Why I Chose the Douay-Rheims Translation of the Bible

The Douay-Rheims is a Catholic Bible, which was translated from the Latin Vulgate in 1582 and 1609. Although modern-English translations of the Bible may be easier to read, in my opinion the Douay-Rheims is the most accurate English translation available. St. Jerome, who lived about A.D. 345-420, produced the Latin Vulgate when Hebrew, Greek, and Latin were all living languages, well known to him. The Douay-Rheims is an accurate English translation from the Latin Vulgate.

I tried to make the Douay-Rheims Bible a little less difficult to read by providing brief definitions of unfamiliar words.

The Douay-Rheims Bible in this software (and printed Douay-Rheims Bibles today) contain some revisions to the text made by Bishop Richard Challoner (1691-1781) when he consulted early Hebrew and Greek manuscripts. He also added notes, which I feel are indispensable! The Bible is difficult reading, and it contains apparent contradictions that require authoritative clarification.

For example, God said, "I shall harden [Pharao's] heart" (Ex. 7:3), but Pharao "hardened his own heart" (Ex. 8:15). This is one reason why some people believe in free will and others do not.

Similarly, "For we account a man to be justified by faith, without the works of the law" (Rom. 3:28), but, "Do you see that by works a man is justified ; and not by faith only ?" (James 2:24) This apparent contradiction is a source of endless controversy among Christians.

Finally, "Believe in the Lord Jesus, and thou shalt be saved" (Acts 16:31), but, "Except you eat the flesh of the Son of man, and drink his blood, you shall not have life in you" (John 6:54). Some Christians say that belief alone is sufficient, and others do not.

Certainly God doesn't expect me, with no formal training, to resolve difficult issues like these without help from those more knowledgeable than I! Authoritative interpretation of His holy word is absolutely necessary. That's why I feel that the notes added to the Douay-Rheims Bible by Bishop Challoner are indispensable.

Another reason why I prefer the Douay-Rheims version is that some of the notes by Bishop Challoner seem to warn against less accurate translations found in other versions. See, for example, the notes to 1 Cor. 7:9, Heb. 11:21, and Matt. 3:2.

Fortunately, Douay-Rheims Bibles (with the notes by Bishop Challoner) are not copyrighted, and therefore I can make this software available to you for free.

There are also Douay-Rheims Bibles with extensive notes by Fr. George Haydock (1774-1849). To the best of my knowledge, however, these Bibles are all copyrighted. Therefore, the notes by Fr. Haydock are not included in this software.
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