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The New Jerusalem Bible: Reader's Edition
The New Jerusalem Bible (NJB) is a Roman Catholic translation published in '85 by Darton, Longman & Todd & Les Editions du Cerf, & edited by the Rev. Henry Wansbrough. It includes the deuterocanonical books & sections. The text of these is included where they occur in the context of the complete Septuagint, instead of being grouped together in an appendix. Deuterocanonical sections of books in the Hebrew canon are identified by italics. This version of scripture is translated "directly from the Hebrew, Greek or Aramaic". The '73 French translation, the Bible de Jérusalem, is followed only "where the text admits to more than one interpretation." The introductions & notes, with some modifications, are taken from the Bible de Jérusalem. The NJB's New Testament is translated from the Novum Testamentum Graece 25th ed., with occasional parallels to Codex Bezae. Its Old Testament is drawn from the Biblia Hebraica Stuttgartensia with Septuagint, & the Apocrypha from the Septuagint with Vulgate influence. The NJB is an update to the Jerusalem Bible, an English version of the French Bible de Jérusalem. It's commonly held that the Jerusalem Bible wasn't a translation from the French; rather, it was an original translation heavily influenced by the French. This view isn't shared by editor Wansbrough, who writes, "Despite claims to the contrary, it's clear that the Jerusalem Bible was translated from the French, possibly with occasional glances at the Hebrew or Greek, rather than vice versa." When the French version was updated in '73, the changes were used to revise the Jerusalem Bible, creating the NJB. The revisions were substantial. The revised version is said to be less literary, more literal. The introductions & footnotes, translated almost entirely from the French, have also been thoroughly revised & expanded, making it one of the most scholarly editions of the bible.
1472 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 1985
92 people are currently reading
489 people want to read
About the author
Henry Wansbrough
99 books10 followersBorn Joseph Henry Wansbrough, the Very Reverend Dom Henry Wansbrough, OSB, MA (Oxon), STL (Fribourg), LSS (Rome), is an English biblical scholar and a monk of Ampleforth Abbey, England.
He was General Editor of the New Jerusalem Bible. He has written twenty books, more than sixty articles, around ninety book reviews, an edition of the Synoptic Gospels, with an accompanying textbook, for 'A'-Level students, and more than fifty electronic booklets, essays, and lectures, as well as editing, co-editing, and translating other volumes. Today he resides at Ampleforth.
He was General Editor of the New Jerusalem Bible. He has written twenty books, more than sixty articles, around ninety book reviews, an edition of the Synoptic Gospels, with an accompanying textbook, for 'A'-Level students, and more than fifty electronic booklets, essays, and lectures, as well as editing, co-editing, and translating other volumes. Today he resides at Ampleforth.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 62 reviews
February 28, 2019
This is the heavy hardbound book out of Doubleday (1985) with a repro of Raphael's Transfiguration on the front cover. I came to this bible late in life, having grown up Protestant, but despite its size and bulk it has much to recommend it to the general reader.
For one thing, it includes the Deuterocanonical books ("Apocryphal books") that Protestant bibles generally do not. While not the most elaborate study bible out there, it has learned and helpful commentary.
What may matter most to us general readers is: how does it read? It reads differently from most of the English-language bibles around today, the main reason is that it's not descended from the line of (Tyndale) King James (aka "Authorised" Version) that most such bibles are. Here's a comparison of a crucial Old Testament passage in three different translations, leading with this one:
Genesis Ch. 3, verses 12-14:
In the New Jerusalem Bible:
"12.The man replied, 'It was the woman you put with me; she gave me some fruit from the tree, and I ate it.' 13.Then Yahweh God said to the woman, 'Why did you do that?' The woman replied, 'The snake tempted me and I ate.' 14.Then Yahweh God said to the snake, 'Because you have done this, Accursed be you of all animals wild and tame! On your belly you will go and on dust you will feed as long as you live."
New International Version (NIV):
12 The man said, “The woman you put here with me—she gave me some fruit from the tree, and I ate it.”
13 Then the Lord God said to the woman, “What is this you have done?”
The woman said, “The serpent deceived me, and I ate.”
14 So the Lord God said to the serpent, “Because you have done this,
“Cursed are you above all livestock
and all wild animals!
You will crawl on your belly
and you will eat dust
all the days of your life.”
