University of Navarra - The Navarre Bible: Captivity Letters

Preface

In providing both undergraduate and postgraduateeducation, and in the research it carries out, a university is ultimately aninstitution at the service of society. It was with this service in mind thatthe theology faculty of the University of Navarre embarked on the project ofpreparing a translation and commentary of the Bible accessible to a widereadershipa project entrusted to it by the apostolic zeal of the University'sfounder and first chancellor, Monsignor Josemara Escriv de Balaguer.

Monsignor Escriv didnot live to see the publication of the first volume, the Gospel according to StMatthew; but he must, from heaven, continue to bless and promote our work, forthe volumes, the first of which appeared in 1976, have been well received andwidely read.

This edition of theBible avoids many scholarly questions, discussion of which would over-extendthe text and would be of no assistance to the immense majority of readers;these questions are avoided, but they have been taken into account.

The Spanish editioncontains a new Spanish translation made from the original texts, always takingnote of the Church's official Latin text, which is now that of the New Vulgate,a revision of the venerable Latin Vulgate of St Jerome: on 25 April 1979 PopeJohn Paul II, by the Apostolic Constitution Scripturarumthesaurus, promulgated the editio typicaprior of the New Vulgate as the new official text; the editio typica altera, issued in 1986, is the Latinversion used in this edition. For the English edition of this book we considerourselves fortunate in having the Revised Standard Version as the translationof Scripture and wish to record our appreciation for permission to use thattext, an integral part of which are the RSV notes, which are indicated bysuperior letters.

The introductions andnotes have been prepared on the basis of the same criteria. In the notes (whichare the most characteristic feature of this Bible, at least in its Englishversion), along with scriptural and ascetical explanations we have sought tooffer a general exposition of Christian doctrinenot of course a systematicexposition, for we follow the thread of the scriptural text. We have also triedto explain and connect certain biblical passages by reference to others,conscious that Sacred Scripture is ultimately one single entity; but, to avoidtiring the reader, most of the cross-references aregiven in the form of marginal notes (the marginal notes in this edition are,then, those of the Navarre Bible, not the RSV). The commentaries contained inthe notes are the result of looking up thousands of sources (sometimesreflected in explicit references given in our text)documents of theMagisterium, exegesis by Fathers and Doctors of the Church, works by importantspiritual writers (usually saints, of every period) and writings of the founderof our University. It would have been impertinent of us to comment on the HolyBible using our own expertise alone. Besides, a basic principle of exegesis isthat Scripture should be inter - preted in the contextof Sacred Tradition and under the guidance of the Magisterium.

From the very beginningof our work our system has been to entrust each volume to a committee whichthen works as a team. However, the general editor of this edition takesultimate responsibility for what it contains.

It is our pleasant dutyto express our gratitude to the present chancellor of the University ofNavarre, Bishop Alvaro del Portillo y Diez de Sollano,for his continued support and encouragement, and for reminding us of the goodour work can do for the Church and for souls.

"Since SacredScripture must be read and interpreted with its divine authorship inmind," we pray to the Holy Spirit to help us in our work and to help ourreaders derive spiritual benefit from it. We also pray to Mary, our Mother,Seat of Wisdom, and St Joseph, our Father and Lord, to intercede that thissowing of the Word of God may produce holiness of life in the souls of manyChristians.