The Revised New Jerusalem Bible: Study Edition

I do not compare Bible translations, whether I agree or disagree, like or dislike one translation over another, so if you are expecting those type comments you'll be disappointed reading any further, however, my star rating should give you an indication of how I feel about the RNJB. Having said that, I would not recommend this to a first-time reader as the weight and thickness would probably be very intimidating. The font size is readable without effort. The binding holds up well to hours of daily usage; quality-grade paper that does not tear easily, not a single rip. I did experience highlighter bleed-through but that was probably more of a highlighter issue than the paper. The paragraph-style format is a refreshing change from the rigid two-column format found in most Bibles, and readers hoping for insets, sidebars, and diagrams to offer relief from the full-page text will be disappointed. I also found the introductions to each book to be very informative. The RNJB identified more book authors as questionable or unknown, especially the four gospel authors, than other Bible I've read. Footnotes are numerous but not overwhelming. Overall, I am very pleased with this purchase and very glad I got off the fence and bought it. I highly recommend the RNJB, and it does look imposing when placed next to my other Bibles.

A better read of the bible with correct interpretation of Hebrew words so meanings don’t get lost

I’ve had a Jerusalem Bible on hand for many, many years. I bought this one because it contains some revisions. For one, this English translation is one of the best. Why? It captures modern English very well, and it does an excellent job of using language that gives depth and poetry to the text. In other words, it provides a much more meaningful reading experience.

I enjoy the full page paragraphs instead of the line arrangement of two columns. It is easier to read. The only issue is the condition of the book when it arrived. For some reason who ever packs the products for shipment do not pad the books in any way. If the box is dropped or thrown and it lands on a hard surface, concrete porch, the bindings are splitting. This is the third time this has occurred. I hesitate to order heavy books from Amazon because of the lack of care in packing them for shipment.

The more literal RNJB translation in this study Bible is excellent, and a worthy successor to the original. Despite changing its translation method, it is still as readable as its earlier, more dynamic, versions. Like all literal translations, it has its shortcomings: but that's what translator's notes and annotations are for.Sadly, the notes and annotations are sparse compared with the original JB (which I first got in the mid-1970s). The Introduction says this was to make the volume affordable. That makes sense, given that the old annotations would probably require a major overhaul since their last revision.As for the physical book, my only complaint is the small font size of the main text: it makes for uncomfortable reading. It would have been better to dispense with the generously proportioned headings and use that space for larger text.

This version of the Bible with its volume in us notes is a bargain if it just had the notes. This is the best and most accurate translation with historic context of any of the Bibles or Bible study books I have ever owned in my 50 years of studying that book.

Good reading

Great translation, extremely accurate (follows original texts much more closely than NLT or NIV) but better and more fluent, readable modern English than say the ESV or RSV. Overall, a great, new, fresh translation. Also, it was wise to include the Grail psalter, which was designed to be sung with original Hebrew rhythm and can be easily memorized. The NABRE is also a great translation; I use them side by side to compare. NABRE uses more traditional language usage while the RNJB tends to have a more modern English, perhaps more similar to actual usage.

The best buy

Matthew 17:20 is incomplete-no mention of prayer and fasting

I've been using the RNJB Study Edition daily for about a month. Prior to the RNJB I was using the Jerusalem Bible, (1966). The RNJB is a significant improvement.If you are looking for a devotional, inspirational, and faith enhancing Bible that reflects the very latest biblical scholarship, that is a true translation of the original Hebrew and Greek texts, that uses inclusive, beautifully crafted, modern English, and that is a joy to read aloud as well as silently; this Bible meets all those criteria and more.Pros: Quite aside from the RNJB’s updated, excellent, scholarly textual content, the editor, Dom Henry Wansbrough OSB, also editor of the RNJB's predecessor, The NJB (1985), has taken pains through skilful word choice and expert use of punctuation, to develop a logical, clear, and coherent format that is both easy and a pleasure to read. When doing all of that he has succeeded brilliantly.Just as the KJV (1611) set the bar for beautiful literature in its day, with the RNJB: Study Edition Wansbrough has now set the gold standard for the next generation of English-language Bible translations.As a “Study Edition” it is brimming with useful, helpful, explanatory, contextual, historical, and other biblical information that is placed within the Introductions to its major divisions and each of the books of the Bible. Specific information concerning particular scriptural verses is made available through footnotes and marginal references.The RNJB has a Nihil Obstat and Imprimatur, officially clearing it for all Catholic church and worship purposes. While it contains the Apocrypha, (not usual within Protestant publishing circles), nonetheless, it would be an excellent fit for ecumenical purposes, or within any Christian tradition whether Lutheran, Anglican, or Presbyterian.Because it contains the very latest scriptural research and some of the most beautiful language structure one is likely ever to encounter in a Bible, it would be hard to understand why it wouldn’t be well received within any Christian community.For Canadians there is an extra bonus: within the RNJB some of the familiar KJV measurements (cubits, furlongs) are converted to metric.Cons: I can think of none, but be aware that its purpose is as a study Bible. The hardcover edition is 2400 pages, therefore hefty.

An sich gut, aber deutlich weniger Querverweise an den Seiten rändern wie bei meiner älteren, deutschen Jerusalemer Bibel.

I received the bible today so my comments are very much first impressions but then if you want to wait until I have read it through fully then you will need to come back in two years. I have read through part of John's gospel and the books of Ruth and Jonah as two of the shorter books to get a feel for the language etc. The first thing to say is that I like the A5 page size which is smaller than some of my other bibles. However, the downside of this is that, and especially with the addition of the apocryphal books, it makes the book very thick, some 2.5 inches deep. I found the layout, headings, etc. easy to read. Thankfully I have excellent eyesight as the study comments at the bottom of the pages are in a tiny font.After a couple of hours of reading I find the language flows. Also checking well known verses through the bible these are not greatly changed from their familiar wordings. The study comments before each book and at the bottom of the pages are informative and helpful.So my first impressions are very positive but then, ask me again in two years!