Suggested Bibles

Translations

Although you may use any Bible you choose for this course, I would recommend the use of one of the following translations, in rough order of preference:

  1. The New Revised Standard Version (NRSV), an ecumenical translation
  2. Tanakh, the New Jewish Publication Society translation of the Hebrew Scriptures
  3. The New Jerusalem Bible, a British Roman Catholic translation
  4. The Revised English Bible, a British ecumenical translation
  5. The New American Bible, an American Roman Catholic translation
  6. The New International Version, a conservative Protestant translation

Study Bibles

Most modern translations of the Bible include some footnotes, giving explanations of (and alternatives to) various phrases. However, it is often helpful to have additional help in understanding the passages. Most "study" Bibles have a paragraph or more of introduction to the individual Bible books, a good collection of maps, extensive footnotes, and other helpful material. The standard edition of the New Jerusalem Bible is a good study Bible. For this course, the three best study Bibles are:
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