Finally, the Amplified Bible:
12 And the man said, “The woman whom You gave to be with me—she gave me [fruit] from the tree, and I ate it.” 13 Then the Lord God said to the woman, “What is this that you have done?” And the woman said, “The serpent beguiled and deceived me, and I ate [from the forbidden tree].” 14 The Lord God said to the serpent,
“Because you have done this,
You are cursed more than all the cattle,
And more than any animal of the field;
On your belly you shall go
And dust you shall eat
All the days of your life.”
The reader will notice that there are differences between the New Jerusalem Bible and the other two, apart from the fact that the NJB says "Yahweh God" instead of "Lord God," and that when the Almighty speaks, it is not shown in verse. To me it just reads more smoothly in many cases: Eve complains that the snake "tempted" her rather than "deceived," "beguiled" or even "tricked" her as in other versions.
THE NEW JERUSALEM BIBLE is not a novelty, but a significant different translation of the bible. Unless you are Catholic you may not want to make it your primary bible but it is a worthy contender among bibles, and many people (including one bible-as-literature professor) have told me they think it just reads more smoothly and often more meaningfully, too. The fifty-dollar retail price can be significantly undercut by shopping around, or buying used.
THE NEW JERUSALEM BIBLE has a new version on the way: The Revised New Jerusalem Bible. I'm sorry to say I am not familiar with it.
For one thing, it includes the Deuterocanonical books ("Apocryphal books") that Protestant bibles generally do not. While not the most elaborate study bible out there, it has learned and helpful commentary.
What may matter most to us general readers is: how does it read? It reads differently from most of the English-language bibles around today, the main reason is that it's not descended from the line of (Tyndale) King James (aka "Authorised" Version) that most such bibles are. Here's a comparison of a crucial Old Testament passage in three different translations, leading with this one:
Genesis Ch. 3, verses 12-14:
In the New Jerusalem Bible:
"12.The man replied, 'It was the woman you put with me; she gave me some fruit from the tree, and I ate it.' 13.Then Yahweh God said to the woman, 'Why did you do that?' The woman replied, 'The snake tempted me and I ate.' 14.Then Yahweh God said to the snake, 'Because you have done this, Accursed be you of all animals wild and tame! On your belly you will go and on dust you will feed as long as you live."
New International Version (NIV):
12 The man said, “The woman you put here with me—she gave me some fruit from the tree, and I ate it.”
13 Then the Lord God said to the woman, “What is this you have done?”
The woman said, “The serpent deceived me, and I ate.”
14 So the Lord God said to the serpent, “Because you have done this,
“Cursed are you above all livestock
and all wild animals!
You will crawl on your belly
and you will eat dust
all the days of your life.”
Finally, the Amplified Bible:
12 And the man said, “The woman whom You gave to be with me—she gave me [fruit] from the tree, and I ate it.” 13 Then the Lord God said to the woman, “What is this that you have done?” And the woman said, “The serpent beguiled and deceived me, and I ate [from the forbidden tree].” 14 The Lord God said to the serpent,
“Because you have done this,
You are cursed more than all the cattle,
And more than any animal of the field;
On your belly you shall go
And dust you shall eat
All the days of your life.”
The reader will notice that there are differences between the New Jerusalem Bible and the other two, apart from the fact that the NJB says "Yahweh God" instead of "Lord God," and that when the Almighty speaks, it is not shown in verse. To me it just reads more smoothly in many cases: Eve complains that the snake "tempted" her rather than "deceived," "beguiled" or even "tricked" her as in other versions.
THE NEW JERUSALEM BIBLE is not a novelty, but a significant different translation of the bible. Unless you are Catholic you may not want to make it your primary bible but it is a worthy contender among bibles, and many people (including one bible-as-literature professor) have told me they think it just reads more smoothly and often more meaningfully, too. The fifty-dollar retail price can be significantly undercut by shopping around, or buying used.
THE NEW JERUSALEM BIBLE has a new version on the way: The Revised New Jerusalem Bible. I'm sorry to say I am not familiar with it.
October 24, 2020
The Jerusalem Bible was the first English bible I actually read from cover to cover while taking the introductory courses in Hebrew and Christian scriptures at Grinnell College. The reason for selecting it had nothing to do with its identification as the newest Catholic bible. It had everything to do with the fact that the scholar's edition purchased had better notes and marginalia than the Oxford Revised Standard or the New English texts also recommended for class.
