Why is Douay Rheims so awesome?

[Erose]

Dear all,

thank you kindly for your answers. I picked up a copy of the Douay-Rheims today, and reading it over, it definitely has the more classical feel you all describe. I don't find it too difficult to understand what the words are trying to say, though I would KILL for a DR with study notes. Why on earth isn't that a thing?!

I like the NAB, but I really don't like the modern language used. I appreciate it for personal study and such, but as concerns devotional reading, the DR seems to be the ticket, but I've only had it for 4 hours.

My personal preference was always the NKJV, but comparing it to older translations, I could do without all of the liberty taken by the translators.

Another for you all - why is the Douay Rheims so difficult to come by, and why is it so dern expensive?

It isn't that hard to come by, and it depends on who you buy it from what the cost is. You can read it free on-line as there are many sites that have the text.

If you are looking for a D-R with study notes you can try to get your hands on a Haydock Bible, which has the D-R text, with extensive study notes. The Bible is pretty expensive though and huge. You can also access the Haydock study notes on-line as well.

There is a saying that has gone around that holds much merit, which is that the best Bible translation is the one you read. I would recommend reading more than one translation anyway, as all of them have merit. Also consider what you are studying outside Scripture as well. If you are studying the early Church Fathers, having a copy of a translated version of the Septuagint handy would have benefit. Currently there is a NETS version and the old classic Brenton version. Both of these are online as well.

Latin saints from 700AD to 20th century; I would use a translation of the Vulgate: the D-R, D-R Challoner version, or the Confraternity Bible. If your interests are apologetics then the RSV-CE or NRSV-CE are good choices as well. Just reading the Bible for spiritual edification, you can't go wrong with the above choices. Remember that the Protestant Bibles are not complete. You do not want to eliminate the opportunity to read the Books that the Protestants took out of Scripture. They do possess a lot of merit.

 

[ebia]

Remember that the Protestant Bibles are not complete. You do not want to eliminate the opportunity to read the Books that the Protestants took out of Scripture. They do possess a lot of merit.

Remembering that many not explicitly catholic bibles do have versions that include the deuterocanonicals

 

[eastcoast_bsc]

Ummm - and of course He has told you this !

If you would excuse the language it's horses for courses.

Personally I can't stand the NAB - but that's my personal opinion and I'm entitled to hold that view

I agree with you regarding the NAB. It is awful to read. It has no poetic flow to it.

 

[StevenMerten]

What makes you think the older translation is always the more accurate?

Hello ebia,

I once read an add selling a computer disk that had the bible in Greek and Hebrew. It then had the definitions to the Greek and Hebrew words being used. I thought, 'How Great!', 'I will buy one'. Then it said King James Version. What did they do, translate backwards to Greek and Hebrew from the King James Version, which many Protestants see as the original bible? I did not buy one.

It is sometimes comical how the old language used in the King James Version Protestant Bible is misunderstood to mean 'the original' Bible. When was the King James Version put together, 1500 A.D. or so? Was Jesus using 15th century English? No.

Yes, using language from the 15 century does give the illusion of being older and thus better. This is not the case.

I agree with you.

 

[Erose]

Remembering that many not explicitly catholic bibles do have versions that include the deuterocanonicals

Yes Orthodox Bibles, and some Protestant versions with the "Apocrypha". Both of which are harder to find than Catholic Bibles.

 

[Ave Maria]

I know it is translated from the Latin Vulgate but I am not sure if that is why. I do know that I love the Old English feel of it. I don't think it technically qualifies as Old English though.

 

[StevenMerten]

Hello All,

Do we all agree that a Bishop in Iraq, China or Brazil is not going to be preaching from the NAB, Douay Rheims, KJV, or New Jerusalem Bibles? The Bishops in their own land and language are going to translate our Lord's Words, as best they can, into their own language and culture. There is no one Bible that covers all people's of all languages of the world. Thus it is Holy Spirit working through His Church, to spread Christ's Gospel. Both scripture and Catholic clergy work together, under the guidance of the Holy Spirit, to bring God's Word to the nations. A Chinese or Iraqi could tell his Bishop that he likes the Douay Rheims better, but, in the end, it would be better if the man worked with his Bishop, using bibles translated into Chinese and Arabic languages, rather than the Douay Rheims bible.

I am not saying that it is wrong to choose a bible that is not the bible used by the Bishop in your area. I am saying that the Holy Spirit works with both God's Holy Word, passed down through the centuries, and with the Bishops in their corresponding lands and languages and era of time. You cannot really separate God's Word from God's Church. The two go together.

 

[ebia]

Yes Orthodox Bibles, and some Protestant versions with the "Apocrypha". Both of which are harder to find than Catholic Bibles.

Possibly depends on where you are. Catholic editions and apocrypha editions are no more hard to find than catholic translations in Australia or England in my experience. NRSV probably being the easiest, though that may get overtaken by ESV in Australia.

 

[Erose]

Possibly depends on where you are. Catholic editions and apocrypha editions are no more hard to find than catholic translations in Australia or England in my experience. NRSV probably being the easiest, though that may get overtaken by ESV in Australia.

I guess that is with everything. Protestant Bibles you can get just about everywhere. They even sell them in Walmarts! Catholic Bibles, you can get in the bookstore chains, and a Catholic bookstores fairly easy. Protestant Bibles with the "apocrypha" or an Orthodox Bible, you may find one, and I do mean one, every once in a while in a Barnes and Noble. Of course today, Amazon is the best way to go for any book.

