“Includes the deuterocanonical books” does not mean every Bible has the same contents. Catholic, Orthodox, and Protestant Apocrypha-inclusive editions can differ in which books they include and where they place them.
These 10 picks span study Bibles, large-print editions, journaling formats, and gift-ready covers. Start with the book list and translation that fit your needs, then choose the features you will actually use.
Best 10 Bible with Deuterocanonical Books Picks for 2026
Flexible Paperback Pick
- NRSV paperback edition
- Separate Apocrypha section
- Maps and reader’s aids
Best For: NRSV readers seeking a paperback with a separate Apocrypha section
Compact Carry Pick
- Compact paperback format
- Deuterocanonicals and imprimatur
- Mini dictionary and chronology
Best For: Readers wanting a portable Bible with basic reference aids
Orthodox Study Pick
- Septuagint-based Old Testament
- Early Christian commentary
- Icons, maps, and liturgical readings
Best For: Readers seeking Orthodox-focused Scripture study
Large-Print Catholic Pick
- Complete Catholic text
- 11-point Comfort Print
- Study notes and cross-references
Best For: Catholic readers seeking larger print and study resources
Best for Cross-References
- 15 Apocrypha books between the Testaments
- Over 73,000 Old and New Testament cross-references
- 9.5-point Comfort Print and two ribbons
Best For: KJV readers who compare related passages
Best Catholic Gift Edition
NRSV Catholic Edition Gift Bible
- Complete Catholic Bible with imprimatur
- Presentation page and white Leathersoft cover
- Catholic study helps and one-year reading plan
Best For: Catholic faith-milestone gifts
Best for Journaling
- Lined, extra-wide note-taking margins
- Apocrypha between the Testaments
- Thick cream paper and 9.5-point print
Best For: Readers who annotate Scripture
Best Illustrated Edition
NRSVCE Illustrated Catholic Bible
- Complete Catholic canon with imprimatur
- 513 Scripture-linked woodcut illustrations
- Single-column text and two ribbons
Best For: Art-focused devotional reading
Best Teal Gift Edition
NRSV Catholic Edition Gift Bible
- Complete Catholic canon with imprimatur
- Presentation page for a personal note
- Reading plan, reference helps, and maps
Best For: A teal Bible for a Catholic milestone
Best Brown Gift Edition
NRSV Catholic Edition Gift Bible
- Complete Catholic canon with imprimatur
- Presentation page and Catholic study helps
- One-year reading plan and maps
Best For: A brown Bible for a Catholic milestone
Flexible Paperback Pick – NRSV Bible with Apocrypha
Holy Bible, With The Apocryphal/Deuterocanonical Books, New Revised Standard Edition
Check Price On AmazonIf you want a bible with deuterocanonical books for study or devotion, this NRSV paperback places them in a separate section between the Old and New Testaments. Maps and reader’s aids add useful context without making this a specialized study edition.
Best For: Readers who want an NRSV paperback with a clearly separated Apocrypha section.
Pros:
- Includes the Apocryphal/Deuterocanonical books.
- Provides maps and a variety of reader’s aids.
- Paperback format measures 5.3 x 8.2 inches.
Cons:
- The additional books are grouped between the Testaments rather than integrated into the Old Testament.
- At 1,404 pages, it is not a slim volume.
This is a straightforward choice if the NRSV translation and separate-book arrangement suit your reading habits.
Compact Carry Pick – Good News Translation Bible
For a smaller bible with deuterocanonical books, this Good News Translation paperback measures 4.2 x 6.1 inches. It includes the Deuterocanonicals/Apocrypha, Septuagint passages, a mini dictionary, and a Bible chronology.
Best For: Readers who prioritize a compact paperback with basic reference aids.
Pros:
- Includes the Deuterocanonicals/Apocrypha and carries an imprimatur.
- Mini dictionary and chronology offer quick reference.
- Compact dimensions and a listed weight of one pound make it easier to carry than larger editions here.
Cons:
- The supplied description lists only brief reference aids, not extensive study notes.
- Paperback binding may not appeal to readers seeking a hardcover.
Choose this edition when portability matters more than a large-format study layout.
Orthodox Study Pick – The Orthodox Study Bible
The Orthodox Study Bible, Hardcover: Ancient Christianity Speaks to Today's World
Check Price On AmazonIf you are shopping for a bible with deuterocanonical books from an Orthodox perspective, this hardcover pairs an Old Testament newly translated from the Greek Septuagint, including the Deuterocanon, with a New King James Version New Testament. Its commentary draws on early Christian perspectives.
Best For: Readers seeking Orthodox-oriented study material alongside the Deuterocanon.
Pros:
- Includes the Deuterocanon within its Septuagint-based Old Testament.
