Douay–Rheims Bible

We have...fully finished for you...all the New Testament...specially for deciding the doubts of these days.

The Douay–Rheims Bible, also known as the Douay–Rheims Version, Rheims–Douai Bible or Douai Bible, and abbreviated as D–R, DRB, and DRV, is a translation of the Bible from the Latin Vulgate into Early Modern English by members of the English College, Douai as a Counter-Reformation effort. The New Testament portion was published in Rheims, France, in 1582, in one volume with extensive commentary and notes. The Old Testament portion was published in two volumes in 1609 and 1610 by the University of Douai.

Much of the first edition employed Latin vocabulary, rendering it particularly difficult to read. Consequently, a revision of the translation was undertaken by Bishop Richard Challoner. The Challoner revision of the Douay–Rheims often remains the Bible of choice for more traditional English-speaking Catholics.

Quotes

• The New Testament...translated out of the authentical Latin...specially for the discovery of the corruptions of divers late translations, and for clearing the controversies in religion, of these days.
  • Title page (1582)

• We have...fully finished...all the New Testament...specially for deciding the doubts of these days...We translate this sacred Book...upon special consideration of the present time, state, and condition of our country, unto which divers things are either necessary, or profitable and medicinable now, that otherwise in the peace of the Church were neither much requisite, nor perchance wholly tolerable...Holy Church and the governors thereof...have neither of old nor of late, ever wholly condemned all vulgar versions of Scripture nor have at any time generally forbidden the faithful to read the same: yet they have not by public authority prescribed, commanded, or authentically ever recommended any such interpretation to be indifferently used of all men.
  • Preface (1582)

Challoner's revision

New York: P. J. Kennedy & Sons, 1826

• She shall crush thy head, and thou shalt lie in wait for her heel.
  • Genesis 3:15

• I am the angel Raphael, one of the seven, who stand before the Lord.
  • Tobias 12:15

• Bless God and die.
  • Job 2:9

• Now Susanna was exceeding delicate, and beautiful to behold.
  • Daniel 13:31

• He hath sold the just man for silver, and the poor man for a pair of shoes.
  • Amos 2:6

• Houses of ivory shall perish.
  • Amos 3:15

• The faces of them all are as the blackness of a kettle.
  • Nahum 2:10

• You have sowed much, and brought in little.
  • Aggeus 1:6

• He that hath earned wages, put them into a bag with holes.
  • Aggeus 1:6

• Hail, full of grace, the Lord is with thee: blessed art thou among women.
  • Luke 1:28

• Glory to God in the highest; and on earth peace to men of good will.
  • Luke 2:14

External links

• Encyclopedic article on Douay–Rheims Bible on Wikipedia