Best Catholic Bibles

Finding the right Bible can feel overwhelming, but no need to fret! We're here to help you find the perfect Catholic edition.

Here, we've gathered everything you need to know about Catholic Bibles - from how they differ from Protestant translations to the various Catholic editions available. Keep reading for some guidance on finding the right translation and edition for your needs (and then shop for one in our store!).

How to Choose a Catholic Bible

When choosing a Catholic Bible, there are few things you'll want to keep in mind. You'll want to make sure you get one with the correct number of books, an approved translation, and a writing style that fits your needs. Keep reading for guidance on all these considerations.

The Deuterocanonical Books

Catholic Bibles have 73 books, compared to the 66 books in Protestant Bibles. The seven extra books found in the Catholic Bible are called the deuterocanonical books:

• Tobit
• Baruch
• Judith
• Wisdom
• Sirach
• 1 Maccabees
• 2 Maccabees

Read more: Books of the Bible (USCCB)

These books are included in the Catholic canon of Scripture but are absent from most Protestant editions. Martin Luther removed the deuterocanonical books from the main Old Testament and placed them in an appendix because they uphold doctrines - such as purgatory and praying for the dead - that he rejected. Over time, many Protestant Bibles omitted these books entirely, explaining why they're absent from most modern Protestant editions.  They are sometimes called the "Apocrypha" in Protestant traditions.

Historical Context

The Jewish canon has been fluid over the centuries, and eventually, the seven deuterocanonical books were left off their official canon (along with the New Testament).

• Jewish Tradition: At the time of Jesus, many Jews accepted these books as part of their Scripture. Early Christians often read from the Septuagint (the Greek translation of Jewish scripture), which included the deuterocanonical books.
• New Testament References: The apostles and New Testament writers frequently referenced or alluded to them in their writings.
• Council of Rome (382 A.D.): The Church included these books when it approved the official Catholic canon at the Council of Rome.
• Protestant Reformation: During the 16th century, reformers like Martin Luther questioned Catholic teachings (such as purgatory) that drew from these texts. As a result, the deuterocanonical books were removed from Protestant Bibles or placed in a separate section called the Apocrypha.

When selecting a Catholic Bible, make sure it includes the deuterocanonical books in their proper order within the Old Testament—not in a separate appendix.

Make Sure Your Translation is Approved

You should also look for a translation that has been approved by the bishops as orthodox and sound. The most popular translations that have the imprimatur (the stamp of approval by the USCCB) are the Revised Standard Version Second Catholic Edition (RSV2CE), the New American Bible Revised Edition (NABRE), and the New Jerusalem Bible (NJB). The most popular Bible publications tend to use one of these three translations, as you will see below. An honorable mention is the New Catholic Bible (NCB). This newer translation (first published in 2019) does not yet have the approval of the USCCB, but does of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines. 

Click here to see the full list of approved translations by the USCCB.

What Style of Translation Should I Get?

One other consideration is the style of translation. Generally, Bible publications are grouped into formal equivalence translations and dynamic equivalence translations. Formal equivalence translations try to adhere as closely as possible to a literal, word-for-word translation of the source language (Greek, Hebrew, or Aramaic). These prioritize fidelity to the linguistics of the original text, thereby sacrificing some readability for modern-day readers. Conversely, dynamic equivalence tends to paraphrase the original wording into more understandable parlance while trying to capture the same meaning of the text (thought-for-thought instead of word-for-word). While these translations may be more readable, some critics claim that important nuances get lost in translation (literally) when using dynamic equivalence, thereby distorting their meaning.

Here is an example of a formal versus dynamic interpretation of Genesis 1:1-2:

Formal - In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth. The earth was without form and void, and darkness was upon the face of the deep; and the Spirit of God was moving over the face of the waters (Genesis 1:1–2, RSV2CE).

Dynamic - In the beginning, when God created the heavens and the earth — and the earth was without form or shape, with darkness over the abyss and a mighty wind sweeping over the waters... (Genesis 1:1–2, NABRE).

Most translations incorporate both styles to a certain extent while leaning heavily one way. Both also tend to come with footnotes to help decipher the meaning of passages, especially if a certain word or idiom is used that doesn't have a direct translation in English. In the end, it comes down to preference; as long as the translation is approved, you can be confident that it is theologically sound!

Which Bible is Right for Me?

Most Catholic Bibles you'll find in stores or online will be based on one of the approved translations. However, even if two different editions are using the same translation, they may vary in the extent of their footnotes and extra goodies such as maps and glossaries. Let's look more in depth at some of the most popular options on the market today.

Revised Standard Version, Second Catholic Edition

Looking for a balance of accuracy and readability? The RSV2CE, a formal equivalence translation, is one of the most popular choices among Catholics today.

Highlights at a glance:

• Where it came from: Adapted from the Protestant Revised Standard Version (1966), which itself traces back to the King James tradition.
• What stands out: Retains the beautiful literary prose of the KJV style, but removes older language like thee and thou for easier reading.
• Why use it: Faithful to the original texts, elegant in style, and widely used in Catholic study Bibles and devotionals.
• Fun fact: To make the RSV Catholic, verses that had been placed in the margins were restored to the main text, and the deuterocanonical books were included in their proper order.
  

Ignatius Press publishes some beautiful editions of the RSV2CE, including some versions with space for notes. It's clean, straightforward, and not overloaded with footnotes - perfect if you want a Bible that's serious but not intimidating. 

This is also the translation behind popular study editions like the Ignatius Catholic Study Bible and the Great Adventure Catholic Bible, making it one of our best-selling and most-trusted options.

