, and NCB(V) use the word “virgin” in that verse. While the other translations use another word and put “virgin” in a footnote to mark what the greek word directly says. Except the NLT-CE, which lacks a footnote here. “Betrothed” is used in the ESV-CE and both RSV-CEs. “Fiancée” is used in the NRSV-CE, NJB, RNJB, and NLT-CE. and the JB uses “daughter”

[@MarkAStuart]

@@FullofGraceTV thanks for your response. this helps me more than you can know!

[@RocioD54]

Muchas Gracias 🙏🏽

[@FiatVoluntasTua23]

I would like the ORIGINAL Douay Rheims not easily obtained one, it has too many mistakes. Although the original DR is VERY hard to read with it's old English wording and spelling.

[@marymccannfrancis9855]

Beautiful thank you

[@francesdumaliang6132]

Thank you for sharing.☺️❤️🙏✝️🇵🇭

[@thecreeper6799]

I own 4 and they are the DR, KJV NABRE, and NRSV. My favorite are in that order for a specific reason cuz I dont read one by itself. I bought all 4 for specific reasons. 1. DR is a direct translation from the latin Vulgate from 400AD 2. KJV because it was the Catholic standard of my childhood and was from 1600AD 3. NABRE because it is the new American standard and the bible my Catholic church uses currently. 4. NRSV because like the NABRE it is also a modern translation but for Canada. (Canada's "woke" culture has me raising my eyebrows lately and American culture is right behind 😮) yes I'm spying on them!😂😂😂 The DR and KJV are my favorite but I like the DR because it is the oldest and closest to the word of God and Jesus that I can read in english. What I do is I read the NABRE with my DR and KJV open at the same time and I compare all 3 as I go. To me this is where I feel God is speaking to me the most not only through history but meaning. I bought the Canadian standard just to see how different they're standard was to the American standard. My NRSV is the least opened but still looked at from time to time just for referencing the differences...😮 I feel sad that there needs to be this many translations going beyond the DR and KJV. It's like someone chewing on gum and then passing it on to the next person, by the time it gets to you 10 ppl already chewed it and it has no flavor left and doesnt even resemble gum anymore. Or I guess it's like comparing a bowl of pasta marinara to mac n cheese. Both are pasta, both have sauce, both taste good, but they are not the same 😮 My advice is to get a few bibles with age differences and read all at once!

[@ericmadsen7470]

I have two Catholic bibles.The Ignatius RSV 1st CE and the New American Version.

[@legacyandlegend]

You should get the rsv2ce. It's much better than the rsvce. Douay rheims is great, too.

[@ericmadsen7470]

@@legacyandlegend I actually thought about getting both, the Douay-Rheims and the RSV 2nd CE. I like the IGNATIUS RSV 1st-CE though.

[@jaredsmith7240]

Outstanding video. Quick question though. Would you say it would be a good idea to get an ESV-CE bible and a NLT-CE bible, and use the NLT-CE as a reference if you get confused in the ESV-CE and need a comparison

[@FullofGraceTV]

Yes definitely. I’d recommend having multiple translations across the spectrum and the NLT is great. It has become my daily reader through the Old Testament this year.

[@user-fy2ox9ep9t]

Bro, you have missed the Knox Version of the Catholic Bible. As for me, its English is savoring and devotional, but certainly not scholarly.

[@blindknitter]

It's hard for me to find good translations in braille. I think Jerusalem Bible is my best bet. Gonna need 12 foot more shelf space. Oh dear.

[@LadyGwen4]

Thank you for this information. I prefer the Douay Rheims.

[@yakotako717]

These names of the Bibles is another lever of insaness xD

[@LuisRamirez-vv4dk]

what is the best translation to avoid gender neutral and inclusive translations?

[@manfredcaranci6234]

Douay-Rheims, RSV-CE, RSV-2CE, or the JB.

[@colvinator1611]

You mean a book which conforms to the satanic doctrines of the vatican ? I will point out that the DR book differs greatly in doctrinal terms to the catechism. Which one do you recommend catholics to follow ?

[@kjvwarrior777]

King James Version is the word of God preserved in English!

[@jp8871]

King James with dueterocanonical books!

[@acevers]

Is there such a thing?

[@jamesmccart1115]

I got JERUSALEM BIBLE

[@anthonylowder6687]

The Douay Rheims is THE only true Catholic Bible.

[@RobertFallon]

Well, that’s not true in fact. Glad you like it though!

[@legacyandlegend]

I love the douay-rheims. However, I don't understand how catholics say that is the only and true bible. The douay-rheims was done from the vulgate, whereas the rsv2ce, which is what I use, is done from the original languages. The douay-rheims is a translation of a translation.

[@rightlydividing7607]

Deuteronomy 8:3 + Matthew 4:4 + Luke 4:4 --- 1611 A.V King James Bible God preserved his word as promised, using mathematical precision. Psalm 12:6-7 King James Version 6 The words of the Lord are pure words: as silver tried in a furnace of earth, purified seven times. 7 Thou shalt keep them, O Lord, thou shalt preserve them from this generation for ever.

[@mrspock6443]

there's a difference between catholic and true judeochristian studies.

[@avemariamaterdei]

jew-deo. seriously ? Jew-deo ??? JEW - DEO ???!!!!!!!!??????

[@jamesmccart1115]

No reason to being JUDGING BIBLE'S FOR WHAT OR HOW THEY EXPLAIN CHRIST WHY ALL BIBLE'S ARE SAME MESSAGES JUST DIFFERENT WAYS TO EXPLAIN MESSIAH MESSAGES BUT ITS ALL THE SAME SO STOP JUDGING ONE WORD ALL BECAUSE IT DOESNT SOUND GOOD TO YOU THIS WHY I READ BY MYSELF I DONT JUDGE NO BIBLIA ITS ALL SAME JUST DIFFERENT WAYS TO EXPLAINS MESSIAH MESSAGES

[@RJ-bu6es]

None of the above, prefer the Douey Reims Bible

[@freakylocz14]

What are your thoughts on the Catholic Public Domain Version?

[@legacyandlegend]

It's OK. Best modern english vulgate out there. Shame only one person did it, and it never got the imprateur. I use it for difficult passages in the Douay-Rheims.

[@freakylocz14]

@@legacyandlegend My primary translation is the Revised Standard Version, Second Catholic Edition. It's far from perfect, but it's pretty good. Any thoughts on the Orthodox Study Bible?

[@legacyandlegend]

@freakylocz14 Rsv2ce is my favorite translation. The closest translation to perfect that we have today. The orthodox study bible uses the septuagint for the Old Testament and the nkjv for the new. Never read it. But it looks good. It's on my list of bibles I want.

[@freakylocz14]

RSV-2CE

[@legacyandlegend]

It's my favorite version. I also enjoy the douay-rheims.

[@freakylocz14]

@@legacyandlegend Red Letter DRB by St. Benedict Press ♥️

[@legacyandlegend]

​@@freakylocz14 Tan books is coming out with a new douay-rheims large print in March. I can't wait.

[@freakylocz14]

@@legacyandlegend Amen! I generally avoid the NABRE, NRSV-CE, etc.

[@legacyandlegend]

@@freakylocz14 Nabre is awful. Nrsvce isn't any good either. Rsv2ce beats the crap out of the nrsvce.