The New Catholic Bible, St Joseph Edition
A review of the Large Type St. Joseph Edition of the New Catholic Bible (ISBN 9781953152275, No. 614/22). This volume is a large, brown, cloth-over-board hardback, 9 11/15 x 6 15/16 x 1.74 inches in dimensions. It contains the 73 books usually found in Catholic Bibles.
The binding is sewn with an additional line of stitching in both front and back, and the Bible lies flat in Genesis. The approximately 36 gsm (grams per square meter) paper is opaque, with a light sheen to the surface and a faint blue tinge. At 10.5 points, the font is relatively large. The printing is crisp and dark. The words of Christ are in dark red. Print non-uniformity (fading) is uncommon and moderate.
The Bible features cross references at the bottom of the inner text columns, printed in a bold, 7 point san serif font. Explanatory notes appear at the bottoms of both inner and outer columns. They are also in a bold, 7 point san serif font.
A Bible Dictionary with 189 entries is place in the back of the Bible, along with a Doctrinal Bible Index. Both are printed in a 9 point font. A list of the Sunday Gospels in the modern three-year cycle also appears there. No concordance is present, nor are color maps.
The head and tail bands are black and yellow. Page edges are in orange. No ribbon markers are present in this hardback edition.
A family records section, in heavy paper, is printed on heavy paper between the testaments.
The translation is somewhat dynamic or free. It reminds me of the New International Version in that regard. It also seems to be more conservative than the NABRE.
Video Contents
00:00 Introduction
01:22 Page layout
02:20 The text is not line-matched
02:36 Page layout (continued)
03:04 The words of Christ are in red
03:20 Headings in the text
03:47 The font in the text
04:16 Print non-uniformity
04:38 Cross references and notes
05:31 Book introductions
06:05 Page layout (continued)
06:30 Paper qualities
07:20 The material in back
09:44 The head and tail bands
10:05 The sewn binding
10:51 The volume lies open in Genesis
11:32 Title and copyright pages
12:09 Other material in front
14:24 Family records pages
14:53 The material at the beginning of the New Testament
15:27 Page sheen
15:49 Font comparisons
16:16 The character of the essays, introductions, and notes
19:22 The character of the translation
30:07 Summary
Пікірлер: 89
I believe I misspoke at about the 29:22 point. I should have said that the RSVCE and the NCB make Christ's deity clear.
Thank you for this great review; I believe you made it at my request! I love this translation because it reads very smoothly; the editing and English style lean toward simplicity, clarity, and elegance. There is more paragraphing. Paul’s endless and convoluted sentences are made intelligible. Ambiguities are, for better or worse-but always for the sake of clarity-resolved, often leading to surprising meanings I’d never before encountered. The translation is full of happy surprises. In this way its philosophy of translation embraces dynamic equivalence. The notes are pastoral in character, not philological. As an editor of academic books and journals, I give this translation a standing ovation for its making the crooked straight and the rough places plain.
Great work, Grant. Your reviews are an important work that helps a lot of people in their study and absorption of God's holy Word. His blessings on you, sir.
A well made Catholic bible is a breath of fresh air tbh
This is one I have placed for order - very good review as always. I like the more conservative approach and translations as I explore my Catholic roots again in my older age. Thank you for putting this together
@RGrantJones
11 ай бұрын
You're welcome, Dino. Thanks for the kind comment.
I got mine in "giant" print. The cross references and notes are at the end of each book. It includes the verses that are usually removed from modern bibles. All together this is an enjoyable read.
Thank you for this incredibly detailed review, much appreciated!!! Peace be with you!
Thank you so much Dr Jones for your awesome video reviews.
@RGrantJones
Жыл бұрын
Thank you for that kind comment.
It's an interesting quirk of history that, while the textual basis of Scripture was one of the most hotly contested battlegrounds in the reformation era, today the critical text has resulted in a near unanimity between protestants and roman catholics on the text of Scripture. Today there is an increasing minority on both sides holding to the 'traditional' texts-- The MT/TR for proddies and the Clemantine Vulgate for the trad cats. I'm not sure if such a development should be met with joy or horror. What a fascinating time to be alive and Christian.
I used to own a leather bound copy of this, from what I recall the paper was amazing.
This is fantastically useful information and very well explained. Thank you so much for sharing your time and your knowledge.
