Bibles with Apocrypha
For some Bible readers it is important to use a Bible version which includes the books of the Apocrypha (sometimes called the Deuterocanonical books). English Bible versions in editions that include the Apocrypha / Deuterocanonical books are:
GenevaJohn Kohlenberger, the consummate editor of parallel versions, has edited The Parallel Apocrypha. It includes:
Matthew-Tyndale Bible
Bishop's Bible (CD #7)
(CD #8)
KJV
Douay-Rheims
(English) Revised Version
Goodspeed
New American Bible
Jerusalem Bible
New Jerusalem Bible
RSV
NRSV
Living Bible
Good News Translation (TEV)
CEV
NEB
REB
NLT1
NET Bible (incomplete)
Christian Community Bible (free downloads)
God's Word
The Inclusive Bible
The Greek Text
The King James Version
Douay Old Testament
Holy Bible by Ronald Knox
Today's English Version
New Revised Standard Version
New American Bible
New Jerusalem Bible
Labels: Apocrypha
posted by Wayne Leman at 3:38 PM
15 Comments:
Wayne, the ERV (1855) also had the apocrypha, and the NLT-Catholic edition includes apocryphal books too. But I don't know if the Living Bible had one.
Yes, and the Catholic edition of the NLT is strictly NLT1. I don't know if the apocrypha, let alone the entire Catholic edition will be updated to an NLT2 edition.
The NET Bible definitely does not include an Apocrypha. It includes only a few short passages and none of the larger works: 1 Esdras, 2 Esdras, Tobit, Judith, Greek Esther, Wisdom, Ecclesiasticus, 1 Maccabees, 2 Maccabbees.
The Living Bible has a Catholic edition, still available in multiple editions, called, The Way.
The Parallel Apocrypha is no longer in print (which suggests this post has may be a little late).
Perhaps the most recent translation of a Bible with an Apocrypha is the The Inclusive Bible which is very interesting in its own right (and not to be confused with the mediocre Inclusive Version.
Translations of the Septuagint, such as Brenton's, include an Apocrypha. Harper Bros. and Dropsie College (a Jewish institution that is now part of the University of Pennsylvania) published a very nice series of Apocryphal diglots.
Goodspeed published an Apocrypha as part of his translation, available separately. James Charlesworth has the largest collection of Apocryphal works, in a two volume set called Old Testament Pseudepigrapha (volume 1 and volume 2). An older, less complete, but better annotated set by Charles is available (volume 1 and volume 2). There are many introductions to the literature, my favorite of which is by Nickelsburg (and includes a very useful Logos-compatible CDROM): Jewish Literature Between the Bible and the Mishnah.
There are also many collections of New Testament Apocrypha, as a Google or Amazon search reveals.
Which brings me to three points:
(1) "Apocrypha" is a mildly offensive term, since it suggests canonical works are false. "Deuterocanonical" works is preferable for works that are viewed as canonical.
(2) The Apocrypha is not fixed, with different churches holding different works as canonical.
(3) The Roman Catholic, Anglican, and Lutheran lectionaries include passages from the Apocrypha.
I wish all translations would include apocryphal/deuteroncanonical books as does the NRSV, all the ones used by Christian traditions. That is, I wish they included editions of such for people like me who would want them. The IBS refuses to consider the TNIV to include such books.
Though I tend now to side with the basic Protestant side that sees them as edifying books but not on par with the 66.
Thank you to each one of you for additional info. I was hoping that would happen. I have added those versions you mentioned, which can still be purchased, to the list in my post. And if anyone else thinks of another version, I'll be glad to add it also.
Anonymous, yes, you are right that there has not been a fixed canon of "extra" books throughout the centuries. Evaluations of translations of all these books would be interesting.
Re: the NET Bible's translation of the Apocrypha, I don't know if the NET team has plans to complete translation of the books or not. Click here to see what is available so far.
NLT1
I'm sure I'm forgetting some.
The original Jerusalem Bible of course had these books.
The Goodspeed Apocrypha was part of "The Complete Bible- An American Translation" as well as being published separately.
The NET does plan to continue their translation of the Apocrypha pending funding. So like a couple of others it is an intention if not a completion as of yet.
ISV was planning to do it too after the rest of the Bible is completed (however of course that may have changed.)
The God's Word translation of the Apocrypha/Deuterocanonicals exists. They haven't published it in book form because the Catholic committee which approves translations and gives permission for an imprimatur stalled. But they did put it online.
Several other translations (NLT, CEV, further work on the NAB, etc.) had the same problems with that committee. CEV & NLT editions were unofficial and only published after long waits for permission which never happened.
Moffatt had intended to do a translation but died before he finished.
Most or all are in the Anchor Bible commentary and some in the Hermeneia commentary (both series feature original translations with commentary.)
I understand the CEV does hold the imprimatur (citation) as does the Revised Psalms of the NAB. The problem lies not so much in the USCCB Committee as with changing Vatican rules on gender and other issues in translation. Also, applying the principles the joint Vatican/UBS Guidelines for Interconfessional Cooperation in Translating the Bible, any translation with no Catholic participation may face delays in receiving the imprimatur.
The Jerusalem Bible is still in print.
The Christian Community Bible has the full deuterocanonicals and is available for free download (NT & OT).
The God's Word translation of the Apocrypha/Deuterocanonicals exists. They haven't published it in book form because the Catholic committee which approves translations and gives permission for an imprimatur stalled. But they did put it online.
Click here for the GW Apocrypha which can be downloaded for free. The links for the Apocrypha / Deuterocanonical Books are at the bottom of the webpage.
My edition of the CEV with the full Bible doesn't have an imprimatur. When the NT was published that did have it. Then I have a rare NT with Psalms & Proverbs that has it too (but this came right before whatever the Vatican did.) The complete Bible was not given the imprimatur, as I understand it, so the American Bible Society held back publication for a few years then finally published it without it.
I can't believe I didn't mention some of the classic (pre-KJV) translations with Apocrypha. Here are some of the major ones.
The Geneva Bible (reset edition, apocrypha on CD-ROM, facsimile edition). Scans of this bible is also available online. This translation is undergoing a modern appreciation because of its theological annotations.
The Matthew Bible
The Bishop's Bible (#7 here
The Great Bible (#8 here
Please add at least the Geneva Bible to your list (from my last post) -- it is in print now from at least four different sources (including Hendrickson) and available online.
Please add at least the Geneva Bible to your list (from my last post)
Gladly, Anon. Thanks for reminding me. I had some extra work this week, helping someone "uncrash" their computer so my mind has been elsewhere some of the time.
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