Is this the right bible version?

Sunlight · #1 May 21, '12, 5:51 am

Hello

I am not a practicing catholic and I am trying to find my way back into the faith. My mom bought me a bible last year and I just pulled it out of storage not too long ago. She isn't aware that there are a few different versions of the bible and I was unaware until recently. Anyway, She bought me the NIrV which says it's the simplified version of the NIV. I understand that the difference between NIrV and NIV is that it's easier to read, which I am all for, but is NIrv/NIV considered the right bible for the catholic faith?

thank you!

**Church Militant** · #2 May 21, '12, 7:37 am

Not really...it's an non-Catholic translation, and one that I never have liked.

I have several that I can recommend that are Catholic, which means they will have all 73 books in them.

I use the

The Ignatius Bible: Revised Standard Version - Second Catholic Edition by Press Ignatius (Dec 2005)

$31.95 $18.99 Hardcover

Which is very nice and reads very very well.

Other translations that are approved by the Church are

New American Bible Revised Edition - NABRE Quality Paperbound by Confraternity of Christian Doctrine and United States Catholic Conference of Bishops (Mar 9, 2011)

$24.95 $16.47 Perfect Paperback

This one's similar to the NIV that yours is based on, but is a separate Catholic translation and is the one tied to the mass readings here in the U.S.

If you are someone who likes the King James era translations, (Some folks do) then you can get the

The Holy Bible : DOUAY-RHEIMS VERSION by Translation of Latin Vulgate and Revised by Bishop Challoner (Jul 31, 2009)

$29.95 $19.77 Paperback

God bless!

figs · #3 May 24, '12, 4:45 am

Quote:

Originally Posted by Church Militant

Not really...it's an non-Catholic translation, and one that I never have liked.

I have several that I can recommend that are Catholic, which means they will have all 73 books in them.

I use the

The Ignatius Bible: Revised Standard Version - Second Catholic Edition by Press Ignatius (Dec 2005)

$31.95 $18.99 Hardcover

Which is very nice and reads very very well.

my fav too! ..it's a very 'smooth' read. Everyone, I know, that has it seems to feel the same.

pablope · #4 May 21, '12, 7:41 am

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sunlight

Hello

I am not a practicing catholic and I am trying to find my way back into the faith. My mom bought me a bible last year and I just pulled it out of storage not too long ago. She isn't aware that there are a few different versions of the bible and I was unaware until recently. Anyway, She bought me the NIrV which says it's the simplified version of the NIV. I understand that the difference between NIrV and NIV is that it's easier to read, which I am all for, but is NIrv/NIV considered the right bible for the catholic faith?

thank you!

No...that is a protestant Bible. It is most likely missing 7 OT books.

A catholic bible would have an "Imprimatur" and "Nihil Obstat" by a Catholic bishop. Look for these inside the front pages.

Tietjen · #5 May 21, '12, 7:48 am

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sunlight

Hello

I am not a practicing catholic and I am trying to find my way back into the faith. My mom bought me a bible last year and I just pulled it out of storage not too long ago. She isn't aware that there are a few different versions of the bible and I was unaware until recently. Anyway, She bought me the NIrV which says it's the simplified version of the NIV. I understand that the difference between NIrV and NIV is that it's easier to read, which I am all for, but is NIrv/NIV considered the right bible for the catholic faith?

thank you!

The NIV is not usually considered a "Catholic Bible." But that doesn't mean that you shouldn't use it if it is the only Bible that you currently have. The NIV is incomplete as it is missing 7 Old Testament books, 7 chapters of Esther, and 2 chapters and a prayer in the book of Daniel. Ideally, you'll want to eventually obtain a Catholic Bible. I'd suggest the RSV-CE (easy to understand); however, there is also the NAB, New Jerusalem, Douay Rheims, and several other Catholic Bibles out there as well.

