Customer Reviews

The Revised Standard Version Bible with Apocrypha

5 star:		(2)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

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.

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.

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! :^)

If you're looking for a classic translation of ALL the Sacred Scriptures, this one is worth your consideration. The Revised Standard Version with Apocrypha is still the closest thing we have to a translation universally accepted by Roman Catholic, Protestant and Orthodox scholars alike. Whenever, for example, the Vatican cites the Bible in its official English publications, it cites the RSV -- not the NRSV, the NIV, the NASB, or any other recent translation. Moreover, the inclusion of the Apocryphal books in this 50th Anniversary Edition will appeal not only to Roman Catholic and Orthodox readers, but also to numerous Lutherans and Anglicans. Don't hesitate to add this very well-made volume to your library.

The bible I received is not quite as represented by Amazon. It has Oxford IMITATION leather binding, printed in Korea, which is not what I think of when I see the term (leather bound) in a book description. The exact shade of the burgundy binding is a little off for my taste as well. I was quite disappointed after reading the other reviews of this item which spoke glowingly of superb genuine leather bindings.

Having said all that, this is a super bible for hard service and is a decent value. You won't be concerned that you'll ruin a family heirloom and it appears quite durable. It has a combination of type face and paper color which makes it very clearly readable to my early seventies eyes. It has all the books I was looking for. I very much enjoy this edition of the RSV since it includes the entire Roman Catholic and Orthodox deuterocanon, such as Sirach and Wisdom which I like to have available as I am a traditional minded Catholic. It even includes 3rd and 4th Maccabees, Psalm 151,and all the rest of the deuterocanon.

I'm a bible collector and a life-long bible reader of many versions. The RSV with Apocrypha is my favorite version of them all as it preserves the elegance of the language of the Authorized version but includes most of the Twentieth Century Bible scholorship.

There's nothing quite like Genuine Cowhide to lend a book an aura of opulence and permanence, characteristics sadly lacking in today's purely functional and economy-based publishing industry. The celebratory and commemorative focus of this publication, as well as its plush executive presentation, have prompted its selection in a representative capacity for this review, which represents in itself another landmark Golden anniversary of equal significance to Amazon shoppers: Cladinoro's 50th book review! This book, still popular and significant enough to be published in such a luxurious Anniversary Edition 50 long years after its original appearance, is a worthy subject for this genuine Cowhide Golden Anniversary Review.
Any 50-year-old book will inevitably raise some issues of currency and relevance, but these problems are compensated easily with Genuine Cowhide Burgundy binding. Apparently some misprint problems have also crept in since this book first appeared 50 years ago. These will hopefully be cleared up in time for the 100th Anniversary Edition, for the preparation of which I believe the publishers are already attempting to procure significant quantities of extremely rare "Texas Red" Book-Binding-Grade Cowhide.
In anticipation of the improved 100th Anniversary Edition, then, this 50th Anniversary Edition receives a suspended rating of 3 stars. Cladinoro looks forward to guiding Amazon shoppers through many more purchases, for many more Genuine Cowhide Anniversaries to come!