Rating: 
Summary: A refreshing translation in a sound edition
Review: Having studied from the NIV and the original languages for the past X years, I was ready for a breath of fresh air in my reading. The New Jerusalem Bible is just the ticket. You won't find any dramatic theological breakthroughs or any striking lapses in this translation -- just fresh, literary sequences that capture the commonly accepted meaning of most passages. I especially like the Psalms and the Pentateuch. This edition is double column; there is a larger single column edition available with wider margins. I might trade up to that one.
Rating:
Summary: Good enough for Disciples...Good enough for me!
Review: I have converted to NJB as my primary Bible. Coming from the Anabaptist tradition(neither Catholic nor Protestant) I was please to find a Bible/study guide with such diversity of sources without all the intermingled "human" interpretation. The Anabaptists have today all but abandoned the Bible which contains "apocryphal" books in order to try and be more "Protestant"...which is a shame and goes against our earlier traditions. This Bible is a refreshing "call home" for me.I especially like this Bible, not only for the Apocrypha, but that in its' notes, it gives the alternate translations(rare but sometimes significant) from the Septuagint(was often quoted by and possible the preferred version of the Disciples) and Syriac. This helps make a lot of sense out of obvious references to the OT by NT writers that don't quite "mess"(e.g. Heb. 10:5,6 & Ps 40:6) with the "masoratic" texts(in which the main body of this Bible is written). It was refreshing to see these varying manuscripts textual renderings. The Septuagint and Apocrypha were used and quoted by Jesus and the Disciples....so its good enough, at least for non-doctrinal purposes, for me. The only thing that would be better is if they would also include, in a seperated segment or as a supplement, some of the psuedopigrapha (e.g. Assumptions of Moses, Martyr. of Isaiah, etc.). People are starting to be made aware of how "sanitized" main line "Protestantism" has made the Bible over the last few hundred years. This Bible is a good one to start with to help one break free of these "chains". One could also try the New Oxford and add even more deuterocanonical books.
Rating:
Summary: The best bible on my shelf!
Review: I have heard that it is close to the Greek and Hebrew. I do not read Greek, but I do read Hebrew, and I have to say this is the closest I could find in English so far. I have several Bibles, but when I want a reliable translation, I pick this one up.
Rating:
Summary: Good Scholarship in many areas
Review: I have high regards for the NJB. First and foremost for their inclusion of the divine name in the Hebrew text. While most other bibles cower at the thought of translating the divine name in the scriptures (even though it's there more than the names Abraham, Isaac, Jacob and Jesus combined!), these translators recognize that Yahweh put His name in there for a purpose. With this simple step alone, texts like Ps 110:1 become much more clear. I also appreciate the translation in general as they tried to stay close to the original text. Of course, all translations have their faults, this one included, but it is certainly a valuable reference, whether your Catholic or not.
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Summary: This bible relaxes, calms, inspires
Review: I own the modern and old translations, but this bible I love. It is beautiful. The scholarship is unequaled.
Rating:
Summary: Accurate and very readable
Review: I own two bibles: - the King James Version, for its florid and funky language, and the New Jerusalem Bible for its accurate and very readable translation. Here's a comparison of 2 Corinthians 6:11-13.... KJV: "O ye Corinthians, our mouth is open unto you, our heart is enlarged. Ye are not straitened in us, but ye are straitened in your own bowels. Now for a recompense in the same, (I speak as unto my children,) be ye also enlarged." NJB: "People of Corinth, we have spoken frankly and opened our heart to you. Any distress you feel is not on our side; the distress is in your own selves. In fair exchange - I speak as though to children of mine - you must open your hearts too." See what I mean?
Rating: 
Summary: Study Guide Praise is only for Hard back editions
Review: I wonder if the descriptions on Amazon's web site only refer to the hard back version, because I bought the paper back version of this Bible expecting a study Bible. I needed a study Bible. It was advertised as a study Bible. Reviewers lauded the extensive notes. Hence, I was severely disappointed when my copy arrived to learn that the paper back version has almost no notes at all; only a brief pages to describe an upcoming book, and the descriptions are vague.
There are virtually no foot notes to expand on any ideas or explain passages. The only foot notes are references to passages with similar thesm saying just the Bible location for related ideas.
The translation is beautiful, and I love the use of the names of God in the Old Testament, because I believe that if we were not suppose to have the information, than we would not have been given it. The many names increases the poetry. But I was not looking for a purely poetic version of the Bible; I wanted something to increase my knowledge and help me discern deeper meainings of the text. As it is this edition only gives me poetic words, and no background or alternative ideas to work with the passages. I am looking for another Bible again. I wish there were a study guide available for puchase that comprised the notes used in the New American Bible Study edition.
Rating:
Summary: cheating
Review: if you have to translate loads of latin or hebrew for a language class and you want to cheat this is the bible to get. it is closest to a literal translation -- none of that weird later fundamentalist christian stuff where they change the words around.
Rating:
Summary: riveting!
Review: it was like a familiar story, but i still wanted to know how it all ended up...
Rating:
Summary: A Great Read!
Review: Marvelous plot! Deep characters! I couldn't put it down! Read it today
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