Easy to Read Catholic Bible for Adults Free
[Updated 2021]
The Word of God is ALWAYS with you when you have a Bible app on your mobile device.
A whopping 42% of smartphone users have a Bible app installed. That's according to a recent poll highlighted in this EWTN News Nightly episode. Convenience and portability don't even scratch the surface of the many reasons to download a Bible app! With capabilities to quickly search, highlight, share, link, copy/paste verses, access concordance, access extended footnotes and much more, you'll see that a Bible app offers much more than just text. And it's light weight! We've collected some of the better Catholic Bible Apps out there for you to browse. Some are even FREE!
What is the Bible?
God speaks to us in many ways. One way God speaks to us is through the Bible. The Bible is the most important book in Christian life because it is God's message, or revelation. The Bible is the story of God's promise to care for us, especially through his Son, Jesus. At Mass we hear stories from the Bible. We can also read the Bible on our own. <Read more from Loyola Press>
How do I know if a Bible is an approved Catholic translation?
You can check out the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops' list of approved translations of the Bible for private use and study by Catholics. In addition to the translations listed, according to the USCCB, "any translation of the Sacred Scriptures that has received proper ecclesiastical approval ‒ namely, by the Apostolic See or a local ordinary prior to 1983, or by the Apostolic See or an episcopal conference following 1983 ‒ may be used by the Catholic faithful for private prayer and study."
What Bible translation do we use for Scripture readings for Mass in the Roman Rite?
- In United States: The New American Bible, Revised Edition (NABRE). (Note:not the New American Standard Bible which is a different translation.)
- In Canada:New Revised Standard Version (NRSV).
From USCCB: "Released on March 9, 2011, the New American Bible, Revised Edition (NABRE) is the culmination of nearly 20 years of work by a group of nearly 100 scholars and theologians, including bishops, revisers and editors. The NABRE includes a newly revised translation of the entire Old Testament (including the Book of Psalms) along with the 1986 edition of the New Testament."
Want to learn more about reading and understanding the Bible from the Catholic perspective? Check out the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops' web site to start your journey.
Bible Gateway (Free) Apple, Android and Kindle Fire. The Bible Gateway Bible App is the official mobile Bible reading and study experience from Bible Gateway (a division of Harper Collins Christian Publishing), offering the many reading amenities (listed below) that you look for in a Bible app. Though Protestant in origin, BG provides the Apocrypha with versions that include those books such as U.S. Catholicism's official New American Bible (revised edition, 2010) and Europe's old Douay-Rheims (in the 1899 U.S. version). So, while it offers more than 90 different Bible translations, two are Catholic– which you can download onto your device (after you give publisher access to your email address) for off-line reading. You will need to go into settings to set it as your default Bible.
• Easy-to-use and reliable Bible search, both online and offline
• Daily Bible verse in the translation of your choice
• Daily Bible reading plans
• Bible audio in a number of different translations and styles (none are Catholic translations)
• Parallel translation viewing (iPad only, currently only available when online)
• Quick Bible reading history, so you can go back and forth between Bible verses you have viewed
• Personal notes – both general notes and notes tagged to specific Bible verses can be created
• Star the Bible verses that are your favorite
• Highlight Bible verses or passages
• Easily view Bible study resources (Bible Commentaries, Bible Dictionaries, etc.) to help you unpack your Scripture reading
• And integrated sharing tools make it quick and simple to share your favorite Bible verses with your friends and family on Facebook and Twitter
Bible App (Free) Apple, Android, BlackBerry, Windows Phone, Windows 8, Kindle Fire, Symbian, Java, HP/Palm. Developers, say this is the #1 Bible app in the world. That may be true given the hundreds of Bibles available for you to choose from in more than 1,000 languages. Some of the Bibles are approved Catholic versions like NAB-RE and Douay Rheims. Internet connection needed to use most content in this app, but some Bibles are imbedded in the app so you can read them off line. Unfortunately, none of the imbedded bibles in English are Catholic editions. Audio Bibles are available but not downloadable. These include Douay Rheims. Study tools include reading plans, search capability, note taking, highlighting and bookmarking capability.
Text can be sized for easier reading. Your bookmarks, highlights and notes are saved on YouVersion.com which you must log into to use. But this gives you cross-platform use wherever you go with whatever relevant device you use to access the Bible you are in the midst of reading.