Unlike other Catholic bibles I've referred to, the Jerusalem is intellectually honest. They may have the trinitarian texts which appear in such editions, but they always include notes indicating that such texts are only found in very late manuscript traditions.
Unlike the Oxford Revised Standard, the Jerusalem is free of the compulsion to copy, as much as honestly possible, the traditional formulations of the Authorized (or "King James") Version. This was a plus for me as all my previous serious study had been either with the RSV or AV. I wanted a fresh look and something that wasn't tied to Protestant traditions. There is, however, substantial reliance on the translations of the original French edition.
The only great weakness of the Jerusalem is that it is not as complete as the Oxford R.S.V., not including all canons of all Christian sects as their scholarly edition does.
In 1985 I went out and purchased this edition of The New Jerusalem Bible for classes with Loyola University's Institute of Pastoral Studies, giving my old edition away to someone who lacked a decent text. This newer version is a bit more literal than its predecessor.
Unlike other Catholic bibles I've referred to, the Jerusalem is intellectually honest. They may have the trinitarian texts which appear in such editions, but they always include notes indicating that such texts are only found in very late manuscript traditions.
Unlike the Oxford Revised Standard, the Jerusalem is free of the compulsion to copy, as much as honestly possible, the traditional formulations of the Authorized (or "King James") Version. This was a plus for me as all my previous serious study had been either with the RSV or AV. I wanted a fresh look and something that wasn't tied to Protestant traditions. There is, however, substantial reliance on the translations of the original French edition.
The only great weakness of the Jerusalem is that it is not as complete as the Oxford R.S.V., not including all canons of all Christian sects as their scholarly edition does.
In 1985 I went out and purchased this edition of The New Jerusalem Bible for classes with Loyola University's Institute of Pastoral Studies, giving my old edition away to someone who lacked a decent text. This newer version is a bit more literal than its predecessor.
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November 22, 2013Spent months reading the bible and looking at it from a historical and literary perspective. Eye-opening stuff. This is supposedly the most accurate translation, though I did notice that in the King James (considered the most beautiful, if less accurate, translation) there is a UNICORN in psalm 22, whereas in this version it is merely a wild bull.
I'm not going to pick a rating for the bible, Goodreads.
I'm not going to pick a rating for the bible, Goodreads.
August 16, 2008
It's the most accurate translation currently available, to my knowledge. I like to go back and forth between it and other translations like the KJV or the NIV when I don't understand something.
April 16, 2016
(the New Jerusalem Bible (NJB))
This is the first of my Catholic Bibles that I have read. I quite liked it, though less than the Amplified Bible.
There is no maps, but there's a glossary, chronological table, and measurements that are helpful. Each book has a small introduction and subjects are sometimes given title within the text, which are helpful. I also like this one's size.
Some things I like less, like only giving the name-meanings of Job's three daughters (I would rather have the untranslated ones if one would have to choose between the two choices). The goddess of Ephesus was named Artemis, not Diana as the Romans would've put it (it's put as Diana here). And then there's the 'sallying out' of fortresses, now and then - I haven't heard it elsewhere and it sounds a bit funny, like they're almost waltzing out, holding onto the hems of their shirts or something. The second point here is the only one that's not about my taste, but still...
But, in the end, this is a decent translation, and a good Catholic Bible. I still have to read some other versions, but this one I will keep, and can recommend :)
This is the first of my Catholic Bibles that I have read. I quite liked it, though less than the Amplified Bible.
There is no maps, but there's a glossary, chronological table, and measurements that are helpful. Each book has a small introduction and subjects are sometimes given title within the text, which are helpful. I also like this one's size.
Some things I like less, like only giving the name-meanings of Job's three daughters (I would rather have the untranslated ones if one would have to choose between the two choices). The goddess of Ephesus was named Artemis, not Diana as the Romans would've put it (it's put as Diana here). And then there's the 'sallying out' of fortresses, now and then - I haven't heard it elsewhere and it sounds a bit funny, like they're almost waltzing out, holding onto the hems of their shirts or something. The second point here is the only one that's not about my taste, but still...
But, in the end, this is a decent translation, and a good Catholic Bible. I still have to read some other versions, but this one I will keep, and can recommend :)
July 11, 2008
Best version of the Bible, in my opinion. It balances accuracy with beauty of writing, and is more fair to women without being politically correct in a fake way.
