the_rev Posted December 6, 2011 Share Posted December 6, 2011 For the past four years of my life, the translation of the bible that I have most frequently used is the Catholic edition of the RSV. I think back in the day the only reason I chose that particular one, was because it was a compact edition, had a nice zipper case, and a miraculous medal from the zipper. The further I get into my theological studies, the more I realize that the RSV Catholic Edition is impractical for intensive scripture study, homiletics, etc. For me, it lacks the necessary footnotes or cross references to other scriptural texts that a preacher should have readily available. For example, in the Gospel of Mark, the evangelist writes in the prologue saying he quotes the prophet Isaiah. However, Mark is quoting other prophets in addition to Isaiah, including Malachi and Hosea. My RSV (CE) did not have the scripture passage references to those other bible verses in the footnotes or the appendix for the new testament. Rather, it said "some translations say "According to the prophets". RSV thus is indicating that it may not be just Isaiah, but it less than helpful in coming to a better understanding of whom the evangelist is quoting. As such, I think it is time for me to invest in a new bible for my scripture studies and homiletic purposes. I am not saavy with with translation is better than the other, or the difference between the Jerusalem Bible or the New Jerusalem Bible. While some people lose sleep over these issues, I grapple with other things as I lay my head down to rest each night. I am looking for feedback from those in this phorum community. I know there will be disagreements over translation preference, but I'm interested to see the translation you prefer and why your prefer it. It seems that as a future preacher of the word, it may be advantageous to acquire a New American Study Bible, since the translation of the [current] lectionary is the NAB. I'm interesting in the feedback I will receive from this community of believers, and thank you in advance for your thoughts. --the_rev Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nihil Obstat Posted December 6, 2011 Share Posted December 6, 2011 I don't mind the RSV: CE, but I really love the Douay Rheims with the Haydock commentary. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brother Adam Posted December 6, 2011 Share Posted December 6, 2011 You want to change a translation because your particular Bible didn't have extra notes you wanted? I would recommend getting a study edition of the RSV-CE with the notes you want. Remember "the translator betrays". Depending on the translation you pick the meaning of scripture can be lost or changed. However, I don't know of any commentary in a study Bible that is truly scholarly. For that you need to start building a library of commentaries and other resources for your parish office for homiletic and research helps. Even then a good academic library or online subscription is always indispensable. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Groo the Wanderer Posted December 6, 2011 Share Posted December 6, 2011 navarre or RSV-CE study bible aka ignatius study bible. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Papist Posted December 6, 2011 Share Posted December 6, 2011 [quote name='Nihil Obstat' timestamp='1323141943' post='2345325'] I don't mind the RSV: CE, but I really love the Douay Rheims with the Haydock commentary. [/quote] The Haydock commentary is very good. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EmilyAnn Posted December 6, 2011 Share Posted December 6, 2011 I use the Jerusalem Bible, for no other reason that in it was one given to me when I was in RCIA. I have a Douay Rheims on my iPod from an app but I don't like the language, I much prefer the JB language. I prefer the JB to the New JB, again it's just a preference for the style. Though I do love the footnotes on the JB, it often explains things I find ambiguous and it has very good cross-references. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Basilisa Marie Posted December 6, 2011 Share Posted December 6, 2011 If you want something with decent notes from the bishops, get an NAB Catholic Study Bible. Not to replace your RSV:CE, but as a companion. That's the version my theology department had us use in undergrad, just so everyone was looking at the same thing. It's got lots of footnotes and great cross-references. However, the notes aren't perfect, and I've had a couple of Bible professors disagree with various ones. So I made a note to the side and had both opinions. Then when I got into my MA program, they liked the RSV, but not enough to require everyone to use it. There's a lot of variation and loads of opinions on what translations are best. But I think it's good to get a couple translations - but start with an NAB Catholic Study Bible. I'm a big fan of the New Jerome Biblical Commentary. It's in one volume and has maps...pull out maps. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Totus Tuus Posted December 6, 2011 Share Posted December 6, 2011 (edited) I like the Ignatius bible for devotional reading, but when I want to look up context or study something I use the New Advent bible online, because I can check the Latin and Greek to see how close my English translation is to being accurate. It has English in the middle, Latin on the right, and Greek on the left. The ability to read originals is probably the most edifying thing about my classics major. Edited December 6, 2011 by Totus Tuus Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Totus Tuus Posted December 6, 2011 Share Posted December 6, 2011 [quote name='EmilyAnn' timestamp='1323181707' post='2345474'] I use the Jerusalem Bible, for no other reason that in it was one given to me when I was in RCIA. I have a Douay Rheims on my iPod from an app but I don't like the language, I much prefer the JB language. I prefer the JB to the New JB, again it's just a preference for the style. Though I do love the footnotes on the JB, it often explains things I find ambiguous and it has very good cross-references. [/quote] I like the Jerusalem bible for devotional reading as well, but I recently did a Greek word study and I was using the Jerusalem bible as my English reference and when I cross-checked the passages I was studying with the Greek original there were some differences that bothered me. I think the Jerusalem bible got the spirit of what the Greek was saying, but sometimes the words you use are very important and the Jerusalem bible switched vocabulary in places where I didn't understand why it would. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
