Good translation

The NRSV (and NRSV Catholic Edition) is a good literal translation, much like the RSV, although it uses inclusive language when refering to human beings in many instances. Sometimes, this inclusive language is truer to the literal Greek or Hebrew than non-inclusive translations, such as when "anthropos" is correctly translated as "person" rather than "man", which would be "aner" in Greek. In other instances, "brothers" is translated as "brothers and sisters", but there is a footnote indicating what the literal translation from the Greek should be. However, context of a word should really dictate how it is to be translated, rather than one's ideology for or against inclusive language. ^M

some further clarification

I would like to add to the reviews which - correctly - state that the NRSV is a perfectly acceptable bible for Catholics to use for personal study. In fact, the NRSV New Testament is a quite literal translation from the Greek. (I cannot speak for the OT since I don't know Hebrew) Only those who know little about the original languages would discredit the NRSV.^M

NRSV is just fine for Catholics

Even though the Catholic Church uses the New American Bible (contrary to what a previous reviewer has said) in our liturgies, it is true that other translations are not allowed at liturgy. But for private study, these translations are perfectly acceptable. I prefer the NRSV BECAUSE of its more inclusive language. I am a woman who dislikes sexism in any form, and that includes language. ^M