You will enjoy the added bonus of videos in which portions of the Bible are dramatized in beautifully filmed enactments as the narrator reads from Scripture.
iMissal Catholic Bible for iOS [iPhone/iPad/iPodTouch] (9.99) You get the New American Bible (NABre), the Catholic Bible readings we use at Mass (in the United States) come from this translation. No WIFI is necessary, so the entire Bible can be read offline and available for immediate use. It has all the bells and whistles you want in a Bible app. This app is from the makers of iMissal and is designed to be integrated with the iMissal app. However, even if you pay for the iMissal app, you still have to purchase this separate Bible ($9.99). That is still a great deal for a fully downloadable Catholic Bible, and the best part is it integrates directly with iMissal so that you can jump from Mass readings and Bible verses directly into iMissal Bible for full contextual reference. FEATURES: * Entire New American Bible (NABre) * No WIFI necessary * Works on both iPhone and iPad * Includes Footnotes and Endnotes * Fully searchable by word, phrase, verse. Filterable. * Share scripture via social media (e.g. Facebook, Twitter, Email) * Multiple Display Modes (Day, Night, Sepia) * User Font typeface and size selection * Highlight text using multiple colors * Bookmarks * Book Ribbons * Verses on separate lines setting * Multiple Paging Options (flick, vertical and horizontal paging) * Create your own Notes for later reference * View FootNotes without interrupting reading flow * History tracking * Reading Plans.
Catholic NAB-RE Bible on Apple ($2.99)–This "revised edition" is the first major update to the New American Bible (NAB) text in more than twenty years. It is the version of Scripture you hear at Mass in the United States. You get the COMPLETE Bible and do not need to be connected to the internet to read it. Approved by the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops. This is value-priced considering the fact that it can be downloaded to your device and it comes with so many features listed below:
– Easily switch between books by touching book title
– Move between chapters via swipe left/right gesture
– Increase/decrease font size by pinch in/out gesture
– Search verses, filter by chapter, book, old, new, entire bible
– Bookmark verses by touching a verse
– Copy multiple verses
– Highlight verses
– Tweet verses
– Book introductions
– Hypertext footnotes
– Hypertext endnotes
– Hypertext references
– Daily Readings
– History of Last 50 Verses Visited
– Stories, Parables, Miracles, Prayers found in the Bible
Revised Standard Version -Catholic Edition– ($4.99) iOS only. This Bible version is also known as the "Ignatius Bible."From developers: This is "an authorized revision of the American Standard Version, published in 1901, which was a revision of the King James Version, published in 1611." It includes the deuterocanon (seven full books with additions to two others–unique to Catholic Bibles), and explanatory notes. Features: highlight and e-mail text; search word(s); change font size; low-light mode; bookmark; opens to last page read; reading plan. This version is ideal if you prefer a very classic translation void of modern inclusive gender sensitivity.
Laudate(Free)Apple andAndroid,Kindle Fire NAB-RE Bible when connected to internet only. It also offers Douay-Rheims Bible which is local so you don't need to be connected to the internet. This makes for a large file, so they recommend moving the app to your phone's SD card if you're not using an iOS device. Laudete is a highly popular Catholic app which is loaded with many Catholic resources like a Roman Missal, dozens of prayers, Roman Breviary, rosary, Church documents, and much more in this valuable all-in-one app.
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iPieta.($2.99) Full version in Apple and Android is split up into several lite apps. Contains the Douay-Rheims, Clementine Vulgate (Catholic and public domain) Developer note: Psalms are COMPLETE but numbered as in the Vulgate. iPieta bundles many other Catholic resources like hundreds of prayers (some in audio format), Church documents, classic Catholic books, liturgical calendar and much more in this valuable all-in-one app.
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Words With Jesus (.99 cents) Apple and Android Here's a neat concept: a Scripture app that only serves up the words of Jesus Christ. That's right. If you just want to encounter a quote from Our Lord to meditate upon, this is your app. Not only do you get a daily short Scripture passage with the words of Jesus (that can be set with a daily reminder on your device), but you get a nice little reflection to go with it. You may easily share the passage on Facebook and Twitter through this app. Topics can be filtered by category. A link from the passage takes you to an on-line Bible to read it in its entirety in context. This is a terrific way to weave Scripture into your daily life and delve deeper into the Bible with targeted meditations from the mouth of Our Savior.
