Douay-Rheims Challoner Bible
Translated from the Latin Vulgate by English Catholic scholars in exile, with the New Testament published at Rheims in 1582 and the Old Testament at Douai by 1610, this Bible was later revised for clarity by Bishop Richard Challoner. Unlike the King James Version (KJV), it includes Tobit, Judith, Wisdom, Sirach, Baruch, and the Books of Maccabees, starting at Genesis (DRC).
The Old Testament (often abbreviated OT) is the first division of the Christian biblical canon, which is based primarily upon the 24 books of the Hebrew Bible (or Tanakh), a collection of ancient religious Hebrew writings by the Israelites believed by most Christians and religious Jews to be the sacred Word of God.
The New Testament (NT) is the second division of the Christian biblical canon. It discusses the teachings and person of Jesus, as well as events in first-century Christianity.
About the Douay-Rheims Challoner Bible (DRC) Translation
The Douay-Rheims Bible, translated from the Latin Vulgate by English Catholic scholars in exile (New Testament published at Rheims in 1582, Old Testament at Douai in 1609-1610) and later revised for clarity by Bishop Richard Challoner in the mid-18th century, is the traditional English Bible of the Catholic Church. Unlike most Protestant translations, it includes the Deuterocanonical books - Tobit, Judith, Wisdom, Sirach, Baruch, and First and Second Maccabees - which the Catholic Church recognizes as part of the Old Testament canon. The Challoner revision softened much of the original's heavily Latinate vocabulary while preserving its formal, dignified tone, making it the standard English Catholic Bible for nearly two centuries before the mid-20th century's newer Catholic translations. Read the Douay-Rheims Challoner Bible online here, verse by verse, including the Deuterocanonical books.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who translated the Douay-Rheims Bible and when?
What is the Challoner revision, and why does it matter?
Does the Douay-Rheims Challoner Bible include books that other translations leave out?
How long was the Douay-Rheims Challoner Bible the standard Catholic English Bible?
Can I read the Douay-Rheims Challoner Bible online, including the Deuterocanonical books?
Today's Verse
For the lips of a strange woman drop honey, And her mouth is smoother than oil:
Verse Of The DayChalloner's revision softened much of the original's heavily Latinate vocabulary while keeping its formal tone, making it the standard English Catholic Bible for nearly two centuries, well before translations like the American Standard-ASV1901 (ASV) existed. Continue reading through Psalms (DRC).
