Catholic Bible Translation Guide

NEW AMERICAN BIBLE

In conformity with Pope Pius XII's encyclical Divino Afflante Spiritu, the Catholic Biblical Association of America translated the Bible from the original Hebrew, Aramaic, and Greek manuscripts. This translation, published in 1970, is the New American Bible. Among Catholics in the United States, the New American Bible is the most widely read. Revisions to the New Testament were made in 1986 and to the Psalms in 1991.

REVISED STANDARD VERSION, CATHOLIC EDITION

First published for Protestant Christians in England in 1952, the Catholic Church soon endorsed publication of a Revised Standard Version Catholic Edition. In 1966 the whole RSVCE Bible was published. Many Catholic scholars consider the RSVCE to be the most literal -- and thus the best -- translation of ancient Biblical manuscripts. It is the Vatican's preferred English translation of the Bible.

DOUAY-RHEIMS VERSION

The Douay-Rheims Version is the oldest English translation of the Latin Vulgate authorized by the Catholic Church. It was published in Rheims, France, in 1582 (New Testament), and Douay, England, in 1610 (Old Testament). Bishop Richard Challoner made the last revisions to the Douay-Rheims in 1752.

THE LIVING BIBLE

Not a translation in a true sense, The Living Bible is the work of one man, Kenneth Taylor. He set out in 1974 to produce a paraphrase of the American Standard Version using words and terms his children could easily understand. Taylor founded Tyndale House Publishing and expanded his Bible to include a Catholic version.

TODAY'S ENGLISH VERSION

Published by the American Bible Society for people whose primary language is not English. Today's English Version is often called the "Good News Bible." Although attention was directed toward accuracy, the translators sometimes sacrificed this accuracy for readability. The New Testament was published in 1966; the Old Testament was published in 1976.