<\/p>\n\n\n\n
I have posted on PrayTell before about whether\u00a0the Revised New Jerusalem Bible a\u00a0Viable Option for a New Lectionary<\/a>.\u00a0During the Easter Season of 2018, I wrote a series of blog posts mapping out how the\u00a0Revised New Jerusalem Bible<\/em> would appear in a Lectionary for Sunday Mass. The posts were originally posted on the Catholic Bible Blog.\u00a0\u00a0Unfortunately, the blog has gone out of business and even its archives have been taken down from the internet. As I believe that this is still an issue, and particularly given that the RNJB is finally\u00a0available<\/a> in its entirety, I have reposted the series of blog posts here in an omnibus edition. Unfortunately, the various discussions and debates between the readership of that blog are lost.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Second Sunday of Easter (Year B)<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n First reading<\/strong>: Acts 4:32-35 <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Original Jerusalem Bible 1966 as found in the Current JB edition of the Lectionary<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n 32<\/sup>The whole group of believers was united, heart and soul; no one claimed for his own use anything that he had, as everything they owned was held in common.<\/p> 33<\/sup>The apostles continued to testify to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus with great power, and they were all given great respect.<\/p> 34<\/sup>None of their members was ever in want, as all those who owned land or houses would sell them, and bring the money from them, 35<\/sup>to present it to the apostles; it was then distributed to any members who might be in need.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n Revised New Jerusalem Bible 2018<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n 32<\/sup>The whole group of believers was of one heart and mind; no one claimed private ownership of any possessions, but everything they owned was held in common.<\/p> 33<\/sup>With great power the apostles continued to testify to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus, and great grace was upon them all.<\/p> 34<\/sup>None of their members was ever in want, as all those who owned land or houses sold them, and brought the proceeds of the sale, 35<\/sup>and laid it at the feet of the apostles; it was then distributed to each as any had need.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n Comparing these passages it is clear that the RNJB is fundamentally a revision of the JB and many phrases remain unchanged. Verse 32 in the RNJB uses \u201cone\u201d heart and mind which is a more literal reading of the Greek. The RNJB uses \u201cprivate ownership,\u201d which eliminates the need for \u201chis\u201d and is clearer. In Verse 33 the RNJB moves the phrase with great power\u201d to the start of the verse, again in keeping with the Greek. The change from \u201crespect\u201d to \u201cgrace\u201d is probably a better translation of the Greek \u201ccharis.<\/em>\u201d In Verse 34 \u201cproceeds\u201d is a more literal translation that \u201cmoney.\u201d Again in verse 35 \u201claid it at the feet\u201d is a more exact translation than \u201cpresent it.\u201d The more literal translation continues with the RNJB\u2019s use of \u201ceach.\u201d<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Second reading<\/strong>: 1 John 5:1-6 <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Original Jerusalem Bible 1966 as found in the Current JB edition of the Lectionary<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n 1<\/sup>Whoever believes that Jesus is the Christ<\/p> has been begotten by God;<\/p> and whoever loves the Father that begot him<\/p> loves the child whom he begets.<\/p> 2<\/sup>We can be sure that we love God\u2019s children<\/p> if we love God himself and do what he has commanded us;<\/p> 3<\/sup>this is what loving God is \u2013<\/p> keeping his commandments;<\/p> and his commandments are not difficult,<\/p> 4<\/sup>because anyone who has been begotten by God Revised New Jerusalem Bible 2018<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n 1<\/sup>Whoever believes that Jesus is the Christ <\/p>\n\n\n\n In V.1 the RNJB replaces \u201cis begotten by\u201d with \u201cis a child of.\u201d In this case the original JB might actually be more literal (Gk: gegennetai<\/em>). But the new translation is easier to understand. The removal of the \u201cbegottens\u201d in the next sentence is, perhaps, less faithful to the Greek, but it is easier to understand (particular in a proclaimed text). V. 3 the \u201cBurdensome\u201d of the RNJB is probably a more literal translation than the \u201cdifficult\u201d of the JB. In v.5 \u201cthe one\u201d of the RNJB is perhaps a better translation than \u201cthe man\u201d of the JB (plus it is more sensitive to Gender-inclusivity).