@RGrantJones
5 ай бұрын
Thank you for the kind comment.
Another great video. Thank you for the work you do!
@RGrantJones
Жыл бұрын
You're welcome! And thank you for that encouraging comment.
Another good video, Dr. Jones. Aside from the reviews on the Catholic Bible Talk blog, this is my first time seeing more of the nuts and bolts of this NCB. I agree with the characterization of it as a "more conservative NABRE," but in spite of common criticisms of the NABRE, I think its strength is in its cross-references and its extensive adoption of LXX/DSS readings, which this NCB seems a bit flimsier on. I've been told the 2025 NABRE (which apparently might be coming with a name change), in addition to revising the notes (and providing two editions: one with extensive text-critical notes and another with a leaner, and possibly more pastoral, set of notes) will be making more adjustments to the OT in addition to the intended NT revision; since it's a liturgical Bible, going off of the current Roman Missal, I'm curious if that 2025 revision will adopt a conservative bent by reverting its 2011 change in Isaiah 7:14, as well as adopt the traditional Luke 1:28 reading, both in line with the lectionary. I'll also be interested to see if they go even further in terms of the LXX/DSS readings, if they are going to be further tweaking the OT translation from 2011. Coupled with the "Liturgical ESV-CE Bible" that's apparently in the making in the UK with no definite release date (ESV-CE with further liturgical edits to the translation, Abbey Psalms and Canticles used for the book of Psalms, etc.), the NA-29 Greek New Testament which is expected in the next 2 years or so, and the Augustine Institute's "Catholic Standard Version" project that caused a bit of an online fuss during the December 2022-January 2023 period (and raised questions about their commitment to the ESV-CE), it's going to be quite interesting to see how all these forthcoming resources are received.
@RGrantJones
Жыл бұрын
Thanks for passing along that information. I hope the upcoming NABRE revision is as you describe. This is the first I've heard of the Catholic Standard Version project.
@matthaeusprime6343
Жыл бұрын
I have a copy of the CSV Gospel of Matthew. I've heard nothing of if and when the other books are going to be released. I am looking forward to the new NAB. Not that it's going to be any better. The current edition still has notes carried over from the Confraternity editions of the 1950's. Talk about out dated information. The other thing I found curious in this NCB is the introduction to the Pentateuch still clinging to the documentary hypothesis when scholarship is moving away from it more and more.
@hassanmirza2392
8 ай бұрын
Hi, I am a non-Christian and own NRSV/ESV family of Bible translations and also JPS Tanakh. What will be the use of a new Catholic translation like CSV, will it replace NRSV/CSV-CE and NABRE translations? I think NABRE is already something like a Catholic standard Bible? So many translations within few generations is a very confusing thing. The Bible translation scene is very fragmented.
@BigStack-vg6ku
4 ай бұрын
@@matthaeusprime6343 Agreed…even my NIV admits the Doc Hypothesis are not correct!,
I have the medium size blue dura lux edition. I've really enjoyed it. The notes are much better than the NABRE and it has many passages that are found in the LXX and not in the Masoretic text.
@RGrantJones
Жыл бұрын
Thanks for taking the time to comment, William.
Missed your reviews Dr. Jones
I have several different copies of this bible. There are notes in it that are very solid, but there are some that have a weird liberal slant. The view on the pentateuch is totally off.
@RGrantJones
Жыл бұрын
Thanks for commenting, Redsorgum. I'm sure your evaluation is more advanced than mine, since I've sampled only a few of the notes.
I have the New Testament and Psalms in this translation. It is my favorite, as it is smooth reading in a portable, large print format.
My dream is to have all versions of the bible with the ancient scriptures. Thank you sir for theses reviews.
@RGrantJones
Жыл бұрын
Thank you for taking the time to comment!
Thanks for reviewing this Bible. I recently bought another edition of the NCB, but I haven't used it much yet. BTW, do you know that's there's a Didache Bible in the NABRE? It has 2 sets of notes: the ones that always accompany the NABRE and the Didache Bible notes and articles.
@RGrantJones
Жыл бұрын
Thanks for commenting, James. I believe someone mentioned the NABRE Didache to me. The dual notes interest me, so I may have to take a look.
@user-zo2ge3oe8d
9 ай бұрын
I recently purchased the Didache Bible for kindle. I love it and read it daily.
