All Bibles are not the same. The Catholic Bible contains seven books of the Old Testament which are not found in Protestant Bibles. These books include:

• Judith
• Wisdom
• Tobit
• Sirach
• Baruch
• 1 and 2 Macabees
• Portions of Esther
• Portions of Daniel

These books are sometimes referred to as the "Apocrypha" by Protestants or the "Deuterocanonical" books meaning "also canonical" by Catholics.

Bible History

During the early centuries of the Church there was plenty of debate and discussion about which books actually were authentic and inspired Sacred Scripture. The early Church councils of Hippo (393) and of Carthage (397) both declared that the books currently contained in the Catholic Bible (the canon of Sacred Scripture) were the inspired Word of God and belonged in the Bible.

During the Reformation, Martin Luther and other Protestant leaders removed these books from the Bible. Luther even argued that the Letter of St. James and the Book of Revelation (The Apocalypse) should be removed from the Bible! The Council of Trent in 1546 reaffirmed what the councils of Hippo and Carthage had proclaimed over 1000 years earlier: that the texts found in the Catholic Bible are all the authentic Word of God and comprise the complete canon of Sacred Scripture.

Catholic Bible Translations

There are several different English translations available for the Catholic Bible. The primary ones include:

• Douay Rheims - This is the oldest English translation available and is frequently compared with the King James version because of its use of "Thee", "Thou" and other older forms of words. This translation is considered highly accurate but can be more difficult to read for some people.
• Revised Standard (RSV) - This was a joint translation project between American Protestants and Catholics with the Catholic Church completing the translation of the Apocrypha. This translation is considered the most accurate modern translation but still contains "Thee" and "Thou" when referring to God. This translation along with the New American Bible was approved for liturgical use in the United States.
• Revised Standard 2nd Edition - This version is almost identical to the regular Revised Standard but updates the language by getting rid of "Thee" and "Thou".
• New American Bible (NAB) - This version is the most common American translation. It was written for an eighth grade reading level and contains the most "modern" language of the primary Catholic translations. The New American Bible is available in more versions than any other Catholic Bible.
• Jerusalem Bible - The Jerusalem Bible, completed in 1966, is very similar to

For the faithful in al English-speaking countries the publication of The New American Bible represents a notable achievement.  Its pages contain a new Catholic version of the Bible in English, along with illustrations and explanations that facilitate the uderstanding of the text.

Courageous Women, a Bible study by Stacy Mitch, will help you see the women of the Bible as elder sisters in faith. As Stacy unfolds the stories of these heroic women through insightful reflections and questions, you will understand salvation history more deeply, be challenged to grow in godliness, and discover that the struggles these women faced are strikingly similar to those we face today. …

The historical books of the Old Testament recount the fortunes of the people of Israel from the conquest of the promised land onwards. Those in Joshua-Kings bring the story up to the point when the independent kingdom of Judah was destroyed by foreign invaders and much of the population deported to Babylon. This is a book about history, but what it deals with particularly is salvation history, …

Come and See KIDS - In the Beginning, A Catholic Bible study for Children Laurie Watson Manhardt, Ph.D. This Bible study is intended for pre-school and elementary-age children. Each chapter of the book has a Bible story from the life of Jesus, a memory verse, a picture for the child to color and a craft activity. This book is great for either the home-schooling mom or a parish ccd class. …

Rev. Lawrence Lovasik, S.V.D. This children's bible is beautifully illustrated in full color.  It has one-page stories from both the Old and the New Testaments, each with its own picture.  A very nice gift for a young child making First Communion.

With Commentary, Annotations and Topical Essays by Scott Hahn and Curtis Mitch Based on the Revised Standard Version – Catholic Edition, this volume leads readers through a penetrating study of the Gospel of Luke, using the biblical text itself and the Church's own guidelines for understanding the Bible. Ample notes accompany each page, providing fresh insights and commentary by renowned …

  By Scott Hahn, Ph.D ONE OF THE CENTURY'S MOST POWERFUL. CATHOLIC APOLOGISTS REFLFLECTS UPON GOD'S UNCHANGING, COVENANT LOVE The eloquent teachings of Scott Hahn have moved thousands of Catholic Christians to a more vital expression of their faith. In A Father Who Keeps His Promises, the popular Catholic apologist explores the "covenant love" God reveals to us through die …

This handsome full-size Bible is ideal for school or home.  Contains many distinguishing features that enable the reader to better understand and appreciate the Bible. Deluxe Student Edition : Large Easy-to-Read Type Over 70 Photographs Self-Explaining Maps Bible Dictionary Doctrinal Bible Index Complete Footnotes and Cross-References  

Twelve radiant tableaux by acclaimed artist Fiona French reflect the timeless beauty of the Easter story in stained glass. Beginning with Jesus' triumphal entry into Jerusalem, the dramatic events unfold: the last supper, Jesus’ betrayal and arrest, his trial and mockery, the crucifixion, resurrection and his appearance to the disciples, culminating in his ascension into heaven. Fiona French’s …

A Quick Journey through the Bible is an 8-Part introduction to The Bible Timeline learning system. It is designed to give a brief overview of salvation history, from Genesis through the resurrection of Christ and the establishment of the Catholic Church. Students will learn about the spiritual benefits of Bible study, and how to enter deeper into "His-story" as they begin their study …

  The Biblical Basis for the Catholic Faith by John Salza There's a misconception that the Catholic Church "made up" a lot of its teachings. That much of what Catholics believe has no foundation in Scripture. How do you debunk that myth if you're a devout Catholic but your knowledge of Scripture is spotty? How do you get to the truth if you're a fervent non-Catholic but your …

Decisions Required and Teens inspired:  Living a Strong Catholic Life This Bible was written for YOU!   Motivating and constructive, the Fireside Catholic Youth Bible speaks to you as a Catholic teen.  Enabling you to grow emotionally and spiritually in your Catholic faith, a collection of insightful and thought-provoking articles is presented in five comprehensive sections. …

The Navarre Bible , an edition of Sacred Scripture prepared by members of the Faculty of Theology of Navarre University, consists of the New Vulgate, the Revised Standard Version, and commentaries. The commentaries provide explanations of the doctrinal and practical meaning of the scriptural text, drawing on a rich variety of sources-Church documents, the exegesis of Fathers and Doctors, …

This deluxe New American Bible gift edition has a black bonded leather soft cover with gold lettering and  illustration on the front with lovely gold edging on the pages.  Special Features :  Large easy-to-read type  90 full-color illustrations  presentation page  colorful 8-page Family Record  Rosary and Stations in full color  over 70 …

The Navarre Bible , an edition of Sacred Scripture prepared by members of the Faculty of Theology of Navarre University, consists of the New Vulgate, the Revised Standard Version, and commentaries. The commentaries provide explanations of the doctrinal and practical meaning of the scriptural text, drawing on a rich variety of sources-Church documents, the exegesis of Fathers and Doctors, and …

With Commentary, Annotations and Topical Essays by Scott Hahn and Curtis Mitch Based on the Revised Standard Version – Catholic Edition, this volume leads readers through a penetrating study of the Gospel of Matthew, using the biblical text itself and the Church's own guidelines for understanding the Bible. Ample notes accompany each page, providing fresh insights and commentary by …

Adrienne von Speyr A profound contemplation of the Seven Last Words of Our Lord on the Cross with specific application to the Seven Sacraments instituted by Christ.