Sunlight · #6 May 21, '12, 8:05 am

Thank you so much! I will buy the correct bible and just put this one I have away. I would donate it but since my mom gave it to me and she is really sick health wise, I wouldn't have the heart to give it away. I know she meant well but she isn't aware of the different versions.

cradlecatholic5 · #7 May 21, '12, 8:11 am

Hello & welcome, I really like this bible. I gave one to my daughter for her bday and got one for myself also. I enjoy reading it at Adoration Chapel.

NAB Catholic Women's BibleItem code: 1556654650

Thought provoking articles, inspirational scripture selections and unique biographies combine in 88 full color pages to produce a Bible designed to inspire, empower and motivate Catholic women of every age. Twenty-two themes are presented in four contexts: Plan and Purpose; Spiritual Awakening; Holy Women of God; and Faith in Action. Also includes: Dogmatic Constitution on Divine Revelation; 3-Year Cycle of Readings, The Celebration of the Eucharist and Origin, Inspiration and History of the Bible. Page edge indexing.
8 point text
Double-column format
Book Introductions with Outlines
Cross References with Textual Notes
Plan and Purpose: Grow in you faith by focusing on God's plan and purpose for you. These articles will challenge you to discern, understand and follow God's will.
Spiritual Awakening: Recognize, Reflect and Respond to God's call in Scripture through practical suggestions on how to make the lessons relevant today.
Holy Women of God: Inspiring stories that bring to life some of the Holy Women who have responded to Christ by leading a life dedicated to Him.
Faith in Action: Stories that will touch your heart and reveal what imitating Christ can look like in your life.
Page edge indexing
Softcover
5 1/2" x 8" x 1 1/4"

Justice_Mercy · #8 May 21, '12, 8:13 am

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sunlight

Thank you so much! I will buy the correct bible and just put this one I have away. I would donate it but since my mom gave it to me and she is really sick health wise, I wouldn't have the heart to give it away. I know she meant well but she isn't aware of the different versions.

If you want one that you can use to discuss things with Protestants with and still have it be one that Catholics can use, the RSV was mentioned above... I think that is an excellent all-purpose translation

**Church Militant** · #9 May 21, '12, 4:00 pm

Quote:

Originally Posted by Justice_Mercy

If you want one that you can use to discuss things with Protestants with and still have it be one that Catholics can use, the RSV was mentioned above... I think that is an excellent all-purpose translation

A good point.

Tyuiop411 · #10 May 21, '12, 4:55 pm

If your more comfortable with the simplified language of the NIV then I would suggest going for a New Jerusalem Bible or a NAB. Both use roughly the same kind of language as the NIV, but the NAB will only be widely available in America why the NJB may be a little hard to find here

bmonk · #11 May 22, '12, 3:04 pm

Another vital difference between Bibles is not only the translation, which can be slanted to certain interpretations, but also the footnotes. A Catholic Bible will have footnotes that help the reader with a Catholic interpretation of the texts.

melchesidechpio · #12 May 22, '12, 4:50 pm

i recommend the douay-rheims the Baronius Press version

Stratocatholic · #13 May 22, '12, 8:20 pm

Revised Standard Version (or Ignatius) is the best in my opinion. The original Jerusalem is good for reading also. And the Douay Rheims if you don't mind the older English style.

Dont's: NIV, NAB, NABRE, New Living Translation and a host of other modern translations.

Dymphna82 · #14 May 23, '12, 8:23 pm

The NIV is actually one of the worst translations, that even most Protestant churches would not recommend. The company that publishes it has a tendency to change words around, to suit their ideologies. It's a very popular and easy to read translation though. When I came back to the church, I bought an NIV Chunky Bible, not knowing about the differences.

I have a Douay Rheims and an NAB. Douay Rheims isn't really that hard to read, if you're used to the KJV or Shakespeare.

It has the most accurate translation. NAB is a lot easier to find in stores and it's what the churches in the U.S. use nowadays anyway.

Can read the DR here, if you want.
http://www.drbo.org/index.htm