Mondays with Verbum Domini

Let us continue our reading of Verbum Domini with paragraph 31:

“The soul of sacred theology”

“The study of the sacred page should be, as it were, the very soul of theology”:[95] this quotation from the Dogmatic Constitution Dei Verbum has become increasingly familiar over the years. Theological and exegetical scholarship, in the period after the Second Vatican Council, made frequent reference to this expression as symbolic of the renewed interest in sacred Scripture. The Twelfth Assembly of the Synod of Bishops also frequently alluded to this well-known phrase in order to express the relationship between historical research and a hermeneutic of faith where the sacred text is concerned. The Fathers acknowledged with joy that study of the word of God in the Church has grown in recent decades, and they expressed heartfelt gratitude to the many exegetes and theologians who with dedication, commitment and competence continue to make an essential contribution to the deeper understanding of the meaning of the Scriptures, as they address the complex issues facing biblical studies in our day.[96] Sincere gratitude was also expressed to the members of the Pontifical Biblical Commission, past and present, who in close collaboration with the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith continue to offer their expertise in the examination of particular questions raised by the study of sacred Scripture. The Synod likewise felt a need to look into the present state of biblical studies and their standing within the field of theology. The pastoral effectiveness of the Church’s activity and the spiritual life of the faithful depend to a great extent on the fruitfulness of the relationship between exegesis and theology. For this reason, I consider it important to take up some reflections that emerged in the discussion of this topic during the Synod sessions.

NABRE Sneak Peaks So Far

As of today, we are eleven days away from the official release of the New American Bible Revised Edition. I have placed my order for the Black Premium UltraSoft edition by Saint Benedict Press, which I hope to get around March 9th. Since the announcement, back in early January, there has been some "spirited" discussion about the NABRE on this blog. Hopefully, in the end, it has been helpful to those of you who have stopped by over the past few weeks.

So, I have decided to use this post to simply list the various discussions on the "sneak peeks" which we have had concerning the NABRE. Perhaps it will be helpful to those who are just joining the discussion. I am interested in hearing from you about what your overall impression has been so far. However, let's keep in mind that we have only been given a few glimpses of the revised text.

Psalm 139
Psalm 23
Exodus 3
Genesis 1
Song of Songs (selections)
Isaiah 7
Psalm 1

Additional Info:
NABRE Editions
Commentary/Notes Discussion
NABRE Q&A (from Facebook site)

NABRE Sneak Peek: Psalm 1

Psalm 1 has been posted at the NABRE Facebook site. One is immediately struck by the first four words: "Blessed is the man...". This is a significant change from the '91 Psalms, which followed the original NAB's use of 'happy' as well as using inclusive language for 'the man'. Is this perhaps an indication of the NABRE's Psalms utilization of Liturgiam Authenticam? It will be interesting to compare the NABRE OT, which was primarily translated in the 90's, and the more recently translated Psalms.

Review: Cambridge RSV New Testament and Psalms

This is sort of a retro mini-review. I was blessed to receive a wonderful little pocket RSV New Testament and Psalms from reader Tim. So, thank you, once again, Tim!

This pocket RSV was published by Cambridge back in 2003, and I must say that it is a delightful little volume. The edition I received is the brown, French Morocco Leather one which has a similar feel to the NRSV Reference Bible with Apocrypha. For Catholics who are looking for a Bible with high quality leather binding, the Cambridge Bibles are often the number one option. What makes this pocket RSV so unique, besides the Moroccan leather binding, is the fact that the text is in a one-column format. This edition is very easy to read and definitely a pleasure for the eyes. An added bonus is that the paper is opaque, much like the NRSV Reference Bible with Apocrypha.

If you can find one, and you are a fan of the RSV, than I highly recommend it. One quick note, this Bible uses the 1971 revised RSV New Testament. Also, the only other pocket RSV that I can compare this to is the Ignatius RSV-2CE New Testament and Psalms. If you are looking for the non-archaic and updated RSV-2CE, than go with Ignatius. If you want a more high-end cover and binding, than the Cambridge edition will delight you! (For some additional photos of this edition, you can check out the listing on Amazon here.)

Mondays with Verbum Domini

This selection from Verbum Domini is a bit longer than previous entries, but once you read through it, you will understand why. In particular, the last sentence of this selection is one of my favorites in the entire document.

