Best Catholic Bibles for Study and Reflection

Finding the right Bible can feel overwhelming, but if you're Catholic, there's good news: it's not as hard for you as it is for Protestants! Keep reading for some guidance on finding the right translation and edition for your needs.

Criteria for Picking a Catholic Bible

When choosing a Catholic Bible, there are few things you'll want to keep in mind. Catholic Bibles have 73 books as opposed to the Protestant 66. Those seven extra books (Tobit, Baruch, Judith, Wisdom, Sirach, 1 and 2 Maccabees - all in the Old Testament) are called the deuterocanonical books. The Jewish canon has been fluid over the centuries, and eventually, the seven deuterocanonical books were left off the official canon (along with the New Testament). However, at the time of Jesus, many Jews did accept them as part of the canon; the earliest Christians read the Septuagint, the Greek translation of Jewish scripture, which included the deuterocanonical books, and the New Testament writers frequently referenced or alluded to them. The Council of Rome in 382 included them as inspired books when it approved the official Catholic canon. These books came under fire during the Protestant Reformation when Martin Luther and other reformers disputed Catholic teachings, such as purgatory, whose scriptural basis was found there. The Apocrypha, as the Protestants called the deuterocanonical books, were relegated to an appendix in new Protestant Bibles, and sometimes left out completely. So, when looking for a Catholic Bible, make sure you see these books in their proper order in the Old Testament.

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.

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

If you think you'd prefer a formal equivalence translation, but don't want to sacrifice readability, look no further than the Revised Standard Version, Second Catholic Edition (RSV2CE). The Revised Standard Version, Catholic Edition, first published in 1966, was an approved Catholic version of the renowned Protestant RSV, derived from the King James version; the RSV2CE is an updated version that removes some of the Old English pronouns (such as 'thee' and 'thou') but retains much of its literary prose. To make the edition Catholic, several verses were moved from the margins to the main text and some interpretations were tweaked; in the Old Testament, the deuterocanonical books were added in in their proper order.

Ignatius Press publishes some beautiful editions of the RSV2CE, including some with space for note-taking. It is a clean, straightforward publication without an overwhelming amount of footnotes. As you'll see below, the RSV2CE is also the translation of choice for some of the most popular study Bible editions out there. 

New American Bible Revised Edition

The language of the New American Bible Revised Edition will sound very familiar to most U.S. Catholics, because it is the official translation of the Catholic liturgy in the United States. The first edition was published in 1970; the most recent revision debuted in 2011, with the input of over 100 theologians. Because of its liturgical use, the NABRE often has a helpful index of Sunday and feast day readings. The NABRE is 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. Though it is not a study Bible, the NABRE has substantial annotations.

New Jerusalem Bible

While the RSV2CE is a Catholic revision of the Protestant KJV, the New Jerusalem Bible  was a fully Catholic project from the start. An 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. Its poetic language reads quite differently than other standard translations. Interestingly, it utilizes Yahweh as the translation for the Divine Name. 

Douay-Rheims Bible

A favorite amongst traditionalist Catholics, the Douay-Rheims Bible is an English translation of the Latin Vulgate, produced in the aftermath of the Protestant Reformation. 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! The Douay-Rheims also includes extensive commentary from early Church fathers, ensuring solid, orthodox exegesis. 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!

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. This Bible is thick; it is stuffed to the brim with maps, essays, commentary, and cross-references to the Catechism of the Catholic Church. 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. 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. The Great Adventure Bible utilizes timelines and maps to connect the books of the Bible together, helping readers visualize the big picture of Salvation History. 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. For fans of Fr. Mike Schmitz, the Great Adventure Bible is the version he uses for the massively popular Bible in a Year podcast.

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. The purpose of the Didache Bible is to cross-reference Scripture with the current Catechism of the Catholic Church; in addition, the Didache Bible is peppered with apologetic explanations. This Bible is well-suited for readers who are hoping to wed doctrinal study with devotional reading. You can find the Didache Bible with both RSV2CE and NABRE translations.

New Catholic Bible

While the New Catholic Bible, produced by Catholic Book Publishing (CBP) in 2019, 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. Rest assured, this translation was created with rigorous standards under the direction of Rev. Jude Winkler, OFM Conv., S. S. I., and feedback has been overwhelmingly enthusiastic. 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." The NCB is produced solely by CBP and comes in multiple different colors, as well as large and giant type editions.

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.