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.