"Another major theme that emerged during the Synod, to which I would now like to draw attention, is the interpretation of sacred Scripture in the Church. The intrinsic link between the word and faith makes clear that authentic biblical hermeneutics can only be had within the faith of the Church, which has its paradigm in Mary’s fiat. Saint Bonaventure states that without faith there is no key to throw open the sacred text: “This is the knowledge of Jesus Christ, from whom, as from a fountain, flow forth the certainty and the understanding of all sacred Scripture. Therefore it is impossible for anyone to attain to knowledge of that truth unless he first have infused faith in Christ, which is the lamp, the gate and the foundation of all Scripture”. And Saint Thomas Aquinas, citing Saint Augustine, insists that “the letter, even that of the Gospel, would kill, were there not the inward grace of healing faith”.

Here we can point to a fundamental criterion of biblical hermeneutics: the primary setting for scriptural interpretation is the life of the Church. This is not to uphold the ecclesial context as an extrinsic rule to which exegetes must submit, but rather is something demanded by the very nature of the Scriptures and the way they gradually came into being. “Faith traditions formed the living context for the literary activity of the authors of sacred Scripture. Their insertion into this context also involved a sharing in both the liturgical and external life of the communities, in their intellectual world, in their culture and in the ups and downs of their shared history. In like manner, the interpretation of sacred Scripture requires full participation on the part of exegetes in the life and faith of the believing community of their own time”. Consequently, “since sacred Scripture must be read and interpreted in the light of the same Spirit through whom it was written”,[87] exegetes, theologians and the whole people of God must approach it as what it really is, the word of God conveyed to us through human words (cf. 1 Th 2:13). This is a constant datum implicit in the Bible itself: “No prophecy of scripture is a matter of one’s own interpretation, because no prophecy ever came by the impulse of man, but men moved by the Holy Spirit spoke from God” (2 Pet 1:20-21). Moreover, it is the faith of the Church that recognizes in the Bible the word of God; as Saint Augustine memorably put it: “I would not believe the Gospel, had not the authority of the Catholic Church led me to do so”.[88] The Holy Spirit, who gives life to the Church, enables us to interpret the Scriptures authoritatively. The Bible is the Church’s book, and its essential place in the Church’s life gives rise to its genuine interpretation."

Review: Biblia Sacra (Ex Fontibus Company)

Those of you who are looking for a portable New Testament and Psalms in Latin and English should give serious consideration to this fine edition published by Ex Fontibus Company. Biblia Sacra: Libri Novi Testamenti et Psalmorum is a parallel Bible that contains the Douay-Rheims Bible, Challoner and the Biblia Sacra juxta Vulgatam Clementinam. While this Bible is not technically compact, it is very portable and available in paperback and hardcover editions. (Although Amazon only sells it in the paperback edition.) There are no notes or cross-references from the Douay-Rheims, simply the two texts printed side-by-side. I was actually in the market for something just like this for the high school where I work, so I was very happy when Joseph from Ex Fontibus Company contacted me and sent along a copy. If you are interested in taking a look at some sample pages, check out the Amazon site.

After receiving this Bible, I asked Joseph, from Ex Fontibus Company, to give a little background on how he got started:

"Two grad students, whose Latin was not quite what it ought to have been, wanted a dual-language Latin-English bible that would be aesthetically pleasing and have some of the grandeur of Bibles and hand-missals from the days of yore. At the time, neither of these desiderata was readily available, so they set to work on their own, scouring the internet for suitable images and fonts. Some months later, they produced a three-volume hardcover edition of the entire Bible but, upon requests for a more easily-portable NT edition with Psalms, they produced this item, which has the dual effect of allowing them to practice their Latin while putting food on the table. Although Amazon.com sells only the softcover edition, the hardcover is available from the publisher’s website. We are always eager to hear what you think of these products and would therefore welcome any comments that you might have, sent to our email address at exfont@hotmail.com"

(Again, thanks to Joseph for the review copy.)

NABRE Sneak Peek: Isaiah 7

Today the NABRE Facebook page has released a bonus "Sneak Peek" which is sure to stimulate discussion, hopefully in a constructive manner. It comes from Isaiah 7, which chronicles the Syro-Ephraimite War and includes the famous Emmanuel passage in 7:14. Make sure to consult the notes, which are faily extensive.