<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Gospel<\/strong>: John 20:19-31<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Original Jerusalem Bible 1966 as found in the Current JB edition of the Lectionary<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n 19<\/sup>In the evening of that same day, the first day of the week, the doors were closed in the room where the disciples were, for fear of the Jews. Jesus came and stood among them. He said to them, \u2018Peace be with you\u2019, 20<\/sup>and showed them his hands and his side. The disciples were filled with joy when they saw the Lord, 21<\/sup>and he said to them again, \u2018Peace be with you. Revised New Jerusalem Bible 2018<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n 19<\/sup>In the evening of that same day, the first day of the week, the doors were closed in the room where the disciples were, for fear of the Jews. Jesus came and stood among them and said to them, \u2018Peace be with you\u2019, 20<\/sup>and after this, he showed them his hands and his side. The disciples rejoiced at seeing the Lord, 21<\/sup>and he said to them again, \u2018Peace be with you. <\/p>\n\n\n\n <\/p>\n\n\n\n In v.20 the RNJB is more literal when it qualifies \u201cand after this.\u201d In v.25 the RNJB is more faithful to the Greek when it translates typon<\/em>(as in \u201ctype\u201d) as \u201cmarks\u201d rather than \u201choles.\u201d V.27 has \u201cdoubt no longer but believe\u201d in the JB, this is a translation that is very familiar from prayer, however, it must be admitted the RNJB is more literal when it translates the phrase \u201cDo no doubt but believe.\u201d In v.30 and v.31 \u201cwritten\u201d is a more literal translation than \u201crecorded.\u201d<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Looking at the three readings together I would say that overall the new translation of the RNJB is more exact than the JB. I think it is more than fair to say that that the translation has been improved to be true to the promise on the back cover of the RNJB NT to have a \u2018Clear read style,\u2019 formal equivalence and gender inclusion. My Greek is far from perfect, but time and again, to my poor Greek, the new edition seems to be a more faithful and clearer translation. <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n One final thought that comes to mind is that no translation is perfect. It is very dangerous to build a serious theology on a translation. Every translation is imperfect. This is why it is important to have Scripture scholars who can explain the Word of God to us in a particular academic manner. However, more importantly, when Scripture is proclaimed in the liturgical assembly it becomes \u201calive\u201d in this privileged place. It is proclaimed to bring us to meet the person of Christ. Therefore it is important to interpret Scripture within the tradition of the Church (see Catechism of the Catholic Church <\/em>115-119). Nonetheless as a liturgist, looking at these two translations, I consider the RNJB to be superior and more suited to liturgical use than the JB.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Please feel free to add any thoughts you might have in the comments. I am particularly interested to hear from anyone living in a region where the JB is the current Lectionary, as I personally think the aspect of continuity (which is better judged by those who have been listening to this translation in the liturgy since Vatican II) is an important element in the argument for the desirability of replacing the JB with the RNJB in the Lectionary in these countries.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Third Sunday of Easter (Year B)<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n First reading<\/strong>: Acts 3:13-15,17-19<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Original Jerusalem Bible 1966 as found in the Current JB edition of the Lectionary<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Peter said to the people:13 <\/sup>\u2018You are Israelites, and it is the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, the God of our ancestors, who has glorified his servant Jesus, the same Jesus you handed over and then disowned in the presence of Pilate after Pilate had decided to release him. 14<\/sup>It was you who accused the Holy One, the Just One, you who demanded the reprieve of a murderer 15 <\/sup>while you killed the prince of life. God, however, raised him from the dead, and to that fact we are the witnesses.17<\/sup>\u2018Now I know, brothers, that neither you nor your leaders had any idea what you were really doing; 18 <\/sup>this was the way God carried out what he had foretold, when he said through all his prophets that his Christ would suffer. 19 <\/sup>Now you must repent and turn to God, so that your sins may be wiped out.\u2019<\/p><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n Revised New Jerusalem Bible 2018<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Peter said to the people:13 <\/sup><\/strong>The God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, the God of our ancestors, has glorified his servant<\/em>Jesus, whom you handed over and disowned in the presence of Pilate after Pilate had given the verdict to release him. 14 <\/sup><\/strong>It was you who rejected the Holy and Righteous One, and asked that a murderer should be released to you 15<\/sup><\/strong>while you killed the author of life, whom God raised from the dead, and to that fact we are witnesses.17 <\/sup><\/strong>\u2018Now I know, brothers, that you acted in ignorance, as did also your rulers; 18 <\/sup><\/strong>but in this way God has brought to fulfilment what he foretold by the mouth of all the prophets, that his Messiah would suffer. 