Sacred Scripture
RSV-CE Bibles
The Revised Standard Version, Catholic Edition (RSV-CE) offers Catholics a faithful and highly readable translation of Sacred Scripture known for its literary dignity, precision, and close attention to the wording of the biblical text.
First published in its Catholic Edition in 1966, the RSV-CE combines traditional biblical language with clear modern English. Explore TAN Books' RSV-CE Bibles for prayer, serious study, apologetics, catechesis, and daily reading.
Frequently Asked Questions
About the RSV-CE Bible
The Revised Standard Version, Catholic Edition (RSV-CE) brings the respected Revised Standard Version into conformity with the Catholic canon of Sacred Scripture and Catholic textual tradition.
First published in 1966, the RSV-CE preserves the formal, dignified character of the RSV while incorporating the deuterocanonical books and Catholic adjustments to the biblical text. Its balance of precision, readability, and literary beauty has made it a longstanding choice for Catholic study, theology, apologetics, and devotional reading.
For Catholics who desire a translation that retains much of the cadence and theological vocabulary of traditional English Scripture while remaining accessible to the modern reader, the RSV-CE offers a valuable middle ground between older and more contemporary translations.
What is the RSV-CE Bible?
RSV-CE stands for Revised Standard Version, Catholic Edition. It is the Catholic form of the Revised Standard Version, an English Bible translation first completed in the mid-twentieth century.
The Catholic Edition was published in 1966 and includes the complete Catholic canon of Sacred Scripture, together with textual adjustments appropriate for Catholic readers.
How was the RSV-CE developed?
The original Revised Standard Version grew out of an effort to revise earlier English Bible translations while preserving their literary heritage and incorporating advances in the study of ancient biblical manuscripts.
A Catholic Edition followed in 1966. It adapted the RSV for Catholic use by incorporating the complete Catholic Old Testament and making several textual changes in keeping with Catholic tradition.
Is the RSV-CE an approved Catholic Bible?
Yes. The RSV Catholic Edition received proper ecclesiastical approval for Catholic use.
Catholic editions published before the current canonical approval process remain permitted for private prayer and study when they received the appropriate ecclesiastical approval at the time. The USCCB notes that approved translations predating 1983 may continue to be used by the Catholic faithful for private prayer and study.
Does the RSV-CE contain all 73 books of the Catholic Bible?
Yes. The RSV-CE contains the complete Catholic canon of Sacred Scripture, including 46 books of the Old Testament and 27 books of the New Testament.
This includes the deuterocanonical books and passages recognized as Sacred Scripture by the Catholic Church.
What kind of translation is the RSV-CE?
The RSV-CE is generally regarded as a formal-equivalence translation. Rather than freely paraphrasing the meaning of a passage, it seeks to remain comparatively close to the words, grammar, and structure of the biblical source texts while still producing readable English.
This makes the translation particularly useful for close reading, theology, apologetics, and serious Bible study.
Why is the RSV-CE popular among Catholics?
Many Catholics appreciate the RSV-CE because it combines readable modern English with a more formal and traditional biblical style.
Its vocabulary and sentence structure retain much of the dignity of historic English Bible translations without relying as heavily on archaic forms such as thee and thou.
The translation is therefore especially popular for serious study, theological reading, apologetics, catechesis, and meditation.
What is the difference between the RSV-CE and the Douay-Rheims Bible?
Both are complete Catholic translations of Sacred Scripture, but they arise from very different periods and translation traditions.
The Douay-Rheims Bible was translated principally from the Latin Vulgate and preserves the traditional language of historic English Catholicism. The RSV-CE is a twentieth-century translation based principally upon the biblical source languages.
Catholics seeking the greatest continuity with the Latin Vulgate and traditional Catholic English may prefer the Douay-Rheims. Those seeking formal, dignified English with greater accessibility for modern reading and study may prefer the RSV-CE.
What is the difference between the RSV-CE and the RSV Second Catholic Edition?
The RSV Second Catholic Edition, often abbreviated RSV-2CE, is a later revision of the RSV Catholic Edition.
The Second Catholic Edition makes limited revisions to some archaic language while retaining the basic character, literary style, and formal approach of the RSV. Ignatius Press describes the RSV-2CE as revising some archaic language while preserving the qualities of the earlier RSV tradition.
The two editions are therefore closely related, but they are not identical texts.
Is the RSV-CE good for Bible study?
Yes. The RSV-CE is particularly well suited to close study because of its formal translation style and comparatively close attention to the wording and structure of the biblical text.
Its combination of precision and readable English also makes it a useful translation for theology, apologetics, catechesis, Scripture study groups, and comparison with other Catholic Bible translations.
Which RSV-CE Bible should I choose?
The best edition depends upon how you intend to use your Bible.
- For daily reading: choose an edition with a clear layout, comfortable type size, and durable binding.
- For serious study: look for an edition with cross-references, notes, maps, or additional study material.
- For prayer and meditation: consider a durable, uncluttered edition that places the biblical text at the center.
- For apologetics or theology: the RSV-CE's formal translation style makes it particularly useful for close textual reading.
- For gifting: a finely bound RSV-CE can serve as a lasting Bible for Confirmation, reception into the Church, or another important Catholic occasion.
