The New Jerusalem Bible (NJB) is a revision of the Jerusalem Bible (JB), keeping the same general approach but updating the language, correcting many earlier renderings, and aligning the text more closely with recent Catholic biblical scholarship. In short, the JB is the older English Catholic translation with a more literary, sometimes archaic feel, while the NJB is its modernized successor. The JB suits readers who value its established vocabulary and familiar cadences, and the NJB suits readers who want a Catholic Bible that reads more smoothly and reflects updated scholarship.
Background
The Jerusalem Bible first appeared in the 1960s as an English rendering of the French Bible de Jérusalem, produced by a team of Catholic scholars associated with the École Biblique in Jerusalem. It became widely used in English-speaking Catholic parishes and was known for its introductions and footnotes, which many study Bibles later borrowed from.
The New Jerusalem Bible followed in the 1980s and 1990s as a thorough revision. The editors worked to refine wording, bring the text into line with newer manuscript studies and biblical scholarship, and make the language more consistent. Because it grew out of the JB, the two share a family resemblance, but the NJB is not simply a light edit of the older text.
Translation Method
Both translations take a middle path between strict word-for-word rendering and free paraphrase. They aim to convey the sense of the original languages clearly, while still tracking the structure and imagery of the source texts. This means you will often find phrasing that sounds natural in English but still stays close to the Hebrew, Aramaic, or Greek underneath.
The main difference in method is one of revision. The JB reflects the decisions of its original translators in the mid-twentieth century, while the NJB reconsiders many of those decisions in light of later scholarship. In practice, this can mean the NJB adjusts a word choice, clarifies an ambiguous sentence, or revisits a passage that earlier scholars had read differently.
Reading Level and Style
The JB has a more formal, literary tone, with phrasing that some readers find dignified and others find dated. Its sentences can be long and its vocabulary occasionally unusual, which rewards slow, attentive reading but can slow down a casual reader.
The NJB keeps the dignity of the older text but reads more fluidly in contemporary English. Sentences tend to be easier to follow and the vocabulary is more current. For someone reading through a book for the first time, the NJB is usually the more approachable of the two.
A Verse to Compare
Psalm 23:1
The LORD is my shepherd: I shall lack nothing.
(WEB)
This familiar opening of the Shepherd psalm shows the general pattern. The JB tends to keep a slightly more formal sentence shape and a traditional feel in its word choices. The NJB renders the same line with a smoother cadence and modern phrasing, while keeping the central image of God as shepherd intact. Readers comparing the two will notice the difference mostly in rhythm and word choice rather than in the core meaning of the verse.
Who Should Use It
The JB is a good choice if you already know it from parish life or from older study materials, and you value its established language and its place in Catholic reading traditions. Its limits are mostly stylistic: some readers find it heavy going, and it reflects scholarship that has since been revised.
The NJB is usually the better pick for personal reading, group study, or anyone meeting the Catholic Bible for the first time. Its updated language and scholarship make it a strong everyday reading Bible. Some people still prefer the JB for its literary quality, so it can be worth reading a passage in both to see which suits your ear.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the NJB a completely new translation?
No, the NJB is a revision of the Jerusalem Bible rather than a fresh translation from scratch. It keeps the general approach and much of the structure of the JB while updating wording and scholarship. Many passages are changed, but the two remain closely related.
Which one should a beginner start with?
Most beginners find the NJB easier to read because its language is more contemporary. The JB can still be used, but its older phrasing may take some getting used to. Either one will serve well for building a habit of reading.
Can I use both in the same study?
Yes, many readers compare the two side by side to notice how wording and emphasis have changed. This can deepen understanding of a passage. Just keep track of which edition you are quoting when you share notes with others.
