NJB Pocket Edition, White Cased Gift Bible

I read the Bible a lot, which I suppose in this day and age is considered... err... somewhat eccentric, shall we say? My usual book of choice is either the New King James or the latest version of the New World Translation. The former is lovely to read but when compared to a decent interlinear, not particularly accurate; the latter, although very accurate, is not the easiest to read. The Jerusalem Bible was recommended to me by a friend but since that is a weighty tome and rather an unwieldy book to snuggle up with at bed-time, I plumped for this one - it was a great price too! The New Jerusalem Bible is now my favourite version of them all (and I've read quite a few of them) being a very good balance between the "free" and the "literal" translation methods. It retains the poetic beauty of the old King James but in modern, easy to understand language that has a very moving turn of phrase. It very properly translates the Tetragrammaton (Hebrew YHWH or JHWH) too; it uses the "Yahweh" form (which is my personal preference) rather than the more commonly used "Jehovah" as God's name. Unlike the New World Translation, however, it only does so in the Hebrew (Old Testament) books. Where there is a quote from the OT in the New Testament (or Christian Greek Scriptures) the New Jerusalem uses italics with a reference to where the quote can be found. The NWT also gives a reference but keeps God's name in the NT text. It also (questionably) adds it in places where there isn't a direct quote but the translators felt it was appropriate to put it in. Which is better is down to your own personal preference but either is a welcome change from the increasingly popular trend of only using the capitalised "LORD" to replace His name the 6000 or so times the Tetragrammaton appears in the original texts. Even the old King James retained it in the "Jehovah" form a handful of times. But I digress, suffice it to say, the New Jerusalem Bible: Readers Edition is, in my humble opinion, simply the best; it's also a handy, normal book-size for ease of use. My one single complaint, however, is the quality of the cover. It is far to thin and easy to damage. I've taken the precaution of wrapping mine in thick paper just the way we were told to do with our school books way back when. Still, at this price, that really is just nit-picking!

Bible in English...this drama's been going on for over 600 years with one really nasty twist to it called Henry VIII... As a person not born in an English speaking country I was quite surprised that there's so many different translations, I was also surprised how much of Henry VIII's “I do what I want” attitude is still very much alive in this very delicate subject. When I started researching and looking for the most reliable translation in English The Jerusalem Bible wasn't even mentioned on those websites and then I found out about it and found out it is being used in Vatican and I found out it was mostly work of the French and I knew exactly what happened... It's bit like Jesus was being dismissed in His early ministry by priests saying: “...prophets don't come from Galilee...”. On the same catch we could say: “...why should we read Bible in English translated from French?” The Jerusalem Bible or The New Jerusalem Bible IS THE BIBLE and You might as well not bother with KJV, RSV, NRSV, NEB, NASB, NRV etc etc. I also would like to mention that foreword and introductions by main editor Henry Wansbrough are the very first I actually read in full. This gentleman, scholar and priest put the word of God first and spared us the list of his scholarly achievements – I take my hat off. Search no more! It reads perfectly, I haven't got a problem with the word Yahweh (let's not forget it all come from God's people – The Jews) and remember, whenever You read that this or that line doesn't sound right, some of the books are 4000 years old (!) and some mere 2200 years old yet survived and some of the greatest people lived by The Bible

Good product

I have various Bible translations, but bought this one specifically because it's zipped so I can put it in my bag and carry everywhere. It's a beautiful red leather Bible, smart looking so would be a great gift for someone. It's in the New Jerusalem translation (a Catholic Bible, so all 72 books), the type-font is a bit small but very readable and there's no 'bleed-through the pages. It's a nice compact size and am sure I'll use it for many years to come. As it's the compact edition, there are only a few theological notes at the back, so people wanting the notes would be better off buying the 'Standard edition'.I'm very happy with my purchase.

This bible is the readers edition. (I was sorry to hear that another reviewing received the pocket edition instead). The cover was different to picture. Dark blue instead of the horrible bright blue :) The text size is good for reading (My eyesight is average). However if your eyesight is very poor you might consider buying the Standard Edition. There are book introductions and minimal notes etc in this edition of the bible (Which is probably a good thing as the notes in the Study Edition are quite liberal. I use this bible as a comparison bible to use alongside my main bible translations. My main bible translations are ESV and NIV 2011 Alongside the ESV and NIV 2011 I use NASB95 ,NRSV, REB, AND NJB. Mature Christians understand the value of comparing other translations when reading the bible. If you want to read the bible intelligently you will consult other translations. The NJB (Catholic) is outside my church denomination (evangelical), but I value it as comparison bible, as it gives me a fresh perspective. Note to Publisher I have given this bible 4 stars, because the bible I received had two pages that were not cut properly. I had to trim them very carefully with a fine pair of scissors. This bible was printed in Turkey.

I think it's a very correct product if you wish to have this - excellent - text alone, without any critical apparatus. I have it on my bed table.

I am a middle aged Catholic who has never had a bible in her house. I decided it was about time so researched profusely until I came up with this as the best bible for me. It's not too big or heavy so I can keep it on my desk in my office and refer to it as often as I want. My plan is to put it by my bedside and read it every night and the size and weight of this bible would definitely make that possible.

The new Jerusalem bible. Cumple las expectativas de un libro que siempre hay que tener. Además de tener buen precio

定評のある聖書ですが、今まで読み慣れていた聖書との差についてどの位あるのか気になっておりました。 部分的に読んだ程度ですが非常に読み易く、分かり易い英文と思います。 前の訳との差について分からないところがありますがへブル語、ギリシャ語の専門家が祈りと共に訳されたのですから素直に受け止めようと思います。

Even though it said second hand, it looks as good as new. Value for money as original costs three times more.