My friend Rae Whitlock posted a review of his new ESV Personal Size Reference Bible last week. It inspired me. I recently purchased a new ESV bible ad so I decided to post a review of mine. I will use the same categories as he did but instead of awarding a WIN/FAIL rating I will simply contrast his edition and mine.

1)Layout/Text
I went with the Wide Margin /Reference/Black Letter Edition (heretofore referred to as WMRBL). Rae’s Personal Size Reference Edition (heretofore referred to as PSR) has a single-column format which Rae likes for it’s “top-notch” readability.  While I agree with him in part, I like that my two column format has a lot of context on a single page. What can I say? I’m lazy and like to turn pages as little as possible .
But the major selling point for me was the Wide Margins. I always hate trying to cram any notes into the small margins on the other bibles I have.  Here is a shot of Jonah (the same section Rae showed on his review) to illustrate what the two-column, wide margin format looks like.

The other selling point in this category, for me, was the black letter text. Most anyone who has read any version of the New Testament has seen that most versions put the words of Jesus in red letters. While I certainly put tremendous (and due) authority behind the words of our Savior we must be careful. The words of our Lord are no more or less inspired than any other words in the Holy Writ. I have on many occasions missed hermeneutical issues of context because of “Red letter skipping.” This edition also contains brief introductions to each book.(see picture on right)

2) Size
Rae enjoys the not-too-small but wide PSR. My WMRBL is larger in ever recpect than my thinline ESV (see picture below) and I like it that way. There are certain time where a smaller version would be nice but for the most part I like my bible to be a presence. I like the weight of the larger version in my hand and just the general feel of it.  Below is a comparison to my other esv editions.

3) Binding
Rae went with the black genuine leather with the plan of re-binding with flexible goatskin. I went with the TruTone, Brown/Cordovan, Portfolio Design for mine. The leather is soft and flexible and lays flat. I love the soft feel of this bible.

4) Translation
I had been an NASB guy since my conversion to the doctrines of grace. While the NASB is, indeed, the most literal translation outside the original languages, it has some cumbersome moments in the reading category. For me, the ESV is the best of both worlds. It is thoroughly accurate while being incredible readable.

5) Conclusion
Most of the issues that have been touched in this review and Rae’s are really subjective. Picking a bible comes down to personal preference. But, as I complete this review my mind is flooded with thoughts of those who had not the freedom that we enjoy when it comes to the scriptures. I think of those men and women who gave their very lives in the pursuit of the translation and distribution of the word of God to the laity. There are museums in Europe that contain handwritten copies of scripture stained with the blood of its owner. Let us not take for granted the ease with which we may procure and read the scriptures. Let us read and study all the more diligently.