The New American Bible (With the Revised Book of Psalms and the Revised New Testament)

I purchased The New American Bible (Revised Edition) for my RCIA class, and it has been an invaluable resource in my faith journey. The language is accessible, and the translation is faithful to Catholic teaching, making it an excellent choice for both beginners and those looking to deepen their understanding of Scripture.The notes and commentary included in this Bible provide clear explanations that are especially helpful for someone new to the Catholic faith or looking to understand the context behind the readings. It's a great tool for both personal study and group discussions in RCIA.This Bible is truly a must-have for anyone in the RCIA process or anyone who wants to engage with the Word of God in a more profound way. It’s been a fantastic addition to my spiritual library!

For the money, about $6.00, this version of the NABRE (or the St Joseph's Edition - Medium size) is very hard to beat. Both this version and the St. Joseph's have the same book introductions and footnotes. Even if you are not Roman Catholic, this is a great bible to get and to learn from. It has excellent introductions, notes, and cross-references. It is a very well-done, practical edition, designed to help you efficiently learn from the Bible. If, as you read, you also read the notes and follow the cross-references given, you will (perhaps to your amazement!) learn so much more from your reading than you could if you were simply reading along in some other version without the notes and cross-references. There are connections you will make and new things you would never guess at if you simply read a Bible without all these notes and references. My favorite translation of the Bible is the Revised Standard Version (and the JB Phillips' New Testament), but as far as I know, only the NABRE comes with the extensive notes and cross-references printed here - I usually read from this version because it provides so much more information - it is in depth without being overwhelming or difficult to comprehend, and helps one to really make connections, understand, and get a grasp on what one is reading, and importantly the context of what one is reading. ... Another beautiful version to read from is the Douay-Rheims. But for understanding, read and study, - or as someone once said, hear, read, mark, learn, and inwardly digest - this version first.Some other considerations - this version (ISBN 9780529064844) versus the St. Joseph's Medium sized (ISBN 9780899429502): This version, the one being reviewed above with the red cover, has, in my opinion, a slightly more readable font and text layout, but the St. Joseph's has more illustrations/maps and a some extra essays/documents at the beginning and a nicer cover image - a color photo of flower covered hillside leading down to Lake Galilee in springtime. This version has a list of all the Popes in the back as well as tables of parables and miracles. The St. Joseph's has a Sunday readings lectionary (useful to have) and a "Bible Dictionary". ... So, this version - slightly nicer font, parables and miracles table, list of Popes, simple red cover. OR the St Joseph edition - nicer photo cover, extra essays in front, more maps, illustrations, Sunday lectionary. Take your pick - you can't go wrong either way. ... At these prices, under $10 each, I'd say just get both.

It's the same NABRE edition they use in Church these days, with all the footnotes and introductions as in the St Joseph's presentation edition I have which I have found very helpful. Useful as a study bible or other reasons.Is it an accurate translation? Damned if I know (pardon the pun). I do not speak ancient Greek, Hebrew or Aramaic. Some words are different than in other translations: like "snake" instead of "serpent", which sounds kind of dumb to me. The Lord's prayer (Matthew 6:9-15) is translated literally, rather than the way we actually say it in Church. However, it is much easier to read than the RSV2CE (Revised Standard Version 2nd Catholic Ed.), which I also have and do not like as much as the NABRE.The biggest upside is that it's $4. Other NABRE in paperback cost a lot more. The paper is sturdy enough to resist accidentally crinkling or tearing a page which tends to happen to bible paper if it's too flimsy. I actually like that it doesn't have any color "inserts" since I intend this to be a study bible not a presentation one.The downside is that, unlike the St Joseph edition that I have, it doesn't have the maps and the other information in it, such as diagrams and timetables, nor a schedule of Sunday readings. It has only one map (St Paul's journeys) and a list of popes (not important for understanding the Bible, I could have just looked that up on Wikipedia if I felt so inclined, which I didn't).Overall, great for $4, and very useful.