Looks very nice. Thanks for the video!
@RGrantJones
Жыл бұрын
Thanks for commenting, kree935.
I never understand why they don’t add the church fathers comments, and yet they feel free to add their own ideas, as if they know better with the help of their smart phones and ipads! Kind of silly.
@deusvult9372
6 ай бұрын
Exactly. I believe there's an agenda to undermine church authority and the credibility of the Bible. That's the problem with modern bibles. The so called scholars create these theories to deceive people . Most modern bibles are taken from Alexandria manuscripts. The strangley came into popularity and the dating of them is a bit fishy..
@MrAzteckgamer
2 ай бұрын
Because it's free online to read
@d.o.7784
2 ай бұрын
@@MrAzteckgamer no its not
@d.o.7784
2 ай бұрын
@@MrAzteckgamer many too many greek books have not been translated into English
You're the best Bible review channel! I don't think you have stated what denomination you are. I'm guessing maybe Anglican?
@RGrantJones
Жыл бұрын
Thank you for that kind comment, Mike. Yes, I'm an Anglican.
I wonder if Exodus 1.1 is actually a typo that has never been corrected. Verse 5 notes that "Joseph was already in Egypt."
@RGrantJones
Жыл бұрын
That does seem possible. Thanks for commenting.
Thanks for the very nice review. It looks like a decent Bible to get. When you say "no maps," I know the NABRE St. Joseph's Bible had maps sometimes in the books themselves such as the start of Ezra. Is the "no maps" no maps at all or no maps section?
@RGrantJones
Жыл бұрын
Thanks for the kind comment, kainech! By 'no maps' I mean no color maps in the back. There are a few black and white maps inserted in the text.
@kainech
Жыл бұрын
@@RGrantJones Welcome and thanks for the good videos and the answer.
Is the New Catholic Bible the text of the New American Bible, or a different translation?
@-GodIsMyJudge-
11 ай бұрын
It's a different translation done by the Catholic Book Publishing Corporation.
I find your videos very relaxing. And I'm just curious, were you in the military ever? I ask because the way you wear your watch is common in the military (or so I've heard).
@RGrantJones
Жыл бұрын
Thanks for the kind comment, Zoofy, and the question. Yes, I was in the USAF.
@DarkWafflesOfDoom
Жыл бұрын
@@RGrantJones Very cool! I always look forward to your videos. They help me relax when I'm feeling stressed. I also like seeing the cool bibles. I love a well-made leather book and it seems like some bibles have the best quality and the most variety. I just wish I could get some of my favorite fiction literature in those bindings. Thanks again!
Hi Dr Jones. Thank you for your review of this Bible. I am Catholic and personally use this Bible. I don’t agree with all the notes and commentary. I’ve noticed a few liberal slants on things. Thank you and God Bless
@RGrantJones
11 ай бұрын
Thank you for commenting!
Maybe you have already answered this elsewhere, but whatever happened to your "Bible in English" channel? I very much enjoyed listening to your recordings in the past, but now I cannot find them.
@RGrantJones
Жыл бұрын
Thanks for commenting, Finian. The Bible in English channel is still there but I've been too busy to post any new content. www.youtube.com/@thebibleinenglish8019
The problem I have with this translation is that it is not close enough to the NA 28 and not willing enough to go with variants in the Dead Sea Scrolls when merited. As far as presentation and the quality of the book construction and the way it looks....I love that aspect. I have a NABRE that looks like this but I have to check if it has a sewn binding. I love sewn bindings!
Is NCB a version of NABRE or a new translation of Bible? I personally think the best Catholic only translation is NABRE family. But the ecumenical ones like RSV/NRSV(UE)/ESV are better than NABRE and much more useful.
@RGrantJones
8 ай бұрын
It's a new translation, Hassan.
@hassanmirza2392
8 ай бұрын
@@RGrantJones So many translations 🤒 I guess my search for the best Bible translation was useful, as it helps to distinguish between average temporary ones from the more permanent academic/literal ones.
I had a question: Book of Daniel and Esther are the only books of OT/MT which have variation with LXX version. Esther is considered to be a historical novel/story like Judith & Tobit. So, is Daniel just an Israelite novel/story meant for instruction only, or is it an actual historical/theological book like Jeremiah, Hosea etc? What is the Christian consensus?
