Booktober 8th: The ESV Reader’s Bible

[This is Day 8 of #Booktober! Stay tuned for more recommendations!]

What It Is: A multi-volume printing of the Bible that removes the chapter and verse numbering and any cross-references or notations, so that all you have is the text itself, with the occasional major section heading.

Why You Should Read It: When it comes to personal Bible reading, I tend to bounce back and forth between a simple format and a more complex one (like a study Bible with commentary notes). But the most pleasing experience I’ve ever had as a reader was with this “reader’s Bible.” The volumes are well-made and tactilely pleasing. The paper is high-quality with zero bleed-through. The type setting is spaced out and open, and the lack of chapter-and-verse divisions helps to encourage extended reading. Approaching texts like the Epistles in this format are a great reminder that these books were cohesive documents, not snippets of text with interstitial headings. Approaching your Scripture reading in this manner helps you hang onto the “big picture” of the text. The price-point for this set is a bit higher-end (you may be able to find it on sale for $60-80 over the holidays), but I think it’s worth it because it will be a Bible you will return to again and again for personal reading (as I have).

3 thoughts on “Booktober 8th: The ESV Reader’s Bible

    1. It’s a nice change of pace! Different Bible formats are great for different uses, and I do love a good reference or study Bible. But this one is a great way to clear away the visual noise and just lose yourself in the text.

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