September 23, 2016
I have read a lot of Bible translations in my 30+ years on this Earth - Catholic, Protestant, and Orthodox. There are MANY Protestant translations. Some are too stilted to read (I'm looking at you King James), and some are too casual to read (Sorry Good News Translation!). Catholics don't have that "luxury" of all the translations. The main versions I can think of are the Revised Standard (RSV) and New Revised (NRSV); New American (NAB) and New America Revised (NABRE); the Douay-Rheims (DR); and the Jerusalem Bible (JB) and New Jerusalem (NJB). Each translation has strengths and weaknesses, and different people have different preferences for translations. I'm not going to tell you which one to pick today, but instead just tell you about about the New Jerusalem Bible as it is one I haven't read before until recently.
The New Jerusalem Bible was published in 1985. It is a hardcover volume that is over 2100 pages long. It is single column format (rare for Bibles, but appreciated) and contains introductions to sections, i.e, the Pentateuch and specific books of the Bible. At the back of the Bible are supplements like colored maps, a chronological table, and various indices (major persons, footnotes, etc.) It has some inclusive language, but doesn't go overboard with it. The pages are somewhat see through, but not so thin that you feel like they will rip merely from turning it. There are tons of cross-references in the margins and the amount of footnotes is impressive. The margins themselves feel a little bit bigger (not much mind you) than other editions, which will give you room for notes, if you are the type of person who marks up their Bible.
Overall, I'm pleased with this version of the Bible and would say if you can get it for a reasonable price (MSRP is $50, but Amazon usually has it for $30), it is a good Bible for someone who hasn't read through the Bible before. The language is very inviting without being casual. It is not liturgical like the NABRE, and not literal like the RSV. It is somewhere in the middle, and what I would call a reading Bible. You won't go into great depth using this Bible as a study tool, but it would be useful for the first reading of a passage and then going deeper with a different translation of the Bible. I could see myself reading this one over the NABRE if I am reading for enjoyment, mainly because it flows better (to me) and the page formatting is much more appealing to the eyes. If I was picking one Bible to read for enjoyment and not in-depth study, it would be this one.
The New Jerusalem Bible was published in 1985. It is a hardcover volume that is over 2100 pages long. It is single column format (rare for Bibles, but appreciated) and contains introductions to sections, i.e, the Pentateuch and specific books of the Bible. At the back of the Bible are supplements like colored maps, a chronological table, and various indices (major persons, footnotes, etc.) It has some inclusive language, but doesn't go overboard with it. The pages are somewhat see through, but not so thin that you feel like they will rip merely from turning it. There are tons of cross-references in the margins and the amount of footnotes is impressive. The margins themselves feel a little bit bigger (not much mind you) than other editions, which will give you room for notes, if you are the type of person who marks up their Bible.
Overall, I'm pleased with this version of the Bible and would say if you can get it for a reasonable price (MSRP is $50, but Amazon usually has it for $30), it is a good Bible for someone who hasn't read through the Bible before. The language is very inviting without being casual. It is not liturgical like the NABRE, and not literal like the RSV. It is somewhere in the middle, and what I would call a reading Bible. You won't go into great depth using this Bible as a study tool, but it would be useful for the first reading of a passage and then going deeper with a different translation of the Bible. I could see myself reading this one over the NABRE if I am reading for enjoyment, mainly because it flows better (to me) and the page formatting is much more appealing to the eyes. If I was picking one Bible to read for enjoyment and not in-depth study, it would be this one.
December 31, 2020
Of course, I am giving this one five stars! I mean, it's the word of God, for heaven's sake.
I just completed reading the Bible in a year - for the second time. Doing this is a real commitment. You don't dare skip a day or there will be hell to pay, so to speak. This year is a leap year, so my ace in the hole was that if I did miss a day, I had an extra to catch up. I guarded that extra day carefully until recently.
Full disclosure: this version is a Catholic Bible, and since I am not Catholic, I didn't read the non-Protestant books. My mom gave this version to me back in the 90s, at my request. I don't remember why I requested this translation, but I imagine that it was because someone recommended it to me as a literary version. The language is lovely.
So, I really like this particular translation. No matter the translation, however, reading the whole Bible is tough. First, you have days of "begats." So tedious. At least the reading plan I used had daily reading in both the Old and New Testaments, so there was a break from that.