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Catholic Audio Bibles (some contain full text of Bibles too)
Lighthouse Catholic Media Bible. (Free RSV-CE text Bible) Apple, Android and for the Kindle Fire. Nook. This includes a RSV-CE Bible AND audio of the New Testament. You get the audio of the Gospel of St. John in the free version with the ability to purchase more New Testament audio books. From Developers:"…electronic version of the entire RSV-CE Bible, packed with incredible content from various Catholic apostolates intended to bring Sacred Scripture to life! With over 50 purchasable [$1.99-$2.99 ea.] Lighthouse talks on various biblical topics, and FREE audio presentations from Dr. Scott Hahn and the St. Paul Center for Biblical Theology…you'll go deeper into the Scripture than ever before. And now you can also purchase Truth and Life – the award winning "radio drama" of the entire RSV-CE New Testament…This amazing audio New Testament is endorsed with an Imprimatur from the Vatican and includes a foreword by Pope Benedict XVI"
The Truth & Life Dramatized audio Bible New Testament($19.99 or separate books $1.99 ea; Download Free version includes the Gospel of Mark on audio and a complete Bible text, RSV-CE translation). Apple, Adroid, Windows PC, Kindle Fire, Nook This is the best audio version of the New Testament in the market in this format. Imagine a celebrity-filled "radio drama" of the entire RSV-CE New Testament complete with movie-quality sound effects and an original music score!
From Developers: "More than 70 actors help bring the scriptures to life in this 22-hour audio production, complete with This award-winning audio New Testament is endorsed with an Imprimatur from the Vatican and including a foreword by Pope Benedict XVI."
Although you only get the audio version of the Gospel of Mark with this free version, developers note that at any time you can purchase the full New Testament audio AND the full Ignatius Catholic Study Bible annotated by Dr. Scott Hahn and Curtis Mitch. Download link to full package here. Developers note: "The Ignatius Catholic Study Bible includes superb notes, essays, and commentary, as well as a doctrinal index."
Individual audio books of the New Testament are $1.99 ea; the complete new Testament is $19.99 and the entire package audio and study bible is 29.99. Stuck in traffic? On a long road trip? Fire up this app and enjoy having the Gospels read to you while you listen to the oars of Peter's boat slapping the water on the Sea of Galilee or the crowds gasp in amazement on witnessing a miracle from Jesus. The background music does not interfere with the dialogue but actually enhances it. In addition to exhilarating audio, the app features:
- Complete text of RSV-CE synchronized with audio [text highlights move with the audio reading- very cool]
- Go directly to any verse and hear and see the Bible instantly [very cool!]
- Use the built in playlist to hear the New Testament in 40 days or in Chronological order [built-in reading plan]
- Create your own playlist of verses [who else provides that?]
- Remembers where you left off.
- Easily fit entire 22 hours of audio on your device.
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Catholic Audio Bible in MP3 format (Trial version is free.) Apple and Android. Requires internet connection. Douay-Reims translation of Latin Vulgate in which you can listen to the entire Catholic Bible, both Old and New Testament. The trial version is the lite version which you can download for free and sample a few Scripture chapters. Upgrade to the Pro version to have unlimited access to the complete Old and New Testament. These MP3's are streamed, not downloaded, so they take up no storage space on your device. Keep in mind, this is not a high-tech modern recording. Developers note this is a vintage recording digitally transferred from tape recordings. You may enjoy that particular audio ambience coupled with the male reader's British accent.
Catholic Study Bibles
Study Bibles come with tremendous extra resources to help you dig deeper into the text for your study or devotional life. Want to discover treasures hidden within Sacred Scripture? A Catholic study Bible is a great place to start. These resources typically include commentaries, extended footnotes, maps, lexicons, photos, Church documents, search capability, Hebrew and Greek translations, concordances and much more.
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Screen shot of one of the many pages filled with resources in Verbum.
Verbum (Free for basic components that include 15 books!) Apple | Android | Kindle Fire | Mac and PC. NOWGet a 30-day free trial of Version 8 bundle without using your credit card! This basic package (first step beyond the free version) is $236 to purchase and includes 285 resources worth $3,000.
This mind-blowing app is produced under the Faithlife (formerly Logos) software product line, a powerful Bible study platform all on its own. While the original Logos software was primarily Protestant in orientation, its developers created a Catholic version under the brand, Verbum–the world's leading Catholic study platform which includes networked libraries, fast searches, original language tools, and other knowledge-based resources to help you mine the depths of Sacred Scripture.
Verbumcaters uniquely to Catholic study in that it incorporates sacred scripture and tradition. That means that documents of the Church, writings of Church Fathers, Catholic commentaries and the teachings of the faith (various Catechisms) are among many Catholic resources included in the bundle, integrating a personal library into your experience of studying sacred Scripture. That's because the search function can include your entire library (or specific resources you choose), not just Scripture. Crazy, right? So, you can enter Scripture or a topic in the Passage Guide and within seconds it finds material from all the books loaded into the app including Scripture, Church Fathers, Medieval theological works, and contemporary theology— all linked to the pages in those resources you need. If that is not enough, the Exegetical Guide introduces you to original ancient languages, even if you don't read Greek or Hebrew. You can split screen to read Bible verse with another book simultaneously. Needless to say, the desktop/laptop version provides the real estate you'll need on a screen when all those windows pop up. Your app log-in works with the desktop version as all devices work together seamlessly.
