Catholics use a Bible that contains 73 books—46 in the Old Testament and 27 in the New Testament. This canon includes several writings not found in most Protestant Bibles, such as Tobit, Judith, and 1 and 2 Maccabees. In this guide, we’ll explore the specific translations Catholics turn to, the reasons behind the larger canon, and how the Bible comes alive in Catholic worship and personal devotion.
The Books of the Catholic Bible: A 73-Book Canon
At its heart, the Catholic Bible is the same Word of God Christians cherish. The New Testament is identical to what you’ll find in any mainstream Christian Bible—the four Gospels, Acts, the letters of Paul, the general epistles, and Revelation. The difference is in the Old Testament, where the Catholic canon includes seven additional books and expanded portions of Daniel and Esther. These are commonly called the deuterocanonical books (“second canon”), a term that reflects the Church’s long discernment about these writings.
The 46 books of the Catholic Old Testament include: Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, Deuteronomy, Joshua, Judges, Ruth, 1 Samuel, 2 Samuel, 1 Kings, 2 Kings, 1 Chronicles, 2 Chronicles, Ezra, Nehemiah, Tobit, Judith, Esther (with additions), 1 Maccabees, 2 Maccabees, Job, Psalms, Proverbs, Ecclesiastes, Song of Songs, Wisdom, Sirach (Ecclesiasticus), Isaiah, Jeremiah, Lamentations, Baruch (including the Letter of Jeremiah), Ezekiel, Daniel (with additions), Hosea, Joel, Amos, Obadiah, Jonah, Micah, Nahum, Habakkuk, Zephaniah, Haggai, Zechariah, Malachi. The bolded titles are the deuterocanonical works. The New Testament is the same 27 books, from Matthew to Revelation.
The Church’s confidence in these books rests on the ancient Greek translation of the Old Testament, the Septuagint. The apostles and the early Fathers quoted from it often. As Paul reminds us,
Every Scripture is God-breathed and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for instruction in righteousness,
— 2 Timothy 3:16
Paul was referring to the sacred writings Timothy knew from childhood. For many early Christians, that included the Septuagint. The passage still supports the Catholic conviction that God speaks through every book of the canon.
Why Do Catholic Bibles Have More Books? (The Deuterocanonicals)
The question “Why do Catholics have extra books?” often arises when someone opens a Catholic Bible for the first time. The answer reaches back to the earliest centuries of the Church, then moves through the Reformation and the Church’s understanding of the canon.
Before and during Jesus’ earthly ministry, Jewish communities used two collections of sacred texts: the Hebrew Bible, centered on writings preserved in Hebrew, and the broader Greek Septuagint, which included texts originally composed or preserved in Greek. The Septuagint was the Bible of Greek-speaking Jews and the primary Scripture used by the authors of the New Testament. When the apostles wrote the Gospels and letters, they quoted extensively from the Septuagint—even in passages where the Greek rendering differs from the Hebrew text.
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Early church councils, including the regional Council of Hippo (AD 393) and the Council of Carthage (AD 397), affirmed the Septuagint canon for Christian use. That canon stayed largely undisputed in the West for over a thousand years. However, during the Protestant Reformation in the 16th century, reformers like Martin Luther re-evaluated the canon. While they kept the New Testament intact, they returned to the Hebrew Masoretic Text for the Old Testament, setting aside the books that lacked a surviving Hebrew original. Luther placed these books in a separate appendix he called the “Apocrypha,” stating they were “not held equal to the sacred Scriptures, and yet are useful and good for reading.”
In response, the Council of Trent (1546) dogmatically defined the Catholic canon, including the deuterocanonical books, and declared that those who did not accept them as sacred and canonical were anathema. So Catholics receive these books as fully inspired, while most Protestant traditions treat them as non-canonical but historically valuable. Both groups, however, can find spiritual nourishment and historical insight in the texts. As the Wisdom of Solomon testifies,
"For wisdom is a kindly spirit and will not free a blasphemer from the guilt of his words; because God is witness of his inmost feelings, and a true observer of his heart, and a hearer of his tongue."
— Wisdom 1:6 (RSVCE)
Whether one receives this as Scripture or as sacred literature, its call to integrity and reverence for God is unmistakable. Christians who hold the Catholic canon point to passages like this as evidence of the Spirit’s voice, while others emphasize the importance of a canon rooted in the Hebrew textual tradition. When we walk humbly through these differences, we honor one another’s convictions and keep the conversation centered on the God who speaks through every page.
