Willibrord or NBV21: which one suits you?

THE SHORT ANSWER

Choose Willibrord if the translation suits your reading environment or preference; check out the NBV21 if you are looking for a widely used contemporary translation. Compare the same passages and check the content of the performance.

Tradition can help with reading together

The Willibrord translation is connected to the Catholic Bible tradition. The NBV21 is intended for a broad group of readers. These are starting points, not limits to who can read a translation. If using together, ask which edition is actually on the table. The name of a tradition alone does not always tell us that.

Read different types of text

Try a narrative passage, a psalm, and an epistle in both translations. Which sentences can you follow well? Where does the text raise a fruitful question? Don't judge on one single word. A choice for home may also be different from a practical choice for a reading group.

Check what's in the tire

If you want the deuterocanonical books included, check the specific edition. Within the NBV21 there are versions with and without those books. In addition, pay attention to size, paper and additional explanation. The Willibrord paperback and home Bible offer other uses; the translation name does not determine the execution.

Issues to view

Choose based on your own reading purpose and, if in doubt, first look at the interior. These editions match the options above:

Frequently asked questions

Can you use both translations side by side?

Yes, comparing can help you read more consciously and ask questions.

Are extra Bible books included in each NBV21?

No, choose a version in which the deuterocanonical books are explicitly mentioned.

Topics: Bible choice, Willibrord or NBV21

Sources and accountability

For information about translations and editions, we consulted these sources on October 14, 2026:

An addition or correction? Let us know.