Catholic Bible Guide

Helpful information for choosing a Catholic Bible

What's the difference between a Catholic and a Protestant Bible?

Both Catholic and Protestant Bibles contain the New Testament (27 books). However, the Protestant Old Testament has only 39 books. Catholic Bibles contain 46. The extra books included in Catholic Bibles are Tobit, 1 and 2 Maccabees, Wisdom, Sirach, Baruch, and Judith (and additional parts of Esther and Daniel). These are the deuterocanonical books. Generally, Catholics call these seven books deuterocanonical (a second canon), whereas Protestants call these books apocryphal (of doubtful inspiration).

Which Bibles are exclusively Catholic?

Catholic Bibles include the New American Bible (not to be confused with the New American Standard Bible), The New American Bible Revised Edition, The New Jerusalem Bible, and the older Douay Rheims.

 

The only translation that is accepted for liturgies in the United States is the New American translation. The Contemporary English Version is approved for children's liturgies.

Imprimatur (from Latin, "let it be printed") is found in Catholic Bibles and indicates that it is published with ecclesiastical permission. This indicates assurance that the text has been approved by a Catholic bishop and that the edition contains the seven deuterocanonical books.

 A Brief Description of the Translations Most Commonly Used by Catholics:

Douay-Rheims (DR)
This translation of the Latin Vulgate (St. Jerome translation into Latin from the Greek and Hebrew) is the closest translation to the King James Bible. This translation was used before the NAB.

Jerusalem Bible (JB)
The Jerusalem Bible is translated from the French Bible de Jerusalem. It is known for its exquisite literary style that is used across denominational lines. Used for Mass and liturgies in many European countries, this translation can be recommended for use in prayers and devotions. (In 1999, Doubleday reprinted it.)

New Jerusalem Bible (NJB)
This is the update of the 1966 Jerusalem Bible based on the 1973 French Edition with revised footnotes, updated text, and inclusive language.

New American Bible (NAB)
This translation is most familiar to Catholics from the readings at Mass. It is the first English Bible from the Catholic Church translated from the original texts. It is at the eleventh grade reading level and is direct in style. Completed in 1970, the New Testament was revised in 1986 and the Psalms were revised in 1992.

 

New Revised Standard (NRSV)
This updated Revised Standard translation includes changes from archaeological and textual discoveries made in recent decades. It eliminates male-oriented language. The NRS was used in English editions of The Catechism of the Catholic Church. It is used for liturgies in parts of Canada.

 

Revised Standard (RSV)
Some say this is the best English translation for Bible study because it closely follows the Hebrew and Greek originals. It is a revision of the English Bible in the King James tradition. It is written at a tenth grade level.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Compare Bible Translations Translation Abbr. Date Completed Sample Verse Reading Level Translation Type Comments Douay-Rheims OE New Testament 1609 Old Testament 1610 1 Peter 3:15: But sanctify the Lord Christ in your hearts, being ready always to satisfy every one that asketh you a reason of that hope which is in you. 9th-10th Grades Formal Equivalent This Roman Catholic translation was based on the Latin Vulgate (4th century), and was intended to counter the large number of Protestant English Bibles which appeared in the late 16th century. It reads much like the King James Version. Jerusalem Bible OE 1966 1 Peter 3:15: Simply reverence the Lord Christ in your hearts, and always have your answer ready for people who ask you the reason for the hope that you all have. 7th Grade Formal Equivalent Based on the French Bible de Jerusalem (1956), this Roman Catholic Bible is noted for its fine literary style, and is used across denominational lines. New American Bible NB 1970; NT revised 1986; Psalms revised 1992 1 Peter 3:15: . . . But sanctify Christ as Lord in your hearts. Always be ready to give an explanation to anyone who asks you for a reason for your hope. 11th Grade Dynamic This is the first complete American Catholic Bible translated from the original languages. Its style is more direct than that of the Jerusalem Bible. New Jerusalem Bible NJ 1985 1 Peter 3:15: Simply proclaim the Lord Christ holy in your hearts, and always have your answer ready for people who ask you the reason for the hope that you have. 9th Grade Not Available An update of the Jerusalem Bible, with revised footnotes and more dignified language. New Revised Standard Version NR 1990 1 Peter 3:15: . . . But in your hearts sanctify Christ as Lord. Always be ready to make your defense to anyone who demands from you an accounting for the hope that is in you. 10th Grade Emphasis on Functional Equivalent An update of the Revised Standard Version (1952), this translation incorporates changes resulting from archaeological and textual discoveries in recent decades. Revised Standard Version RS New Testament 1946; Old Testament 1952, Revised 1971 1 Peter 3:15: ...but in your hearts reverence Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to make a defense to any one who calls you to account for the hope that is in you, yet do it with gentleness and reverence; 7th Grade Formal Equivalent A revision of the American Standard Version (1901), the RSV was intended to preserve the best of that version while incorporating modern English.