Popular Catholic Bible Translations: Finding the Right Edition
The Catholic Bible is also marked by its officially approved translations. The Roman Catholic Church requires Scripture editions and their notes to be approved by the proper authority—either the Apostolic See or the local bishops’ conference—so they remain doctrinally sound. In the English-speaking world, several translations have received this imprimatur (“let it be printed”) and are widely used. Here are five approved Catholic Bible translations worth knowing:
- New American Bible, Revised Edition (NABRE) – The most common translation heard at Mass in the United States. It uses modern, readable English and includes extensive footnotes that reflect contemporary scholarship.
- Revised Standard Version, Second Catholic Edition (RSV-2CE) – Highly respected for its formal (word-for-word) approach. This is a favorite for study and catechesis, balancing dignity with accuracy.
- Douay-Rheims Bible – A historic translation from the Latin Vulgate, first published in 1582 (NT) and 1609–1610 (OT). Its stately, Elizabethan prose echoes the King James Version and appeals to those who love traditional language.
- Jerusalem Bible / New Jerusalem Bible – Originally produced by the École Biblique in Jerusalem, this translation is known for its literary quality and robust introductions. The 1966 Jerusalem Bible was widely used, and the New Jerusalem Bible (1985) modernized the text.
- Ignatius Bible (RSV Catholic Edition) – Based on the RSV-CE, this single-column edition, often with cross-references and the top-selling Ignatius Catholic Study Bible, is popular among Catholics who want a deep dive into Scripture.
Each translation has its own strengths, but all faithfully convey the truths of the faith. When choosing, think about how you plan to use it: for liturgical reading, personal study, or lectio divina (prayerful reading). The psalmist’s words hold true regardless of translation:
Your word is a lamp to my feet, and a light for my path.
— Psalms 119:105
Let the Word guide you, and trust that God speaks through every faithful rendering.
How the Bible Is Used in Catholic Worship
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In Catholic tradition, the Bible is not only a personal treasure. It is the beating heart of the liturgy. Scripture fills every Mass: the introductory rites, the Liturgy of the Word, the prayers of the presider, and the Eucharistic prayer itself. Over a three-year Sunday cycle and a two-year weekday cycle, the Lectionary exposes Catholics to the vast majority of the Bible. A Catholic who attends daily Mass for three years will hear nearly the entire New Testament and many of the key passages of the Old Testament.
During the Liturgy of the Word, the first reading typically comes from the Old Testament (except during Easter Season, when it comes from Acts), the second from a New Testament letter or Revelation, and the third from one of the Gospels. The Church also reads from the deuterocanonical books on certain feasts: for example, a passage from the book of Tobit appears in the Lectionary for a wedding Mass, and the book of Wisdom supplies several key readings during Ordinary Time and on the feast of All Souls. This public proclamation reminds us of Jesus’ own practice:
He came to Nazareth, where he had been brought up. He entered, as was his custom, into the synagogue on the Sabbath day, and stood up to read.
— Luke 4:16
Beyond Mass, the Liturgy of the Hours (the Divine Office) shapes daily prayer with psalms, canticles, and short scriptural passages. Religious communities and many lay Catholics pray Morning Prayer, Evening Prayer, and the other offices, letting the psalmist’s voice shape their days. As the book of Sirach encourages,
Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly; in all wisdom teaching and admonishing one another with psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your heart to the Lord.
— Colossians 3:16
By weaving Scripture into public and personal prayer, the Catholic Church invites every believer to let God’s Word make a home in the soul.
Reading the Bible as a Catholic: A Daily Practice
While the liturgy immerses Catholics in Scripture, personal Bible reading is just as cherished. The Catechism of the Catholic Church urges, “The Church ‘forcefully and specifically exhorts all the Christian faithful… to learn the surpassing knowledge of Jesus Christ, by frequent reading of the divine Scriptures. Ignorance of the Scriptures is ignorance of Christ’ (DV 25; cf. Phil 3:8; St. Jerome).” (CCC 133)
Catholic spirituality offers a time-tested method for personal engagement with the Bible: lectio divina (sacred reading). This approach means reading a passage slowly, meditating on it, praying in response, and resting in God’s presence. Whether you use the NABRE, the RSV-2CE, or the Douay-Rheims, the practice is the same: to move from information to transformation. The prophet Isaiah captures this desire to meet God in his Word:
so is my word that goes out of my mouth: it will not return to me void, but it will accomplish that which I please, and it will prosper in the thing I sent it to do.
