What is the ESV-CE Bible and how does it differ from ESV?

If you've been shopping for a new Bible and noticed a version labeled ESV-CE, you've probably wondered whether it's the same as the regular English Standard Version you've seen on other shelves. It isn't quite the same thing, and the difference matters if you're Catholic, if you're comparing translations for a Bible study, or if you're simply trying to understand why there are so many versions of the same book.

The letters CE stand for Catholic Edition. The ESV-CE is a version of the widely respected English Standard Version that has been adapted to meet the needs of Catholic readers, including the full Old Testament canon recognized by the Catholic Church and some wording adjustments that align with Catholic doctrine and liturgical tradition.

Where the ESV-CE came from and why it was created

The original English Standard Version was published in 2001 by a team of evangelical Protestant scholars working under Crossway, a publisher based in Illinois. It was designed as an "essentially literal" translation, meaning it tries to stay as close as possible to the word order and phrasing of the original Hebrew, Aramaic, and Greek texts while still producing readable English. It quickly became popular among Protestant churches and individual readers who wanted a translation that felt both accurate and dignified.

Catholic readers, however, use a Bible that contains more books than the typical Protestant Old Testament. Books like Tobit, Judith, Wisdom, Sirach, Baruch, and 1 and 2 Maccabees, along with additional material in Esther and Daniel, are part of the Catholic canon but are usually left out of Protestant Bibles. For an ESV-based Bible to work for Catholic readers, these books needed to be added, translated in a style consistent with the rest of the ESV text.

That work was carried out through a partnership between Crossway and the Asian Trading Corporation, which held rights related to publishing in several English-speaking Catholic markets, along with input from scholars and bishops who reviewed the text for doctrinal accuracy. The result was first published in India in 2018 and later made available more broadly, including through Catholic publishers in the United States and United Kingdom.

What actually changes between the standard ESV and the ESV-CE

The differences between the two editions are more limited than many readers expect. The New Testament text is nearly identical between the ESV and ESV-CE, since there's no major disagreement between Catholics and Protestants about which New Testament books belong in the Bible. Most of the changes happen in the Old Testament.

• Additional books: Tobit, Judith, Wisdom, Sirach (Ecclesiasticus), Baruch, and 1 and 2 Maccabees are included, along with the Greek additions to Esther and Daniel.
• Book order: The ESV-CE follows the traditional Catholic ordering of Old Testament books, which differs slightly from the order used in most Protestant Bibles.
• Select wording adjustments: A handful of verses were revised where the original ESV phrasing could be read in a way that conflicts with Catholic teaching, particularly around passages touching on the nature of grace, Mary, and the Eucharist.
• Footnotes and cross-references: Some editions include notes that reflect Catholic interpretive tradition, though the ESV-CE generally has fewer explanatory notes than Bibles like the NABRE.

Outside of these points, the bulk of the text reads exactly like the ESV most readers already know: formal, precise, and careful about preserving the structure of the original languages rather than smoothing everything into casual modern English.

Has the ESV-CE received official approval from the Catholic Church?

This is one of the most common questions people ask, and the answer depends on where you live. The ESV-CE has received an imprimatur, the formal declaration from a bishop that a text is free of doctrinal or moral error, in India, and it has been approved for use in several English-speaking Catholic communities outside the United States.

In the United States, the situation is more complicated. The Bible most commonly approved for liturgical use at Mass in American Catholic parishes is the New American Bible, Revised Edition (NABRE), since the US Conference of Catholic Bishops requires a specific translation for the Lectionary readings proclaimed during Mass. The ESV-CE is not currently the approved Lectionary text in the United States, which means you won't hear it read aloud during a typical Sunday liturgy at most American parishes.

That said, approval for personal reading, study, and private devotion is a separate matter from liturgical approval. Many Catholic readers in the US use the ESV-CE for their own Bible study, prayer time, or homeschooling curriculum, even though it isn't the pew Bible their parish uses on Sunday morning.

A translation doesn't need to be the official Mass text to be a faithful and useful tool for personal study and prayer.

How ESV-CE compares to other Catholic Bible translations

Catholics in English-speaking countries have several translation options, and knowing how the ESV-CE stacks up against the others helps clarify where it fits.

