Customer Reviews

Saint Joseph Bible-NABRE

5 star:		(11)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

The New American Bible: Saint Joseph Edition is a good bible for most purposes. The New American Bible translation and footnotes are understandable enough, but this study bible lacks an extensive reading guide found in The Catholic Study Bible: New American Bible. It does have a handy doctrinal bible index not found in The Catholic Study Bible: New American Bible. One distinctive feature: Over seventy clear picturesque photographs shedding light on the text. Consider this study bible a cheaper alternative to The Catholic Study Bible: New American Bible.

This is my old high school Religion class bible. I think its a wonderful bible not only for the young person but anyone who likes an easy to read version with great footnotes. I now own a number of different bibles but I keep returning to this one because I love the language used in it.

One of my favorite passages and accompanying footnote is in John 20:6-8, when the apostles enter the tomb of Jesus and "...observed the wrappings on the ground and saw the piece of cloth which had covered the head not lying with the wrappings but rolled up in a place by itself..."

I love this passage as it is, but the footnote goes on to say that "...There was some special feature about the state of the burial wrappings that caused the beloved disciple to believe. Some suggest that Jesus had passed through them without their being unrolled..." This just adds to my love and appreciation for Sacred Scripture; I think this would be an excellent "first" bible for someone or for the person who just wants to know more.

Excellent Bible

I was raised Roman Catholic and I will always be one, but being a Catholic was difficult until I first started reading the New American Version of the Bible. Before that, things just were hard to understand. But now, this version is completely readable. The stories take on new and powerful meaning to me now because I can read them easily. Reading the Bible used to be serious work, and much of the meaning was lost in reading things over and over again just to try to get past the style of writing that was used in versions like the King James Version.

I was reading the story of Sodom and Gomorrah to my mother the other day, and I had to pause for a moment because of the look on her face at what I was reading to her. I asked, "What's the matter mom?" She said that she never knew that the people of Sodom were doing THAT (aghast at the actions of the people of the Sodom)! I said, "Mom, where do you think the word, sodomize, gets its origin?

She said that she never knew the real story of Sodom and Gomorrah. I was amazed, and said, "What do you mean?" She said that when she had tried to read other versions of the Bible she could never quite get the whole meaning of things. She admitted to me that she hardly ever read the bible because it was so much work to only understand half of what was in there. I felt very sad. I went out and bought my mother her own copy this book that I am reviewing. I can only imagine how many other people don't understand Gods word because they are trying to read a version that they can't fully understand.

PS. As far as people saying on here that this version isn't approved, well guess what. If you go the Vatican's own web site and click on the bible english version it is this same version, "The New American Bible." Also, the Catholic Church that I used to go to also used this version. In fact, i think many Catholic Churches use this version and I can fully understand why. It is fully readable and fully understandable.

Just call up your local Catholic Church and ask them what they use. Once you use the look iside feature and read som of this understandable Bible you will "see the light" and order one for your house as well.

This book has a quality cover, nice full color illustrations of events, and (what surprised me most) many black and white photo's of historic places mentioned in the bible. Reading this version is like a history lesson and geography lesson while reading a version of the bible that you can fully understand. It is awesome, and must truly be inspired by GOD. I only wish more people would use this excellently illustrated and fully readable version of GOD'S Word.

Thanks

As a new Episcopalian I bought this particular Bible because it contains the Apocrypha and because some reviewers said it is easy to read. I received it and discovered that it is a very nice edition with great pictures, footnotes, very easy to read type and layout. This may be the easiest Bible to read I have ever found! The dictionary, doctrinal bible index and study helps are all very nice. I hope it holds together well, because I think I will be using this Bible as my everyday Bible.

I have always found the Bible to be interesting reading, but the tiny print and sometimes complex formats have made reading them a chore. This New American Bible is written in easy-to-read print and a flowing format. I now find reading the Bible stories not only interesting, but pleasurable!

I absolutely love this Bible! It's laid out well, has plenty of extras, great size, and looks very nice. I love the family tree information pages to keep family records. This is my favorite NAB Bible hands down.

I am very pleased with the text, well written and very user friendly, re type size and content...a book that more of us should read and "think about."