— Isaiah 55:11
Many Catholics also grow through memorizing key verses, journaling, or joining a parish Bible study. Group study lets different voices shed light on a passage, and reading alongside the Catechism helps connect Scripture to Catholic teaching. The goal is always the same: to encounter the living Christ, the Word made flesh.
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In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.
— John 1:1
Every page of the Bible—whether from Tobit or Titus, Sirach or Samuel—points toward that profound reality.
Common Questions and Misunderstandings About the Catholic Bible
Because the Catholic canon differs from the Protestant canon, sincere believers often have questions. Here are a few of the most common ones, and we should remember that we share a deep love for the same God and his revelation.
One frequent concern is whether the deuterocanonical books teach doctrines contrary to the rest of Scripture. Catholics point out that none of these books contradicts the core tenets of the faith. Instead, they fill in historical and theological gaps, such as prayer for the dead in 2 Maccabees 12:46 and the wisdom tradition that culminates in Jesus’ teaching. Others wonder whether the “extra” books were added later. Historically, they were part of the Christian canon from the earliest centuries. The reformers placed them in an appendix, while the Catholic Church kept the canon already in use. Still, all Christians can learn from the example of the Bereans, who
Now these were more noble than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness of mind, examining the Scriptures daily to see whether these things were so.
— Acts 17:11
An open heart and a willingness to explore both the shared and distinct parts of the canon can deepen our appreciation for how God has spoken throughout history.
Whether you’re a cradle Catholic, a new convert, or simply a curious Christian, pick up a Catholic Bible and let it speak. Start with the Gospel of Luke or the book of Sirach. Whisper a prayer and let the Holy Spirit be your teacher. God’s Word never returns empty. It will bear fruit in your life today, tomorrow, and for eternity. Which Catholic translation do you turn to? Share in the comments and let’s walk this path together.
Questions people ask
What is the main Bible translation used by Catholics?
In the United States, the main translation heard at Mass is the New American Bible, Revised Edition (NABRE). However, many Catholics also prefer the Revised Standard Version, Second Catholic Edition (RSV-2CE) for study, and the Douay-Rheims for traditional language. The choice often depends on whether the Bible is for liturgical use, personal devotion, or academic reading.
Why do Catholic Bibles have 7 extra books?
Catholic Bibles include the seven deuterocanonical books (Tobit, Judith, 1 and 2 Maccabees, Wisdom, Sirach, and Baruch) because the Catholic Church follows the canon of the Greek Septuagint, the Old Testament used by the early Christians. These books were part of the Bible for over a millennium until the Protestant Reformation, when some reformers returned to the Hebrew Masoretic Text, which did not include them. The Council of Trent officially affirmed them as inspired Scripture for Catholics.
Is the Catholic Bible the same as the King James Version?
No, they differ in canon and translation basis. The King James Version (KJV) follows the Protestant canon of 66 books, omitting the deuterocanonical books. Early editions of the KJV included the Apocrypha as a separate section, but it was eventually removed. The Douay-Rheims Bible, translated from the Latin Vulgate, is the Catholic counterpart to the KJV in terms of traditional language, but it contains all 73 books.
What is the best Catholic Bible for beginners?
Many beginners find the NABRE or the New Jerusalem Bible accessible because of their modern English and helpful footnotes. The RSV-2CE is also a solid choice if you want a more formal translation that’s still easy to understand. Consider reading a Gospel first—Mark is brief and fast-paced—and using a study Bible with explanatory notes, like the Ignatius Catholic Study Bible, to help you navigate unfamiliar passages.
Do Catholics read the Bible on their own, or only at Mass?
Catholics are strongly encouraged to read the Bible personally. While the Liturgy of the Word at Mass provides a rich scriptural immersion, the Church also promotes private reading, family Bible study, and methods like lectio divina. The Catechism (CCC 133) echoes St. Jerome: “Ignorance of Scripture is ignorance of Christ.” Many parishes offer Bible studies, and prayer groups often center on God’s Word.
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