Below is the original NAB version:

In the days of Ahaz, king of Judah, son of Jotham, son of Uzziah, Rezin, king of Aram, and Pekah, king of Israel, son of Remaliah, went up to attack Jerusalem, but they were not able to conquer it. 2 When word came to the house of David that Aram was encamped in Ephraim, the heart of the king and heart of the people trembled, as the trees of the forest tremble in the wind. 3 Then the LORD said to Isaiah: Go out to meet Ahaz, you and your son Shear-jashub, at the end of the conduit of the upper pool, on the highway of the fuller's field, 4 and say to him: Take care you remain tranquil and do not fear; let not your courage fail before these two stumps of smoldering brands (the blazing anger of Rezin and the Arameans, and of the son of Remaliah), 5 because of the mischief that Aram (Ephraim and the son of Remaliah) plots against you, saying, 6 "Let us go up and tear Judah asunder, make it our own by force, and appoint the son of Tabeel king there." 7 Thus says the LORD: This shall not stand, it shall not be! 8 Damascus is the capital of Aram, and Rezin the head of Damascus; Samaria is the capital of Ephraim, and Remaliah's son the head of Samaria. 9 But within sixty years and five, Ephraim shall be crushed, no longer a nation. Unless your faith is firm you shall not be firm! 10 Again the LORD spoke to Ahaz: 11 Ask for a sign from the LORD, your God; let it be deep as the nether world, or high as the sky! 12 But Ahaz answered, "I will not ask! I will not tempt the LORD!" 13 Then he said: Listen, O house of David! Is it not enough for you to weary men, must you also weary my God? 14 Therefore the Lord himself will give you this sign: the virgin shall be with child, and bear a son, and shall name him Immanuel. 15 He shall be living on curds and honey by the time he learns to reject the bad and choose the good. 16 For before the child learns to reject the bad and choose the good, the land of those two kings whom you dread shall be deserted. 17 The LORD shall bring upon you and your people and your father's house days worse than any since Ephraim seceded from Judah. (This means the king of Assyria.) 18 On that day The LORD shall whistle for the fly that is in the farthest streams of Egypt, and for the bee in the land of Assyria. 19 All of them shall come and settle in the steep ravines and in the rocky clefts, on all thornbushes and in all pastures. 20 On that day the LORD shall shave with the razor hired from across the River (with the king of Assyria) the head, and the hair between the legs. It shall also shave off the beard. 21 On that day a man shall keep a heifer or a couple of sheep, 22 and from their abundant yield of milk he shall live on curds; curds and honey shall be the food of all who remain in the land. 23 On that day every place where there used to be a thousand vines, worth a thousand pieces of silver, shall be turned to briers and thorns. 24 Men shall go there with bow and arrows; for all the country shall be briers and thorns. 25 For fear of briers and thorns you shall not go upon any mountainside which used to be hoed with the mattock; they shall be grazing land for cattle and shall be trampled upon by sheep.

Quick Note on Anonymous Comments

While the majority of people who comment on this blog are registered, I would ask that those of you who prefer to comment anonymously please conclude your comments with some sort of name or nickname. I have always felt it was important to allow people to post anonymously, but sometimes when there are a number of anonymous comments on a particular post, there can be some confusion.

Thanks for your consideration.

Spot Check: NAB(RE) vs. RSV

Today's spot check comes from the Gospel reading at Mass, Mark 8:22-26. It shouldn't be too difficult to figure out which one is which. It seems to me that the differences are pretty minimal. However, which one do you think reads better?

Here you go:

And they came to Beth-saida. And some people brought to him a blind man, and begged him to touch him. And he took the blind man by the hand, and led him out of the village; and when he had spit on his eyes and laid his hands upon him, he asked him, "Do you see anything?" And he looked up and said, "I see men; but they look like trees, walking." Then again he laid his hands upon his eyes; and he looked intently and was restored, and saw everything clearly. And he sent him away to his home, saying, "Do not even enter the village."


Or


When they arrived at Bethsaida, they brought to him a blind man and begged him to touch him. He took the blind man by the hand and led him outside the village. Putting spittle on his eyes he laid his hands on him and asked, "Do you see anything?" Looking up he replied, "I see people looking like trees and walking." Then he laid hands on his eyes a second time and he saw clearly; his sight was restored and he could see everything distinctly. Then he sent him home and said, "Do not even go into the village."

NABRE Sneak Peek: Song of Songs

For Valentine's Day, the NABRE Facebook site has released two passages from Song of Songs for your viewing pleasure. You can check them out, with their full notes, right here. The two passages are: 2:8-14 & 8:6-7.

