Unfortunately, only the New Testament is currently available as a single volume (don’t let the size fool you! The introduction and explanatory notes are useful and offer straightforward, non-dogmatic information.

The best edition of the New Testament I have read: the translation is in clear, current, literal English (a Catholic update to the RSV), it has plenty of footnotes if you have questions about particular passages, and it has explanatory essays and maps. This truly is the perfect starter study Bible and one that you will grow with as well as one that you will use for years to come.When tapping the purchase, it only says New Testament, and there is no separate purchase for the Old Testament, so I am a bit wary of making the purchase and finding that I only get one. It adds a whopping 525-page introduction consisting of general Bible information and a mini-commentary “Reading Guide” for each individual book. For example, the Palm Sunday procession of Year B contains two choices of either Mark of John (yes, its in the Roman Missal). I have no doubt subsequent readings will further unveil the mysteries and my understanding of Scripture. The NISB also provides brief book introductions and high-level outlines, about 100 one-page excursuses complimenting the annotations, 40 pages of essays on interpretation, a glossary, and 20 pages of maps.

Therefore, before, when I did not have a copy of the Roman Missal, Study Edition (to be reviewed later), I would often turn to the Lectionary Table. Mine has withstood several years of heavy use and the only signs of wear are on the outer edge of the cover where my hands have worn away and dulled some of the cover's finish--and even that is not readily noticeable. Unfortunately, only the New Testament can be purchased as a single, bound volume – the Old Testament books remain a 7-volume set. Like its predecessor, it is a non-Catholic Bible, but the “Apocrypha” section is placed in its more typical setting, between the OT and NT sections, like most “ecumenical” Bibles. This landmark resource, the first fully-based on the authoritative NABRE translation, contains the trustworthy study notes, expanded essays, and informational sidebars which have guided and informed students and general readers for 25 years.This NT study Bible, used in conjunction with the Scott Hahn Catholic Bible Dictionary, has really opened up the scriptures for me. The Didache Study Bible is a complete study Bible that is based on the RSV (but they also have one based on the NABRE).