Then you have the repetitive plot: God loves his people. His people act terribly. God gets mad and sends plagues, death, and destruction on them. The surviving people repent. God forgives them. His people act terribly. God gets mad and sends plagues, death, and destruction on them. The surviving people repent. God forgives them. Over and over and over again.
Then you have the ghastly stories they never taught you in Sunday School, like daddy offering to let a mob rape his daughters in order to protect his houseguests. And the incomprehensible: Job is a good man so God lets Satan test him by killing his whole family - but it all works out in the end because after God has proved his point, he gives Job a new and better family.
I am obviously not a fan of the Old Testament. I'm on Team New Testament. I love the stories of Jesus loving the outcasts and of him upsetting the apple cart. Every day this year I looked forward to the New Testament reading. Well, until Revelation.
I do think it is worthwhile to read the entire Bible every few years. This coming year, though, I look forward to reading a few books and taking more time with each.
I just completed reading the Bible in a year - for the second time. Doing this is a real commitment. You don't dare skip a day or there will be hell to pay, so to speak. This year is a leap year, so my ace in the hole was that if I did miss a day, I had an extra to catch up. I guarded that extra day carefully until recently.
Full disclosure: this version is a Catholic Bible, and since I am not Catholic, I didn't read the non-Protestant books. My mom gave this version to me back in the 90s, at my request. I don't remember why I requested this translation, but I imagine that it was because someone recommended it to me as a literary version. The language is lovely.
So, I really like this particular translation. No matter the translation, however, reading the whole Bible is tough. First, you have days of "begats." So tedious. At least the reading plan I used had daily reading in both the Old and New Testaments, so there was a break from that.
Then you have the repetitive plot: God loves his people. His people act terribly. God gets mad and sends plagues, death, and destruction on them. The surviving people repent. God forgives them. His people act terribly. God gets mad and sends plagues, death, and destruction on them. The surviving people repent. God forgives them. Over and over and over again.
Then you have the ghastly stories they never taught you in Sunday School, like daddy offering to let a mob rape his daughters in order to protect his houseguests. And the incomprehensible: Job is a good man so God lets Satan test him by killing his whole family - but it all works out in the end because after God has proved his point, he gives Job a new and better family.
I am obviously not a fan of the Old Testament. I'm on Team New Testament. I love the stories of Jesus loving the outcasts and of him upsetting the apple cart. Every day this year I looked forward to the New Testament reading. Well, until Revelation.
I do think it is worthwhile to read the entire Bible every few years. This coming year, though, I look forward to reading a few books and taking more time with each.
December 21, 2007
I am fortunate enough to own the edition illustrated by Salvador Dali and it is exquisite - both a delight to the senses, but also so readable. Yahweh is used in the Old Testament for clarity and authenticity - I find myself going to this out-sized edition more often than a smaller King James version every time. I have this in the large edition and also in the smaller paperback. One of the reasons I was drawn to this translation is that it is directly translated from the Hebrew, Greek or Aramaic. I received this as a gift upon graduation and I have treasured it since then as one of the most beloved books I own.
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October 3, 2009I wrote a David Cross quote in the margins of Genesis when I read this translation for a class in college. What was it...oh yeah, it was regarding God resting on the seventh day: "God gets tired?? God needs a nap???"
February 10, 2011
If you are looking for modern, clear language then this in my opinion is the best bible available.
Although technically Catholic, the fact that the Church of England also approve of this version is very important to me.
Although technically Catholic, the fact that the Church of England also approve of this version is very important to me.
February 21, 2013
Most people who debate the Bible's legitimacy have never actually read it. The NJB makes this task accessible to students of religion.
April 3, 2018
I enjoy this Bible translation because it seems to read as more literary than most. Having grown up hearing Bible verses in the King James version, I miss their poetic charms with most modern translations. This edition seems to flow better than most.
Once I'd bought this one and had been using it for a few years, I read that this English translation was done from the French translation of the original Hebrew. That made complete sense; I studied French for several years, have a natural attraction to it, and found that my genealogy goes back to some parts of France.
I also like the large number of citations in this book; footnotes, maps, a chronological table, indices...it's very well documented. Although this is not the version recommended by my church, it's the Bible I prefer to use.
