When comparing translation
philosophies there generally
two sides of the spectrum:
Formal and Functional
Formal equivalent translations attempt to reproduce the original word and structure of sentences from the original languages. Functional equivalent translations attempt to reproduce the original thought. Both translation philosophies must make interpretive decisions since English words and grammar are markedly different than the original Greek, Aramaic, and Hebrew. Even the most Formal translations will need to dip into the functional.
On the more formal side we have the:
English Standard Version Catholic Edition
Douay Rheims Bible
Revised Standard Version 1st and 2nd Catholic Editions
New Revised Standard Version Catholic Edition
In the middle (what some would call optimal equivalent translations, with a moderate use of both formal and function) we have the:
New American Bible Revised Edition
New Catholic Bible (Version) by Catholic Book Publishing
Revised New Jerusalem Bible
On the more functional end of the spectrum we have the:
New Jerusalem Bible
Jerusalem Bible (Catholic Truth Society)
New Living Translation Catholic Edition
Here are how some of these are used throughout the world:
The RSV-CE is used in official English language church documents. Like the Scripture quotations in the Catechism of the Catholic Church.
An earlier adapted version of the New American Bible is the basis of the lectionary in the United States and the Philippines, that is the readings that are heard at mass.
The Canadian Lectionary uses NRSV as its base.
The United Kingdom, Ireland, Australia and New Zealand use the Jerusalem Bible.
The Southern African Catholic Bishops' Conference, and the English Speaking Caribbean use RSV2CE.
And Just recently India has moved to use the ESV-CE in its lectionary.
Now, if you’re looking for a scholarly bible you will want something in the
Standard Version line of bibles. That is the ESV/RSV/NRSV
SCHOLARLY BIBLES
RSV-CE
The RSV-CE has been out for decades, and plenty of Catholic scholars and apologists like it, particularly it’s more recent Second Catholic Edition. As such there many study bibles in this version, like the Great Adventure Catholic Bible, the Ignatius Catholic Study Bible, and the Didache Bible.
ESV-CE
The Catholic Edition of the ESV is more recent. After the Catholic Bishops in Indian approved it in 2018 The Augustine Institute in the US got permission to publish it in 2019, marketing it as The Augustine Bible.
NRSV-CE
As for the NRSV-CE, Harper Collins has recently started publishing, under the Catholic Bible Press name, these nice Leathersoft bibles, and a couple of journaling bibles.
I would be remiss to not include Catholic commissioned translations
in the scholarly section as well, namely, the NABRE and the DR.
NABRE
The NABRE shows how verses can be translated outside of the Standard Version line of bibles, and recent and ongoing revisions have made it more formal. After it’s 2011 revision of the Old Testament, the USCCB announced a revision of the New Testament which is set to be completed by 2025. The NABRE is licensed to many publishers. Including: Saint Benedict Press, Catholic Book Publishing, Catholic Bible Press, Midwest Theological Forum, And Our Sunday Visitor to name a few.
DR
As for the DR, it is an historic translation that many English speaking Catholics treasured well into the 20th Century. What it lacks in recent scholarship and manuscripts, I think it makes up in its rich history and at the very least serves as a comparison bible. Today Baronius Press and Saint Benedict Press publish it.
Which brings us to the bibles for devotional reading:
DEVOTIONAL READING BIBLES
The previously mentioned bibles can be used for devotional reading as well, but bibles in this section specifically tend to be easier to read and are more natural or casual in their renderings, especially of some of the more difficult passages, bringing a certain breath of fresh air to the sometimes stilted language of the more formal translations.
NCB(V)
The New Catholic Bible (Version) by Catholic Book Publishing is a recent translation, fully Published in 2019. This bible is easy to read, and it’s notes are especially helpful catechetical tools for learning the faith, if not exactly deeply scholarly tools. I think the notes in this bible are what many people expect of the notes in other bibles because these are more concerned with expounding on the faith, than providing scholarly textual criticism.
RNJB, NJB, JB
Next we have the Jerusalem Bible line of translations. The original Jerusalem Bible was famously the translation Mother Angelica used for teaching. Published in 1966, it became the first widely accepted Catholic English translation since the Douay Rheims.
In 1985 the New Jerusalem Bible came out which was slightly more formal but retained the style of the original.
And recently in 2019 the Revised New Jerusalem Bible came out which marked another shift towards the formal while retaining the style.
NLT-CE
Lastly we have the NLT-CE. The most natural and casual of the translations, often adding clarifying phrases and rendering old terms into modern English. After years of review by the Catholic Bishops in Indian, they suggested a handful of changes to the base translation which the publishers accepted and we are told will be included in all subsequent editions of the NLT, Protestant and Catholic alike.
Here are reading levels of each versions. Something to consider if you want an easier read, or looking to buy for a younger audience, or even just someone new to the faith.
