New NRSV's Coming from Cambridge Bibles
This is very exciting news! If you are looking for a premium NRSV (w/apocrypha) including references, this will be the bible to get. You can view their offerings, which will be available in summer here. The 2017 Cambridge Bibles catalogue (UK edition) shows their reference NRSV will be available with or without Apocrypha, in hardcover or french morocco leather. A premium edition with the Apocrypha/Deuterocanonicals will be in edge-lined goatskin and art-gilt page edges. This will be quality and likely the finest Bible in print that contains all the Catholic books.
There will also be large print editions available with Apocrypha that will come in hardcover and leather, with gilt edges and ribbon markers.
The catalogue is for the UK, but we can expect these to be available in the US as well. Once I find out what the prices will be, I'll let you know.
16 comments:
The large print NRSV w/ apocrypha in french morocco leather in the UK catalog has size 13 font and sell for about $105. Looks good to me!
I have been waiting for this for months!
Also, in the last catalogue, the NRSV was towards the back, after a bunch of other translations. I like that they've moved it up front! It shows they are recommitting to it, don't you think?
Or maybe that was just a difference between the UK and US catalogues.
Via the Facebook pages of "Fans of the NRSV", who have been campaigning for a premium edition, here's a link to sign up to evangelicalbible.com as having interest in a NRSV edition:
https://visitor.r20.constantcontact.com/d.jsp?llr=k545m4gab&p=oi&m=1107007864778&sit=5avx5zggb&f=10f8be59-3978-4e55-8b0c-2543aa53b141
Fingers crossed, there might be a premium NRSV with Apocrypha form the likes of Schulyer in this...
"I knew a person who for more than ten years made use of a cross roughly formed from a palm branch that had been blessed, fastened with a pin twisted round it; he had never ceased using it, and he always carried it about with him until I took it from him; and this was a person of no small sense and understanding. And I saw another who said his prayers using beads that were made of bones from the spine of a fish; his devotion was certainly no less precious on that account in the sight of God, for it is clear that these things carried no devotion in their workmanship or value. Those, then, who start from these beginnings and make good progress attach themselves to no visible instruments, nor do they burden themselves with such, nor desire to know more than is necessary in order that they may act well; for they set their eyes only on being right with God and on pleasing Him, and therein consists their covetousness. And thus with great generosity they give away all that they have, and delight to know that they have it not, for God’s sake and for charity to their neighbor, no matter whether these be spiritual things or temporal. For, as I say, they set their eyes only upon the reality of interior perfection, which is to give pleasure to God and in not to give pleasure to themselves."
I wish Cambridge would release the compact NRSV with Apocrypha. That would be sweet. But no such luck.
Anonymous, above, clearly understands that true holiness is found in seeking out people with interests or hobbies and ridiculing them. :-)
One can be truly a loving an moral person, but still love well made books.
I wish Cambridge would produce REB with Apocrypha editions like their upcoming NRSV with Apocrypha editions.
I wholeheartedly second that, Mark D! I'd love to see Cambridge print the REB with Apocrypha again, instead of printing two separate volumes. I'm definitely looking forward to these new NRSV's though.
Looking at the catalog, I notice that they are still printing the NEB, but it is in three volumes and costs nearly 100 pounds, whatever that is in dollars, I'm sure it is more than I want to spend. I wonder if there is cheaper edition of the NEB available anywhere.
FWIW, after signing up for being interested in a premium NRSV (see above), I just received the following email:
"Schuyler is considering an NRSV Bible in 2018 - but needs to know what the interest level would be. This Bible would have the Apocrypha included as well as cross references. Let us know what you think - Please CLICK HERE. and forward this email to your potential NRSV friends!
Here is the link to sign up for these NRSV emails. Please copy and send to NRSV friends."
The survey contains the following questions:
"NRSV Survey
1. Which form of typesetting would you prefer?
Quentel (Double Column References at bottom)
Single Column Paragraph (references at bottom)
Single Column Paragraph (references in margin)
Single Column Paragraph (no references)
Other
2. Include the Apocrypha?
Yes
No
3. Binding....Goatskin leather (~$200) lined or Calfskin - Paste off (~$120)
Goatskin
Calfskin
4. If Schuyler made a typical Goatskin - leather lined NRSV Bible - would you would purchase a copy? ~$200
Yes
No
Unsure
5. What is your church affiliation?
Baptist
Methodist
Presbyterian
Non-Denominational
Anglican or Episcopal
Catholic
Lutheran
Pentecostal
Church of Christ
Other "
So, if you are interested in a Schulyer NRSV with Apocrypha, and want to influence what it should look like, get going.
This is very cool news, but I can't help but be disappointed about the translation being the NRSV. Try as I might, I just can't get past the inclusive language.
Personally, if I'm not reading the DR, Knox or RSV, I really enjoy the KJV. I own a Cambridge Cameo in Calfskin with the Apocrypha. I'd LOVE the Clarion Reference edition in Goatskin with the Apocrypha. It's an absolutely beautifully bound Bible in Paragraph\single column format. Why can't they add an edition of that version with it. Frustrating, lol.
It is interesting to note that, according to NRSV editor Bruce Metzger, the inclusive language requirement for the NRSV was added very late in the process, after the translation was nearly complete and many on the translation team were very upset by it when they learned about it because it meant re-writing entire sections that they considered to be already done and ready for the final edit and publication.
The NRSV was first authorized in 1974, and work began shortly afterward yet the requirement of inclusive language was added, it I'm not mistaken, in 1987, after 13 years of work had already been completed, and it resulted
So, the fact that they had to do a quick last minute re-write of what they had already considered to be final or nearly final, is no doubt a large part of the reason why there are several places where the attempt to avoid using a masculine pronoun results in a severely tortured reading that sounds almost completely incoherent.
The NRSV's approach to inclusive language does mar the translation in places, particularly the Psalms. I think the Vatican made the right call regarding the use of inclusive language in the Psalter for Mass and in the NAB Psalms 3.0.
That said, the NRSV is the "standard" ecumenical English translation of the Bibles, for good or ill. It isn't a personal favorite of mine, and there are better options available. For a more literal translation, I think the NABRE is superior across the board, for a freer translation the NEB/REB is much preferred and I think the REB in particular pulls off a balance in its use of inclusive language that more recent translations would do well to emulate. But again, the NRSV is the "standard." I don't fault any Catholic wanting to have a copy to read or study, particularly Catholics who teach scripture as catechists or school teachers.
What I would recommend is that the NRSV not be anyone's only Bible. Use it in conjunction with another translation or two -- like the NABRE and the NEB/REB.
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