Once I'd bought this one and had been using it for a few years, I read that this English translation was done from the French translation of the original Hebrew. That made complete sense; I studied French for several years, have a natural attraction to it, and found that my genealogy goes back to some parts of France.
I also like the large number of citations in this book; footnotes, maps, a chronological table, indices...it's very well documented. Although this is not the version recommended by my church, it's the Bible I prefer to use.
July 27, 2010
I give this 5 stars because it's necessary to real the Bible in this day and age and realize how crazy and sick it is and how if there really was a god you should do everything in your power to fight him and bring down his immoral and sick religion. That's not to say there aren't some beautiful parts or that Jesus doesn't drop a few words of wisdom here and there.
I love it when Jehovah's witnesses come to my door- they don't know what they're in for and always leave confused. That's reason enough to read this book.
I love it when Jehovah's witnesses come to my door- they don't know what they're in for and always leave confused. That's reason enough to read this book.
September 11, 2007
The Jerusalem Bible is a contemporary English version of what started out as a French project. It is a fine translation, with some very beautiful passages. The strength of this Bible is that it works from a clean slate and employed some of the finest translators and writers in the English language. Tolkien helped a bit with it
April 25, 2008
A crisp, modern and scholarly edition of the Bible with commentary. Not as Poetic as King James or as readable as the Good News version. It's Catholic, too. Useful for those using the Bible as a reference or for those interested in the process of translating.
March 6, 2013
liked this pocket version a lot, some times if I was reading on the road, the text is way to small. Other that that a very good Bile and includes "Deuterocanonical":) books as well, so in the old Testament section you will get more then 66 "original" books.
June 28, 2021
I am not Catholic, however, the NJB is interesting for it's emphasis on certain key words. A must own for any serious student of the bible. However, because of the liberties taken in its rendering of scripture; this should not be your primary bible, or secondary, only a supplement.
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July 10, 2023The Book of Genesis is what I read and I am not sure that it was this edition, but it was a very readable translation.
Also Job: My favorite part of Job reminds me of thee lyrical sweet section in George Gershwin's Rhapsody in Blue. "But where shall wisdom be found? And where is the place of understanding? ... Behold the fear of thee Lord that is wisdom; and to depart from evil is understanding. " Job 28:12-29
Also Job: My favorite part of Job reminds me of thee lyrical sweet section in George Gershwin's Rhapsody in Blue. "But where shall wisdom be found? And where is the place of understanding? ... Behold the fear of thee Lord that is wisdom; and to depart from evil is understanding. " Job 28:12-29
December 31, 2018
2017 Daily Devotional Universal Household OF#1
January 4, 2019
Excellent notes. Superb literary masterpiece. Unlike many Scripture renditions, this is more than a translation, this is a work of art, as is the Authorized Version.
August 16, 2019
One of the better translations
May 30, 2021
Watch the Chosen then you can read this in colour!
October 6, 2023
Best version of the bible I’ve discovered to date. My ultimate favourite collection of the Holy Scriptures.
Want to read
August 20, 2024220 DOU
March 24, 2025
One version of God's Word to Humanity.
November 19, 2024
I picked this up again for daily lectio reading and was surprised to see that I never dropped a review here.
I have long enjoyed Bert Ghezzi's Voices of the Saints and still go through periods where I read a saint a day from it. Naturally I was interested when I first saw this book a couple of years ago so I'll add this for anyone interested in the saints.
200 excerpts from 90 different saints' writings and teachings are appropriately distributed through the Bible, 100 for the Old Testament and 100 for the New. There are also 20 excerpts where saints speak about scripture itself.
This is inspirational way to read scripture, especially since editor Bert Ghezzi features many saints who I wasn't familiar with. When I was familiar with a saint, such as Augustine, the excerpt frequently was one I'd never seen before. Ghezzi was digging deep to be sure he had writing that adds real depth and insights that we might not otherwise get. The thoughtful reader will find much for meditation here.
I'd also not come across the New Jerusalem Bible translation before which I am enjoying.
Highly recommended.
I have long enjoyed Bert Ghezzi's Voices of the Saints and still go through periods where I read a saint a day from it. Naturally I was interested when I first saw this book a couple of years ago so I'll add this for anyone interested in the saints.
200 excerpts from 90 different saints' writings and teachings are appropriately distributed through the Bible, 100 for the Old Testament and 100 for the New. There are also 20 excerpts where saints speak about scripture itself.
