The NLT and the NABRE are both modern English Bibles, but they come from different traditions and make different trade-offs. The New Living Translation aims for a smooth, thought-for-thought reading that sounds natural in everyday speech, while the New American Bible, Revised Edition is a Catholic translation that stays closer to the original wording and keeps the Catholic canon, including the deuterocanonical books. If you want a fluent devotional Bible that reads almost like a letter, the NLT tends to suit you. If you are studying with a Catholic parish, using the Lectionary, or want a translation that stays nearer the grammar of the original languages, the NABRE is usually the better fit.
Background
The NLT grew out of a project by Tyndale House Publishers, an evangelical publisher, and its committee drew on scholars from several Protestant backgrounds. It began as a revision of an earlier paraphrase and was later substantially reworked into the full translation readers know now. Its goal from the start was clarity for ordinary readers who were not used to reading older English Bibles.
The NABRE is the Catholic Church’s English Bible for use in the United States. It was prepared by scholars working under the Catholic Bishops’ Conference and was published as a revision of the earlier New American Bible. It is the text used for the Scripture readings at Mass in the United States, which is one reason it is familiar to many Catholic readers and listeners. Its Old Testament includes the books Catholics count as canonical that Protestant Bibles usually leave out.
Translation Method
The NLT uses what translators call a dynamic equivalence approach, sometimes described as thought-for-thought. Instead of matching each original word with a single English word, the translators ask what the author meant and then express that meaning in clear, idiomatic English. The result is easy to follow, and the flow of a passage is often more visible than in more literal versions. The cost is that some of the original wording, word order and repeated terms can be softened or merged.
The NABRE generally sits closer to formal equivalence, which means it tries to keep the structure and vocabulary of the source text where English allows. That choice makes it a useful companion for close reading, comparing repeated words across a book, or noticing where an author chose a particular term. The trade-off is that some sentences can feel more formal or less immediate, especially in narrative and poetry, and readers may need a moment to adjust.
Reading Level and Style
The NLT is written in plain, contemporary English and is intended to be accessible to younger readers and to people new to the Bible. Its sentences are generally short, its vocabulary is common, and it avoids most archaic constructions. Many readers find it comfortable for reading aloud at home or for working through a book straight through.
The NABRE uses a more traditional, measured register. Its sentences are often longer and more carefully balanced, and its vocabulary can include terms that appear in liturgy and church teaching. Readers who are used to Catholic liturgical language will find it familiar, while readers from other backgrounds may find it slower going at first, though it remains readable in ordinary study.
A Verse to Compare
Psalm 23:1
The LORD is my shepherd: I shall lack nothing.
(WEB)
This short line shows the difference in approach clearly. The NLT tends to restate the image in a simple, personal way, so the reader hears the confidence of the psalm in ordinary words. The NABRE keeps closer to the shape of the Hebrew sentence and the imagery of a shepherd caring for sheep, so the picture is more literal. Both render the same opening claim, but one prioritizes immediate feeling while the other prioritizes fidelity to the original structure.
Who Should Use It
Choose the NLT if you want a Bible that reads fluently, works well for devotions with family or a group, and gives you the main sense of a passage without much effort. Its limits are that it sometimes simplifies nuances in the original, so it is worth checking a more literal text when a particular word matters for your study. It is not designed to be a primary tool for technical word studies.
Choose the NABRE if you are Catholic, want to follow the Mass readings, or prefer a translation that stays nearer the original wording while still reading in modern English. Its limits are that it can feel more formal and that some readers will find its phrasing less conversational. Pairing it with a second translation is often helpful for personal reading.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the NLT or the NABRE more accurate?
Neither is simply more accurate, because they use different methods for different purposes. The NABRE stays closer to the original wording, while the NLT focuses on conveying the author’s meaning in natural English. Each is a reliable translation for its intended audience.
Does the NABRE include books the NLT does not?
Yes, the NABRE includes the deuterocanonical books that Catholics recognize in the Old Testament, which are not part of most Protestant Bibles. The NLT follows the Protestant Old Testament canon. This difference is one of the most important when choosing between them.
Can I use both translations together?
Many readers do, comparing a fluent reading with a more literal one. Using the NABRE to check the wording of a difficult passage and the NLT for a smooth read can deepen understanding. Keep in mind the two come from different traditions, so note where their canons differ.
