Rating: 
Summary: Wonderful Edition
Review: (I purchased ISBN:019528335X)Overall, I'm quite pleased with this printing. I'm very happy to finally have an RSV with the Apocrypha. The annotations and section/book introductions are great. It also includes a VERY well-done intro to the Apocrypha. The binding is sewn and flexible--a big plus. The paper is quality and the paragraph-style page layout is great. I have a few peeves, however. The genuine leather is acceptable but a bit stiff, I'd say. Jesus' words are NOT red, granted it wasn't advertised as such. Oxford has very oddly placed all of the Apocrypha and it's indroductory notes at the very end of the book, past the end notes that proceed Revelation. They just kind of slapped the Apocryphal section between the extra blank note pages and the maps. Why they didn't place it between the Old and New Testaments is a mystery to me but that's Oxford for ya! Well, as long as it's got the Apocrypha and all those great notes, I'm happy.
Rating: 
Summary: The best RSV in publication
Review: For those who believe that the RSV is still the best English translation around, the next question is which edition of the RSV? There are some good ones on the market. In particular, the RSV Study Bible (Cambridge) and the new RSV Centenary edition (Oxford 2003). In addition is the RSV Catholic Edition (Scepter Publishers). None of these, however, as good as they are, seriously rival this edition. Apart from all the extras, such as annotations, articles, etc. mention must be made of the eminently clear and readable font of this edition. The Apocrypha has also been placed after the New Testament. I prefer this edition of the Annotated Bible to the newer one with the NRSV for three reasons: I prefer the RSV to the NRSV; this edition is smaller and easier to carry around; and the notes of this edition are in my view better, though they are shorter than the OAB third edition. In conclusion, this is a sensible RSV first choice, even for those who do not use the Apocrypha. The font in this edition with the Apocrypha is bolder than in the edition without the Apocrypha.
Rating:
Summary: Still the best RSV in publication
Review: For those who believe, as I do, that the RSV is still the best English translation around, the next question is which edition of the RSV? There are some good ones on the market. In particular, the RSV Study Bible (Cambridge) and the new RSV Centenary edition (Oxford 2003). In addition is the RSV Catholic Edition (Scepter Publishers). None of these other Bibles though, as good as they are, seriously rival this edition. Apart from all the extras, such as annotations, articles, etc. mention must be made of the eminently clear and readable font of this edition. The Apocrypha has also been placed after the New Testament. I prefer this edition of the Annotated Bible to the newer one with the NRSV for two reasons: I prefer the RSV to the NRSV; and this edition is smaller and easier to carry around. A sensible RSV first choice, even for those who do not use the Apocrypha. The font in this edition with the Apocrypha is bolder than in the edition without the Apocrypha.
Rating:
Summary: Incorrect reviews!
Review: I just wanted to make a note to all the reviews referring to this particular item as the NRSV. Look again! It is the RSV, which means no inclusive language and this is a lovely Bible put out by Oxford University Press. So, if you are looking for a nice leatherbound, annotated study Bible of the RSV with the Apocrypha, ISBN 019528335x is the one for you! Nice and traditional with excellent Orthodox notes.
Rating: 
Summary: Best Overall Translation, Outdated Notes
Review: Overall, I too must agree that the RSV is a better translation than the NRSV. The NRSV tends to render sexist language in gender-neutral translation, whereas I prefer readers understand exactly how flawed the original actually is. It helps to dispel the notion of the "inerrant word of God." I don't mean to suggest the RSV is perfect; in fact, there are quite a few problems with it. For example, it archaizes more recent concepts into ancient texts and cultures in rendering 1 Cor. 6:9 and 1 Tim. 1:10. It also attempts to "modernize" Paul's view of slavery in 1 Cor. 7:21; the Greek is actually quite clear and presents Paul at his most characteristically reprehensible and extreme. Every translation will have problems, regardless what text is being translated. However, some previous reviewers don't seem to have the firmest grasp of ancient Greek when discussing Is. 7:14. The Greek of the Septuagint is "parthenos," which primarily means "maiden" or "young woman" or "girl." Since all of these are supposed to be virgins, the term can also acquire that meaning. This is nothing new to those versed in ancient Greek; just check the LSJ, the standard ancient Greek lexicon in English. So "young woman" is just as good in translating the original Hebrew as in translating the later Greek translation of the Septuagint. Jews reading the Septuagint would also have originally understood "young woman" rather than the much more restrictive and Christian "virgin." As for the various sorts of notes, nothing at this level can now compare with the 3rd ed. of the NOAB, NRSV version--at least not at a properly scholarly level, which is my primary interest. Uniquely Christian interpretations of the Jewish scriptures are simply NOT the originally intended meanings of the human authors of those texts--PERIOD. To speak of any "deeper" or "truer" meaning is to speak as an exponent of a particular religion, which is a point of view irrelevant to the scholarly task in view in the NOAB editions.