@RGrantJones
3 ай бұрын
I think Daniel is more of a historical account than a series of prophetic declarations, but I don't know what the Christian consensus is. By the way, Daniel and Esther aren't the only books with major variations between the LXX and the MT. Jeremiah is much shorter in the LXX, and the material present is arranged differently.
@hassanmirza2392
3 ай бұрын
@@RGrantJones I have read all of essays which are there in Oxford Jewish Study Bible. I must say, it is all high quality historical, textual, literary, cultural analysis. A highly recommended read! Christians will disagree with the interpretation there in the Bible itself of OT, but essays are quite good. The Oxford JSB itself is comparable to to Oxford NOAB & Oxford Catholic Study Bible. I think JPS translation (not accepted by Orthodox Judaism) is comparable to Protestant Mainline NRSV and Catholic NABRE. These are all liberal/Historic-Critic method based translations and study Bibles.
It seems that generally speaking, the translators wanted an in-between of the RSV-2CE and the NABRE. Their claim that the translation is literal is quite amusing, as it's a Catholic NIV with gendered language. Which is your favorite among the three most prominent Catholic Bible translations (NABRE, RSV-2CE, and NCB)? Is there another that I didn't list that you would pick? Again, thanks for the review; as always, it was fantastic and in-depth!
@RGrantJones
Жыл бұрын
Thanks for the kind comment, Stefan. Of those three, I prefer the RSV2CE. The ESV-CE is another very good translation, though it isn't very different from the RSV2CE.
@stefanhenning40
Жыл бұрын
@@RGrantJones I've read a little of both, and I agree that they are very similar. I am Catholic, but I love the poetry of older English (Tyndale English?), so I read the KJV with Apocrypha. May I ask what your daily reader is?
@RGrantJones
Жыл бұрын
@@stefanhenning40 - I read the KJV with Morning and Evening Prayer almost every day. I use an Oxford Brevier Clarendon with Apocrypha, bound together with the 1928 American Book of Common Prayer. I hope to show it in a video in a few weeks.
@stefanhenning40
Жыл бұрын
@@RGrantJones that would be so fantastic! I hope you do, I really love seeing you review older and more obscure Bibles. Thank you for your channel and hard work, God bless you! I look forward to seeing that video on your daily reader.
I have a Catholic Bible New revised standard edition. Why do I need a new one?
I loathe that any catholic bible would have notes that cling to the documentary theory, considering it is expressly stated as a matter of faith that we *have* to hold it was authored by Moses. From the Pontifical Biblical Commission prior to 1907: (which prior to 1970 acted as an arm of the magisterium, compared to the post 1970 where it now acts as an advisory board): Whether the arguments gathered by the critics to attack the authenticity of the Mosaic sacred books, which are designated by the name of the Pentateuch, are of such weight, that after so many testimonies of both Testaments taken together, the perpetual consent of the Jewish people and the constant tradition of the Church, as well as the internal indications which are drawn from the text itself, give the right to affirm that these books were not authored by Moses, but were for the most part drawn up from sources later than the Mosaic age? Answer: Negative From Pope St. Pius X later: “Pope St. Pius X (Praestantia Scripture, Nov 18, 1907) "We do declare and decree that all are bound in conscience to submit to the decisions of the Biblical Commission relating to doctrine, which have been given in the past and which shall be given in the future, in the same way as to the decrees of the Roman congregations approved by the Pontiff; nor can all those escape the note of disobedience or temerity, and consequently of grave sin, who in speech or writing contradict such decisions."
@RGrantJones
11 ай бұрын
Thanks for posting those quotations!
Is it correct to say that this is the only translation, other than the Douay Rheims, which has the "Hail, full of Grace" at Luke 1:28?Edit: I stand corrected, the RSVCE2 has it as well.
What translation/version is this based on? Is the "NCB" the translation name too?
@RGrantJones
4 ай бұрын
'Is the "NCB" the translation name too?' Yes. Thanks for the questions.
@-johnny-deep-
4 ай бұрын
@@RGrantJones Thanks! You have very comprehensive videos.
