The Revised English Bible

Rating:
Summary: the most illuminating bible I've found; great literature
Review: As a person who is well-read but have never really read the Bible, I am so glad I found the Revised English Bible. Growing up, I was always surrounded by bibles (especially the King James Version), but they never made much of an impact on me; I could understand the words well enough, but I couldn't feel their immediacy. So when I decided to seriously read the bible, I decided to look for an modern translation. I think I found the right one in the REB. Upon reading it, I was struck by how lucid the bible's ideas were presented to me. Take for example the famous 1 Corinthian 13 (gIf I speak with the tongue of angels...h) The following is from the New International Version (starting at 13:8):

Love never fails. But where there are prophecies, they will cease; where there are tongues, they will be stilled; where there is knowledge, it will pass away. For we know in part and we prophesy in part, but when perfection comes, the imperfect disappears. ... Now we see but a poor reflection as in a mirror; then we shall see face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known. And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love.

Compare that with the REB translation:

Love will never come to an end. Prophecies will cease; tongues of ecstasy will fall silent; knowledge will vanish. For our knowledge and our prophecy alike are partial, and the partial vanishes when wholeness comes. ... At present we see only puzzling reflections in a mirror, but one day we shall see face to face. My knowledge now is partial; then it will be whole, like God's knowledge of me. There are three things that last for ever: faith, hope, and love; and the greatest of the three is love.

Upon reading the REB version, I was struck by the rhetorical unity in Paul's argument about love: its eternal, whole nature vs. the passing, partial nature of knowledge, and how God relates to us via love. The words engage you to follow the argument to its conclusion. The rhetorical trail in the NIV, I think, is a bit murkier. This is why I love the REB so much. The bible has become a joy to read. The REB, with its beautiful sentences, shows why the bible is one of the world's great literature. It illuminates and enlightens.

Rating:
Summary: the most illuminating bible I've found; great literature
Review: The Revised English Bible (REB) is a revision of the New English Bible (NEB), which was a completely new translation from the original languages. The REB's predecessor paraphrased many passages, trying to achieve a "sense-for-sense" translation. This over-paraphrasing led to many poor renderings that even NEB admirers had to admit existed. Thus, scholars began working on the REB to improve accuracy and intelligibility. Such changes also produced a more dignified text better suited for public reading. In trying for "modern, timeless English" the translators even tested their final product with readers and writers to confirm real-world readability. During the revision process, translators made the REB more literal than the NEB; they did not, however, correct all its mistakes. For example, translators did correct the NEB's placement of most of Jeremiah 12:14-15, which they placed after verse seventeen. Yet, for some odd reason, the REB kept the NEB's placement of Isaiah 41:6-7 between Isaiah 40:20-21!

Yes, the REB does have its shortcomings. Still, readers can use the REB with greater confidence than they could use its predecessor.

In the REB 1 John 3:17 reads:

But if someone who possesses the good things of this world sees a fellow-Christian in need and withholds compassion from him, how can it be said that the love of God dwells in him? (REB)

The REB receives a C in accuracy and a B in readability.

Rating:
Summary: An improved New English Bible, but a bit Paraphrastic
Review: The Revised English Bible (REB) is a revision of the New English Bible (NEB), which was a completely new translation from the original languages. The REB's predecessor paraphrased many passages, trying to achieve a "sense-for-sense" translation. This over-paraphrasing led to many poor renderings that even NEB admirers had to admit existed. Thus, scholars began working on the REB to improve accuracy and intelligibility. Such changes also produced a more dignified text better suited for public reading. In trying for "modern, timeless English" the translators even tested their final product with readers and writers to confirm real-world readability. During the revision process, translators made the REB more literal than the NEB; they did not, however, correct all its mistakes. For example, translators did correct the NEB's placement of most of Jeremiah 12:14-15, which they placed after verse seventeen. Yet, for some odd reason, the REB kept the NEB's placement of Isaiah 41:6-7 between Isaiah 40:20-21!

Yes, the REB does have its shortcomings. Still, readers can use the REB with greater confidence than they could use its predecessor.

In the REB 1 John 3:17 reads:

But if someone who possesses the good things of this world sees a fellow-Christian in need and withholds compassion from him, how can it be said that the love of God dwells in him? (REB)

The REB receives a C in accuracy and a B in readability.

Rating:
Summary: Useful Update of New English Bible
Review: The Revised English Bible is a useful one to have, partly because it translates freshly, and does not slavishly follow the traditions established by Wyclif, Tyndale, the King James, Revised Standard Version, etc.

The use of inclusive language is cautious and the translators are not squeamish about using masculine pronouns occasionally.

But the language used is not the language people speak: at least not here in Australia! At times it sounds quite stilted and unnecessarily formal.

If you liked the New English Bible, I think you will find that this one is a big improvement. There is not as much conjectural emendation in the Old Testament, and the translators are less inclined to move the text around, as was done in translations by Moffat and the NEB.

It is well worth getting a copy for the fresh approach.