Rating:
Summary: The Best in English Bibles
Review: The New Oxford Annotated Bible RSV is the premire English Bible and a true revision and succesor to the venerable KJV. I grew up with this Bible version and have used no other. Although I still lament the improper translation of Isaiah 7:14, this English Bible is truly excellent and the only standard English Bible all of Christendom can use and enjoy. I highly recommend this bible to all.
Rating:
Summary: Great Bible, Ecumenical outlook
Review: The New Oxford Annotated Bible, RSV with apocrypha is not called the Common Bible for nothing. The RSV and Apocrypha is the only Bible translation that the Roman, Orthodox and most Protestant denominations have authorized for use in liturgy as well as private study. Although the RSV's successor, the New Revised Standard Version is allowed for personal study in the US Catholic Church, it is not authorized for use in the Liturgy. While the Canadian Catholic CHurch does use the NRSV in some of its lectionary readings, this is largly because they were prematurely printed and they will be replaced eventually. The Orthodox Church in America has rejected the use of the New RSV for liturgical use AND personal bible study. So, as it stands, the RSV is the only translation that is officially used by Roman, Orthodox and most protestant churches. That's enough for me to use it, but it also helps that it is a great translation, though I echo a former commentators view about the translation of Isaiah 7:14, at least the RSV does not go so far as to incorrectly use "mortal" for Son of Man or use "pale green horse" instead of the traditional pale horse in Revelations. When I hear the phrase pale green horse, as is in the NRSV, I think of a VW bug. So, I highly reccomend the RSV with apocrypha as a great translation for anyone who likes a bible that is current with scholarship but reverent with language and ecumenical in use.
Rating:
Summary: Great Bible, Ecumenical outlook
Review: The New Oxford Annotated Bible, RSV with apocrypha is not called the Common Bible for nothing. The RSV and Apocrypha is the only Bible translation that the Roman, Orthodox and most Protestant denominations have authorized for use in liturgy as well as private study. Although the RSV's successor, the New Revised Standard Version is allowed for personal study in the US Catholic Church, it is not authorized for use in the Liturgy. While the Canadian Catholic CHurch does use the NRSV in some of its lectionary readings, this is largly because they were prematurely printed and they will be replaced eventually. The Orthodox Church in America has rejected the use of the New RSV for liturgical use AND personal bible study. So, as it stands, the RSV is the only translation that is officially used by Roman, Orthodox and most protestant churches. That's enough for me to use it, but it also helps that it is a great translation, though I echo a former commentators view about the translation of Isaiah 7:14, at least the RSV does not go so far as to incorrectly use "mortal" for Son of Man or use "pale green horse" instead of the traditional pale horse in Revelations. When I hear the phrase pale green horse, as is in the NRSV, I think of a VW bug. So, I highly reccomend the RSV with apocrypha as a great translation for anyone who likes a bible that is current with scholarship but reverent with language and ecumenical in use.
Rating:
Summary: "A Bible Everyone Can Agree On"
Review: This Bible is one the most complete that may be found; the translation, and the commentary will be congenial to both Protestant's and Catholic's alike...it is truly an ecumenical Bible.
Rating:
Summary: A Beautiful Volume for Book Lovers
Review: This volume is a joy to sit with and read. The sheer beauty of its supple black leather, gilded (gold) pages, two silken bookmarks and an elegant but very readable font makes this a wonderful bible. I have many Bibles, in all shapes and sizes and translations, and this is already my favorite. As a rather sophisticated Bible reader, I can find no demoninational or doctrinal slant. It is a pure, unadultrated, and beautifully cadenced text with minimal notes, which are of a scholarly nature (alternate words, definitions, places, interesting facts: great stuff). Give this to someone for Christmas, they will be blessed.
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