NABRE - New American Bible Revised Edition (Quality Paperbound): Standard Size - Quality Paperbound Paperback – March 15, 2010

The NABRE is a 2001 revision of the older editions of the NAB (the 1986 revision and Psalter), a fresh and modern translation made by the finest Catholic scholarship. I've appreciated and used the NAB for many years, even though I'm a Protestant believer and not a Catholic. What I appreciate in Catholic Bibles are its inclusion of the Apocrypha and Deutero-canonical books and the extra additional chapters to Daniel and Esther.The notes of the NABRE, like the NAB, reflect the critical scholarship position which assumes the following:a) Yahwist (J), Elohist (E), Priestly (P) sources for the Pentateuchb) Multiple authorship of Isaiah (Isaiah & Deutero-Isaiah)c) Late date for the authorship of Daniel (around 200 BC)d) The preterist approach for the interpretation of the book of RevelationWhat are the main differences between the NABRE and the older editions of the NAB?A. Differences in translation. You can be the judge of which is better:"Blessed is the man who does not walk in the counsel of the wicked, Nor stand in the way of sinners, nor sit in company with scoffers." (Psalm 1:1 NABRE)"Happy those who do not follow the counsel of the wicked, Nor go the way of sinners, nor sit in company with scoffers." (Psalm 1:1 NAB)"God of my ancestors, Lord of mercy, you who have made all things by your word, And in your wisdom have established humankind to rule the creatures produced by you" (Wisdom 9: 1-2 NABRE)"God of my fathers, LORD of mercy, you who have made all things by your word, And in your wisdom have established man to rule the creatures produced by you." (Wisdom 9: 1-2 NAB)Most noticeable is Psalm 23 (NABRE) from the Psalm 23 (older NAB). The NABRE revision is much improved and sounds more like the KJV version of Psalm 23. The older NAB translation did not sound "right" for people like me so accustomed to the KJV translation:"In green pastures he makes me lie down, to still waters he leads me ... Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff comfort me... Indeed, goodness and mercy will pursue me all the days of my life; I will dwell in the house of the LORD for endless days." (Psalm 23: 2,4,6 NABRE)"In green pastures you let me graze; to safe waters you lead me... Even though I walk through a dark valley, I fear no harm for you are at my side; your rod and staff give me courage ... Only goodness and love will pursue me all the days of my life; I will dwell in the house of the LORD for years to come." (Psalm 23:2,4,6 NAB)B. How else is NABRE different from the older NAB?1) Revised and expanded introductions and bottom notes for each of the books of the Bible. The expanded notes are especially notable in the opening chapters of Genesis2) More gender-inclusive translation of the words "man," "forefathers," or "brothers" when men and women are clearly implied3) The preface to the NABRE states that the translators used the Qumran documents and the Greek OT in its translation of books such as 1 & 2 Samuel, Tobit, and other Apocryphal books4) The print by St. Benedict Press is much easier to read and more legible5) Features in the Back of the Bible:Calendar ReadingsFavorite Catholic PrayersPrayers to and for the Saints6) Addition of Imprimatur by Most Reverend Daniel E. Pilarcyzk (Oct. 10, 1991)C. Some Suggestions and AssessmentsThis hardcover NABRE edition, although very nice-looking, is much more expensive than the hardcover edition of the NAB (American Bible Society publisher). This hardcover is twice as expensive as the hardcover edition of the NAB.The NABRE could really use colored maps in the back which feature the OT and NT landsThe NABRE could really benefit from a simple concordanceAre the differences worth it for you to buy the NABRE?If you're an avid Bible reader and collector like me, it is worth it for the revised and expanded notes, and for the nicer and more legible print. This hardcover edition is really beautiful.However, the differences in translation are not that much significant from the NABRE and the NAB as a whole. I went to a Catholic Good Friday service with my older NAB and I could follow the readings and the Missal (which incorporated the NABRE) quite well.It's up to you whether you want to spend more money to buy the NABRE or stick to your NAB.Please, St. Benedict Press, come up with a cheaper hardcover edition of the NABRE! I hope American Bible Society and World Bible publishers will offer us less expensive choices for the NABRE.

It has a beautiful feel when holding it. The text size is great, lots of notes pages are smooth and makes you want to read it all day. It’s also very light carry with you. I really like this translation, easy to understand yet it doesn’t water down the message.

As another review said, this Bible was purchased with little or no photographic evidence of what I was to get, only the promise that this would in fact be the newest revision of the "Catholic Bible", commonly referred to as the "New American Bible", or NAB. This, the "NABRE" has been in the works for some time now, and as I am converting to Catholicism, I wanted to have a version of this Bible that was as up to date as possible.First off, the quality of this book is outstanding. The cover is pliable, soft, but not flimsy feeling at all. The pages are of high quality bible-book paper, the printing sharp and clear. Some color plates are included at the end which are very well done also. (Some folks think such ought to be left out of bibles, I do not agree when they are this nicely done.) No questions about quality here at all from a construction/physical qualities standpoint. In fact, not to plug this particular publisher, but a quick search of on-line auctions will show you just how many of their books are still around, though old and used, and generally if not abused they are in good shape.Most important, however, is the content. Not being one to judge a book SOLELY by it's cover, I am very critical of the information inside books too. Here I should say that I own several other translations of the Holy Bible, of varying ages and from varying publishers. The physical qualities are, as already stated, right up there with Zondervan and World, two excellent publishers, but it is inside that this bible really shines, in its text.This is a STUDY BIBLE, meaning that it has extensive notes included, "footnote style", below the conventional two-column layout on each page. These notes are VERY GOOD, and will greatly assist those seeking to know more of what they read. The translation, while different, is actually the best thought to be available currently, which I guess makes it "older" than more recent translations, if that makes sense! (Truer to older sources that is). But this new translation, combined with the excellent notes as well as the other features, makes me glad I bought this Bible. I would recommend it for anybody, ESPECIALLY someone who is Catholic, converting, or just interested in this "new" version. It is an outstanding value, physically beautiful, and I can tell my new "friend" will be with me forever!

How does one review the bible? I would hate to be the person who gave it a one star. I can hear the conversation with St Peter now, "So..... you seemed to have a problem with the book did ya? Let me see here, ahh so you did....."This book has two main parts. Very thick, 1722 pages, lots of chapters. Some parts not easy to understand, I will have to re-read it a few times to get a clue of what it is saying and then I'm still not sure I'll get it. Seems to be a model for living. Lots of killing. Guy in the first part got mad and drowned everyone except a boat load of different critters. Then he had a bunch of people wonder around in the deseart for fourty years.Guy in the second part talked in parables and they ended up nailing him to a cross but, in the end he was able to float away.All in all, lots of good stories, some you may have already heard parts of already.I bought this NAB because I wanted an easy to read and carry Catholic bible to study along with a couple other books I have by Joseph Ratzinger. I felt if I was reading books by the Pope I might have a need to be able to be on the same page as him. (only a little punn intended)The type is very easy to read and the wording is the "simply put" style. It is a red word NAB. The paper back verson I bought is more of a study type bible but not overly so. The pages are sturdy so you actualy can use it. It fits in a knap sack nicely.I would recomend this book to everyone,(of course I would) especialy if you were looking for a bible approved by the Conference of Catholic Bishops.