Customer Reviews

Holy Bible Douay-Rheims Version

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It would be the Douay-Rheims Bible as revised by Bishop Richard Challoner in 1749. Challoner was a former Protestant who had been raised on the King James Version, but had reverted to Catholicism in later life. Finding the original Douay-Rheims Bible much too Latinate (so much so than one could hardly understand it,) he sought about to revise the text into more syntactically and idiomatically correct English. He did not hesistate to borrow from the flowing rhythms and felicitous phrasings of the Protestant KJV, but not so much as to drastically change the staunch Roman leaning and doctrine of the DRB. A good example of his wise borrowing from the KJV is the first verse of Hebrews chapter 1. In the Vulgate it reads: "Multifariam, multisque modis olim Deus loquens patribus in prophetis..." The original DRB-NT closely followed the Latin down to the word order. Challoner, to the probable welfare and future existence of the Douay Bible, shrewdly borrowed from the AV: "God, who, at sundry times and in divers manners, spoke in times past to the fathers by the prophets, last of all..." Pick up a King James and read the same verse, and you will see the remarkable similarity. Of course, the cross-pollinization (so to speak) occured on both sides as the even great King James Bible translators had as one of the versions they consulted the original Rheims New Testament of 1582. They scrupulously lifted words such as "propitiation" "concupiscence" and "victim" thereby enriching the AV (and the English language)with many sophisticated Latinate words. To sum up, this Bible version is well suited to traditionalist to moderate Roman Catholics. In spirit, phraseology and heredity it is about 70% Vulgate and 30% King James Version. Make no mistake, this version is still a translation of a translation (the Vulgate) and not of the original Hebrew and Greek. If one likes to hear Latin Mass, this Bible would be well used to follow along with the Latin chanting of the Scripture. This version by TAN Publishers is a good edition. A hard cover is always prefered, but the soft-cover is the one that seems to be more commonly produced. If one is interested in another edition of the Douay Bible, the absolute BEST, (that I recommend) is the edition published by Baronius Press. Their edition utilizes a digitally reset, clearer type, has engraved illustrations, colour maps, and is handsomely bound in French Morocco leather. Sadly, it is not available on Amazon.com, but can be ordered either directly from the U.K. or a private vendor on eBay.

The Douay-Rheims is a classic in english Catholic literature. It is also one of the better translations to ever see the light of day. Though one reviewer here complains that it involves mistranslations ("charity" instead of "love") these are not mistranslations, but in fact quite the contrary, proper translation of concepts which modern vernacular would only confuse. For example "love" can mean many things, but "charity" is a translation of what the Church actually teaches true "love" to be - not simply warm feelings. Indeed, the theological virtue of Charity, does not reside in the emotions; one can practice true charity, even if he does not particularly like the one he is practicing this virtue upon. Indeed, the confusion of the true meaning of our duty to "love" others, with some purely emotional sensation, is one of the reasons why there are so many problems in even Catholic homes; for when the bad times hit, and those "feelings" wane, many couples do the splits. As one wise confessor told me, "you must love your neighbour, not necessarily like him; for quite frankly, the latter is often impossible." Indeed if you wait until you "like" your enemies, you will never forgive them, or treat them in a proper fashion. As for other details pertaining to this translation; the notes are excellent, though not as impressive or extensive as other editions (like the incredible Haydock Bible, which on the whole is the best english language Bible I've ever come across). The reason I really only ought to give this product a three, is because the current presentation (paperback) is not very durable (though fortunatly TAN Books has now issued a slightly more durable version of the paperback). Having a copy of their older, much better hardback edition (which they no longer offer) makes one keenly aware of how lackluster the current presentation is.

This is the original translation into the common tongue that contains the entire canon of the Old Testament.

It uses the same style of English found in the King James Version, and in many cases the translation is identical. For instance, in 1Cor13 the Greek "agape" is rendered as "charity" rather than "love," as it is in 20th century translations. In my opinion, telling evidence for the esteem in which Jerome's Vulgate was held when an authority was required for context (the Latin is "caritas") when the Bible was originally translated into English.

This one is a must to lend context to difficult passages when a checkpoint is needed. (This review refers to the Hardcover version)

The Douay-Rheims Bible is the safest, most accurate translation of the bible you can get. That said, this edition is of low quality. The cover is very weak and the pages are cut unevenly. Some pages are stuck together and have to be cut apart. I also own the hardcover edition and it is of excellent quality. Go for the hardcover.

I have read many versions of the Holy Bible and NONE come even close to this one . After reading it each time , i feel like i have heard the true words of Christ as He stated them some 2000 years ago . The new modernized versions of the Holy Bible are of no comparison . I feel inspired and moved every time i pick up this version . I have never felt this before with any other translations , including: King James , Fireside , American Family Bible and several others . This is the real thing , the TRUE words of Jesus and the Apostles , not some watered down , changed edition that suits the likings of reformists and Liberals who want to change the meanings and words of The Holy Bible .Try it and see for yourself . God Bless You and keep you everyone . Please Pray for world peace and peace of mind in all Gods children and more importantly for the souls of our lost generation .Hes coming soon , get ready :-) In Jesus , Adryan B.