The Catholic Bible: 73 Books, the Douay-Rheims and Which Translation to Choose
Quick answer
The Catholic Bible has 73 books, 46 in the Old Testament and 27 in the New. It includes seven Old Testament books not found in most Protestant Bibles. The Douay-Rheims, completed in the early 1600s, was the standard English Catholic Bible for centuries, and several modern translations are approved today.
Key takeaways
- The Catholic canon has 73 books (CCC 120).
- Tobit, Judith, 1 and 2 Maccabees, Wisdom, Sirach and Baruch, along with parts of Esther and Daniel, are called deuterocanonical.
- The Douay-Rheims New Testament appeared in 1582 and the Old Testament in 1609–1610.
- Good Catholic editions carry an imprimatur.
A Catholic Bible looks like any other from the outside. Open it, however, and you may find books you have not seen in other editions.
73 Books
The Catholic Bible contains 46 Old Testament books and 27 New Testament books (CCC 120). The Catechism says that it was by the apostolic Tradition that the Church discerned which writings belong to Scripture.
The New Testament includes the four Gospels (Matthew, Mark, Luke, John), the Acts of the Apostles, the letters of St. Paul and others, and Revelation.
The Old Testament includes the Pentateuch (Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, Deuteronomy), the historical books (Joshua through 2 Maccabees), the wisdom books (Job, Psalms, Proverbs, Ecclesiastes, Song of Songs, Wisdom, Sirach) and the prophets (Isaiah through Malachi).
The Deuterocanonical Books
Seven Old Testament books are found in Catholic Bibles but not in most Protestant ones: Tobit, Judith, 1 and 2 Maccabees, Wisdom, Sirach and Baruch, along with parts of Esther and Daniel. They were part of the Greek Old Testament used widely by the early Church. Local councils in North Africa at the end of the fourth century listed them, and the Council of Trent solemnly confirmed the canon in 1546.
The Douay-Rheims Bible
In the sixteenth century, English Catholics living in exile in France prepared a translation from the Latin Vulgate. The New Testament was published at Rheims in 1582, and the Old Testament at Douai in 1609–1610. In the eighteenth century, Bishop Richard Challoner revised it thoroughly, and his version, with its notes, was the standard English Catholic Bible for two centuries.
Many Catholics still love its dignified language, and we quote it often on this site.
Modern Translations
The Second Vatican Council urged suitable translations from the original languages (Dei Verbum 22). Among those widely used by English-speaking Catholics are:
- New American Bible, the basis of the Mass readings in the U.S.
- Revised Standard Version, Catholic Edition, popular for study.
- New Jerusalem Bible and others, for their literary quality.
Look for an imprimatur, a sign that the edition has been approved by a bishop.
How to Begin
Start with a Gospel. St. Mark’s is the shortest. The Catechism reminds us to read Scripture in the same Spirit in which it was written (CCC 111). A few verses each day is better than great resolutions.
A Prayer Before Reading Scripture (Original Prayer)
Holy Spirit, open my mind and heart. Let me hear Your voice in these words. Help me to understand them and to live them today. Amen.
Continue Reading
Try our guide on reading the Catholic Bible in chronological order, or read about St. Mark the Evangelist.
Frequently asked questions
Why does the Catholic Bible have more books?
Catholic Bibles retain the seven deuterocanonical books that were part of the Greek Old Testament widely used by early Christians. During the Reformation, Protestant leaders chose a shorter Old Testament canon.
Which Catholic Bible translation is best?
The New American Bible is the basis of the readings at Mass in the United States. Many readers also like the Revised Standard Version Catholic Edition for study, and the Douay-Rheims for its traditional language.
Is the Douay-Rheims the only true Catholic Bible?
No. It is a venerable translation, but the Church has approved many others and encourages translation from the original languages.
Sources
- Catechism of the Catholic Church 101-133, especially 120
- Second Vatican Council, Dei Verbum (1965), no. 22
- Council of Trent, Session IV (1546)