 

[Sword of the Lord]

Orthodox Bibles? As in plural? We don't really have much of a choice, at least not in English. We've got the Orthodox Study Bible. The Eastern Orthodox Bible still isn't done yet - that make it, what, 2 years behind schedule?

I've never seen an OSB in Barnes and Noble or any other large book store, and typically the only Protestant Bible with Apocrypha I see is the NRSV.

 

[Dylan Michael]

Hello All,

Do we all agree that a Bishop in Iraq, China or Brazil is not going to be preaching from the NAB, Douay Rheims, KJV, or New Jerusalem Bibles? The Bishops in their own land and language are going to translate our Lord's Words, as best they can, into their own language and culture. There is no one Bible that covers all people's of all languages of the world. Thus it is Holy Spirit working through His Church, to spread Christ's Gospel. Both scripture and Catholic clergy work together, under the guidance of the Holy Spirit, to bring God's Word to the nations. A Chinese or Iraqi could tell his Bishop that he likes the Douay Rheims better, but, in the end, it would be better if the man worked with his Bishop, using bibles translated into Chinese and Arabic languages, rather than the Douay Rheims bible.

I am not saying that it is wrong to choose a bible that is not the bible used by the Bishop in your area. I am saying that the Holy Spirit works with both God's Holy Word, passed down through the centuries, and with the Bishops in their corresponding lands and languages and era of time. You cannot really separate God's Word from God's Church. The two go together.

I'm still not following your argument.
The Douay-Rheims is an approved Translation. It was approved by the church for use by the English-Speaking faithful. It is not more or less Catholic than the NAB, the NABRE, the Jerusalem Bible, the Confraternity, or any other approved translation.

 

[Dylan Michael]

Orthodox Bibles? As in plural? We don't really have much of a choice, at least not in English. We've got the Orthodox Study Bible. The Eastern Orthodox Bible still isn't done yet - that make it, what, 2 years behind schedule?

I've never seen an OSB in Barnes and Noble or any other large book store, and typically the only Protestant Bible with Apocrypha I see is the NRSV.

I've seen the OSB in Barnes and Noble before. I wanted to get it, but it's $60. Too rich for my blood.

 

[Sword of the Lord]

30 bucks online Dylan!

 

[Unix]

I wrote a post yesterday about Bible versions with nice language, have a look: The History of the KJV:

I agree with you regarding the NAB. It is awful to read. It has no poetic flow to it.

Also relevant to this thread, I just ordered a parallel Apocrypha 4 days ago, it includes the Douay-Rheims Challoner revision. See Poll: What Bible translation do you use as an Anabaptist?.

 

[Rhamiel]

I think the Douay Rheims and the King James Version both try to keep more of a sense of poetry in their verse, the use of imagery is slightly better then modern translations, in most cases

I like to read the Psalms and other Wisdom Literature in the Douay Rheims
but do serious study in the NAB

 

[ebia]

I think the Douay Rheims and the King James Version both try to keep more of a sense of poetry in their verse, ...

But where their high-literature is not an accurate reflection of the original language is that a good thing?

 

[Needing_Grace]

I think the Douay Rheims and the King James Version both try to keep more of a sense of poetry in their verse, the use of imagery is slightly better then modern translations, in most cases

I like to read the Psalms and other Wisdom Literature in the Douay Rheims
but do serious study in the NAB

Hmmm...

Ps. 22
The Lord ruleth me: and I shall want nothing. He hath set me in a place of pasture. He hath brought me up, on the water of refreshment:
He hath converted my soul. He hath led me on the paths of justice, for his own name's sake.
For though I should walk in the midst of the shadow of death, I will fear no evils, for thou art with me. Thy rod and thy staff, they have comforted me.
Thou hast prepared a table before me against them that afflict me. Thou hast anointed my head with oil; and my chalice which inebriateth me, how goodly is it!
And thy mercy will follow me all the days of my life. And that I may dwell in the house of the Lord unto length of days.

Ps. 23
The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters.
He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name's sake.
Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me.
Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over.
Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the Lord for ever.

Given Psalm 23(22), give me the King James over the DR anyday. The KJV is so much more poetic.

 

[Rhamiel]

Hmmm...

Ps. 22
The Lord ruleth me: and I shall want nothing. He hath set me in a place of pasture. He hath brought me up, on the water of refreshment:
He hath converted my soul. He hath led me on the paths of justice, for his own name's sake.
For though I should walk in the midst of the shadow of death, I will fear no evils, for thou art with me. Thy rod and thy staff, they have comforted me.
Thou hast prepared a table before me against them that afflict me. Thou hast anointed my head with oil; and my chalice which inebriateth me, how goodly is it!
And thy mercy will follow me all the days of my life. And that I may dwell in the house of the Lord unto length of days.

Ps. 23
The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters.
He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name's sake.
Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me.
Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over.
Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the Lord for ever.

Given Psalm 23(22), give me the King James over the DR anyday. The KJV is so much more poetic.

LOL this is like kismet or something
you posted the Psalm that really made me love the D-R Bible
lol you might like the KJV psalm 23, but I guess that is why they make chocolate and vanilla

 

[Erose]

But where their high-literature is not an accurate reflection of the original language is that a good thing?

Which manuscript? You do realize that what you asked is a loaded question, since the manuscripts written in the "original" languages don't always match up.

 

[HalupkiMonster]

LOL this is like kismet or something
you posted the Psalm that really made me love the D-R Bible
lol you might like the KJV psalm 23, but I guess that is why they make chocolate and vanilla

Lol, this is the exact Psalm I was reading in the D-R today. I really prefer it to the KJV.