Mondays with Verbum Domini

Let's continue with Verbum Domini at paragraph 24 with:

In dialogue with God through his words

The word of God draws each of us into a conversation with the Lord: the God who speaks teaches us how to speak to him. Here we naturally think of the Book of Psalms, where God gives us words to speak to him, to place our lives before him, and thus to make life itself a path to God. In the Psalms we find expressed every possible human feeling set masterfully in the sight of God; joy and pain, distress and hope, fear and trepidation: here all find expression. Along with the Psalms we think too of the many other passages of sacred Scripture which express our turning to God in intercessory prayer (cf. Ex 33:12-16), in exultant songs of victory (cf. Ex 15) or in sorrow at the difficulties experienced in carrying out our mission (cf. Jer 20:7-18). In this way our word to God becomes God’s word, thus confirming the dialogical nature of all Christian revelation, and our whole existence becomes a dialogue with the God who speaks and listens, who calls us and gives direction to our lives. Here the word of God reveals that our entire life is under the divine call.

The NAB(RE) Notes and Commentary

Yes, I think it is probably time to bring up this issue. I often think that discussions here or at places like the Catholic Answers Forums regarding the NAB(RE) usually descend into debates about the commentary, more so than the translation itself. Of course that is a generalization, but one that I think has some merit to it. Recent discussion on this blog over the release of Genesis 1 in the NABRE has brought this issue to the forefront again. From my perspective, I have become so accustom to the tone and content of the NAB commentary that nothing really "bothers" me anymore. I am not one who thinks that the majority of the NAB(RE) commentary are problematic, since I tend to appreciate the more historical-critical notes. That being said, there certainly are some stinkers, most notably Matthew 16:21-23, which in the end tend to overshadow the majority of notes which are simply informative, neutral in content, or at times tradition affirming in tone. Do I wish some of the notes weren't written in a tone that assumes certain scholarly theories are fact when they are not? Yes! Would I like a few more citations to the Fathers or the CCC? Yes! Do I think the notes are heretical? No!

So, then, the issue is what should be the tone and content of the NAB(RE) commentary? Should those who have worked on the commentary assume that the typical Catholic reader would have some basic knowledge of the various theories in current Biblical scholarship?

100,000 Visits

Just wanted to take a moment to thank all of you who have visited this blog over the past two years. As of yesterday, it has received over 100,000 visits from readers throughout the world. I am honored and appreciative that all of you have taken the time to stop by. Thank you, as well, to all who have commented on this blog and have contributed guest reviews or posts. You have certainly enhanced the quality of this blog by your wisdom. As I mentioned in an post a year or so ago, I started this blog back in 2009 because I couldn't find anything else on the Internet that was specifically focused on Catholic Bible releases, editions, and study tools. I spent a lot of time reading some other wonderful, though primarily Protestant, Bible blogs. In many ways, they were a major reason why Catholic Bibles got started. I hope, over the past two years, this blog has helped alleviate that need. I am looking forward to the next 100,000 and more! May God the Father, Creator of Heaven and Earth, bless all of you!

NABRE Sneak Peek: Genesis 1

The NABRE Facebook site has just released the new NABRE's version of Genesis 1. You can see the entire first chapter of Genesis, as well as the commentary notes, here. My guess is that there will be considerable discussion on the decision to retain much of the original NAB language found in verses 1-2 and the use of "them" in verse 27. So, give it a read and let me know what you think! (Don't forget to look at the commentary notes as well.)

Below is the original NAB's version of Genesis 1 for reference:

1 In the beginning, when God created the heavens and the earth, 2 the earth was a formless wasteland, and darkness covered the abyss, while a mighty wind swept over the waters. 3 Then God said, "Let there be light," and there was light. 4 God saw how good the light was. God then separated the light from the darkness. 5 God called the light "day," and the darkness he called "night." Thus evening came, and morning followed--the first day. 6 Then God said, "Let there be a dome in the middle of the waters, to separate one body of water from the other." And so it happened: 7 God made the dome, and it separated the water above the dome from the water below it. 8 God called the dome "the sky." Evening came, and morning followed--the second day. 9 Then God said, "Let the water under the sky be gathered into a single basin, so that the dry land may appear." And so it happened: the water under the sky was gathered into its basin, and the dry land appeared. 10 God called the dry land "the earth," and the basin of the water he called "the sea." God saw how good it was. 11 Then God said, "Let the earth bring forth vegetation: every kind of plant that bears seed and every kind of fruit tree on earth that bears fruit with its seed in it." And so it happened: 12 the earth brought forth every kind of plant that bears seed and every kind of fruit tree on earth that bears fruit with its seed in it. God saw how good it was. 13 Evening came, and morning followed--the third day. 14 Then God said: "Let there be lights in the dome of the sky, to separate day from night. Let them mark the fixed times, the days and the years, 15 and serve as luminaries in the dome of the sky, to shed light upon the earth." And so it happened: 16 God made the two great lights, the greater one to govern the day, and the lesser one to govern the night; and he made the stars. 17 God set them in the dome of the sky, to shed light upon the earth, 18 to govern the day and the night, and to separate the light from the darkness. God saw how good it was. 19 Evening came, and morning followed--the fourth day. 20 Then God said, "Let the water teem with an abundance of living creatures, and on the earth let birds fly beneath the dome of the sky." And so it happened: 21 God created the great sea monsters and all kinds of swimming creatures with which the water teems, and all kinds of winged birds. God saw how good it was, 22 and God blessed them, saying, "Be fertile, multiply, and fill the water of the seas; and let the birds multiply on the earth." 23 Evening came, and morning followed--the fifth day. 24 Then God said, "Let the earth bring forth all kinds of living creatures: cattle, creeping things, and wild animals of all kinds." And so it happened: 25 God made all kinds of wild animals, all kinds of cattle, and all kinds of creeping things of the earth. God saw how good it was. 26 Then God said: "Let us make man in our image, after our likeness. Let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, the birds of the air, and the cattle, and over all the wild animals and all the creatures that crawl on the ground." 27 God created man in his image; in the divine image he created him; male and female he created them. 28 God blessed them, saying: "Be fertile and multiply; fill the earth and subdue it. Have dominion over the fish of the sea, the birds of the air, and all the living things that move on the earth." 29 God also said: "See, I give you every seed-bearing plant all over the earth and every tree that has seed-bearing fruit on it to be your food; 30 and to all the animals of the land, all the birds of the air, and all the living creatures that crawl on the ground, I give all the green plants for food." And so it happened. 31 God looked at everything he had made, and he found it very good. Evening came, and morning followed--the sixth day.

Biblical Evidence for Perpetual Virginity of Mary

Probably my favorite Catholic blogger, Mark Shea, has a fine piece up at Inside Catholic which analyzes the biblical evidence for the Perpetual Virginity of Mary. You can read that article here. This is ironic, since a couple weeks back, I finished reading his Mary, Mother of the Son trilogy of books, which I found to be both informative and witty. I highly recommend all three. In particular, the first volume, Modern Myths and Ancient Truth, spends a great deal of time setting the table, so to speak, looking at not only the ancient Christian and non-Christian philosophies, but probably more importantly the a priori assumptions about the Catholic Church's Marian teachings made by those who oppose them. Only at that point does Mark move to volume two to begin analyzing the four major Marian dogmas in depth. Volume three is concerned primarily with Marian devotions and apparitions. Again, I highly recommend all three volumes.

Article on Little Rock Study Bible

There is an interesting article that was recently published by the Times Record Online, from the Arkansas area, detailing the upcoming Little Rock Catholic Study Bible, which is due to be published this Summer. You can read the article here. The article has some quotes from various editors of the Little Rock Catholic Study Bible, discussing some of the unique features of this upcoming publication. For more info on the Little Rock Catholic Study Bible, you can follow this link.

Your Favorite RSV Edition

Yeah, I really like this Oxford RSV w/ Apocrypha 50th Anniversary Bible that reader Tim sent to me last week. It just has a really nice feel to it, and it truly is inviting to read. I don't say that often about most Bible editions, but this one really deserves it. As a matter of fact, I think I may look for one in genuine leather in the future.

So that brings me to my question for today, which hopefully will engage those of you who love the RSV. (BTW, I like the RSV quite a bit as well!)

What is your favorite edition of the RSV and why?

(Feel free to refer to the original, Catholic, w/Apocrypha, or RSV-2CE editions.)

