by Pam Brink

Created on: November 29, 2010

The best version of the Catholic Bible, in any language, is the one that has an Imprimatur on the copyright page. This means that this particular translation of the Bible has been approved for Catholics by the Church.

The three most popular approved English translations of the Catholic Bible in North America are The New Jerusalem Bible (NJB), the New American Bible (NAB) and the New Revised Standard Version (NRSV). Some are study editions, some have commentaries included, some are large print, some have leather binding, and still others are just of the New Testament.

In the United States, the American Conference of Catholic Bishops  (ACCN) decided to use the New American Bible English translation for liturgy, whereas the Canadian Bishops decided to use the New Revised Standard Version of the Bible. (Since the Bishops in every English speaking country may approve a different English translation, not just for the Bible but also for all Liturgies, the Vatican decided to develop a single English translation to be used in all English-speaking countries for the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass. This English translation, developed over the previous eight years and to be instituted Advent 2011, was translated directly from the Latin Vulgate without reference to any existing English translations.)

All English translations of the Bible are translations from the Latin Vulgate. Each translation will have a slightly different shift in emphasis or English vocabulary. All languages are nuanced and it is difficult to do a direct translation from one language to another and still represent the meaning intended. It is even more difficult in translating an archaic language into a modern one since cultures, customs and beliefs have changed so drastically over the centuries. What is meant by a word in another age may not apply to our age. (An example of this was given by Father John Corapi in one of his lectures. If, one thousand years from now, someone finds a copy of a sermon of his that begins, “Brothers and sisters…,” the historian might think that the speaker’s father had been very busy!) Translations must also deal with context. In what context does the meaning lie?

The best version of the Catholic Bible is the one that best suits you. For some, the Jerusalem Bible is their Bible of choice to pray over. For others, the NSRV is the Bible of choice because it tries to avoid gender specific language wherever possible without violating intent. For still others, the directness of the NAM, is appealing. Bible study groups that use all three translations as references for group discussions, find they help to clarify questions that arise.

The best version of the Catholic Bible is the one that leads you to prayer and to a greater understanding and love of God.

Learn more about this author, Pam Brink.
Click here to send this author comments or questions.