Book Reviews and More: The Revised New Jerusalem Bible Study Edition

The Revised New Jerusalem Bible

Study Edition

CTS Scriptures

Henry Wansbrough OSB (Introduction)

Image Catholic Books

Penguin Random House of Canada

ISBN 9780232533620

eISBN 9780525573203

ASIN B078VWWLGT

I was not really in the market for a new bible. I have a couple of favourite physical bibles, and many eBook editions. But I picked this up for a few reasons. First I had read several of the Gospels in the Catholic Truth Society Scripture Series that have an introduction and commentary from Dom Henry. I enjoyed his commentary so much I picked up several other volumes he penned for the CTS, and this bible. My all-time favourite bible for sitting and just reading is The Jerusalem Bible. I received one in grade 7 or 8 for my confirmation from the school board and diocese. And I read it over the next few years. Many years later when I returned to the faith it became my standard for just reading. And even though I have read dozens of translations and likely more specialized bibles (Men’s, Students, Study, Spiritual Warfare, Great Adventure, …) The Jerusalem and the New Jerusalem are my favourites for reading. And with the section and book introductions by Dom Henry this one is at the top of my list.

I started keeping track of books I read in October of 1995, since then I have read a complete bible over 30 times and New Testaments another half dozen. Not counting multiple rereads of specific books of the bible for person study, in bible studies or leading bible studies. These days I only have 2 physical bibles, one in my den and one in my bed side table, but I have over 30 eBook editions and versions. And I am so thankful that this bible is available digitally. I have a dual form of dyslexia and really prefer reading eBooks. And this one is perfectly formatted. A lot of thought, time and effort went into making the digital edition just a well-designed and laid out at the physical edition.

The description of this edition is:

“The Revised New Jerusalem Bible: Study Edition has been crafted to be a unique and comprehensive study Bible experience among the many other options available today. Special consideration has been given to combine the scholarship of the 1966 Jerusalem Bible(the first modern English version) and the 1985 New Jerusalem Bible; presenting you with a Bible that is more of a word-for-word translation from the original Hebrew and Greek languages. Other special translation considerations have been given to the equal treatment of men and women in the text, as well as updating the ancient systems of measurement to the modern metric system.”

And some of the features are:

• Study notes, cross-references, and book introductions edited by Dom Henry Wansbrough, OSB, who was general editor of the New Jerusalem Bible.

• The book of Psalms is based on the text of the 2010 translation of The Revised Grail Psalms.

• A table of the notes provides explanations of the key words, themes, and ideas in the Bible's major footnotes.

• A chronological table, an index of persons, and eight pages of full-color maps provide historical context.

• A bold, rich language as suitable for reading out loud as for studying in silence so that “The message might be fully proclaimed” (2 Timothy 4:17).

• Accurate translation of the original scriptures, rather than the “dynamic equivalence” of some other versions.

And from an eBook perspective I am very thankful they use endnotes at the end of each Book of the bible rather than footnotes at the end of each page, or even each chapter. It makes using it for just reading much easier. And the eBook is very reasonably priced. Dom Henry states in the preface:

“Two decades later a request from the African biblical apostolate for a cheaper edition of The Jerusalem Bible led to a complete revision of the supporting material, independent of the Jerusalem school, though for financial reasons the biblical text of 1966 was retained. This was published by the Catholic Truth Society of London as The CTS New Catholic Bible in 2008. The supporting material produced for that edition has formed the basis of the present edition. The biblical text here presented is, however, a wholesale revision of the Jerusalem Bible text, chiefly under three guiding principles. The Bible was written to be proclaimed aloud rather than studied in silence; it is important, therefore, that the message of the Bible should be read out and heard intelligibly as well as understood in reflective meditation. Attention has also been given to rendering the language and imagery of the original languages accurately rather than by dynamic equivalence. Further, every attempt has also been made to show that the message of the Bible is directed to women and men equally, despite the inbuilt bias of the English language.”

This is an excellent bible for personal use. Group Study. Or Serious scholarship. I can easily recommend it. Even is just for Dom Henry’s introduction to each section and each book. It is a great resource for your faith journey. Mike Aquilina stated:

“Now we can travel with more books stored in our telephones than the ancient Egyptians kept in their vast library at Alexandria.”

We can travel with several bibles, commentaries and supporting books and barely touch the space available on our mobiles. You owe it to yourself to give this bible a try. I am certain it will be worth it.

Note: This book is part of a series of reviews: 2022 Catholic Reading Plan!

Books by Henry Wansbrough OSB:

CTS Books:

36 Days & 36 Ways Daily Meditations from Advent to the Epiphany Year B

40 Days and 40 Ways Daily Meditations for Lent Year A

40 Days and 40 Ways Daily Meditations for Lent Year B

40 Days and 40 Ways Daily Meditations for Lent Year C

A Year with the Bible: 365 Daily Reflections

Companion to the Sunday Gospels: The Year of Mercy

Companion to the Sunday Gospels: Year A

Companion to the Sunday Gospels: Year B

Companion to the Sunday Gospels: Year C