Finding the Right Bible

The first step in using the Bible at home is to get one. Read on to learn about how to select one and to find some of our specific recommendations.

Why Have a Bible at Home? And How Will You Use It?

The Bible is the top-selling book of all time. Despite what some of us may have seen in our families growing up, the Bible is meant to be used, not just sit on a shelf and collect dust.

Sacred scripture is one of the best ways for us and our children to get to know Jesus and God. It can help us direct our lives and pray more effectively. It is not only the story of people thousands of years ago, but it is our story: it helps us understand our relationship with God: how God gifts us, how we are challenged, how we fail, and where our hope comes from.

Certain Bibles are better suited for different purposes. Here are some common ways families use Bibles in their homes:

• To learn the most important stories, and teach them to our children.
• To reflect on one or more of the readings we hear at Mass that week (and/or help our children understand it).
• As a starting point for prayer.
• To find support or insight around an issue happening in our lives.

Types of Bibles

There are a variety of formats in which you can find Scripture published.

Full Bibles

Complete Bibles meant for adults or older children will have translations of every verse in Scripture. Look for these variations:

• Catholic Bible: There are a small number of books that Catholics consider part of the Bible, but most Protestants do not. Some Bibles exclude these books, so be sure to get one that is Catholic or has the "apocrypha" or "deuterocanonical books."
• Study Bible: These have added features such as introductions to each book, articles, footnotes, maps, and more.
• Children's Bible: Some Bibles are designed for children, with features such as color-coded pages and pictures.

Children's Story Bibles

Since it is difficult for younger children to understand the language in an adult Bible, it can be helpful to use a story Bible with them. These re-tell selected Bible stories in much simpler language and accompanying pictures. Sometimes they add creative details to engage their imagination. We recommend getting a good story Bible to help your children learn the Biblical stories and come to love them as much as others stories they read.

Translations

The books of the Bibles were written thousands of years ago in ancient languages (ancient Hebrew, Aramaic, and Greek). We don't have the original texts, but only copies of copies.

There are many different translations of these original texts into English, each taking different approaches. There is a science and an art to translation. Translations fall somewhere on a spectrum between word-for-word and thought-for-thought. Strictly literal translations would sound like a computer translation (not respecting figures of speech or other language differences), while the other extreme can make assumptions that change the intended meaning. Most translations are a compromise between the two approaches.

Finally, there are differences between the style of English the translation uses. The original King James Version uses Old English, with "thy"s and "thou"s. Other translations such as The Message use contemporary, conversational American English.

Ultimately, the best Bible translation for you is one that you will actually read!

Official Catholic Translations

The Catholic Church has official translations of the Bible, which are used in Mass:

• In the United States: New American Bible (NAB/NABRE). (Note: not the New American Standard Bible, which is a different translation.)
• In Canada: New Revised Standard Version (NRSV).

Many other Bible translations have also been officially reviewed by members of the Church hierarchy showing an imprimatur ("let it be printed") and nihil obstat ("nothing hinders").

Recommendations

Electronic Bibles

There are a number of options for Bibles available online or on your mobile device.

• BibleGateway.com is a great site with dozens of translations. It is easy to jump to a particular verse or search for keywords.
• The U.S. Bishops make the New American Bible available online.
• You can find what the daily or Sunday Mass readings are here.

Mobile applications:

• BibleGateway has an excellent free mobile app
• A comprehensive list of Catholic bible apps can be found here.