19 <\/sup><\/strong>So you must repent and be converted, so that your sins may be wiped out.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n I am not sure where the original JB found the first phrase \u201cYou are Israelites.\u201d Maybe it comes from the previous verse. The repetition of the name \u201cJesus\u201d in the JB is not in the Greek. In V. 14 the Greek Dikaios<\/em>changes from \u201cJust One\u201d in the JB to \u201cRighteous One\u201d in the RNJB. Personally its not a big deal for me, but I know that some people have strong preferences for one or the other translation of the word. It is worth noting that V. 17 retains the word \u201cbrothers.\u201d I imagine that this is because Peter is addressing an exclusively male crowd, but it is interesting to see that the \u201cinclusive language\u201d is not applied indiscriminately, but rather is an attempt to truly translate what the original author meant in the language of today. In V. 18 it is worth noting that the RNJB changes the translation of Christos<\/em>from \u201cChrist\u201d to \u201cMessiah.\u201d This is perhaps an example of the original JB being more literal than the RNJB, although it could also be argued that we are dealing with an Old Testament allusion and that, in this context, Messiah is a better translation than Christ. In V. 19 in the RNJB uses \u201cbe converted\u201d which is a more literal translation that the JB\u2019s \u201cturn to God.\u201d<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Second reading<\/strong>: 1 John 2:1-5<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n 1 <\/sup>I am writing this, my children, Revised New Jerusalem Bible 2018<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n 1<\/sup>My children,I am writing this so that you do not sin; <\/p>\n\n\n\n In V.1 we have another example of the RNB preferring \u201crighteous\u201d to \u201cjust.\u201d The use of \u201cexpiation\u201d is probably a more technical and exact translation in V.2. In V.4 \u201crefusing to admit the truth\u201d of the JB has been replaced by \u201ctruth has no place in him.\u201d This is slightly more literal, but there is no real word for \u201cplace\u201d in the Greek original. In V. 5 the JB\u2019s \u201cGod\u2019s love comes to perfection in him\u201d I replaced by the more inclusive \u201cin such a one God\u2019s love has truly reached perfection.\u201d<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Gospel<\/strong>: Luke 24:35-48<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Original Jerusalem Bible 1966 as found in the Current JB edition of the Lectionary<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n The disciples35 <\/sup>told their story of what had happened on the road and how they had recognised Jesus at the breaking of bread.36<\/sup>They were still talking about all this when Jesushimself stood among them and said to them, \u2018Peace be with you!\u2019 37 <\/sup>In a state of alarm and fright, they thought they were seeing a ghost. 38 <\/sup>But he said, \u2018Why are you so agitated, and why are these doubts rising in your hearts? 39 <\/sup>Look at my hands and feet; yes, it is I indeed. Touch me and see for yourselves; a ghost has no flesh and bones as you can see I have.\u2019 40<\/sup>And as he said this he showed them his hands and feet. 41 <\/sup>Their joy was so great that they still could not believe it, and they stood there dumbfounded; so he said to them, \u2018Have you anything here to eat?\u2019 42 <\/sup>And they offered him a piece of grilled fish, 43 <\/sup>which he took and ate before their eyes. 44<\/sup>Then he told them, \u2018This is what I meant when I said, while I was still with you, that everything written about me in the Law of Moses, in the Prophets and in the Psalms has to be fulfilled.\u2019 45 <\/sup>He then opened their minds to understand the scriptures, 46 <\/sup>and he said to them, \u2018So you see how it is written that the Christ would suffer and on the third day rise from the dead, 47 <\/sup>and that, in his name, repentance for the forgiveness of sins would be preached to all the nations, beginning from Jerusalem. 48 <\/sup>You are witnesses to this.\u2019<\/p><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n Revised New Jerusalem Bible 2018<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n The disciples35 <\/sup><\/strong>recounted what had happened on the road and how they had recognised Jesusat the breaking of bread.36 <\/sup><\/strong>They were still talking about all this when Jesushimself stood among them and said to them, \u2018Peace be with you!\u2019 37 <\/sup><\/strong>Staggered and frightened, they thought they were seeing a spirit. 38 <\/sup><\/strong>But he said, \u2018Why are you so agitated, and why are these misgivings rising in your hearts? 