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For years, the English Standard Version (ESV) has been a trusted favourite among Protestant pastors and scholars for its accuracy and literary beauty. But for Catholic readers, there was always a piece missing. Now, that has changed. The arrival of the ESV Catholic Edition (ESV-CE) has been a major event, offering a world-class literal translation that is fully approved for Catholic use.
But what exactly is it? How is it different from the regular ESV? And how does it stack up against other trusted Catholic Bibles?
If you're a Catholic reader curious about this exciting new edition, this guide is for you. We’ve answered the most common questions to help you understand what makes the ESV-CE so special.
In short:
The ESV Catholic Edition (ESV-CE) is a version of the popular ESV translation that has been fully approved by the Catholic Church; its main difference is the inclusion of the seven Deuterocanonical books (the Apocrypha) in the Old Testament.
1. What is the ESV Catholic Edition?
The ESV-CE is a version of the English Standard Version that has been adapted for a Catholic audience. It received an official imprimatur (an official approval) from the Catholic Bishops' Conference of England and Wales in 2017, meaning it is considered free from doctrinal or moral error. It uses the same beloved ESV text for the books of the Protestant Bible, with minor revisions.
2. How is it Different from the Regular ESV?
There is one major difference and a few minor ones:
- The Deuterocanonical Books: The primary difference is that the ESV-CE includes the seven books of the Old Testament that are part of the Catholic canon but not the Protestant canon. These are often known as the Apocrypha. They are fully integrated into the Old Testament in their traditional Catholic order.
- Minor Textual Changes: A small number of verses and footnotes have been amended to ensure the text aligns perfectly with Catholic teaching. These changes are very subtle and do not affect the overall accuracy of the ESV translation.
Want to learn more about the differences? Read our definitive guide: Catholic vs. Protestant Bibles: The Key Differences Explained Clearly.
3. How Does the ESV-CE Compare to Other Catholic Bibles (like the RSV-2CE)?
This is the key question for many serious Catholic readers. The ESV-CE's main counterpart is the Revised Standard Version, 2nd Catholic Edition (RSV-2CE).
- ESV-CE: Benefits from the very latest in textual scholarship and is written in clear, modern English. It reads very smoothly while maintaining a high degree of literal accuracy.
- RSV-2CE: A highly respected and beloved translation. Its language is slightly more traditional and formal, containing some archaic language (like "thee" and "thou" when addressing God).
Many see the ESV-CE as a modern successor to the RSV-2CE, offering a similar level of faithfulness but in more contemporary English.
The New Standard for Catholic Reading: ESV-CE Catholic Bible. The Official Liturgical Bible for England, Wales and Scotland
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4. Who is the ESV-CE For?
The ESV-CE is a fantastic choice for any Catholic reader who wants:
- A modern, highly readable, and scholarly Bible for personal study.
- A literal, "word-for-word" translation that they can trust for its accuracy.
- A Bible that can be used for both devotional reading and academic work.
The arrival of the ESV Catholic Edition is a wonderful development, providing a world-class translation that will serve Catholic readers in the UK for generations to come.
Still not sure which Bible is right for you? Our Bible Finder tool can give you a recommendation in just a few clicks.
Still not sure which Bible is right for you? You can learn more in our complete, free 97-page ebook, 'How to Choose Your Bible'.
