What English Bible Do You Read?

[Peccator]

The problem with translations are that they tend to be unconsciously translated according to the believes of the translator. I recently had a long discussion here with Fr. Bonaventure Hinwood, a Franciscan Priest and Catholic translator of Latin, Greek, Hebrew and numerous other languages.(a very orthodox and holy man)

He told me that in translation, the translator is often confronted with a word having 2-10 different meaning in the anciet tongues. Hemust then (judging on context) decide what word would be the one being implied in the text.

He said that the believes here definitely play a role in the translation as a Calvinist would choose the word which fits most into the Calvinist paradigm (the same goes for Lutheran, Methodist etc..)

The problem is that the meaning is not necessarily the one mean by the author…or as I’ve seen in the Afrikaans bible – the word has no Afrikaans equivalent. (Afrikaans makes no distinction between “grace” and “mercy” for instance, they are both translated as “genade” meaning mercy.)

I think its because of this reason that any student of the Bible will want to use numerous translations.

Edited April 5, 2006 by Peccator

[misereremi]

[quote name='Amator Veritatis' date='Apr 3 2006, 05:19 PM']Yes, as I suspected, it is the edition re-printed by Catholic Treasures. It is important for Catholics to be sure to read the Holy Scriptures with proper commentary, extensive and approved by the Church. To read Holy Writ absent such notes would be contrary to both Tradition and the express command and desire of the Church.
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We mostly use the New Jerusalem Bible. My version does not have an extensive commentary but it is approved as far as I know-?

[OLAM Dad]

[quote name='Peccator' date='Apr 5 2006, 10:42 AM']The problem with translations are that they tend to be unconsciously translated according to the believes of the translator. I recently had a long discussion here with Fr. Bonaventure Hinwood, a Franciscan Priest and Catholic translator of Latin, Greek, Hebrew and numerous other languages.(a very orthodox and holy man)

He told me that in translation, the translator is often confronted with a word having 2-10 different meaning in the anciet tongues. Hemust then (judging on context) decide what word would be the one being implied in the text.

He said that the believes here definitely play a role in the translation as a Calvinist would choose the word which fits most into the Calvinist paradigm (the same goes for Lutheran, Methodist etc..)

The problem is that the meaning is not necessarily the one mean by the author…or as I’ve seen in the Afrikaans bible – the word has no Afrikaans equivalent. (Afrikaans makes no distinction between “grace” and “mercy” for instance, they are both translated as “genade” meaning mercy.)

I think its because of this reason that any student of the Bible will want to use numerous translations.
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Good stuff here. Thanks peccator.

[Mrvoll]

[quote name='Paphnutius' date='Apr 2 2006, 09:56 PM']You use the Grail Psalter?

I personally know the abbot that heads it up.
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In Canada, we use it for our Psalms when we sing them, otherwise we use the NRSV.

[Amator Veritatis]

[quote]We mostly use the New Jerusalem Bible. My version does not have an extensive commentary but it is approved as far as I know-? [/quote]

I suppose it is dependent upon what is meant by "approved". A Bible which may have the [i]Nihil Obstat [/i](nothing stands in the way), given by the diocesan Censor, the [i]Imprimatur[/i] (let it be printed), given by the Bishop himself and, if applicable, the [i]Imprimi Potest[/i] (it can be printed) given by the religious superior. Even with all these conditions met, it would simply illustrate that the Censor, Bishop, and if applicable, the religious superior, all felt that the contents were acceptable and conforming with the teachings of the Church. Each would then give his stamp of approval in the proper form given above. The Church has simply given us the norms that we must read the Holy Scriptures in conjunction with commentary approved by the Church. This fact does not necessarily mean that the commentary must be in the same edition as the Bible itself. It is my understanding that most commentary, at least prior to the twentieth century and perhaps the nineteenth as well, was published in separate editions from the sacred texts.

My only point in making my previous statements was that such commentary must be employed by Catholics wishing to follow the will of the Church on the matter. The commentary, however, does not necessarily have to be found directly below the passages and from a full text of the Bible, as is the case with most commentary today. All that being said, I do not know much about the almost infinite number of English versions available, so I could not comment regarding the value or orthodoxy of the New Jerusalem Bible, but I simply would recommend that you obtain a traditional commentary which is approved by the Church. Other than simply obtaining the Haydock Bible which includes both commentary and the Holy Scriptures themselves--though I would recommend doing this if you have not done so already--you might find helpful a work entitled in its English edition [i]A Practical Commentary on Holy Scripture[/i], authored by Bishop Frederick Justus Knecht D.D. It has as its audience the lay or ordinary Catholic who does not necessarily seek exceptionally scholarly commentary for the sake of studies or argument. The edition currently being printed is from the early part of the twentieth century. I believe its [i]Imprimatur[/i] is from 1923. TAN Books is re-publishing this edition, currently on sale for $30. You can order it from their website at the link provided below.

