The REB, or Revised English Bible, is generally read at roughly a middle-school to early high-school level, which makes it accessible for new readers and young people while still suiting adults who want a clear, modern English text. Its reading level is a result of a deliberate choice to render the original languages into current British English. Readers who want something close to the sentence patterns of older English will find it lighter going than the Authorized Version, while readers who want very literal rendering may prefer a more formal translation. This page explains where the REB came from, how it approaches translation, what its reading level looks like in practice, and who will find it most useful.
Background
The Revised English Bible was published in 1989 in the United Kingdom by Oxford and Cambridge university presses. It was the product of a committee of scholars drawn from several Christian traditions, including Anglican, Roman Catholic, Methodist, Presbyterian and other churches, working together over many years. It was intended as a revision of the earlier New English Bible, which had appeared in the 1960s and 1970s, updating its language and incorporating advances in biblical scholarship.
Because the REB came out of a broad ecumenical process rather than a single denomination, it was designed to be usable across many church settings in Britain and beyond. It has remained a respected reference for study and public reading, though it has never reached the wide popularity in North America that some American translations enjoy.
Translation Method
The REB generally sits in the middle ground between strict word-for-word translation and free paraphrase. Its translators aimed to render the meaning of each passage in natural, idiomatic English while staying close enough to the Hebrew, Aramaic and Greek to be trusted for serious study. Where a literal phrase would sound stiff or confusing in modern English, the committee often chose a clearer equivalent, and where the original was ambiguous they tended to reflect that ambiguity rather than settle it silently.
For the reader, this means the REB usually flows smoothly in continuous passages like the Gospels or the letters of Paul, without the archaic word order that can slow down older versions. It also means that some technical terms are rendered in everyday language, which can make a passage easier to grasp but can also flatten a distinctive term. Readers who compare the REB with more literal translations often find that each one shows them something the other hides.
Reading Level and Style
Most readers find the REB comfortable at about a grade eight to ten reading level, depending on the book. Narrative books such as Genesis, Ruth, and the Gospels tend to be the easiest, with short sentences and concrete vocabulary. Poetic and prophetic books, along with some of Paul’s longer arguments, are denser, because their syntax and imagery are complex in any language. A reader who is new to the Bible should expect the REB to be clear at the sentence level, though the ideas themselves still take patience.
The style is measured and dignified rather than casual. It avoids slang and trendy phrasing, so it tends to age more slowly than some contemporary translations. Its British spellings and idioms may feel slightly unfamiliar to American readers, which is worth knowing before choosing it for a group study.
A Verse to Compare
Psalm 23:1
The LORD is my shepherd: I shall lack nothing.
(WEB)
This familiar opening of the psalm shows the REB’s general approach well. The image of a shepherd and his flock is kept intact, and the sentence is short enough to read aloud without effort. Translations that lean more literal tend to keep the older grammatical structure, which some readers find more poetic and others find harder to follow. The REB gives you the plain sense first and leaves the reader room to notice the imagery on their own terms.
Who Should Use It
The REB suits readers who want a clear, modern English Bible with a strong scholarly foundation and a dignified tone. It is a good choice for newcomers, for teenagers, for adult learners who find older English difficult, and for small group discussion where clarity matters more than matching a familiar wording. Its ecumenical origins also make it appealing in mixed church settings.
Its limits are worth weighing. Readers who value strict word-for-word precision or who depend on phrases memorized from older translations may find the REB unfamiliar. Those who study the original languages closely will likely want to use it alongside a more literal version and a good commentary, so that the places where the REB simplifies can be checked against the source.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the REB good for children?
Many parents and teachers find it a good fit for older children and teenagers because its sentences are clear and its vocabulary is modern. Younger readers may still need help with the poetic and prophetic books. Checking a passage with a parent or teacher first is a sensible habit.
Is the REB the same as the New English Bible?
No, the REB is a revision of the earlier New English Bible. It updates the language and incorporates later scholarship, though the two share the same general approach and many of the same translators’ goals. Readers who know the older version will notice differences in wording throughout.
Can I use the REB for serious Bible study?
Yes, it is widely used for study and teaching, especially in British churches and schools. For detailed word studies, it is helpful to pair it with a more literal translation and a reliable lexicon. This gives you both readability and a check on the places where the REB chooses a freer rendering.
