Comparing some passages in the JB, NJB, RSV2CE, and NRSV

Four great modern translations of the Bible are the Jerusalem Bible (JB), the New Jerusalem Bible (NJB), the Revised Standard Version 2nd Catholic Edition (RSV2CE), and the New Revised Standard Version (NRSV). How to choose between them? It is interesting to see how they render some of the most famous passages from scripture.

The Lord is My Shepherd: Psalm 23:1–2

• RSV2CE: The LORD is my shepherd, I shall not want; he makes me lie down in green pastures. He leads me beside still waters;
• NRSV: The LORD is my shepherd, I shall not want. He makes me lie down in green pastures; he leads me beside still waters;
• JB: Yahweh is my shepherd, I lack nothing. In meadows of green grass he lets me lie. To the waters of repose he leads me;
• NJB: Yahweh is my shepherd, I lack nothing. In grassy meadows he lets me lie. By tranquil streams he leads me.

To Every Thing There is a Season: Ecclesiastes 3:1–2

• RSV2CE: For everything there is a season, and a time for every matter under heaven: a time to be born, and a time to die; a time to plant, and a time to pluck up what is planted;
• NRSV: For everything there is a season, and a time for every matter under heaven: a time to be born, and a time to die; a time to plant, and a time to pluck up what is planted;
• JB: There is a season for everything, a time for every occupation under heaven: A time for giving birth, a time for dying; a time for planting, a time for uprooting what has been planted.
• NJB: There is a season for everything, a time for every occupation under heaven: A time for giving birth, a time for dying; a time for planting, a time for uprooting what has been planted.

The Ten Commandments: Exodus 20:2–3

• RSV2CE: I am the LORD your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of bondage. You shall have no other gods before me.
• NRSV: I am the LORD your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of slavery; you shall have no other gods before me.
• JB: I am Yahweh your God who brought you out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of slavery. You shall have no gods except me.
• NJB: I am Yahweh your God who brought you out of Egypt, where you lived as slaves. You shall have no other gods to rival me.

The Beatitudes: Matthew 5:3–4

• RSV2CE: Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted.
• NRSV: Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted.
• JB: How happy are the poor in spirit; theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Happy those who mourn: they shall be comforted.
• NJB: How blessed are the poor in spirit: the kingdom of Heaven is theirs. Blessed are those who mourn: they shall be comforted.

Love: 1 Corinthians 13:4–5

• RSV2CE: Love is patient and kind; love is not jealous or boastful; it is not arrogant or rude. Love does not insist on its own way; it is not irritable or resentful;
• NRSV: Love is patient; love is kind; love is not envious or boastful or arrogant or rude. It does not insist on its own way; it is not irritable or resentful;
• JB: Love is always patient and kind; it is never jealous; love is never boastful or conceited; it is never rude or selfish; it does not take offence, and is not resentful.
• NJB: Love is always patient and kind; love is never jealous; love is not boastful or conceited, it is never rude and never seeks its own advantage, it does not take offence or store up grievances.

Add placeholder ribbons to your Bible

If you're Bible does not have ribbons (or if its ribbons are frayed and you want to replace them), here are some instructions for adding ribbons to your Bible.

Topical Memory System for Memorizing Scripture

There is a wonderful set of Bible verses called the "Topical Memory System" selected by our Protestant brethren at The Navigators (a Protestant organization). They are great verses to commit to memory (perhaps with the aid of flash cards or a microcassette recorder).

A. Live the New Life
 Christ the Center           II Cor 5:17    Gal 2:20
 Obedience to Christ         Rom 12:1       John 14:21
 The Word                    II Tim 3:16    Josh 1:8
 Prayer                      John 15:7      Phil 4:6,7
 Fellowship                  Matt 18:20     Heb 10:24,25
 Witnessing                  Matt 4:19      Rom 1:16
                                            
B. Proclaim Christ
 Note: I'd recommend skipping Set B, which has a Protestant doctrinal emphasis.                          
 All Have Sinned             Rom 3:23       Isa 53:6
 Sin's Penalty               Rom 6:23       Heb 9:27
 Christ Paid the Penalty     Rom 5:8        I Pet 3:18
 Salvation Not by Works      Eph 2:8,9      Titus 3:5
 Must Receive Christ         John 1:12      Rev 3:20
 Assurance of Salvation      I John 5:13    John 5:24
                                            
C. Rely on God's Resources                  
 His Spirit                  I Cor 3:16     I Cor 2:12
 His Strength                Isaiah 41:10   Phil 4:13
 His Faithfulness            Lam 3:22,23    Num 23:19
 His Peace                   Isaiah 26:3    I Pet 5:7
 His Provision               Rom 8:32       Phil 4:19
 His Help in Temptation      Heb 2:18       Ps 119:9,11
                                            
D. Be Christ's Disciple                     
 Put Christ First            Matt 6:33      Luke 9:23
 Separate from the World     I John 2:15,16 Rom 12:2
 Be Steadfast                I Cor 15:58    Heb 12:3
 Serve Others                Mark 10:45     II Cor 4:5
 Give Generously             Prov. 3:9,10   II Cor 9:6,7
 Develop World               Acts 1:8       Matt 28:19,20
 
E. Grow in Christ-likeness 
 Love                        John 13:34,35  I John 3:18
 Humility                    Phil 2:3,4     I Pet 5:5,6
 Purity                      Eph 5:3        I Pet 2:11
 Honesty                     Lev. 19:11     Acts 24:16
 Faith                       Heb 11:6       Rom 4:20,21
 Good Works                  Gal 6:9,10     Matt 5:16

Mnemonic for remembering the order of the New Testament books

Roosters Can Crow, Geese Eat Pop Corn, Turkeys Trot, Telephone Poles Have Jaybirds.

Checklist for reading the Bible (and the Catechism) in one year

This is a cool "Read the Bible and the Catechism of the Catholic Church In One Year" checklist. I’m going to try this. Who’s with me?