[url="http://www.tanbooks.com/index.php/page/shop:flypage/product_id/618/category_id/9/"]http://www.tanbooks.com/index.php/page/sho.../category_id/9/[/url]

N.B., one can read an excerpt from the text at the link provided by clicking a link with the words "Read some pages from the book" under the section "More information about this item", which is located immediately below the information about the book, the pricing information and the discount information. In addition, the Douay-Rheims Bible is probably the best text to read in conjunction with this commentary, but, presumably, it can be used with any translation.

[Theoketos]

Tan prints some really cool stuff.

But the best commentary is really The Navarre Commentary. Unfortunately it is so expensive that it going to be a while before I have them all. It is worth it though.

Edit to add

Actually the best commentary that I have ever read is Golden Chain that St. Thomas edited. It is a compelation of all the Church Fathers' comments on Scriptures. It is avalible on line at New Advent and I have it on Cd-rom that is cross indexed with the Gospels and the Summa.

Edited April 6, 2006 by Theoketos

[Brother Adam]

The last hardcover Navarre will be out this winter, so all 10 volumes will be together. Then hopefully if you buy them in bulk will be able to find a decent discount.

[Theoketos]

[quote name='Brother Adam' date='Apr 6 2006, 07:56 AM']The last hardcover Navarre will be out this winter, so all 10 volumes will be together. Then hopefully if you buy them in bulk will be able to find a decent discount.
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[misereremi]

[quote name='Amator Veritatis' date='Apr 6 2006, 01:49 PM']The commentary, however, does not necessarily have to be found directly below the passages and from a full text of the Bible, as is the case with most commentary today. All that being said, I do not know much about the almost infinite number of English versions available, so I could not comment regarding the value or orthodoxy of the New Jerusalem Bible, but I simply would recommend that you obtain a traditional commentary which is approved by the Church. [/quote]

Thank you for this! The Nihil Obstat and Imprimatur are declared on the New Jerusalem Bible, and it is used in our parish. I like that it follows the original Hebrew, Aramaic and Greek texts as much as possible, indicating where the Septuagint was used where not possible.

[Amator Veritatis]

I had been under the impression that Saint Thomas Aquinas's [i]Catena Aurea[/i] was not being printed by anyone, but it appears that Saint Austin Press is doing so. It is currently out of print, as far as I can tell, but this compilation is truly a treasure and will hopefully be available from Saint Austin Press again soon.

Edited April 7, 2006 by Amator Veritatis

[shortnun]

I use the NRSV-CE for personal use. But when I'm doing catechetics I follow the NAB b/c that's what the lectionary uses.

[Brother Adam]

The lectionary uses a revised version of the NAB

[Theoketos]

[quote name='Amator Veritatis' date='Apr 7 2006, 02:09 PM']I had been under the impression that Saint Thomas Aquinas's [i]Catena Aurea[/i] was not being printed by anyone, but it appears that Saint Austin Press is doing so. It is currently out of print, as far as I can tell, but this compilation is truly a treasure and will hopefully be available from Saint Austin Press again soon.
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You can find all sorts of electronic copies, and Pauline Press sells a CD Rom of it.

[EcceNovaFacioOmni]

I believe CCEL is working to put it online for free viewing as well.

[LouisvilleFan]

The only two translations I currently own are NLT and NRSV. But I think my aunt is getting me a good Catholic Bible for Confirmation and Eucharist at Easter Vigil. Then I'll be one step closerin to becoming a !

[Brother Adam]

[url="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1597521922/ref=wl_it_dp/102-0611231-5557721?%5Fencoding=UTF8&colid=1RQQEUG8U59SE&coliid=I1F61RF4XUAFXY&v=glance&n=283155"]The Golden Chain on sale on amazon[/url]

This is the only one I know of that you can buy now, new.

It is included on the "Welcome to the Catholic Church" CD as well.

[Paphnutius]

[quote name='Brother Adam' date='Apr 7 2006, 08:23 PM'][url="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1597521922/ref=wl_it_dp/102-0611231-5557721?%5Fencoding=UTF8&colid=1RQQEUG8U59SE&coliid=I1F61RF4XUAFXY&v=glance&n=283155"]The Golden Chain on sale on amazon[/url]

This is the only one I know of that you can buy now, new.

It is included on the "Welcome to the Catholic Church" CD as well.
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[phatcatholic]

i'm surprised by the NAB readership. i figured the RSVCE would rule the day.

[LouisvilleFan]

I also enjoy reading the original Greek and Hebrew manuscripts, which I have copies of here in my apartment. :

[Resurrexi]

They arent original! They are compies of copies of copies of copies of copies etc. etc. etc.