Readings at mass: Old vs. new

It’s a duel here between New American Bible (NAB), what we hear read at mass these days, and the Douay-Rheims version (D-R), what we heard before the liturgical revolu — I mean reform — shook up Catholic worship.

Here is tomorrow’s 2nd reading, 2nd Sunday of Advent, Romans 15.4-9, NAB vs. D-R, verse by verse, each time NAB first, then D-R:

4 For whatever was written previously was written for our instruction, that by endurance and by the encouragement of the scriptures we might have hope.

[4] For what things soever were written, were written for our learning: that through patience and the comfort of the scriptures, we might have hope.

“Previously” is redundant.  “Instruction” not “learning”?  Why?  “Patience and the comfort” of the scriptures beats “endurance and by the encouragement of” the scriptures.  Patience is a virtue, for one thing, and encouragement “of” the scriptures?  “By”?

5 May the God of endurance and encouragement grant you to think in harmony ² with one another, in keeping with Christ Jesus.

 

[5] Now the God of patience and of comfort grant you to be of one mind one towards another, according to Jesus Christ:

“Thinking in harmony” vs. being “of one mind”?  One is abstract, the other is a good everyday image.

6 that with one accord you may with one voice glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.

[6] That with one mind, and with one mouth, you may glorify God and the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Ditto “one mind . . . one mouth.”  It’s visual and memorable.

7 ³ Welcome one another, then, as Christ welcomed you, for the glory of God.

[7] Wherefore receive one another, as Christ also hath received you unto the honour of God.

“Welcome” vs. “receive”?  The second says more.

8 For I say that Christ became a minister of the circumcised to show God’s truthfulness, to confirm the promises to the patriarchs,

 

[8] For I say that Christ Jesus was minister of the circumcision for the truth of God, to confirm the promises made unto the fathers.

“The circumcision” — a sort of Old Testament sacrament, or an era.  A condition.

9 but so that the Gentiles might glorify God for his mercy. As it is written: “Therefore, I will praise you among the Gentiles and sing praises to your name.”

[9] But that the Gentiles are to glorify God for his mercy, as it is written: Therefore will I confess to thee, O Lord, among the Gentiles, and will sing to thy name.

Both constructions are best left unattended.  But as throughout, the rhythm is the thing.  Or so it seems to me.