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which version of the bible do catholics use

Catholics don’t all use just one Bible translation, but there are a few “main” ones that are officially approved and very common in English-speaking countries.

Short direct answer

  • In the United States , the Bible used at Mass is the New American Bible, Revised Edition (NABRE).
  • For personal reading and study , popular Catholic translations include:
    • New American Bible / NABRE
* Revised Standard Version – Catholic Edition (RSV‑CE / RSV‑2CE)

* Jerusalem Bible (JB) and New Jerusalem Bible (NJB)

* New Revised Standard Version – Catholic Edition (NRSV‑CE)
  • Historically, the Latin Vulgate was the standard text of the Church for over a thousand years, and older English-speaking Catholics often favored the Douay‑Rheims Bible.

What makes a Bible “Catholic”?

To be considered a Catholic Bible, a translation must:

  • Include all 73 books , including the deuterocanonical books (Tobit, Judith, 1–2 Maccabees, Wisdom, Sirach, Baruch, plus additions to Daniel and Esther).
  • Be approved by local bishops (receive an imprimatur), meaning the text is judged free from doctrinal error.

Protestant editions often have only 66 books, which is one quick way to see if a Bible is not in a standard Catholic format.

Most common current Catholic translations (English)

Here’s a quick overview of the main ones you’ll see today:

  • New American Bible / NABRE
    • Official for Mass readings in the U.S. lectionary (with some adaptations).
* Known for clear, modern language and extensive footnotes and introductions.
  • Revised Standard Version – Catholic Edition (RSV‑CE, RSV‑2CE)
    • Very popular among Catholic scholars and serious Bible students.
* More “formal” or **literal** translation style, closer to the original languages.
  • Jerusalem Bible / New Jerusalem Bible (JB / NJB)
    • Widely used in English-speaking Catholic life outside the U.S., and well liked for its literary, flowing style.
  • New Revised Standard Version – Catholic Edition (NRSV‑CE)
    • Includes all 73 Catholic books and is used in many academic and ecumenical settings.
* Known for a balance of accuracy, modern language, and (in some editions) carefully used inclusive wording.
  • New Catholic Bible (NCB), St. Joseph Edition
    • A newer Catholic translation; the St. Joseph edition is especially marketed to families with clear introductions and notes.

Older and traditional Catholic favorites

Some Catholics, especially those who prefer a more traditional style, still love:

  • Douay‑Rheims Bible
    • Pre-dates the King James Bible; once the “standard” English Catholic translation.
* Uses older, slightly archaic English, but many traditional Catholics cherish it for its long use and connection to older liturgy.
  • The Latin Vulgate
    • Ancient Latin translation by St. Jerome, which was the main scriptural text in the Western Church for about 1,100 years.
* Modern official Latin edition is the _Nova Vulgata_ , used as a reference text by the Church.

Simple way to remember it

If you just want a quick rule of thumb:

  • At Mass in the U.S. → Mostly NABRE in the lectionary.
  • For study → Many Catholics use RSV‑CE/RSV‑2CE or NRSV‑CE.
  • For traditional flavor → Douay‑Rheims or Latin Vulgate.

TL;DR: There isn’t only one Catholic Bible version, but the New American Bible (NABRE) is standard in U.S. liturgy, with RSV‑CE, Jerusalem Bible, and NRSV‑CE also widely used by Catholics.

Information gathered from public forums or data available on the internet and portrayed here.