• NABRE (New American Bible, Revised Edition): This is the translation used in the Lectionary at Mass in the United States. It leans toward dynamic, readable English and includes extensive footnotes explaining historical and theological background. Readers who want the exact text they'll hear read at church often prefer this edition.
• RSV-CE (Revised Standard Version, Catholic Edition): Considered a close relative of the ESV-CE, since the ESV itself was originally derived from the RSV. The RSV-CE has a longer track record in Catholic circles and is the basis for the Ignatius Bible, a popular study edition.
• Douay-Rheims: A much older translation, originally completed in the 1600s and later revised, based on the Latin Vulgate rather than Hebrew and Greek manuscripts directly. It has a more formal, archaic style and is favored by some traditionalist Catholics.
• Jerusalem Bible and New Jerusalem Bible: Translations with strong scholarly reputations, known for readable prose and detailed notes, though less common in American parishes than the NABRE.

Among these, the ESV-CE occupies a specific niche: it offers the literal, word-for-word translation style that many Protestant Bible study groups already know and trust, now adapted with the full Catholic canon. For Catholics who came from an evangelical background, or who regularly discuss scripture with Protestant friends and want a text that reads similarly, the ESV-CE can feel like a natural bridge between two traditions.

Who tends to prefer the ESV-CE and why

Not every Catholic reader needs or wants the ESV-CE, but certain groups gravitate toward it for specific reasons.

1. Converts from Protestant denominations often already own and love the standard ESV. Switching to the ESV-CE lets them keep a familiar translation style while gaining access to the complete Catholic Old Testament.
2. Bible study leaders working with mixed groups of Catholics and Protestants sometimes choose the ESV-CE because its phrasing lines up closely with the ESV many Protestant participants already use, reducing confusion when comparing verses aloud.
3. Readers who prioritize translation philosophy over footnote density tend to appreciate the ESV-CE's commitment to literal accuracy, even when the English comes out slightly less smooth than a more paraphrased version.
4. Homeschooling families looking for a rigorous, classically styled translation for scripture memorization and close textual study sometimes choose the ESV-CE specifically for its precision.

On the other hand, readers who want extensive footnotes explaining historical context, or who want to use the exact translation heard at Mass, usually find the NABRE or a study Bible built around it more practical for that purpose.

Where to find the ESV-CE and what editions are available

Availability has improved steadily since the first edition appeared. Several Catholic publishers now distribute the ESV-CE in the United States and United Kingdom, including hardcover and paperback standard editions, as well as study editions that include introductions to each book and basic explanatory notes.

A few practical points worth knowing before buying one:

• Check the cover and copyright page for the words "Catholic Edition" before purchasing, since a standard ESV and an ESV-CE can look similar from a distance but contain different content.
• Digital versions are available through several Bible apps, and some let you switch between the ESV and ESV-CE to compare specific passages side by side.
• Study editions with added commentary tend to cost more but can be worth it for readers newer to Catholic biblical tradition who want guidance on historical and doctrinal context.
• Audiobook versions exist for some editions, useful for anyone who wants to listen to scripture during a commute or while doing other tasks.

Before committing to a particular edition for regular study, it helps to read a familiar passage, such as the Sermon on the Mount or one of the Psalms, in both the ESV-CE and whatever translation you currently use. That comparison often makes the practical differences, and whether the style suits your reading habits, much clearer than any description can.

Frequently asked questions

Is the ESV-CE the same Bible translation used at Catholic Mass in the United States?

No. The Lectionary used at Mass in the United States is based on the New American Bible, Revised Edition (NABRE). The ESV-CE is approved for personal reading and study in several countries but is not currently the official liturgical text for Mass readings in the US.

Does the ESV-CE include the same number of books as a standard ESV Bible?

No, the ESV-CE contains additional Old Testament books, including Tobit, Judith, Wisdom, Sirach, Baruch, and 1 and 2 Maccabees, along with extra material in Esther and Daniel, reflecting the full Catholic biblical canon.

Is the ESV-CE a good choice for a Catholic who grew up using a Protestant ESV Bible?

It can be an excellent choice. The translation style and most wording stay consistent with the standard ESV, so converts or Catholics familiar with that version often find the transition smooth while gaining access to the complete Catholic canon.

How does the ESV-CE compare in readability to the RSV-CE?

Both lean toward literal, word-for-word translation rather than loose paraphrase, since the ESV was itself developed from the RSV tradition. Many readers find the two editions similar in tone, though the ESV-CE uses somewhat more contemporary vocabulary in places.