Expert: Sal - 5/19/2006

Question
Hello again Sal!

I have been reading an old Catholic Bible and I love it but I would like to get a newer (approved) version with a concordance that will help clarify some points. I am trying to read at least 20 minutes a day. I always pray before I read, and then again afterward. Can you help point me to something that will help me get the most out of my reading?

Answer
Hi Helen:

The Bible most used in the Mass readings is the New American Bible (NAB). Another good translation is the Revised Standard Version (RSV). Be sure that the Bible says either “For Catholics” as the NAB does or “Catholic Edition” as the RSV does. The reason is that the Protestant versions of these Bibles are missing seven Old Testament books. Also the footnotes are suspect.

You may be reading the old Douay-Rheims Version (DRV) of the Bible. This is a good version, but weak in some areas. I do own a certain DRV known as “The Haydock Bible”. This DRV has great footnotes written by Father George Leo Haydock. I treasure this Bible that comes in 2 volumes. It was out-of-print for many years, but happily it has been brought back. It costs about $100 that makes it a rather pricey Bible, but worth the cost if you can afford it.

“A Textual Concordance of the Holy Scriptures” is a very good concordance. It does not have just a list of Bible passages, but the actual text of these passages. This can save a lot of time if there are a lot of references on a particular topic. This concordance is in the DRV. It costs about $30.

A great Bible Commentary is the Navarre Bible series. This Bible Commentary uses the RSVCE and also has the passages in Latin which is nice if you read Latin (I don't). The best thing about this Bible Commentary is that it has copious notes very faithful to the magisterium of the Church. It contains quotes from Church Fathers, popes, and saints. I have a complete set of the New Testament. They are not issued in one volume. The New Testament is in 12 volumes. Each volume costs about $12-$15. Since I have purchased the New Testament series they have become available in different sets. For example, you can now get all four gospels in one volume. Also some Old Testament books have now become available. I highly recommend this series of Bible Commentaries.

I hope that this helped. Have fun reading God's love letter to His children!

God Bless You,
Sal