Ignatius Catholic Study Bible (RSV2CE Translation)

The Ignatius Catholic Study Bible truly lives up to the title of 'study Bible'.  Compiled and edited by Dr. Scott Hahn and Curtis Mitch, this behemoth has only been printed with both the Old and New Testaments together since late 2024; before, you could only buy the New Testament and individual books of the Old Testament separately.

Highlights at a glace:

• What stands out: Stuffed to the brim with maps, essays, commentary, and cross-references to the Catechism of the Catholic Church.
• Why use it: Invest in this amazing publication if you are looking to become an expert on all things biblical, delve deep into the context and history of Scripture, and study it through a deeply Catholic lens.
• Something to consider: If you're new to reading Scripture or want a Bible for simple devotional reading, this publication might be a bit overwhelming.

Great Adventure Bible (RSV2CE Translation)

The Great Adventure Bible is a wonderful option for those who may be just a little intimidated by the size of the Ignatius Catholic Study Bible. Like the ICSB, the Great Adventure Bible series also uses the the RSV2CE translation and concentrates on the history and context of Scripture. However, it does not include the same extent of commentary as the ICSB, making it more digestible.

Highlights at a glance:

• What stands out: Utilizes timelines and maps to connect the books of the Bible together, helping readers visualize the big picture of Salvation History.
• Why use it: The actual text of the Scripture doesn't include too much commentary, keeping it focused for those who wish to meditate on the verses without getting too bogged down in the details. However, essays at the beginning of each book, along with the aforementioned timelines and maps, flesh out the book's full context.
• Fun fact: For fans of Fr. Mike Schmitz, the Great Adventure Bible is the version he uses for the massively popular Bible in a Year podcast.

New American Bible Revised Edition

Want a translation that will sound very familiar? Choose the New American Bible Revised Edition, the official translation of the Catholic liturgy in the United States!

Highlights at a glance:

• Where it came from: The first edition was published in 1970; the most recent revision debuted in 2011, with the input of over 100 theologians.
• What stands out: Often has a helpful index of Sunday and feast day readings because of its liturgical use; also has substantial annotations. 
• Why use it: In the formal equivalence realm, with a shift towards a more literal interpretation than the original; however, it is a more liberal interpretation than other formal equivalence translations. 

New Jerusalem Bible

Love Scripture that is colored with poetic, flowery language? Take a look at the New Jerusalem Bible, the most widely used Catholic Bible outside of the United States.

Highlights at a glance:

• Where it came from: A 1985 English translation of the French Jerusalem Bible, the NJB uses a dynamic equivalence translation, though its interpretation is far more literal than the original 1966 Jerusalem Bible. 
• What stands out: Its poetic language reads quite differently than other standard translations.
• Fun fact: Utilizes Yahweh as the translation for the Divine Name. 

Douay-Rheims Bible

The Douay-Rheims Bible, based on St. Jerome's Latin Vulgate, is a favorite amongst traditionalist Catholics.

Highlights at a glance:

• Where it came from: An English translation of the Latin Vulgate, produced in the aftermath of the Protestant Reformation.
• What stands out: Its beautiful Old English verbiage can be hard to understand for the modern reader, but if you're a fan of literary prose, this may be the fit for you.
• Why use it: Includes extensive commentary from early Church fathers, ensuring solid, orthodox exegesis.
• Something to consider: Critics argue against its use since it was not translated directly from the original Greek and Hebrew manuscripts, but proponents trust in St. Jerome's mediation!

Didache Bible (RSV2CE and NABRE Translations)

The Didache Bible is named in reference to the ancient text, the Didache, a proto-catechism from the first century and one of the oldest patristic documents we have.

Highlights at a glance:

• What stands out: Cross-references Scripture with the current Catechism of the Catholic Church and peppered with apologetic explanations.
• Why use it: Well-suited for readers who are hoping to wed doctrinal study with devotional reading.
• Something to consider: You can find the Didache Bible with both RSV2CE and NABRE translations.

New Catholic Bible

A newcomer on the scene, the New Catholic Bible has been receiving rave reviews since its introduction in 2019.

Highlights at a glance:

• Where it came from: Produced by Catholic Book Publishing (CBP) in 2019 and created with rigorous standards under the direction of Rev. Jude Winkler, OFM Conv., S. S. I.
• What stands out: The translation is formal equivalence, and, in their own words, they "endeavored to produce a text that was faithful and accurate, yet in language that is accessible to the people in the pew."
• Fun fact: The NCB is produced solely by CBP and comes in multiple different colors, as well as large and giant type editions.
• Something to consider: Though it does not yet have the imprimatur of the USCCB, it does from the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines. Furthermore, CBP's translation of the Psalms, which came out in 2002, is approved by the USCCB.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the difference between Catholic and Protestant Bibles?

Catholic Bibles have 73 books, whereas Protestant Bibles have 66. Interpretations of certain passages may vary.

What is the difference between formal and dynamic equivalence?

A formal equivalence translation tries to adhere as closely as possible to a literal, word-for-word translation of the source language. Dynamic equivalence translations tend to paraphrase the original wording into more understandable parlance while trying to capture the same meaning of the text (thought-for-thought instead of word-for-word).

What are the most popular Catholic translations of the Bible?

The most popular translation of the Bible in the United States, as well as being the translation used for the liturgy, is the New American Bible Revised Edition (NABRE). Other popular translations include the Revised Standard Version, Second Catholic Edition (RSV2CE), the New Jerusalem Bible (NJB), and the New Catholic Bible (NCB).

What is a good Catholic study Bible?

Two popular options for Catholic study Bibles are the Ignatius Catholic Study Bible and the Great Adventure Bible.