Mondays with Verbum Domini

Let us continue reading through portions of Verbum Domini with a selection from section 22:

Called to the covenant with God

By emphasizing the many forms of the word, we have been able to contemplate the number of ways in which God speaks to and encounters men and women, making himself known in dialogue. Certainly, as the Synod Fathers stated, “dialogue, when we are speaking of revelation, entails the primacy of the word of God addressed to man”.[71] The mystery of the Covenant expresses this relationship between God who calls man with his word, and man who responds, albeit making clear that it is not a matter of a meeting of two peers; what we call the Old and New Covenant is not a contract between two equal parties, but a pure gift of God. By this gift of his love God bridges every distance and truly makes us his “partners”, in order to bring about the nuptial mystery of the love between Christ and the Church. In this vision every man and woman appears as someone to whom the word speaks, challenges and calls to enter this dialogue of love through a free response. Each of us is thus enabled by God to hear and respond to his word. We were created in the word and we live in the word; we cannot understand ourselves unless we are open to this dialogue. The word of God discloses the filial and relational nature of human existence. We are indeed called by grace to be conformed to Christ, the Son of the Father, and, in him, to be transformed.

CNS Article on NABRE

Revised Bible provides 'more clarity, more detail' for today's Catholic
By Patricia Zapor
Catholic News Service

WASHINGTON (CNS) -- The revised New American Bible that will be released on Ash Wednesday, March 9, may seem most notably different to casual readers for its efforts at providing context and clarity in how the passages fit together, according to the coordinator of its publication.

For the rest of the article, go here.

Spot Check: NAB(RE) or RSV?

Today’s spot check comes from this coming Sunday's second reading from 1 Corinthians 2:1-5. It has become pretty obvious which one is which, but which one do you like best and why?

When I came to you, brethren, I did not come proclaiming to you the testimony of God in lofty words or wisdom. For I decided to know nothing among you except Jesus Christ and him crucified. And I was with you in weakness and in much fear and trembling; and my speech and my message were not in plausible words of wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power, that your faith might not rest in the wisdom of men but in the power of God.

Or

When I came to you, brothers, proclaiming the mystery of God, I did not come with sublimity of words or of wisdom. For I resolved to know nothing while I was with you except Jesus Christ, and him crucified. I came to you in weakness and fear and much trembling, and my message and my proclamation were not with persuasive words of wisdom, but with a demonstration of Spirit and power, so that your faith might rest not on human wisdom but on the power of God.

Saint Benedict Press + NABRE

You can check out the line of NABRE's that Saint Benedict Press will be releasing in March here. They will be coming out in hardcover, Black Premium UltraSoft, and paperback. (Unfortunately the paperback cover I voted for didn't win, but alas the red edition looks ok. I still think the green "Baptism" one was better.)

Also note in the description that that these Bibles will come with "extensive notes, commentary, cross-references (a first from Saint Benedict Press!), a 3-year cycle of readings for Sunday and weekday Masses, and favorite Catholic prayers. " That part about cross-references made me chuckle a bit. Looks like a great edition, one which I will certainly order. Now if only we could get their RSV-CE with cross-references then everything would be right in the world...

NABRE Sneak Peek: Exodus 3

In union with this week's World Day of Prayer for Consecrated Life, the newest sneak peek comes from Exodus 3 which details the call of Moses. To see this, you will need a Facebook account. One of the big changes from the original NAB is how it translated the Divine Name. In the old NAB, the translators went with "I am who am" while the NABRE translators went with the more standard "I am who I am". There are some more interesting changes, but perhaps I will save that for discussion in the comments. So go check out the new translation! One thing to note is that the NABRE translators have expanded the commentary/notes for this chapter of Exodus. Here are some links which will allow you to compare the NABRE's rendering with the RSV, NRSV, and the original NAB.

Blizzard Contest

On the eve of not only a massive snow storm which will be hitting the Great Lakes later this evening, but more importantly the feast of the Presentation of the Lord, I thought it would be a great time to have a contest giveaway.

Prize:
Brand new copies of Edward Sri’s The Bible Compass: A Catholic Guide to Navigating the Scriptures and Revelation: A Devotional Commentary from the Word Among Us Press.


Here are the rules:

1) If you have a blog, please advertise this contest on your site. (If you don't, you can still enter the contest.)

2) This contest is only for people who are in the United States or Canada. (Again, overseas shipping costs are a bit too high for me right now. Sorry.)

3) The question you need to answer in the comment box:
In one sentence, what is your Bible translation of choice and why?

Remember, I will only accept one sentence, so be concise. (Humor is also something I look for, but is not necessary.)

4) The contest ends on Saturday at 11:59PM EST.

5) One entry per person.

I will announce the winner in the comment section on Sunday.

A Thank You

I just wanted to take a moment to thank reader Tim, who sent me a beautiful Oxford 50th Anniversary Edition Revised Standard Version w/Apocrypha. It really is a lovely reading Bible, due to its clear, readable print and overall size. Too bad that it appears to be out of print.