Liturgy Office | Approved Versions of Scripture

Sacred Scripture

Versions approved for use in the liturgy

The Bishops’ Conference of England and Wales has approved the following versions of Scripture for use in the Liturgy.

Bible Versions

  • Revised Standard Version
  • Jerusalem Bible
  • New Jerusalem Bible *
  • New Revised Standard Version *
  • Good News — may be used for Masses with Children
  • English Standard Version: Catholic Edition **

Psalters

  • Grail (1963)
  • Grail (revised 1993)*
  • Abbey Psalms and Canticles (2020)** — a revision of the Grail Psalter

* These versions may not be used to produce a Lectionary without the express permission of the Conference. The current Lectionary makes use of the Jerusalem Bible and the Grail Psalter (1963).

** Work is currently being done on a new edition of the Lectionary based on the English Standard Version: Catholic Edition and the Abbey Psalms and Canticles.

Divine Office

The Divine Office follows a principle where different versions of scripture were used for particular books of the Bible. The following versions are used:

  • Jerusalem Bible
  • Knox Bible
  • New English Bible
  • Revised Standard Version
  • Good News

Psalms and Canticles

The Grail Psalter (1963) is used for the Psalms. Canticles are taken from:

  • Grail
  • Jerusalem Bible
  • Revised Standard Version