The NABRE (New American Bible, Revised Edition) and the NJB (New Jerusalem Bible) are both Catholic translations of the Bible, but they come from different traditions and aim at different readers. The NABRE is the Bible used in the Catholic liturgy in the United States, and it leans toward careful, scholarly English that stays close to the original languages. The NJB is a British Catholic translation that favors a more literary, flowing style and draws heavily on the French Jerusalem Bible behind it. Readers who want a version tied to American Catholic worship and study usually choose the NABRE, while those who enjoy vivid, readable prose and a more literary feel often prefer the NJB.
Background
The NABRE was produced under the authority of the bishops of the United States and was first published in 1970 as the New American Bible, with later revisions that led to the current revised edition. Its scholars worked from the original Hebrew, Aramaic and Greek texts, and the translation carries the official approval needed for use in Catholic liturgy in the United States. Many parishes, lectionaries and Catholic schools rely on it, so it is the version most American Catholics hear read aloud at Mass.
The NJB appeared in 1985 as an English version of the Jerusalem Bible, a French translation produced at the École Biblique in Jerusalem. The English edition was prepared in Britain and revised the earlier text with a fresh, more modern literary voice. It is widely respected in Catholic and ecumenical study circles, though it is less often heard in American parish worship than the NABRE.
Translation Method
Both translations aim for accuracy to the original languages while still reading as natural English. The NABRE tends to keep closer to the wording and structure of the source text, so a reader may notice more formal sentence patterns and terminology that tracks the original closely. This approach suits study, comparison of passages and close reading of a single word.
The NJB takes more freedom in restating ideas so that the English flows as strong prose. Its translators were willing to rearrange phrases and choose images that sound natural when read aloud. This gives the text a poetic quality, but it also means that a reader wanting to trace every Greek or Hebrew word may find the NABRE easier to follow.
Reading Level and Style
The NABRE is written in a dignified, measured English that works well for both private reading and public proclamation. Its vocabulary is accessible to most adult readers, though some passages in the prophets and wisdom books can feel dense because of their fidelity to the source. Its tone is steady and reverent, with little that calls attention to the translators themselves.
The NJB has a more distinctive voice. Its sentences often feel lyrical, and its word choices are bold enough that a reader may pause over a phrase they had never considered. Many readers find it easier to lose themselves in the narrative books, while some find its literary flourishes less suited to a quick, plain reading of a difficult text.
A Verse to Compare
Psalm 23:1
The LORD is my shepherd: I shall lack nothing.
(WEB)
The NABRE keeps the familiar shepherd image in a clear, restrained sentence that is easy to memorize and suited to liturgical reading. The NJB handles the same line with a slightly warmer, more personal rhythm, and it tends to let the metaphor carry the emotional weight. Both render the idea of the Lord as shepherd and provision as the central point, so a reader comparing them will notice differences mostly in cadence and tone rather than in meaning.
Who Should Use It
Choose the NABRE if you attend a Catholic parish in the United States, follow the daily lectionary readings, or want a translation that closely tracks the original languages for study. Its official status and careful accuracy make it a dependable companion for Bible study groups and catechesis. The main limit is that some passages can read heavily and may need a commentary alongside them.
Choose the NJB if you enjoy strong, literary English and want a Catholic Bible that reads almost like a fine piece of prose. It works well for personal devotion and for those who find the narrative books more engaging when the language flows freely. Because it takes more interpretive freedom, readers who want to examine the exact wording of the source may prefer to check it against a more literal version.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the NABRE the official Bible for Catholic Mass in the United States?
Yes, the NABRE is the translation used for the readings at Mass in the United States. It carries the approval needed for liturgical use. Parishes and lectionaries across the country rely on it.
Is the NJB based on the Jerusalem Bible?
Yes, the NJB is an English version of the Jerusalem Bible, which was first produced in French. The English edition was revised with a more modern and literary style. It remains closely connected to that earlier scholarly work.
Which should a beginner choose between the NABRE and the NJB?
A beginner who wants a clear, reliable text for study and church use may find the NABRE the more straightforward choice. A reader who enjoys flowing, literary prose may prefer the NJB. Either will serve well for building a habit of daily reading.
