Expert: Sal - 2/4/2008

Question
Dear Sal,
           
                I have a question for you I want to get my self a good catholic bible not protestant like my aunt got me or my mom I guess the reason why she picked out the Precious moments bible was that it was cute and for children to read with the illustrations and so on I guess at the time she wasnt thinking about it and vise versa it is New Kings James version so I didnt want my mom to feel bad.

She means well she is a very nice lady and loves children good around them too she has that true motherly love and affection that you can see and feel. Very protective of me lol she looks like Eva Longoria a lot an taller! An has shorter hair. Were hispanic lol. Any how I have a question for you I was thinking about getting the New American bible version is that a good book or poor version of the Catholic church I just dont want to read anything that is "aka quote anticatholic of the bunch" so I figured you should know what books are traditional Catholic and not Catholic so please help me. :-(

* I want to get this:> A durable hardcover edition of the New American Bible.

Features include: Presentation Page, Dogmatic Constitution on Divine Revelation, Origin, Inspiration and History of the Bible, 3 year cycle of readings, Celebration of the Eucharist, The Succession of Popes, 156-page Encyclopedic Dictionary and page-edge indexing. The NAB (New American Bible)is the official Catholic bible good for bible scholars and catholics around the world.

or This beautiful regular print edition of the New American Bible comes with a burgundy Librosario cover that features an embossed Crucifix on one side and a complete pray-along Rosary embossed on the opposite side. Also includes Gold Gilded Page Edges, Silk Ribbon Marker, Page-edge indexing, and comes Gift Boxed. 24.95

The NAB (New American Bible)is the official Catholic Version, translated in accordance with Vatican II principals and first published in 1970. This new English version of the Bible has become very popular because it is so easy to read and understand.

Additional Features: Presentation Page, Dogmatic Constitution on Divine Revelation, Origin, Inspiration and History of the Bible, 3 year cycle of readings, Celebration of the Eucharist, The Succession of Popes, and 156 page Encyclopedic Dictionary.  $49.95

or this one: This Family Life Edition of The New American Bible is the perfect wedding Bible. Includes a family record section along with many other features. The cover is padded lexotone - you choose color before ordering: White Cover with Silver Gilded Page Edges or Navy Cover with Gold Gilded Page Edges. Comes Gift Boxed. Includes the complete text of the New American Bible, Family Record Section, 24-page Encyclopedic Dictionary, Celebration of the Eucharist in pictures and text, Famous Masterpieces of Religious Art, The Vatican and Succession of Popes, The Life of the Blessed Virgin Mary and the Rosary, Dogmatic Constitution on Divine Revelation, Origin, Inspiration and History of the Bible, and Words of Christ in red type. The NAB (New American Bible)is the official Catholic Version, translated in English 54.95   

Which one to get? I am so confused they all sounded like good bibles but I like all three of them.

WWW.ClearlyCatholic.com was the website I went on.  

Answer
Dear Jacqueline:

The NAB is the official Bible translation used at Mass. Anyone of the ones listed would be fine. You just have to determine what features you would like. The RSV is a better translation I believe. The old DRV is the Bible favored by traditionalists.

Good Luck,
Sal