The NABRE, or New American Bible Revised Edition, is the English Bible used in most Catholic parishes in the United States for Mass readings and personal study. It is a revised version of the New American Bible, produced by Catholic scholars working under the bishops’ conference, and it aims to combine careful study of the original languages with clear modern English. It suits Catholic readers who want the wording used in their liturgy, students who want notes from a Catholic perspective, and anyone curious how a church-authorized translation reads.
Background
The New American Bible was first published in the early 1970s as a project of Catholic scholars in the United States, sponsored by the Catholic Biblical Association and the bishops’ conference. It was the first complete modern English translation prepared for American Catholics, and it was designed to be read both privately and aloud in worship.
The NABRE is a later revision of that work. Its Old Testament and New Testament portions were reworked over several years, with changes to wording, notes, and in some places the underlying textual choices. Its official status for liturgical use in the United States is what most people mean when they call it the Bible their parish reads from.
Translation Method
The NABRE takes a middle path between word-for-word and thought-for-thought approaches. Translators generally follow the structure and vocabulary of the original languages closely enough that you can trace a phrase back to its source, but they will restate an idiom or a dense sentence in natural English when a literal rendering would confuse a modern reader.
The effect is a reading experience that feels scholarly without being stiff. You will notice that technical terms from Scripture study are preserved, and that the footnotes explain where the Hebrew, Aramaic, or Greek wording is uncertain or where a word carries a meaning that English struggles to capture. Readers who want to study closely will find that trail of evidence useful.
Reading Level and Style
Most readers find the NABRE comfortable in the late-high-school to adult range. Sentences are generally clear and conventional, the vocabulary is standard English, and the notes are written for educated lay readers rather than specialists. Psalms and poetic books keep their rhythm, though the language is more prosaic than some older English versions.
Because it is meant to be heard in church, the NABRE reads well aloud. Passages tend to have a steady, plain cadence that works for a lector at the lectern and for a family reading together. Some readers find it less lyrical than certain other translations, and that trade-off is deliberate: clarity and accuracy are prioritized over literary flourish.
A Verse to Compare
John 3:16
For God so loved the world, that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish, but have eternal life.
(WEB)
This familiar verse about God’s love for the world shows the NABRE’s habits well. The Greek sentence is long and carefully built, and the NABRE keeps its main claim intact: God loved the world, gave his Son, and offers life to those who believe. Compared with a more paraphrastic version, the NABRE stays closer to the original sentence order, while a thought-for-thought version would reshape the phrasing into smoother contemporary English. Both aim at the same meaning; they differ in how much of the original shape they carry into the page.
Who Should Use It
The NABRE is a strong choice for Catholic readers who want the translation their parish uses, for those preparing for Mass readings, and for students of Scripture who value footnotes written from a Catholic viewpoint. Its notes and introductions are a real asset for understanding the historical setting of each book.
Its limits are worth knowing. Some readers find the prose plainer than they would like for devotional reading, and the notes reflect a particular tradition, so readers from other backgrounds may want to compare it with a second translation. Pairing the NABRE with a version that reads more fluidly can give you both accuracy and warmth.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the NABRE the same as the New American Bible?
No, the NABRE is a revised edition of the New American Bible. The revision updated wording and notes in many places, and the revised text is the one now used for liturgical readings in the United States. Older copies of the original NAB are still in circulation, so check the edition year on your copy.
Is the NABRE approved for Mass readings?
Yes, the NABRE is the translation authorized for use in the Lectionary for Mass in the United States. That is why many parishioners hear it read from the lectern each Sunday. Personal reading can use any translation you find helpful.
Should I read the NABRE or a more modern translation?
The NABRE is best if you want a Catholic-authorized text with careful scholarly notes. If you want a smoother, more conversational read for daily devotion, a thought-for-thought version can be a good companion. Many readers use both and compare passages.
