What is the most correct bible for a catholic? I have the Duay confraternity of christian doctrine, imprimateur is Cardinal Francis Spellman, The New American Bible, St. Joseph Edition,The New Oxford Annotated Bible with O.T. Apocrypha. I enjoy the Oxford the best but new American is easily memorized and the CCD bible has good maps and Rembrandt pictures which makes it more tolerable than the other two. Thanks, Thomas

This is a good question. It has been asked recently, so I apologize for repeating my suggestions.

There are many versions of the Bible currently available, of varying quality and more important varying Catholicity. I would suggest a few study Bibles that you might find useful. These include: the Ignatius Study Bible, edited by Scott Hahn and Curtis Mitch; the Catholic Answer Bible; and the Navarre Bible. You might also find helpful Damasus Winzen’s Pathways in Scripture.

Given the number of translations that are available, with formal approval by the Church, there are a number of options available to you in terms of Bibles. I should add that scholarly opinion varies as to the best and most reliable translations – not to mention the underlying methodologies in the translations (e.g., dynamic equivalence). Having noted these factors, I would personally suggest the Revised Standard Version (RSV) – Catholic Edition, available from Ignatius Press. Another popular Catholic bible is the Douai-Rheims or Douai-Challoner Bible. There is also the Catholic Answer Bible by Our Sunday Visitor that relies upon the NAB. Readers no doubt have their own preferences.

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