The New Jerusalem Bible (NJB) and the Jerusalem Bible (JB) are both English Catholic Bibles that descend from the same French scholarly project, but the NJB is a thorough revision of the older JB rather than a separate translation. In short, the NJB is the newer, more readable, and more fully updated text, while the JB remains valued by readers who want the earlier wording and its distinctive mid-twentieth-century voice. The NJB suits most readers today, especially those using it for study or prayer, while the JB appeals to those who appreciate its older style, its literary boldness, or its place in the history of Catholic Bible translation.
Background
The Jerusalem Bible first appeared in 1966. It was produced by a team of British Catholic scholars working from the French Bible de Jérusalem, which had been prepared by the École Biblique in Jerusalem. The English edition was widely admired for its vigorous, sometimes poetic language and its readable notes, and it became one of the most influential Catholic Bibles of the late twentieth century.
The New Jerusalem Bible was published in 1985 as a substantial revision of the JB. Its editors updated the translation in light of later French scholarship and the developing understanding of the biblical languages, and they revised the notes and introductions. Many readers see the NJB as the mature form of the same project, with smoother phrasing in many places and a more consistent approach to terminology.
Translation Method
Both versions are generally described as a dynamic or functional approach rather than a strict word-for-word one. Translators aim to convey the sense of a passage in natural English, which means they sometimes restructure sentences or choose a more idiomatic phrase when a literal rendering would sound stilted. The JB pushed this approach quite far in places, producing lively and occasionally striking wording that some readers loved and others found too free.
The NJB keeps the same general philosophy but tends to stay closer to the underlying Hebrew and Greek where the older rendering took larger liberties. For a reader, this means the NJB usually feels calmer and more consistent, while the JB can feel more dramatic and sometimes surprising. Neither is a raw literal text, so both work best alongside a study resource for close word-level questions.
Reading Level and Style
The NJB is written at a fairly accessible level for adult readers, with clear syntax and modern vocabulary. Its style is dignified without being archaic, which makes it a comfortable choice for devotional reading and for classroom use. Its notes and introductions are also generally considered helpful for beginners.
The JB has a more distinctive voice. Its sentences can be bold, its images sharp, and its phrasing sometimes older in feel than the NJB. Readers who enjoy a strong literary character often find the JB memorable, though some younger readers may find certain expressions dated. Choosing between them often comes down to whether you prefer polish or personality.
A Verse to Compare
Psalm 23:1-3
1 The LORD is my shepherd: I shall lack nothing. 2 He makes me lie down in green pastures. He leads me beside still waters. 3 He restores my soul. He guides me in the paths of righteousness for his name’s sake.
(WEB)
This familiar passage shows how the two Catholic Bibles handle the same imagery. The JB tends to keep the shepherd picture vivid and direct, with phrasing that feels more immediate and personal. The NJB renders the same lines with somewhat smoother rhythm and more consistent word choices, so the pastoral image feels settled rather than striking. Reading the two side by side makes it clear how each editorial team balanced fidelity to the Hebrew against the flow of English prayer.
Who Should Use It
Choose the NJB if you want a modern, widely used Catholic Bible for regular reading, study, or group work. Its updated scholarship, consistent language, and helpful notes make it a dependable everyday text. Its main limit is that it is still a dynamic translation, so careful readers may want a more literal version beside it for detailed study.
Choose the JB if you are interested in the history of English Catholic translation, or if you enjoy its bolder, more literary voice. It can be rewarding for reflective reading and for seeing how the translation tradition developed. Its limits are its older phrasing in places and the fact that the NJB has largely superseded it as the standard edition.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the NJB a completely new translation?
No, the NJB is a substantial revision of the Jerusalem Bible rather than a wholly new work. It keeps the same general approach and many of the same renderings, but updates wording, notes, and scholarship. Readers often describe it as the mature version of the earlier text.
Which is better for Catholic study?
Most study groups and individual readers choose the NJB because it is current, consistent, and widely available. The JB remains useful for comparison and for appreciating older Catholic translation. Either can serve well, and many people use both together.
Can I use the JB and NJB together?
Yes, reading the two side by side is a good way to see how translators make choices. It shows where the wording changed and where the meaning stayed steady. Pairing them with a commentary or study Bible adds further depth.
