The NRSV and the NABRE are both careful, scholarly English Bibles, but they come from different communities and were built for different purposes. The New Revised Standard Version (NRSV) is an ecumenical translation produced for mainline Protestant, Catholic, and Orthodox readers, and it aims for a formal, literary English that stays close to the original wording. The New American Bible, Revised Edition (NABRE) is the official Bible of the Catholic Church in the United States, prepared for Catholic liturgy and study, and it is closer to everyday modern English. Readers who want a dignified text for study and public reading often choose the NRSV, while readers who want a Catholic-approved Bible for Mass, catechism, and parish study usually choose the NABRE.
Background
The NRSV grew out of the Revised Standard Version of 1952, which itself revised the American Standard Version. The National Council of Churches sponsored the NRSV, and its translation committee included scholars from many traditions, so it was meant to be usable across denominational lines. Its later editions added the Apocrypha (the deuterocanonical books) to give Catholic and Orthodox readers the books their traditions include.
The NABRE is a revision of the New American Bible, first published in the early 1970s by the Catholic bishops of the United States. The revised edition, completed in the 2010s, updated the translation of the Old and New Testaments and the accompanying notes and introductions. Because it is a Catholic publication under the authority of the bishops, its notes and footnotes reflect Catholic teaching and the church’s liturgical use of Scripture.
Translation Method
Both translations sit toward the “formal” end of the spectrum, meaning they try to follow the structure and wording of the Hebrew, Aramaic, and Greek texts rather than rewriting each sentence freely. The NRSV leans more toward word-for-word precision, keeping the sentence shape and idioms of the original where English allows. The result often sounds like careful, slightly elevated prose that rewards slow reading.
The NABRE also translates carefully from the original languages but frequently chooses clearer modern phrasing when the older sentence shape would confuse a first-time reader. Its translators gave more weight to readability for a broad lay audience, so passages often feel more immediate. The trade-off is that a few nuances of the original can be smoothed over, which is why serious students often compare the two.
Reading Level and Style
The NRSV reads at a fairly advanced level and has a stately, traditional cadence. Its vocabulary is familiar to anyone raised on older English Bibles, and it suits sermons, lectures, and private reading where a more literary tone is welcome. Some readers find the longer sentences demanding, but many appreciate how closely the English tracks the original.
The NABRE is generally more accessible, with shorter sentences and plainer words. It is easy to read aloud in a parish setting and works well for new readers, catechists, and families. Its notes and introductions are written for a general Catholic audience, so the reading experience feels like guided instruction rather than a purely academic apparatus.
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 difference in approach clearly. The NRSV keeps the classic sentence structure and the traditional sense of the Lord as shepherd, giving the line a steady, poetic rhythm. The NABRE renders the same idea in language that feels more direct and conversational, so the image of care lands in a plainer way. Both keep the psalm’s meaning intact, but the NRSV invites you to linger over the wording while the NABRE makes the sense quicker to grasp.
Who Should Use It
Choose the NRSV if you want a scholarly, literary English Bible for personal study, academic work, or ecumenical settings where Protestant and Catholic readers meet. It is especially useful when you want to see the original sentence shape reflected in English. Its limits are that it is less tailored to Catholic liturgy and that its style can feel dense for beginners.
Choose the NABRE if you are Catholic and want a Bible that matches the readings used at Mass, or if you are teaching catechism, leading a Bible study, or introducing Scripture to newcomers. Its clear language and Catholic notes make it a practical everyday companion. Its limits are that it sometimes trades the original’s exact sentence patterns for smoother English, so it is worth checking a second translation for close study.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the NABRE the same as the New American Bible?
No, the NABRE is the revised edition of the New American Bible. The revision updated the translation and notes, and the NABRE is the version currently used in Catholic liturgy in the United States. Older copies of the New American Bible are still in circulation but are no longer the current edition.
Do the NRSV and NABRE include the same books?
Both include the Old Testament books recognized by the Catholic Church, including the deuterocanonical books. Editions of the NRSV vary in what they include, so check the specific printing if you need the full Catholic canon. The NABRE is always published with the complete Catholic canon.
Which one should I read for daily devotions?
Either works well, and many readers use both. If you want a smooth, easy reading experience, the NABRE is a good starting point. If you enjoy slower, more literary prose, the NRSV rewards that kind of reading.
