I think the RSV — in whatever edition, including Ignatius’ 2nd Catholic Edition — is better than MBD gives it credit for. It stands in the grand tradition of English Bibles, beginning with Tyndale, it’s accurate and readable and dignified. The ESV is based on the RSV, but it has some idiosyncrasies driven by the translators’ evangelical concerns. (That of course afflicts most every translation.) The other problem with the ESV for study, ecumenical or Catholic use is that lacks the so-called Deuterocanonicals. But I do like it; when I was at Wheaton I favored it and recommended it to my students, especially over the awful NIV new and old.
