The NABRE (New American Bible, Revised Edition) and the Jerusalem Bible (JB) are both Catholic Bible translations, but they were made with different goals. The NABRE is the official English Bible used in the Lectionary for Mass in the United States, and it aims for clear, current American English that stays close to the original texts. The JB, produced in England, is known for its literary vigor and its frank, dynamic style. Readers who want a dependable text for study and liturgy often choose the NABRE, while those who enjoy a bold, lyrical reading often prefer the JB.
Background
The New American Bible traces back to a project by Catholic scholars in the United States that produced a full translation of the Bible in the early 1970s. That work was revised over the following decades, and the revised edition now carries the NABRE name. Its publisher is the Confraternity of Christian Doctrine, and it is the translation approved for the Mass readings in American parishes. Because of that role, many Catholics in the United States hear the NABRE every Sunday.
The Jerusalem Bible appeared in the 1960s as an English version of the French Bible de Jerusalem. It was produced by a team of British and Irish Catholic scholars working from the original languages and the French edition. Its English has a distinctive voice that many readers remember for its energy, and it has been revised more than once since its first release. It is widely used in study Bibles and in many homes, though it is not the lectionary text for American Mass.
Translation Method
Both translations sit in the middle of the spectrum between strictly literal and freely paraphrased. The NABRE leans toward a careful, sentence-by-sentence rendering that keeps close to the structure of the Hebrew and Greek while smoothing awkward constructions into natural English. This makes it a reliable choice for comparing wording with other English Bibles and for following a passage’s logic closely.
The JB takes more interpretive freedom. Its translators often restructure sentences, choose vivid verbs, and let the rhythm of the English carry the emotional force of the original. The result can feel more immediate and personal, though it also means you are reading a translator’s judgment at more points along the way. Readers who want to see exactly what the Greek or Hebrew says word by word may find the NABRE more useful, while readers who want the passage to strike them with its full impact may prefer the JB.
Reading Level and Style
The NABRE is written in plain, modern American English and is generally accessible to readers in middle school and up. Its sentences are straightforward, and its vocabulary is familiar, which is one reason it works well in public worship and in classroom settings. Footnotes and introductions are written in the same measured style, making the whole package easy to follow.
The JB uses a more elevated and muscular English. Its sentences can be long and sweeping, and its word choices sometimes surprise a reader expecting ordinary phrasing. Most adult readers can follow it without difficulty, but it asks for a bit more attention than the NABRE does. Many people find that its literary quality rewards slow, unhurried reading.
A Verse to Compare
Psalm 23:1
The LORD is my shepherd: I shall lack nothing.
(WEB)
The NABRE tends to render this opening line in a direct, clear sentence that a reader can absorb at once. The JB handles the same line with a more lyrical cadence, giving the image of the shepherd a warmer, more personal sound. Both keep the core claim intact, that the Lord is the one who provides, and the difference lies mainly in how the sentence sits on the tongue and ear. Set them side by side and you can hear each translator’s sense of how the psalm should feel.
Who Should Use It
Choose the NABRE if you want an English Bible that matches what you hear at Mass in the United States, if you are doing close study and want a text that stays near the original structure, or if you need a reliable translation for teaching and group discussion. Its main limit is that its style is more functional than poetic, so some readers may find certain passages less moving than they would in a more literary version.
Choose the JB if you want a Catholic Bible with strong literary force, if you enjoy reading the Psalms and prophets for their language as well as their meaning, or if you already know the text and want a fresh angle on familiar passages. Its limits are that its freer style means you are reading more of a translator’s interpretation, and it is not the lectionary text used in American parishes, so you may notice differences when you hear readings proclaimed at Mass.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the NABRE the same as the New American Bible?
The NABRE is the revised edition of the New American Bible, so the two share a common origin and much of the same text. The revision brought updates to wording and scholarship over the years. When people say New American Bible today, they usually mean the revised version.
Is the Jerusalem Bible approved for use at Mass?
In the United States the lectionary readings used at Mass come from the NABRE, not the Jerusalem Bible. The JB is widely read for personal study and is respected in Catholic circles. Individual parishes and readers follow the approved lectionary text when proclaiming Scripture in worship.
Which should a beginner start with?
Many beginners find the NABRE easier to follow because its English is plain and its structure is familiar. It also matches the readings you will hear in American parishes. Once you are comfortable with the text, you can try the JB for a different reading experience.
