There is no perfect translation of the Bible into English. But, all things considered, the NRSV is the best.
This edition of the Bible assumes intelligent contemporary scholarship. It also assumes that the Bible is there as a primary means to help us grow, individually and together, in our relationship with God.
There are section introductions (the Pentateuch, Wisdom and Poetry, etc.). There is an introduction to each book. Littered throughout the text are small “Study It!” articles providing background. “Pray It!” deepen your prayer life. “Connect It!” connect what you are reading to actual current people. “Live It!” help you apply the message to real situations. There are articles on Lectio Divina and encouragement to memorise biblical passages. There are indices, a timeline, explanation of Biblical Festivals, a glossary, concordance, and maps with an index.
I cannot recommend this edition more enthusiastically. If there is to be a criticism, it is the absence of the apocrypha/deuterocanonical books, and what, to me, appears to be a slightly understated look.
Buy it.
“If there is to be a criticism, it is the absence of the apocrypha/deuterocanonical books, and what, to me, appears to be a slightly understated look.”
As interesting as the a/d books may be, teenagers really do not need the confusion.
Thanks, Christopher. My primary ministry is with teenagers. This is the time of their life when they are expected to be at some of their most rigorous academically, but you are suggesting that the church treat them differently? IMO teenagers are perfectly capable of understanding, and they do not appreciate our sheltering them from difficult concepts (and I certainly don’t think that the apocrypha/deuterocanonical books are a difficult concept for them). The approach that this edition of the Bible takes is to present teenagers with concepts intelligently and with contemporary scholarship. I am firmly with that approach – so we will have to respectfully agree to disagree. Blessings.