More on the RNJB and Your Chance to Submit a Question to Fr. Henry

Thanks to some inquiries sent to the Darton, Longman and Todd Ltd from frequent commentator and guest blogger Chris Buckley, I am happy to publish the responses from the editorial director at DLT David Moloney concerning the RNJB.


Questions Submitted by Chris Buckley to DLT Editor David Moloney:

1) Is this a new translation, or an "in house" editorial revision of the NJB (similar to the RSV-2CE from Ignatius Press)?

2) If it's a new translation, who is the translation team?

3) Is the the École biblique involved in these revisions at all? If so, is it based on its "Bible in its Traditions" text?

4) Will it carry an imprimatur?

Responses from David Moloney:

1) The RNJB is essentially a new translation, in that Fr Henry has returned to the original scriptures throughout (rather than just updating the NJB). In many cases he has made the same translation choices as he did for the NJB, so sections of the text have remained the same, but overall the extent of the differences between RNJB and NJB is substantial enough to call it a new translation.

The Study Notes have been completely replaced (with notes written by Fr Henry but only previously seen in the CTS Catholic Bible), bringing the scholarly content up to date. The Psalms for the RNJB, as you will have seen, now comprise Fr Henry’s slight adaptation of the 2010 Revised Grail Psalter.

2) Fr Henry is the principal translator, as he was for the NJB. He has consulted widely throughout this process – notably with Professor Francis J Moloney SDB (no relation!) on the New Testament, and Andrew Carter of Ampleforth College on the Old Testament.

3) Fr Henry has liaised with L’École Biblique throughout the process but they have not been directly involved in the translation.

4) The Old Testament has not yet been completely finalised but we have arranged with the Bishop’s Conference and the Department for Life and Worship to submit the full Bible for review for the imprimatur as soon as it is ready.

Your Chance to Ask Fr. Henry Wansbrough a Question.

In the past, we were blessed that people like Mary Sperry of the USCCB graciously responded to questions from you regarding the NABRE.  Now, we have a chance to ask Fr. Henry Wansbrough OSB, editor of the RNJB (and NJB), some questions concerning the new translation.  David Moloney of DLT offered to share some questions with Fr. Henry.  He said, "I would encourage you and other members of the blog forum to put together some questions that you would like to ask Fr Henry. It could prove a further opportunity for him to explain the reasoning behind the new translation, and the approach he has taken. I can ask him if he would be willing to answer a selection of questions if you think that would be helpful and of interest."

So, here are the rules for submission:

1) Submit your questions in the comment section of this post.  

2) Please make the questions concise and succinct

3) Please put a name (at least a first name) at the end of your question

4) Make sure to review the other questions that have been submitted so that there are no duplicates

Chris and I will review all the questions and select the ones that will be submitted to Fr. Henry for consideration.  Again, I'd like to thank Chris for taking the initiative in contacting DLT and making this a possibility.