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To this end, the translation team of the New American Bible-which works under the auspices of the U.S.C.C.B.-hopes to significantly bridge the gap between hearing Scripture in the liturgy and reading it, studying it and praying with it in one’s personal life. “We want the Bible to become part of their thinking, their heart,” Ms. That said, it can be helpful for Catholics to seek out Bibles that offer the same translation they’re likely to hear at Mass, because the repetition can help to reinforce passages of Scripture in their memory. He noted that for the most part, today’s Bible translations reliably transmit the actual Greek and Hebrew texts, and the odds are slim that someone will be led into extreme doctrinal error by reading a non-Catholic Bible. “If I’m just looking to hear the voice of Jesus today, I think any Bible translation works,” he said. Michael Simone, S.J., who until recently served as professor of sacred Scripture at the School of Theology and Ministry, concurred. If it sits on your shelf closed, it’s not a helpful Bible.”Ĭatholics shouldn’t let the pressure of choosing the right version of the Good Book prevent them from opening one at all. “It doesn’t matter how good a translation is. “The best Bible is the one you open and read,” said Mary Elizabeth Sperry, who serves as associate director for permissions and New American Bible utilizations at the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops. If Catholics hope to change this, they shouldn’t let the pressure of choosing the right version of the Good Book prevent them from opening one at all. Clifford, S.J., professor emeritus of Old Testament at Boston College’s School of Theology and Ministry.Ĭatholics are generally more lax than other Christians about reading Scripture on a regular basis.
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Even though the Second Vatican Council documents vigorously encouraged Catholics to read Scripture regularly, they “did not really turn to the Bible in a way that would have enriched them,” said Richard J.
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Getting Catholics to read the Bible also sometimes remains a challenge. Additionally, Catholic Bibles contain seven books from the Old Testament that are not found in either Protestant Bibles or in the Jewish Scriptures. To read Scripture more faithfully, as the Second Vatican Council exhorted the faithful to do, requires an easily readable translation, but also one that accurately translates the original biblical languages. Other Bibles are designed with specific-sometimes very specific-interests in mind, like The Holy Bible: Stock Car Racing edition, which intersperses Scripture with unrelated pictures of race cars.Īmid such a multitude of choices, what is the best Bible translation for Catholics? The importance of translationįor many Catholics, finding the right Bible translation can seem a tricky topic to broach. There are also more specialized versions: Last year, Bishop Robert Barron’s ministry published its Word on Fire edition of the New Testament, replete with full-color images, historical explanations and reflections. There are mainstream translations like the New King James Version, the New International Version and the Good News Bible. Today, though, the Vulgate is no longer in common use in the English-speaking world, dozens of translations have vied for readers in its stead.Įnglish-speaking Catholics in the 21st century have an embarrassment of riches from which to choose. He is best known for translating the Bible from its original Hebrew and Greek into Latin, and his translation, called the Vulgate, remained the most commonly used version of scripture for over 1,100 years. 30, is a giant in the intellectual history of the church.