- Offers commentary, book introductions, outlines, and a subject index.
- Includes liturgical readings, full-color icons, and maps.
- Uses 9.5-point type.
Cons:
- Its Orthodox perspective may not match readers seeking Catholic-specific study notes.
- At 1,856 pages and 2.31 pounds, it is less compact than the paperback options.
This is the strongest fit in this group when Orthodox interpretation and study features are your main priorities.
Large-Print Catholic Pick – NABRE Catholic Bible
For a large-print Catholic bible with deuterocanonical books, this NABRE edition combines the complete Catholic text with 11-point type, cross-references, and thousands of study notes. Its Leathersoft cover and Smyth-sewn binding are designed for regular reading at a desk or in hand.
Best For: Catholic readers who want larger type and substantial study notes.
Pros:
- Includes the Deuterocanonical books and has an imprimatur.
- 11-point Comfort Print text supports readers who prefer larger type.
- Provides book introductions, cross-references, and thousands of study notes.
- Smyth-sewn binding lays flat; two ribbon markers help track passages.
Cons:
- At 3.02 pounds and 10.15 inches tall, it is not a compact carry option.
- Its double-column layout may not suit readers who prefer single-column text.
Pick this edition if readable type and Catholic study resources outweigh portability.
Best for Cross-References – KJV Bible with Apocrypha
If you want a bible with deuterocanonical books alongside the traditional King James text, this edition includes 15 books of the Apocrypha between the Testaments. Its standout feature is the extensive center-column reference system for the Old and New Testaments.
Best For: KJV readers who want the Apocrypha and tools for comparing related passages.
Pros:
- Over 73,000 center-column cross-references and translator notes in the Old and New Testaments.
- Book introductions, study articles, reading plans, and full-color maps add context.
- 9.5-point Comfort Print, two ribbons, and a Smyth-sewn binding support regular use.
Cons:
- The KJV’s traditional wording may not suit readers seeking contemporary English.
- At 1,664 pages and 2.31 pounds, it is not a compact carry Bible.
Choose this edition if passage connections matter more to you than portability; its Apocrypha and reference tools make it a particularly useful KJV study companion.
Best Catholic Gift Edition – NRSV Catholic Edition Gift Bible
For a bible with deuterocanonical books intended for Catholic reading, this NRSV Catholic Edition includes the complete Catholic Bible and carries an official Roman Catholic imprimatur. Its white Leathersoft cover and presentation page make it especially suitable for a faith milestone.
Best For: Giving a Catholic Bible for a sacrament, wedding, or other milestone.
Pros:
- Complete Catholic canon, including the Deuterocanonical books.
- Book introductions, Catholic-belief articles, a glossary, concordance, and maps offer useful guidance.
- Smyth-sewn binding, ribbon marker, and a one-year reading plan suit ongoing use.
Cons:
- Its 8.5-point type is smaller than the print in the other two editions here.
- Anglicized text may not match every reader’s preferred English usage.
This is the clearest fit when a gift-ready, Catholic-approved edition matters most. Check the print size if the recipient prefers larger type.
Best for Journaling – NRSVue Bible with Apocrypha
NRSVue, Holy Bible with Apocrypha, Journal Edition, Cloth over Board, Cream, Comfort Print
Check Price On AmazonIf you are shopping for a bible with deuterocanonical books and space to write, this NRSVue Journal Edition pairs an Apocrypha section between the Testaments with lined, extra-wide margins. Thick cream paper and a double-column layout make it a practical choice for reading and recording reflections in one volume.
Best For: Readers who want to annotate an updated NRSV-family translation.
Pros:
- Lined wide margins provide dedicated room for notes.
- Thick cream paper, 9.5-point Comfort Print, and a lay-flat Smyth-sewn binding support writing and reading.
- Includes the NRSVue text and Apocrypha between the Old and New Testaments.
Cons:
- Its 2.17-inch thickness and 1,856 pages make it a bulky option.
- Readers seeking the Catholic canon integrated within the Old Testament may prefer a Catholic Edition.
Pick this one for margin space rather than a compact format. The separate Apocrypha placement also makes its organization worth checking against your preferred reading tradition.
Best Illustrated Edition – NRSVCE Illustrated Catholic Bible
NRSVCE, Illustrated Catholic Bible, Leathersoft, Black, Comfort Print: Holy Bible
Check Price On AmazonIf you want a bible with deuterocanonical books that also supports visual reflection, this NRSV Catholic Edition pairs the complete Catholic canon with 513 woodcut illustrations. Each image is linked to a Scripture passage, and the single-column layout keeps the text straightforward to follow.
Best For: Readers who want an art-rich Catholic Bible for devotional reading.
