The Bible - Catholic Online Bible - Douay Rheims

Where did the Bible come from?
 
The Bible was compiled by the Catholic Church through the inspiration of the Holy Spirit.

The Old Testament and New Testament of the Bible were first canonized in 382 AD at the council of Rome under the leadership of Pope Damasus.

It was then reaffirmed by the Council of Hippo in 393 AD, Council of Carthage in 397 AD, Council of Florence in 1442 AD, and the Council of Trent in 1546 AD.


Challenor Douay Rheims Version
Douay Rheims version revised by Bishop Challoner during the 18th century
Old Testament Books New Testament Books
Genesis Jeremiah Matthew
Exodus Lamentations Mark
Leviticus Baruch Luke
Numbers Ezekiel John
Deuteronomy Daniel Acts
Joshua Hosea Romans
Judges Joel 1 Corinthians
Ruth Amos 2 Corinthians
1 Samuel Obadiah Galatians
2 Samuel Jonah Ephesians
1 Kings Micah Philippians
2 Kings Nahum Colossians
1 Chronicles Habakkuk 1 Thessalonians
2 Chronicles Zephaniah 2 Thessalonians
Ezra Haggai 1 Timothy
Nehemiah Zechariah 2 Timothy
Tobit Malachi Titus
Judith 1 Maccabees Philemon
Esther 2 Maccabees Hebrews
Job James
Psalms 1 Peter
Proverbs 2 Peter
Ecclesiastes 1 John
Song of Solomon 2 John
Wisdom 3 John
Sirach Jude
Isaiah Revelation

 

The preservation of ancient biblical manuscripts owes its gratitude to the Catholic Church, which, through the dedicated efforts of its monastic orders and scribes, played an indispensable role. These devoted individuals committed themselves to the meticulous copying and safeguarding of the Scriptures, ensuring their careful transcription and passage throughout the centuries.

Within the realm of scriptural interpretation and teaching, the Catholic Church holds paramount authority. Guiding the faithful in their understanding of the Bible, the Magisterium, the Church's teaching authority, assumes a vital role. This ensures a consistent and faithful interpretation of the Scriptures, fostering unity among believers.

The process of determining which books should be embraced as part of the official canon of the Bible found its guidance in the Catholic Church, inspired by the Holy Spirit. Although the scriptures of the Old Testament predate Christianity, it was the early Church that definitively established and endorsed the canon, acknowledging specific texts as inspired and authoritative.

To discuss and validate the canon of Scripture, the Catholic Church convened a series of councils. The canonization of the Old Testament and New Testament occurred initially in 382 AD at the council of Rome, led by the venerable Pope Damasus. Subsequent reaffirmations followed at the Council of Hippo in 393 AD, Council of Carthage in 397 AD, Council of Florence in 1442 AD, and the Council of Trent in 1546 AD, further reinforcing the canonical selection.

The translation and interpretation of the Bible constituted an essential endeavor of the Catholic Church. Eminent scholars within the Church, most notably St. Jerome, dedicated themselves to translating the Scriptures into Latin. This monumental work led to the Latin Vulgate translation, which gained recognition as the authoritative text within the Western Church for centuries.

Among the English translations of the Bible rooted in the Catholic tradition, the Douay-Rheims Bible stands prominent. Drawing from the Latin Vulgate, it was initiated by English Catholic scholars in exile during the Protestant Reformation, commencing in the late 16th century. The New Testament of the Douay-Rheims Bible saw its first publication in 1582 AD, while the complete Bible, encompassing the Old Testament, emerged in 1610 AD.

The Douay-Rheims Bible emerged as a response to the challenges faced by the Catholic Church from Protestant translations during that era. Its aim was to provide an accurate and faithful English rendition of the Scriptures while upholding Catholic teachings and maintaining harmony with the Latin Vulgate.

Notably, Bishop Richard Challoner (1691-1781), an English Catholic bishop, undertook revisions to the Douay-Rheims Bible. As mentioned earlier, the Douay-Rheims Bible served as an English translation based on the Latin Vulgate. Its primary use was among English-speaking Catholics during a period of Catholic restrictions in England.

Bishop Challoner's revisions, executed in the mid-18th century, sought to update and improve the Douay-Rheims Bible. His revisions included making the language more readable for the people of his time, correcting errors, and incorporating clearer and more precise wording.

The Challoner revisions emerged as the most widely embraced and acknowledged version of the Douay-Rheims Bible. His contributions significantly elevated the popularity and accessibility of the translation among English-speaking Catholics, leaving an enduring impact that resonates to this day.