65 of 68 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
Classic reissued, January 7, 2003
This review is from: The Revised Standard Version Bible with Apocrypha (Hardcover)
I recently purchased this new 50th anniversary edition of the RSV to replace a worn out copy. The RSV holds a special place for me because it was the version that I used for study in my university days. It is a well-respected translation sponsored by the National Council of Churches (U.S.). This version includes the complete Apocrypha with all the Catholic and Orthodox books.
These days scholars generally prefer the NRSV which is the successor to the RSV. The NRSV is mostly noted for eliminating archaic English pronouns in the Psalms and for implementing gender inclusive language. The RSV itself caused controversy in its own day, and it was not accepted by some conservatives at that time. As times change, however, the RSV is now considered pretty mainstream.
For its historical importance, good use of language and wide acceptance by mainline churches, I like to quote the RSV in my writing even if I normally read from another version. This Bible will serve that purpose. The pages in this edition, however, are quite thin and there is some bleed through of the print from the other side. The text is also pretty close together (although it is better than the worn copy that I'm replacing). This edition is probably best used as a general reference book and not for regular reading, studying, or taking notes in. There are some translator's notes and variant phrases but no annotations, articles, essays or introductions (Oxford publishes a wonderful annotated version with all those things).
The Apocrypha is between the Old and New Testaments (this matters to some people). Also included after the Apocrypha is a chronology of Israelite kings, Roman governors, etc. At the end there is a sample of 5 maps that have been reproduced in other Oxford editions.
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33 of 36 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
A oldie but a goodie., June 7, 2003
This review is from: The Revised Standard Version Bible with Apocrypha (Hardcover)
The very first version of the King James Bible was in 1611 it included the Apocrypha texts which were texts that appeared in the Greek bible but not the Hebrew version. The KJV included them as a seperate part of the bible and treated them in contempt very badly translating them as they were considered undivine. In 1883 the KJV was updated and the Apocrypha texts were taken out and only special KJV bibles have them today and they're expensive.
The KJV was a masterpiece and had become the standard version of the bible but even so it was old and it was showing signs of that age. Oxford University Press released a revised version of the 1611 KJV known as the Revised Standard Version (RSV) maintaining the same structure and format of the original KJV. It didn't eliminate the use of thy, thine, thou but mainly cut it back to mainly quotes and it went back to the original texts and corrected many of the errors in the KJV. After 50 years the exceptional job they have done in updating the KJV is clearly visible and its a shame they've spoiled this in their politically correct version the NRSV.
I would definately recommend this bible to anyone it maintains the same majestic wording of the KJV as well as the same structure and even includes the Apocrypha at a fraction of the price it would cost to get a 1611 KJV with Apocrypha today. The pages are very thin and the print of the previous page can be seen through but this is a minor drawback to a very good bible. I'd recommend this bible to anyone after an accurate reading bible.
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5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
Great Bible, January 6, 2006
I have inadvertantly become a bit of a Bible collector, as there is always something that I want more out of a particular edition.
As an overview:
I have the Nelson NKJV Signature series reference Bible, a beautiful Bible, but when I want to just read, I find I keep distracting myself with all of the cross-references and other useful little goodies that this edition has to offer. Plus it's almost TOO nice to use for reading on the daily commute! The leather really is fantastically soft and supple on this edition. The paper has hardly any bleedthough, the print quality is top-notch.
I then got a Nelson compact edition NJKV Signature series. A smaller version, with no cross references, but the font is on the small size. A nice little Bible, feels wonderful in your hands as you read as does the one mentioned above. However, the paper quality is not the same as the full sized signature series mentioned above.
The Third Millenium Bible (I got the leather edition)is a wonderful work that modifies slightly some of the words of the KJV. I find it much easier to read than the standard KJV. However, it is a bit too large for reading on the commute as well (or rather hauling around on the commute). Very clear font, and nice page layout with minimal cross references. This Bible also contains the Duetercannonical books.
The Cambridge KJV Version Reference Bible with Apocrypha is a little beauty. Plenty of info in the back of the Bible: dictionary, maps, concordance, etc. Someday I'll get around to reading this version as well. As it stands now I still have issues digesting what I'm reading when using the standard KJV. Packed full of good stuff, and a handy little size. Very nice.
The Orthodox New Testament (The Holy Gospels) (Hardcover)
by Holy Apostles Convent. This is seriously a reference edition Bible! (New Testament, with epistles available in a seperate volume). Instead of some scholars writing notations, you get insights written by the Holy Fathers of the Orthodox church! Great reference for when I want to find out more about a passage I read in one of my other editions.
The Cambridge Bibles RSV353 Brevier Reference Edition with Concordance Black French Morocco leather has proven to be my main standby commute companion so far. It has the center column references there if you want them, but somehow they don't lure me in as much as the Nelson reference Bible mentioned above does, so I find it easier to read without distraction. The drawback? The font is on the small size, and there is a bit of bleedthrough, so not ideal for reading on the bus. Of course, the font has to be small as it is a wonderfully portable size.
So, that now brings me to the latest edition to my collection, the Oxford RSV with Apocryphia. It just arrived yesterday, and I'm quite pleased with my first impressions! Large, clear font. ALL the books of the Bible. Nice binding. Not too small, not too big...I can't wait to give this edition a go!
One of the things that I really like about this edition--NO ANNOTATIONS! I got my wife the annotated version last year as a gift. I really enjoyed the Bible itself (same clear font as this one), but as an Orthodox Christian I was somewhat less than thrilled at some of the notations.
So, I give this edition 4 stars. I had to take off 1/2 a point because the pages are rather thin and allow for significant bleed-thru of the type on the previous pages.
I also had to deduct a 1/2 point just because...-I mean if I found the PERFECT Bible, that would be an end to my search to add to my collection! :^)
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