39 <\/sup><\/strong>See my hands and my feet, that it is I myself. Touch me and see for yourselves; a spirit does not have flesh and bones as you can see I have.\u2019 40 <\/sup><\/strong>And as he said this he showed them his hands and his feet. 41 <\/sup><\/strong>As in their joy they still could not believe it, and were amazed, he said to them, \u2018Have you anything here to eat?\u2019 42 <\/sup><\/strong>And they offered him a piece of grilled fish; 43 <\/sup><\/strong>he took it and ate it before their eyes. 44 <\/sup><\/strong>Then he told them, \u2018This is what I said to you, while I was still with you, that everything written about me in the Law of Moses, in the Prophets and in the Psalms, must be fulfilled.\u2019 45 <\/sup><\/strong>Then he opened their minds to understand the scriptures, 46 <\/sup><\/strong>and he said to them, \u2018It is written that in this way the Messiah should suffer and on the third day rise from the dead, 47 <\/sup><\/strong>and that, in his name, repentance for the forgiveness of sins should be preached to all nations, beginning from Jerusalem. 48 <\/sup><\/strong>You are witnesses to this.\u2019<\/p><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n In V.37 \u201cghost\u201d is replaced by \u201cspirit\u201d is probably a better translation of pneuma<\/em>. In V. dialogismoi<\/em>is translated as \u201cdoubts\u201d in the original JB. Now it is translated as \u201cmisgivings.\u201d The Greek means \u201creasoned thinking,\u201d I\u2019m sure \u201cdoubt\u201d is not the best translation. However, I\u2019m not sure if the new translation is perfect either, although it does get the meaning across. In V. 46 se again see the word \u201cMessiah\u201d replacing \u201cChrist.\u201d Both versions are correct translations. Chrsitos<\/em>is the Greek translation of the Hebrew m\u0101\u0161\u00eea\u1e25<\/em>. In English both Christ and Messiah can translate either term, but it is interesting to note this preference of the RNJB for Messiah. In this case we are not in the same Old Testament context as we saw in the first reading.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Again this week I think that the RNJB retains much familiar language, but that it is a good updating of the original JB translation. There is no radical difference between the two versions, but the newer one is more precise. Given that sooner or later the Lectionary needs to be revised, the RNJB does seem to be a more usable translation that is in touch with contemporary speech patterns and is more literal in a technical sense. Unfortunately, many people wouldn\u2019t notice if the Biblical translation used in the Lectionary was changed. But for those that would, I think that this new edition does so in as painless a way as possible. <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Fourth Sunday of Easter (Year B)<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n First reading<\/strong>: Acts 4:8-12<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Original Jerusalem Bible 1966 as found in the Current JB edition of the Lectionary<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n 8 <\/sup>Filled with the Holy Spirit, Peter said: \u2018Rulers of the people, and elders! 9 <\/sup>If you are questioning us today about an act of kindness to a cripple, and asking us how he was healed, 10 <\/sup>then I am glad to tell you all, and would indeed be glad to tell the whole people of Israel, that it was by the name of Jesus Christ the Nazarene, the one you crucified, whom God raised from the dead, by this name and by no other that this man is able to stand up perfectly healthy, here in your presence, today. 11<\/sup>This is the stone rejected by you the builders, but which has proved to be the keystone. 12 <\/sup>For of all the names in the world given to men, this is the only one by which we can be saved.\u2019<\/p><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n Revised New Jerusalem Bible 2018<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n 8 <\/sup><\/strong>Filled with the Holy Spirit, Peter said, \u2018Rulers of the people, and elders! 9 <\/sup><\/strong>If you are questioning us today about an act of kindness to a sick man and asking us how he was healed, 10 <\/sup><\/strong>you must know, all of you, and the whole people of Israel, that it is by the name of Jesus Christ the Nazarene, whom you crucified and God raised from the dead, by this name this man stands before you cured. 11 <\/sup><\/strong>This is the stone which<\/em>you, the builders, rejected<\/em>but which has become the cornerstone<\/em>. In no one else is there salvation;
has already overcome the world;
this is the victory over the world \u2013
our faith.
5<\/sup>Who can overcome the world?
Only the man who believes that Jesus is the Son of God:
6<\/sup>Jesus Christ who came by water and blood,
not with water only,
but with water and blood;
with the Spirit as another witness \u2013
since the Spirit is the truth.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n
is a child of God;
and whoever loves the Father
loves the son.
