For the money, about $6.00, this version of the NABRE (or the St Joseph's Edition - Medium size) is very hard to beat. Both this version and the St. Joseph's have the same book introductions and footnotes. Even if you are not Roman Catholic, this is a great bible to get and to learn from. It has excellent introductions, notes, and cross-references. It is a very well-done, practical edition, designed to help you efficiently learn from the Bible. If, as you read, you also read the notes and follow the cross-references given, you will (perhaps to your amazement!) learn so much more from your reading than you could if you were simply reading along in some other version without the notes and cross-references. There are connections you will make and new things you would never guess at if you simply read a Bible without all these notes and references. My favorite translation of the Bible is the Revised Standard Version (and the JB Phillips' New Testament), but as far as I know, only the NABRE comes with the extensive notes and cross-references printed here - I usually read from this version because it provides so much more information - it is in depth without being overwhelming or difficult to comprehend, and helps one to really make connections, understand, and get a grasp on what one is reading, and importantly the context of what one is reading. ... Another beautiful version to read from is the Douay-Rheims. But for understanding, read and study, - or as someone once said, hear, read, mark, learn, and inwardly digest - this version first.
Some other considerations - this version (ISBN 9780529064844) versus the St. Joseph's Medium sized (ISBN 9780899429502): This version, the one being reviewed above with the red cover, has, in my opinion, a slightly more readable font and text layout, but the St. Joseph's has more illustrations/maps and a some extra essays/documents at the beginning and a nicer cover image - a color photo of flower covered hillside leading down to Lake Galilee in springtime. This version has a list of all the Popes in the back as well as tables of parables and miracles. The St. Joseph's has a Sunday readings lectionary (useful to have) and a "Bible Dictionary". ... So, this version - slightly nicer font, parables and miracles table, list of Popes, simple red cover. OR the St Joseph edition - nicer photo cover, extra essays in front, more maps, illustrations, Sunday lectionary. Take your pick - you can't go wrong either way. ... At these prices, under $10 each, I'd say just get both.
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