At any time, you can purchase other resources for your library (beyond the initial free 15 books!) that complement your needs. More than 35,000 titles to choose from. So anyone can benefit: laypeople dabbling in biblical and theological study; priests and deacons looking to enrich their homilies; hard-core academics who need the latest in biblical scholarship.
The complete Roman Catholic lectionary is included in the free version, so even if you only got this app for the Mass readings, it's worth it. But there is a lot more to this exceptional Catholic Bible study app including highlighting, bookmarking and note taking capabilities which it saves on line so you can access your information and open to the last page read among your mobile devices or your computer. A video tutorial is bundled with the app to help you learn how to use many of its features. Here is an in-depth review that will sell you on this power-app if you are not convinced of its value already. The Version 8 starter bundle is available now as a FREE trial. So, after you download the free side with 15 valuable books, you have the opportunity to test drive the starter version that adds 285 resources to your library!
FREE RESOURCES (imagine what you would have to pay if these were print books???!!!) include:
*The Catholic Lectionary, The Roman Catechism, Pictorial Lives of the Saints, Sources of Catholic Dogma (Denzinger), Thomas a Kempis' The Imitation of Christ, Newman's An Essay on the Development of Christian Doctrine, Chesterton's Orthodoxy, and many more.
*Free Bibles: The Revised Standard Version Catholic Edition, Douay-Rheims, King James Version, Clementine Vulgate, Novum Testamentum Graece (Tischendorf), The Greek New Testament: SBL Edition, Westcott-Hort Greek New Testament, Lexham English Bible.
TOP FEATURES
* LECTIONARY: Access daily readings with a simple tap.
* CATECHISM OF THE CATHOLIC CHURCH: The app integrates fully with the Logos edition of the Catechism.
* NOTES: Attach your thoughts, comments, and questions to any verse or book.
* HIGHLIGHTING: Mark the text however you want with fully customizable colors and text options.
* COMMUNITY NOTES: Share verse-by-verse thoughts and comments with your Faithlife groups.
* BIBLE WORD STUDY: Learn more about any word by examining dictionaries, lexicons, and cross-references.
* PASSAGE GUIDE: Get a detailed, verse-specific report including commentaries, lexicons, and cross-references.
* SPLIT SCREEN: Follow threads of meaning through multiple books at the same time.
* SEARCH: Find every mention of a word or phrase in every resource in your library.
* SOCIAL: Share with your Faithlife groups and keep up with what's going on.
Olive Tree Bible Study (Free to $24.95) Apple Android, Kindle Fire, Windows Tablet, Apple Watch, Mac and PC. A reviewer characterized this app as the "gold standard of Bible study apps." Check out these videos to see how the various functions work. You will be amazed! The interface to delve into all the various tools is elegant and smooth. All the popular Catholic editions are included in their offering. So much is packed into this gem of an app: extensive footnotes; option to include maps and charts; search capability; load optional commentary; verse chooser; text highlight; book ribbons; pop-up lexicon; ability to make notes in the text. It has a split-screen capability to view two passages simultaneously, so you can keep Greek or Hebrew open while you read English, for example. Free Bibles available in dozens of editions including Catholic. But it does not include or incorporate documents and writings from the Church's sacred tradition, so that part of your experience of studying Sacred Scripture is not available in this app. If you want that included, choose the free Verbum app instead and skip this one. If you choose an Olive Tree Bible, the FIRST thing you do is download their Bible Reader software (Free). The Bible Reader is the program used to read the text–much like Kindle software is used to read digital books. Once the software is loaded, set up an account and then choose Bibles you want to download from the developer's web site (includes all the popular versions, study versions, non-English, Greek and Hebrew Bibles!) Prices range from free to $24.95 and the site explains how to retrieve your book for your Bible reader. Bibles and books can be purchased directly from within the app on your mobile device, or they can be purchased through the Olive Tree web site and downloaded to your device later. There are hundreds of free books and study tools in Olive Tree's catalog. Video tutorials are loaded on the app to help you use its many features.
Mobile Bible Software for advanced Greek and Hebrew Olive Tree Bible Software offers the standard scholarly Greek and Hebrew texts, parsing and morphological information at the touch of a finger, and fast and powerful searches on words or morphologies – developed for all mobile devices. Watch the video to see how it works. This. Will. Blow. Your. Mind.
Source: https://catholicapptitude.org/2018/11/11/top-catholic-bible-apps-so-the-word-of-god-is-always-with-you/
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