Pros:
- Complete Catholic canon with the Church’s imprimatur.
- 513 antique illustrations linked to Scripture passages.
- Single-column pages, two ribbon markers, and a lay-flat Smyth-sewn binding.
Cons:
- At 3 pounds and 2,016 pages, it is less convenient to carry.
- The 9.5-point type may not suit readers seeking large print.
Choose this edition when the illustrations are part of the appeal; for a smaller gift Bible, the other editions in this roundup are more practical.
Best Teal Gift Edition – NRSV Catholic Edition Gift Bible
This teal Leathersoft edition is a bible with deuterocanonical books designed for a Catholic milestone. Its presentation page makes the gift personal, while book introductions, a reading plan, and other study helps give a new owner places to start.
Best For: Gifting for Baptism, First Communion, Confirmation, marriage, or RCIA.
Pros:
- Complete Catholic Bible, including the Deuterocanonical books, with imprimatur.
- Presentation page plus prayers, introductory material, glossary, concordance, and maps.
- One-year reading plan, ribbon marker, and lay-flat Smyth-sewn binding.
Cons:
- The 8.5-point type may feel small to readers who prefer larger print.
- Unlike the illustrated edition, its listed features do not include Scripture-linked artwork.
The teal cover is the main distinction from the brown gift edition; both offer the same listed reading and reference features.
Best Brown Gift Edition – NRSV Catholic Edition Gift Bible
For a bible with deuterocanonical books in a brown Leathersoft gift format, this NRSV Catholic Edition covers the complete Catholic canon. A presentation page and practical reference features make it suitable for marking a faith milestone without choosing a larger illustrated volume.
Best For: Someone who prefers a brown Catholic gift Bible with reading and reference helps.
Pros:
- Includes the Deuterocanonical books and bears the Church’s imprimatur.
- Presentation page, book introductions, articles on Catholic beliefs, and full-color maps.
- One-year reading plan, ribbon marker, and Smyth-sewn binding that lays flat.
Cons:
- The 8.5-point text is not a large-print option.
- Its listed features do not include the antique illustrations found in the illustrated edition.
Pick this over the teal version if the brown cover better suits the recipient; the listed study and gifting features are otherwise alike.
How We Picked the Best Bible with Deuterocanonical Books
We prioritized editions with a stated Catholic, Orthodox, or Apocrypha-inclusive scope, then considered translation, reading format, study tools, and intended use. The list includes different traditions rather than treating every Bible with Deuterocanonical Books as interchangeable. Some selections share the same NRSV Catholic Edition text but offer different covers or presentation styles; those are format choices, not different translations.
Quick Comparison
For a Catholic edition, consider the NABRE or an NRSV Catholic Edition (NRSVCE). The NABRE large-print edition emphasizes readable text, while the NRSVCE options include gift and illustrated formats. For an Orthodox-oriented choice, look to The Orthodox Study Bible. For editions that label the additional writings “Apocrypha,” compare the NRSV, NRSVue, Good News Translation, and KJV options. The NRSVue journal edition adds writing space; the KJV edition offers center-column cross-references and traditional language.
Edition names alone do not settle every contents question. If a particular book matters to you, check the publisher’s table of contents before ordering.
Key Buying Factors for a Bible with Deuterocanonical Books
Book List and Placement
Catholic editions generally include the seven deuterocanonical books and the Greek additions to Esther and Daniel within the Old Testament. Apocrypha-inclusive editions may place additional writings in a separate section, and their exact selections can vary. Orthodox editions may follow a different Old Testament tradition. Verify both the included books and their placement, especially if you need an edition for a specific church or course.
Translation and Reading Experience
Choose a translation you will want to read regularly. The KJV preserves familiar traditional phrasing; the Good News Translation uses more straightforward contemporary English. The NRSV, NRSVue, and NABRE offer other reading styles and editorial approaches. If you already use a translation in worship or study, matching it can make references easier to follow.
Format and Study Features
Large print can matter more than a decorative cover for daily reading. Cross-references help with passage-to-passage study; a study edition adds explanatory material; a journal edition gives you room for notes. Check dimensions, print size, binding, and whether the text is single- or double-column if those details affect how you read.
Who Should Buy Which Bible with Deuterocanonical Books?
Choose a Catholic edition when you want the Catholic Old Testament book arrangement; pick the NABRE large-print option if legibility is the priority, or an NRSVCE gift edition for a presentation copy. Choose The Orthodox Study Bible if you want an Orthodox-oriented text and commentary. For comparative study or a separate Apocrypha section, start with the NRSV, NRSVue, GNT, or KJV editions, then confirm the specific book list. If you take notes in the margins, the NRSVue journal format is the most purpose-built option here.