Thank you and Merry Christmas,

Anthony G. Maglio

The words at Catholic Mass (Roman Rite) have recently changed! I wanted to buy a new 2011 Bible ("NABRE") that would more closely reflect the new English translations. I didn't know which NABRE Bible to buy, so I bought multiple ones and will continue to add my reviews/comparisons below. (The Bible you are considering on this post is #2):
(Bible #1)
The "New American Bible Revised Edition - NABRE Burgundy Hardcover" by Saint Benedict Press has a very beautiful cover/binding. Direct quotations from the Lord Jesus are in Red ink, and I like that. The paper is a bit thin, but this didn't bother me; the "see-through" nature is mild and not distracting to me. The hue of the paper is stark-white, and I prefer a more relaxed hue (much like my preference for incandescent light versus florescent light). The exposed edge of the paper does not have index markings or tabs for the various books of the Bible (this is a feature I enjoy). The reason I went with 4 stars not 5 is because of the glossy nature of the paper - it feels too slippery to me. I found it a bit difficult to flip a single page... and there's no way I'm going to lick my finger to flip pages while reading the Bible!
(Bible #2)
The "Saint Joseph Bible-NABRE [Hardcover]" by Catholic Book Publishing Co. (says "Medium Sized Edition" on the cover) is excellent - I gave it 5 stars. The cover/binding is a bit plain looking and has a cloth-type texture. The Amazon photo of a large blue cube-shaped Bible is completely false - this one is yellow-orange (or tan) in color, on all faces. Inside, there are no Red text to highlight direct quotes from the Lord Jesus. The paper is thicker than the Saint Benedict Press Bible and does not have the glossy/slippery problem. Also, the paper is white with a nice subtle yellow hue. The exposed edge has handy black marks that indicate the various books. The illustrations are nice but are in black & white. Despite not being a perfect match to what I am looking for, I give this Bible a 5 Star rating and it will serve as my family Bible for years.
(Bible #3)
The "Prove It! Catholic Teen Bible - Revised Nab" by Amy Welborn is excellent, and I gave it a 5 star rating. I will be buying more of these to spread around, but will keep my eyes open for a version with different cover text & photos. I am a fan of high-quality leather binding hard cover books, so I had to judge this one for what it is: a paperback. The cover makes this book seem to be something other than a Bible. The words "Prove It!" on the cover are confrontational and might instill a defiant attitude before a single page is opened. The text and footnotes of this Bible are the same as the other NABRE Bibles (do not fear - it is not riddled with slang). The best part of this Bible is the use of inserts throughout to explain various internal questions people may have about God, the Bible, Catholic practice, etc. These questions are NOT unique to teenagers and would suit anyone who is new to religion, new to Catholicism, or fallen on tough times and are doubting "the meaning of it all". I think this Bible is well-suited for all ages and would be a wonderful gift for older people. If only there were a few options for the cover! This would be a great Bible for my mother, but it says "Teen" on the cover.
(Bible #4)
The Catholic Study Bible second edition by Oxford University Press is excellent, and I easily give it a 5 star rating. The cover/binding is glossy and nice looking, the overall size is nice and large, but not too large or heavy. The pages are thin and bright white, but there is no problem with see-through pages or glossy texture. Red text is NOT used in this Bible to highlight direct quotes from the Lord Jesus. The word "Shelah" DOES appear in the Psalms of this Bible (where it did not appear in the other Bibles I've reviewed). Also, the book of Sirach is titled "The Wisdom of Ben Sira (Ecclesiasticus)" in this Bible; however, the edge tab still says "SIR". Perhaps my favorite feature of this Bible is the wonderful edge indented tabs that are labelled for each grouping of three books; this is very handy in locating specific books and opening the Bible to that page. This is a perfect choice for a study Bible.

I have used this product in RCIA, as the Bible given to the recipients to read by the Roman Catholic Church. It notes and commentary are excellent and leading them on their spiritual journey. A journey each of us must make.

I have several bibles that have been given to me or I have purchased through the years. This is the one used in Bible Study most often. The notations are helpful, even if you are not in a Bible Study presently.