This is inspirational way to read scripture, especially since editor Bert Ghezzi features many saints who I wasn't familiar with. When I was familiar with a saint, such as Augustine, the excerpt frequently was one I'd never seen before. Ghezzi was digging deep to be sure he had writing that adds real depth and insights that we might not otherwise get. The thoughtful reader will find much for meditation here.
I'd also not come across the New Jerusalem Bible translation before which I am enjoying.
Highly recommended.
September 21, 2019
First let me make a confession: I've marked it as 'read' but that isn't strictly true. I have, however, read those parts that make up the recognised canonical books of the Bible. The apocryphal books I left until last. The Maccabees I have always intended to read since, although not part of the OT canon, they have always been recommended as well worth reading.
As I write, I've read the books of Judith and Tobit, Both Maccabees and of course, the missing last chapter of Daniel featuring Bel and the dragon. I have to say I've enjoyed them all so far but I can see why they didn't make the final cut when the OT was put together.
But since I have another three of the contested books to go (Wisdom, Ecclesiasticus, and Baruch) you might ask why I have the nerve to review a book that I haven't quite finished; and you'd have every right to do so. But since I have read the Bible 'proper' in it, it's upon that that I feel justified to comment.
My opinion? Simply put, it is now my favourite of all the seven Translations I own. While the NT is on par with the others - apart from its translation of Jesus' reason to allow divorce - the Old Testament is breathtaking.
Firstly, it not only retains the Divine Name, but it uses the more accurate Yahweh form rather than the constructed Jehovah rendering of the tetragrammaton. But then I would prefer that to the superstitious capitalised 'LORD' that has become the norm.
Secondly, and just as important, it flows in a way that draws you in with its sheer poetry. Several sections, particularly in the Psalms, gave me goosebumps.
The book referred to is the hardcover, which is good for reference but far too small to just read; for that purpose, I bought the regular size paperback as well, so you could say that this is two reviews in one. Can't be bad, eh?
As I write, I've read the books of Judith and Tobit, Both Maccabees and of course, the missing last chapter of Daniel featuring Bel and the dragon. I have to say I've enjoyed them all so far but I can see why they didn't make the final cut when the OT was put together.
But since I have another three of the contested books to go (Wisdom, Ecclesiasticus, and Baruch) you might ask why I have the nerve to review a book that I haven't quite finished; and you'd have every right to do so. But since I have read the Bible 'proper' in it, it's upon that that I feel justified to comment.
My opinion? Simply put, it is now my favourite of all the seven Translations I own. While the NT is on par with the others - apart from its translation of Jesus' reason to allow divorce - the Old Testament is breathtaking.
Firstly, it not only retains the Divine Name, but it uses the more accurate Yahweh form rather than the constructed Jehovah rendering of the tetragrammaton. But then I would prefer that to the superstitious capitalised 'LORD' that has become the norm.
Secondly, and just as important, it flows in a way that draws you in with its sheer poetry. Several sections, particularly in the Psalms, gave me goosebumps.
The book referred to is the hardcover, which is good for reference but far too small to just read; for that purpose, I bought the regular size paperback as well, so you could say that this is two reviews in one. Can't be bad, eh?
August 12, 2014
Hmm...this Bible was the one I had to buy whilst studying as a convert to the Catholic faith. I used it for the adult course and it was good to use for the material in the lessons and tutor discussion but I can't really say as a Bible to sit and read I have taken to it at all. My problems are mainly with the O.T. and the constant use of Yahweh, I can't get on with that at all. Also the psalms are nothing like the wording I grew up with. I read psalm 23 and thought " really?....."
Not for me I'm afraid. Personally I much prefer the Collins Catholic Bible anglicised NRSV version. It just suits me better and contains what for me are the old familiar psalms plus the Grail psalms. I suppose it's what you are used to.
To sum up the NJB is not a bad Bible, just as a child of the sixties who had an old fashioned Methodist aunt (bless her ) not for me , more accurate or not.
Not for me I'm afraid. Personally I much prefer the Collins Catholic Bible anglicised NRSV version. It just suits me better and contains what for me are the old familiar psalms plus the Grail psalms. I suppose it's what you are used to.
To sum up the NJB is not a bad Bible, just as a child of the sixties who had an old fashioned Methodist aunt (bless her ) not for me , more accurate or not.
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