2<\/sup>In this we know that we love God\u2019s children,
Whenever we love God and keep his commandments,
3<\/sup>for this is what the love of God is:
keeping his commandments;
and his commandments are not burdensome,
4<\/sup>because whatever is born of God
conquers the world,
and this is the victory that has overcome the world \u2013
our faith.
5<\/sup>Who can overcome the world
But the one who believes that Jesus is the Son of God?
6<\/sup>He it is who came by water and blood,
Jesus Christ,
not with water alone,
but with water and blood,
And it is the Spirit that bears witness
since the Spirit is Truth.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n
\u2018As the Father sent me,
so am I sending you.\u2019
22<\/sup>After saying this he breathed on them and said:
\u2018Receive the Holy Spirit.
23<\/sup>For those whose sins you forgive,
they are forgiven;
for those whose sins you retain,
they are retained.\u2019
24<\/sup>Thomas, called the Twin, who was one of the Twelve, was not with them when Jesus came. 25<\/sup>When the disciples said, \u2018We have seen the Lord\u2019, he answered, \u2018Unless I see the holes that the nails made in his hands and can put my finger into the holes they made, and unless I can put my hand into his side, I refuse to believe.\u2019 26<\/sup>Eight days later the disciples were in the house again and Thomas was with them. The doors were closed, but Jesus came in and stood among them. \u2018Peace be with you\u2019 he said. 27<\/sup>Then he spoke to Thomas, \u2018Put your finger here; look, here are my hands. Give me your hand; put it into my side. Doubt no longer but believe.\u2019 Thomas replied, \u2018My Lord and my God!\u2019 29<\/sup>Jesus said to him:
\u2018You believe because you can see me.
Happy are those who have not seen and yet believe.\u2019
30<\/sup>There were many other signs that Jesus worked and the disciples saw, but they are not recorded in this book. 31<\/sup>These are recorded so that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that believing this you may have life through his name.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n
\u2018As the Father sent me,
so am I sending you.\u2019
22<\/sup>After saying this he breathed on them and said:
\u2018Receive the Holy Spirit.
23<\/sup>If you forgive anyone\u2019s sins,
they are forgiven;
If you retain anyone\u2019s sins,
they are retained.\u2019
24<\/sup>Thomas, called the Twin, who was one of the Twelve, was not with them when Jesus came. 25<\/sup>So the other disciples said to him, \u2018We have seen the Lord,\u2019 but he answered, \u2018Unless I see in his hands the mark of the nails and put my finger in the mark of the nails, and put my hand into his side, I will not believe.\u2019 26<\/sup>Eight days later the disciples were in the house again and Thomas was with them. Although the doors were closed, Jesus came and stood among them and said, \u2018Peace be with you.\u2019 27<\/sup>Then he said to Thomas, \u2018Put your finger here, and see my hands. Reach out your hand and put it in my side. Do not doubt but believe.\u2019 Thomas replied, \u2018My Lord and my God!\u2019 29<\/sup>Jesus said to him:
\u2018Do you believe because you have seen me?
Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have come to believe.\u2019
30<\/sup>Jesus did many other signs in the sight of the disciples, which are are not written in this book. 31<\/sup>These are written so that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n
to stop you sinning;
but if anyone should sin,
we have our advocate with the Father,
Jesus Christ, who is just;
2 <\/sup>he is the sacrifice that takes our sins away,
and not only ours,
but the whole world\u2019s.
3 <\/sup>We can be sure that we know God
only by keeping his commandments.
4 <\/sup>Anyone who says, \u2018I know him\u2019,
and does not keep his commandments,
is a liar,
refusing to admit the truth.
5 <\/sup>But when anyone does obey what he has said,
God\u2019s love comes to perfection in him.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n
but if anyone does sin,
we have an advocate with the Father,
Jesus Christ, the righteous.
2<\/sup>He is the sacrifice to expiate our sins,
and not only ours,
but also those of the whole world.
3<\/sup>In this way we know
that we have come to know him,
if we keep his commandments.
4<\/sup>Whoever says, \u2018I know him\u2019
and does not keep his commandments
is a liar,
and truth has no place in him.
5<\/sup>But anyone who does keep his word,
in such a one God\u2019s love has truly reached perfection. <\/p><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n