The New American Bible (Style No. 2403): Student Edition

It is a very easy to read translation, and is truly a translation, as the scholars who compiled the New American translation did so from Hebrew, Aramaic and Greek texts. This is unlike other Catholic translations, which have often worked from the Latin text of the Latin Vulgate. In the foreword, it talks about how the oldest and best-known and supportable texts were used in the writing of this translation, making it one of the best historical translations you can find.

Since it is a Catholic Bible, it contains the deuterocanonical books, which non-Catholic's erroneously call the "Apocrypha" (i.e.: I say erroneous because apocrypha means hidden, and these books are far from hidden).

Each book of the Bible contains the history of that book. Such information included is who was responsible for writing the book (when available), the period in which it was written, and the purpose and intent of the book. Along with this foreward, the each book contains extensive footnotes to assist the reader in understanding particular phrases and/or the historical context. It also contains cross-referencing material which will point the reader in the direction of other related scriptural verses.

As a pointer, this translation can also be found online by visiting the National Conference of Catholic Bishops at the United States Catholic Conference website. You will be able to read the text there and decide if this is a translation you would want to purchase. As a Catholic, I would highly recommend it to all other American Catholics.


Invaluable, But Literalists Beware.   January 17, 2007
Bradley Headstone (New York)
16 out of 20 found this review helpful

While I feel this edition of the "New American Bible" is invaluable, you should avoid it if your faith depends on a strict literal interpretation of the Bible. (If this is the case with you, and you are looking for a nice version of the Bible, I suggest the "New King James." That is a well written Bible that many Protestants use, and it should not upset your faith.) While the original "Revised Standard" is the translation I prefer the most, the "New American" is also a Catholic Approved Bible. (My only complaint is the overdone Gender Inclusive Language.) While I feel the "Good News" takes the prize for the most beginner friendly Bible, this edition of the "New American" comes really close. Like the "Good News," this version has intros to the different books that are helpful for beginners or people seeking a deeper understanding of the text. Like the "Good News," this version also has titles that break up the text and give an indication as to what the passages pertain to. The 'New Testament' is a revision of the previous edition of the "New American." While I still prefer the original "Revised Standard," this translation is well done. I say literalists and Protestants should use caution, because they will undoubtedly find the footnotes disturbing. But Roman Catholics and Anglo Catholics should find them impressive as well as enlightening. Amongst other things, the footnotes explain that not everything that was labled as an act of God was so; they also explain that the events were not being documented as they happened. As Gerard Rosse said in his "The Cry Of Jesus On The Cross:" 'The Bible must not be read as a newspaper, but as narrative theology.' Another nice bonus is this version has a list of the Popes from Peter to John Paul II. Since this is a Catholic Approved Bible, it of course contains the 'Deuterocanonicals.' (Better known as the 'Apocrypha.') I still feel the "Good News" is the best for beginners; and the original "Revised Standard" will probably always be my favorite version. But in my opinion, this edition of the "New American" should be in the library of any Roman Catholic or Anglo Catholic. I dare say Ukraine Orthodox as well. The price of $6.95 is virtually nothing when considering that you are getting a great Catholic Approved Bible, the 'Deuterocanonicals' / 'Apocrypha,' a list of the Popes, great introductions to the books, and outstanding footnotes. Few Bibles will get you closer to Christ than this one!


Approved   March 30, 2008
Robert B. Makinson (Brooklyn New York United States)
6 out of 7 found this review helpful

Three Bibles, The Revised Standard Version-Catholic Edition, The Jerusalem Bible (1966) and the New American Bible (1970 edition) are approved by the National Conference of Catholic Bishops and the Holy See for use in U.S. Catholic Churches. The New American Bible is the work of Catholic scholars and some non-catholic scholars in rendering the ancient text.
The introductions to each chapter are very informative and there are many footnotes explaining the text. Any controversy concerning the various editions of the New American Bible are a subject to be resolved by the Holy See and the National Conference of Catholic Bishops.


The New American Bible for Catholics   November 6, 2006
Elsie Kodweis
8 out of 10 found this review helpful

This is an excellent book for the price. It is well written and I am enjoying reading it. It has notes that contain where the words came from, how they were interpeted, and is very interesting.


Great Bible For Personal Study & For School   January 18, 2007
Kevin Beck (SouthEatern USA)
7 out of 10 found this review helpful

This is a great Bible to use for personal study, and we also use it daily in our school (homeschool) studies. The print is clear and easy to read, and the actual passages are clearly "written" and are pleasant to read. We would definately recommend this bible to friends and fellow homeschoolers.