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Catholic Bibles

 What are the main Catholic Bibles?

  1. Douay-Rheims Bible: An English translation from the Latin Vulgate, completed in the late 16th century. It has been a traditional Bible for English-speaking Catholics.

  2. New American Bible (NAB, NABRE): An English translation first published in 1970 and revised multiple times. It is widely used in the United States for liturgical purposes.

  3. Revised Standard Version Catholic Edition (RSV-CE): A Catholic edition of the Revised Standard Version of the Bible, approved for Catholic use in 1965.

  4. New Revised Standard Version Catholic Edition (NRSV-CE): An updated version of the RSV-CE, widely used in academic and liturgical settings.

    NRSV Catholic Edition Gift Bible, White Leathersoft (Comfort Print, Holy Bible, Complete Catholic Bible, NRSV CE)

  5. Jerusalem Bible (JB): A translation from the French edition of the Bible, completed in 1966. It is known for its scholarly annotations and use in English-speaking liturgies outside the United States.

  6. New Jerusalem Bible (NJB): An updated version of the Jerusalem Bible, published in 1985, with revised translations and annotations.

  7. Christian Community Bible: A translation aimed at being accessible and understandable, with editions tailored for different regions, such as the Philippines and Latin America.

These translations include the deuterocanonical books, which are considered canonical by the Catholic Church but are not included in most Protestant Bibles.


What are the differences between Catholic Bibles and Christian Bibles?


The primary differences between Catholic Bibles and Protestant Bibles, often referred to as "Christian Bibles," lie in the canon (the collection of books included) and certain translation choices. Here are the main differences:

Canon

  1. Deuterocanonical Books:
    • Catholic Bibles: Include seven additional books in the Old Testament, known as the deuterocanonical books: Tobit, Judith, Wisdom, Sirach (Ecclesiasticus), Baruch, and 1 and 2 Maccabees, as well as additional sections in the books of Esther and Daniel.
    • Protestant Bibles: Do not include these books, referring to them as the Apocrypha if they are included in a separate section.

Translation and Textual Basis

  1. Textual Sources:
    • Catholic Bibles: Traditionally based on the Latin Vulgate, especially for older translations like the Douay-Rheims Bible. Modern translations often use the original Hebrew, Aramaic, and Greek texts.
    • Protestant Bibles: Typically translated directly from the Hebrew and Greek texts, such as the Masoretic Text for the Old Testament and the Textus Receptus or critical texts for the New Testament.

Interpretation and Notes

  1. Study Notes and Commentaries:
    • Catholic Bibles: Often include annotations and study notes reflecting Catholic doctrine, teachings, and interpretations, including insights from Church Fathers and Catholic theologians.
    • Protestant Bibles: Study notes and annotations generally reflect Protestant theological perspectives and interpretations.

Liturgy and Usage

  1. Liturgical Use:
    • Catholic Bibles: Specific translations, like the New American Bible (NAB) and the Jerusalem Bible, are approved for use in the liturgy and lectionary readings in Catholic Mass.
    • Protestant Bibles: Different denominations may prefer specific translations for worship and study, such as the King James Version (KJV), New International Version (NIV), or English Standard Version (ESV).

Theological Emphasis

  1. Theological Emphasis:
    • Catholic Bibles: Reflect Catholic theology, including beliefs in the sacraments, the authority of the Church, and the tradition alongside Scripture.
    • Protestant Bibles: Reflect the principles of the Reformation, emphasizing sola scriptura (Scripture alone) and often focusing on the priesthood of all believers and justification by faith.

Editions and Translations

  1. Popular Editions:
    • Catholic Bibles: Include the Douay-Rheims Bible, New American Bible (NAB), Revised Standard Version Catholic Edition (RSV-CE), New Revised Standard Version Catholic Edition (NRSV-CE), and the Jerusalem Bible.
    • Protestant Bibles: Include the King James Version (KJV), New International Version (NIV), English Standard Version (ESV), and the New Living Translation (NLT).

In summary, while Catholic and Protestant Bibles share many similarities, their differences in the canon, translation sources, theological annotations, and liturgical use highlight the distinct traditions and teachings of their respective branches of Christianity.


Which bible does the Catholic Church use for Mass?

The Catholic Church primarily uses the New American Bible (NAB) for Mass in the United States. The specific edition used is the New American Bible Revised Edition (NABRE), which was released in 2011. This version includes updated translations and is approved for liturgical use.

Outside the United States, different translations might be used depending on the region. For example:

Each region's conference of bishops typically approves specific translations for use in the liturgy, ensuring they align with the doctrinal teachings and liturgical norms of the Catholic Church.


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