2.0.3 – Wish List: Bibles

How to Pick a Bible

There are many translations of the Bible. Where do you even begin to pick one? I’ve been through this process; let me help!

Step 1: Make sure it has all of the books of the Bible.

My litmus test is to look for Maccabees. Why Maccabees? Because neither 1 nor 2 Maccabees is in any shortened version of the Bible but both are in a full copy of the Good Book. (Truncated Bibles include protestant versions as well as New Testament only versions.) Also, a friend recommended Maccabees as the place to spark interest in the Bible for anyone who likes action and adventure. (So me.) En garde!

Step 2: What’s your preferred language?

The Bible is available in many languages; Greek, Hebrew, and Latin offer the original, non-translated versions. My understanding is limited to English, but if you prefer another language, it’s probably available in that as well. (If you’ve made it this far, I’m assuming you have a working knowledge of English; if you’d like me to find a Bible for you in another language, let me know and I’ll do what I can to find that resource for you.)

Step 3: What’s your linguistic preference?

Do you like the “thee” and “thou” words or would you prefer “you” and “your?” Generally, the newer the translation, the closer the language is to modern English. If the olde English inspires you, you’ll want an older translation. If you’re a linguist or want to see the literal translation, typically, the older the translation is, the better.

Step 4: Various versions vary.

I’m providing a short snippet of my take on the different translations. To help you get a feeling for the translations, I’m also providing Psalm 51 verse 10 so you can read the differences for yourself.

NABRE: New American Bible, Revised Edition

This is the translation read aloud at Mass. It has the most flow as far as modern language goes, so if you’re really concerned about following the text, this is the translation I recommend. It’s great for anyone who knows modern English but uncomfortable with old words or odd syntax.

You will let me hear gladness and joy;
the bones you have crushed will rejoice.

–Psalm 51:10, NABRE

RSV-CE and RSV-2CE: Revised Standard Version – (Second (or, Revised)) Catholic Edition

The RSV-CE and -2CE are my go-to translations. I need the words to be generally modern, but I enjoy the occasional “thee” and “thou” (which is kept in the Our Father) as well as parsing linguistic turns-of-phrase. In some places, the syntax may seem a little off, but if you can handle Yoda quotes, you can handle this. This is a great translation for anyone needing modern language but preferring to keep to a closer literal translation of the original text.

The -CE portion means “Catholic Edition.” In other words, it includes all of the books of the Bible, including Maccabees.

I don’t know what changed between the -CE and the -2CE. I suspect the language was modernized in the revision, but I haven’t done a comparison and haven’t noticed anything in particular. (Bible Gateway doesn’t have RSV-2CE, but it does have RSV-CE.) I did separate them out below for easy reference.

Create in me a clean heart, O God,
and put a new and right spirit within me.

– Psalm 51:10, RSV-CE

D-R: Douay-Rheims

This is the first translation of the Bible into English; it was completed in about 1610. This is not a modern translation, but theoretically it’s only high school reading level. I guess we were reading Shakespeare, right?

The Douay-Rheims is the closest to the original text, and it is the most authoritative translation of the Bible. None of this matters if I can’t understand it, and I can’t understand it if I don’t read it. I find this translation to be intimidating such that I can’t seem to read more than a few verses at a time. (Contrast this to my accidentally reading three books of Acts in RSV-CE because I was simply enthralled.)

I recommend this for people who already have a basic grasp of the scriptures and (as in, both – not just either/or) either savor old language or feel called to wrangle with it.

But I, as a fruitful olive tree in the house of God, have hoped in the mercy of God for ever, yea for ever and ever.

– Psalm 51:10, Douay-Rheims

Vulgate

Latin. The Vulgate is the Latin version of the Bible as translated by Saint Jerome around 400 A.D. I enjoy reading Latin because it’s a beautiful language, but I don’t understand it. I can say this: if you know, enjoy, and want Latin, go for the Vulgate.

ego autem sicut oliva fructifera in domo Dei speravi in misericordia Dei in aeternum et in saeculum saeculi

– Psalm 51:10, Vulgate

Combination: Douay-Rheims and Vulgate

I found one beautiful book which combines the Douay-Rheims and Vulgate translations. This version takes the Latin Vulgate and pairs it verbatim with the Douay-Rheims translation. I use the online version of this when parsing language and playing with linguistics. If you love seeing the direct comparison between the Latin and the English, this is the Bible for you.

But I, as a fruitful olive tree in the house of God, have hoped in the mercy of God for ever, yea for ever and ever.

ego autem sicut oliva fructifera in domo Dei speravi in misericordia Dei in aeternum et in saeculum saeculi

– Psalm 51:10, Vulgate with Douay-Rheims

What’s On My Wishlist

I love language, so I have at least one of each of the types on my wishlist. I pulled the links and added some notations that I hope are helpful; the prices were accurate as of 2 pm today (January 3rd, 2020), but they may change, so please double-check before checking out.

NABRE: New American Bible, Revised Edition

• Holy Bible, Catholic Companion Edition, Leather Bound, $39.27
• Saint Joseph Medium Size Gift Bible-NABRE, Imitation Leather, $32.82
• Saint Joseph Medium Size Gift Bible-NABRE, Paperback, $38.25 + $3.98 shipping = $42.23

RSV-2CE: Revised Standard Version, Second (or, Revised) Catholic Edition

• The Didache Bible with Commentaries Based on the Catechism of the Catholic Church, Leather Bound, $56.00
  (The Didache Bible is one of the most highly recommended of all versions both for its accuracy and helpful notations.)
• The Great Adventure Catholic Bible, Ascension Press, Leather Bound, $47.95

Ignatius Press (RSV-2CE)

Ignatius Press gets its own subcategory because it has the same thing in several styles. Would you like your leather to be burgundy or black?

• Ignatius Catholic Bible: Revised Standard Version, Burgundy, Zipper Duradera Leather Bound, $25.19
• Holy Bible: Revised Standard Version (Ignatius Catholic Bible) – Bonded (black) Leather, Large Print, $45.33
• The Ignatius Bible: Revised Standard Version – Second Catholic Edition, Hardcover, $22.49
• The Ignatius Bible: Revised Standard Version – Second Catholic Edition, Kindle Edition, $12.99

RSV-CE: Revised Standard Version, Catholic Edition

• Spiritual Warfare Bible, Saint Benedict Press, Imitation Leather, $40.93
  (This one is at the top of my list. Saint Michael, protect us!)

D-R: Douay-Rheims

• Douay-Rheims Holy Bible, Hardcover, $52.95
• The Holy Bible – Douay Rheims – Illustrated – Hardcover – currently unavailable, but I’m particularly interested in its return because illustrations would help me struggle through the difficult passages
• Douay-Rheims Bible (Black Genuine Leather): Standard Print Size Leather Bound, $37.43

Vulgate

Again, please note that these Bibles are entirely in Latin: the Greek and Hebrew scriptures were translated into Latin.

• Biblia Sacra Vulgata (Vulgate): Holy Bible in Latin Hardcover, $56.97
• Holy Bible: Latin Vulgate Translation – paperback, $44.99

Douay-Rheims and Vulgate

• Douay-Rheims & Clementina Vulgata (English and Latin Edition) (Latin) Bonded Leather, $99.95 + $3.99 shipping = $103.94

Summary

Now you know that I have a collection of Bibles on my wish list. I hope you learned a little something from my digging, and that it helped you pick out your next Bible!

Was this post helpful? Do you already have a Bible? Which one do you use? If not yet, which one are you considering? What’s your favorite thing about the version you prefer? I look forward to hearing your insight!