the_rev Posted December 6, 2011 Author Share Posted December 6, 2011 [quote name='Brother Adam' timestamp='1323150638' post='2345394'] You want to change a translation because your particular Bible didn't have extra notes you wanted? I would recommend getting a study edition of the RSV-CE with the notes you want. Remember "the translator betrays". Depending on the translation you pick the meaning of scripture can be lost or changed. However, I don't know of any commentary in a study Bible that is truly scholarly. For that you need to start building a library of commentaries and other resources for your parish office for homiletic and research helps. Even then a good academic library or online subscription is always indispensable. [/quote] [quote name='Basilisa Marie' timestamp='1323185316' post='2345493'] If you want something with decent notes from the bishops, get an NAB Catholic Study Bible. Not to replace your RSV:CE, but as a companion. That's the version my theology department had us use in undergrad, just so everyone was looking at the same thing. It's got lots of footnotes and great cross-references. However, the notes aren't perfect, and I've had a couple of Bible professors disagree with various ones. So I made a note to the side and had both opinions. Then when I got into my MA program, they liked the RSV, but not enough to require everyone to use it. There's a lot of variation and loads of opinions on what translations are best. But I think it's good to get a couple translations - but start with an NAB Catholic Study Bible. I'm a big fan of the New Jerome Biblical Commentary. It's in one volume and has maps...pull out maps. [/quote] Yes, I am familiar with commentaries, and do own the New Jerome Biblical Commentary and am beginning my collection of the "Sacra Pagina" commentaries. I do not want to replace my bible, but rather, as some have suggested, use both of them. But all I've known is RSV, (and I think the Good News Bible from when I as a teenager in religious education). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MissyP89 Posted December 6, 2011 Share Posted December 6, 2011 I use the RSV-CE for reading/devotion. For me, the language of the Douay Rheims is a bit too complex for my taste. But my needs are very different from yours, too. Just my $0.02. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nola Seminarian Posted December 6, 2011 Share Posted December 6, 2011 [quote name='the_rev' timestamp='1323141196' post='2345316'] For the past four years of my life, the translation of the bible that I have most frequently used is the Catholic edition of the RSV. I think back in the day the only reason I chose that particular one, was because it was a compact edition, had a nice zipper case, and a miraculous medal from the zipper. The further I get into my theological studies, the more I realize that the RSV Catholic Edition is impractical for intensive scripture study, homiletics, etc. For me, it lacks the necessary footnotes or cross references to other scriptural texts that a preacher should have readily available. For example, in the Gospel of Mark, the evangelist writes in the prologue saying he quotes the prophet Isaiah. However, Mark is quoting other prophets in addition to Isaiah, including Malachi and Hosea. My RSV (CE) did not have the scripture passage references to those other bible verses in the footnotes or the appendix for the new testament. Rather, it said "some translations say "According to the prophets". RSV thus is indicating that it may not be just Isaiah, but it less than helpful in coming to a better understanding of whom the evangelist is quoting. As such, I think it is time for me to invest in a new bible for my scripture studies and homiletic purposes. I am not saavy with with translation is better than the other, or the difference between the Jerusalem Bible or the New Jerusalem Bible. While some people lose sleep over these issues, I grapple with other things as I lay my head down to rest each night. I am looking for feedback from those in this phorum community. I know there will be disagreements over translation preference, but I'm interested to see the translation you prefer and why your prefer it. It seems that as a future preacher of the word, it may be advantageous to acquire a New American Study Bible, since the translation of the [current] lectionary is the NAB. I'm interesting in the feedback I will receive from this community of believers, and thank you in advance for your thoughts. --the_rev [/quote] the Pope likes what you have, the RSV:CE, the Douay with the Haydock commentary is good, but you may want to look into other options (because the RSV:CE is so good) like maybe there is a study version of the RSV:CE Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brother Adam Posted December 6, 2011 Share Posted December 6, 2011 [quote name='the_rev' timestamp='1323200206' post='2345665'] Yes, I am familiar with commentaries, and do own the New Jerome Biblical Commentary and am beginning my collection of the "Sacra Pagina" commentaries. I do not want to replace my bible, but rather, as some have suggested, use both of them. But all I've known is RSV, (and I think the Good News Bible from when I as a teenager in religious education). [/quote] I would stick with your RSV, and reference the NAB, DR, and perhaps Jerusalem text along with all of your other resources. When you are a priest you should give any DRE or youth minister a hearty holy slap in the face if they ever give out the awful "Bad News Translation". I would put that in the top 5 worst translations ever made. Perhaps just above the Mormon and Jehovah Witness translations. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
the_rev Posted December 6, 2011 Author Share Posted December 6, 2011 [quote name='Brother Adam' timestamp='1323206165' post='2345734'] I would stick with your RSV, and reference the NAB, DR, and perhaps Jerusalem text along with all of your other resources. When you are a priest you should give any DRE or youth minister a hearty holy slap in the face if they ever give out the awful "Bad News Translation". I would put that in the top 5 worst translations ever made. Perhaps just above the Mormon and Jehovah Witness translations. [/quote] The parish that I am teaching confirmation at this year is using the Fireside Catholic Youth Bible, which is a NAB translation. It's a step up from my CCD days. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BigJon16 Posted December 6, 2011 Share Posted December 6, 2011 I use an NAB, and I like it. I have an old Jerome Biblical Commentary, that was a gift from my Pastor. It's pretty old, but I like to use it in companion, even though the translations are different. It seems as though some of the more scholarly people on here have given some great advice already. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Create an account or sign in to comment
You need to be a member in order to leave a comment
Create an account
Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!
Register a new accountSign in
Already have an account? Sign in here.
Sign In Now