I've read that this Bible translation has many typos
@PaoloVolpeFireFox
5 ай бұрын
😱😱😱😱😱
Ask this Catholic, do l read NAB/NABRE notes No, I am not of a modernist AKA heretic mindset, they contradict magisterial teaching and logic. On a different topic, I was very glad to see your notice, about this review of NCB Bible today, I look forward to your reviews, thank you so much, Brother 🙏🔥🤟⛪👨👩👧👦🇺🇸
@RGrantJones
Жыл бұрын
Thanks for continuing to support the channel, Larrym!
@sandrametcalfe7483
Жыл бұрын
@Cyanstone. Yes it contains several heretical notes. They are in the notes on the resurrection of our Lord and the crucifixion. I’m not sure what books or chapters.
Does this edition come with the Rosary and Station of the Cross inserts?
@RGrantJones
5 ай бұрын
No, I don't remember seeing them.
@Triniforchrist
4 ай бұрын
Yes it do
I have the Marriage edition of that same Bible 😭 but mine isn't hard cover.
I'm surprised that the NCB ranks so low in literalness. I was guessing that it ranked MUCH higher. E.g., John 8:15, the NCB reads "You judge by the flesh, whereas I do not judge anyone." Virtually all of the more "literal" translations (DR, KJV, ASV, NKJV, RSV, ESV, LSB) use "flesh." The less literal translations avoid "flesh," e.g., NABRE ("appearances"), RNJB ("human standards"), NSRVue ("human standards"), CSB ("human standards"), NET ("outward appearances"), NIV ("human standards"), and NLT ("human standards").
@RGrantJones
10 ай бұрын
Thanks for commenting. Just to clarify, I haven't scored the NCB. I made an estimate as to where it would land if I were to score it, based on about 20 of the 200 verses I normally use, and a few other verses.
The New CAtholic Bible is not the same as the New American Bible, which is used in Catholic services.
The norms for Scriptural scholarship are to be found in “Divino Afflante Spiritu” issued by Pope Pius XII in 1943. This requires all Catholic translations of the Sacred Scriptures, in future, to be direct, literal, translations from the original languages, using the best and most accurate sources. After this direction was issued, it was no longer possible for the English speaking nations to continue to use either the Douay Rheims or the Knox translations, since they are not direct translations from the original languages, but translations from the Vulgate with the original languages compared, where necessary. I do still use the Knox translation, since I have the full, three volume, version, which has Monsignor Knox’s full translator’s notes, where he sets out where the Vulgate departs from the original languages. He was a Geek and Hebrew scholar and he translated the whole Bible single handed. As a result, his translation does read very easily, since it was not put together by a committee, as are most translations. In England, until recently, we have used two translations. The Jerusalem Bible (1966 edition) is used in the Lectionary, with some modifications introduced by Pope Benedict XVI. For teaching and study purposes and for translating passages included in document issued from Rome, until recently, the second Catholic edition of the RSV has been used. Now, this is to be replaced by the Anglicised Catholic edition of the ESV, which is now to be used for all purposes, rather than using two translations side by side, as in the past. So, the Lectionary has been revised to use the ESV. In Canada, the NRSV is used. In the USA, the New American Bible is used. This was formerly known as the “Confraternity Bible” since it was prepared by the US Confraternity of Christian Doctrine. It is considered to be a good, direct, literal translation from the original languages. It is not used in England, or in other English speaking countries, since the English is a little too American in style. I cannot really see why the translation publicised by this video should be necessary. There are already good translations which satisfy the norms set in 1943. I shall, myself, probably continue to use both the RSV (second Catholic edition) and the Knox version, for study purposes, since these contain much useful historical information. For example, since the Church used the Vulgate for so many years, it is useful to know how the Vulgate translates particular passages (sometimes, not quite accurately). Finally, of course, I do have a King James Bible (with Apocrypha) since the language is familiar in many cases. The original KJV remains such a good and accurate translation that a version has been produced using the modern equivalent English where the language has changed over the centuries, the New KJV. This is the version used by the Eastern Orthodox Churches in England and also by most of the Pentecostal and similar fundamentalist Churches.
12:35 I spot Documentary Hypothesis notes. What a pity such modernist heresy is found everywhere and is claimed as truth. Will definitely not be purchasing this otherwise beautiful bible.
Liberal critical garbage, it seems, with the introductions at least. One is way better off picking up an Ignatius Catholic Study Bible New Testament and/or the edition covering both Old and New Testaments that is coming out in November.