Trustpilot
In short:
What Bible do Catholics use? A Catholic Bible contains 73 books (7 more than Protestant editions), including the Deuterocanon. For use in Mass (UK), look for the ESV-CE Catholic Bible. For personal study, the NRSV-CE is the gold standard. Always check the copyright page for the "Imprimatur"—an official seal from a Bishop confirming the text is approved for Catholic readers.
If you are a prospective Catholic or perhaps returning to the faith after a long time away, walking into a Christian bookstore can be overwhelming.
You see rows of Bibles: NIV, KJV, ESV, NLT. They all look holy. They all contain the Word of God. But if you pick the wrong one, you might get home and realise something is missing.
Literally missing.
Catholic Bibles are different from Protestant Bibles. They contain more books, they use different translations, and they carry a special seal of approval.
If you have found yourself Googling "What Bible do Catholics use?" or "Why is the Catholic Bible bigger?"—this guide is for you. We are going to cut through the confusion and help you find the perfect edition.
Part 1: The "Elephant in the Room" (The 73 Books)
The first thing you need to know is that a Catholic Bible is bigger.
- Protestant Bibles contain 66 Books.
- Catholic Bibles contain 73 Books.
Why the difference? It comes down to a collection of books called the Deuterocanon (often called the Apocrypha by Protestants). These are seven books from the Old Testament—including Tobit, Judith, Wisdom, and Maccabees—that were included in the Greek Old Testament used by Jesus and the Apostles.
During the Reformation in the 1500s, Protestant leaders removed these books from the standard canon. The Catholic Church, however, kept them.
The Golden Rule:
If you want a Catholic Bible, you must ensure it has 73 books. If you buy a standard "NIV" or "King James," you will be missing these seven books, which are read during Mass and used for doctrine.
Checklist: The 7 Books You Need
- Tobit
- Judith
- Baruch
- Sirach (Ecclesiasticus)
- Wisdom
- 1 Maccabees
- 2 Maccabees
- (Plus additions to Esther and Daniel)
Part 2: The "Imprimatur" (The Safety Seal)
Before you even look at the translation, look at the copyright page. You are looking for a Latin word: Imprimatur.
It translates to "Let it be printed."
This is an official seal from a Catholic Bishop assuring you that the notes and translation are free from doctrinal error. If a Bible has an Imprimatur, you can read it with total confidence that it aligns with Catholic teaching.
Part 3: Decoding the Translations (The Alphabet Soup)
This is where most people get stuck. There isn't just "One" Catholic Bible. There are several approved translations, and they serve different purposes.
Here are the "Big Four" you will see on our shelves:
1. The CTS New Catholic Bible
- Best For: Going to Mass (Liturgy) in the UK.
- The Vibe: Poetic, flowing, and liturgical.
- Why buy it: If you live in the UK, this is the text you hear read from the lectern on Sunday morning. It uses "Yahweh" in the Old Testament and has a distinct, majestic rhythm. If you want your personal reading to match what you hear at Church, this is the one.
Buy the Catholic Truth Society New Catholic Bible here
2. The RSV-CE (Revised Standard Version – Catholic Edition)
- Best For: Serious Study and Scripture Memory.
- The Vibe: The "Catholic King James."
- Why buy it: This is widely considered the gold standard for English accuracy. It retains the beauty of traditional language (thee/thou are gone, but the sentence structure is dignified) but is incredibly precise. It is the translation used in the Catechism of the Catholic Church.
3. The NRSV-CE (New Revised Standard Version)
- Best For: Academic Study and Modern Reading.
- The Vibe: Scholarly and Inclusive.
- Why buy it: This is the version preferred by many universities. It smooths out the language to be more gender-inclusive (e.g., changing "brethren" to "brothers and sisters" where the context implies all people). It flows very well for reading large chunks of text.
4. The ESV-CE (English Standard Version – Catholic)
- Best For: Exegesis and "Word-for-Word" study.
- The Vibe: Modern, punchy, and literal.
- Why buy it: A newer entrant to the Catholic world (famously used by the Augustine Institute). It is very literal, making it great for deep dives into the original Greek meaning, but it uses modern English sentence structures.
Part 4: Which Edition is Right for You?
Now that you know the translation, you need to pick the format. Based on what our customers search for, here are the three main "Catholic Personas."
Persona A: The "Deep Diver"
You want to understand the theology, history, and roots of the faith.
- We Recommend: The Ignatius Catholic Study Bible (RSV-CE).
- Why: Featuring notes by Scott Hahn, this is a heavy-hitter. The footnotes often take up half the page, explaining how the Old Testament connects to the New Testament. It is a seminary education in a single book. Buy it here
Persona B: The "Visual Learner"
You find walls of text intimidating and want to see the "Big Picture."
- We Recommend: NRSVCE, Illustrated Catholic Bible.
- Why: Experience the Scriptures in an exciting way with this gorgeous, one-of-a-kind Bible from Catholic Bible Press. Printed in the elegant and exclusive Catholic Comfort Print and featuring 513 exquisite woodcut illustrations originally printed in a 16th-century Venetian Bible, this volume will freshly inspire you and inform your faith. Buy it here
Persona C: The "Aesthetic" Journaler
You want a beautiful Bible to take to Adoration or to journal in.
- We Recommend: NLT Catholic Journaling Edition.
- Why: Introducing Tyndale's newest addition to the bestselling Inspire line, and the first—and only—Catholic colouring Bible. The Inspire Catholic Bible features over 450 beautiful Scripture line-art illustrations to color plus two-inch-wide lightly ruled margins with extra space to write notes and reflections or to draw and create original art. Buy it here
Summary: The 3-Step Buying Decision
- Check the Count: Does it have 73 Books? (Look for Catholic Edition on the cover).
- Check the Purpose:
- Want to follow Mass? Get the CTS.
- Want to study theology? Get the RSV-CE.
- Want modern flow? Get the NRSV-CE.
- Check the Seal: Look for the Imprimatur on the first few pages.
Finding your Catholic Bible is the start of a beautiful journey. It connects you not just to God, but to 2,000 years of Church history.
Browse our Full Catholic Bible Collection Here
Not sure which Bible is right for you? You can learn more in our free ebook, 'How to Choose Your Bible'.
